Wholesome Choice Market in Irvine
Walking into Wholesome Market can be described as going to a Turkish bazaar. The store has a little bit of everything, is always crowded and smells delicious when you first walk in. Wholesome Market is a Persian grocery store. I have never been to Iran, so I am not familiar with a traditional Persian grocery store, but if this is it it is great.
Your nose is the first sense to be greeted when you enter the store, by the sangak bread baking in the hearthstone ovens. This is a typical Persian bread and it is in popular demand. While every counter in the store has a line (much to my annoyance-as some of the lines move much to slow-gyro counter) this counter has half of Orange County lined up. As you make your way through the store you will notice that almost every grocery cart has numerous loaves of the bread in it.
What makes the market special is their assortment of ethnic food, both for making your own recipies and already cooked. The Persian counter has a wonderful selection of gyros, shwarmas and other Persian dishes. Be prepared to wait at the counter. Efficiency is not the strong point. They missed the MBA lecture on running a business and having a product ready for your consumer. Unfortunatly too often you will show up at the beginning of the lunch hour to find that the meat is not yet cooked. It is lunch time why do you think we are in the store. However if you are patient the food is worth every bite. For the less adventurous there are pizza selections and Chinese food. The store also sells ready to go Thai food, an extensive salad bar and your usual selection of American fare, salmon, chicken and ribs.
The bakery counter has a wonderful selection of cakes and pastries. Across from it you can find baklava.
Located at 18040 Culver in Irvine you will surely enjoy whatever you have to eat.
