- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Al-Hoda Market
- Nearest Transit:
-
Cambridge St @ Prospect St (69)
Prospect St @ Hampshire St (83, 91)
Hampshire St @ Inman St (83, 91)
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
5 reviews for Al-Hoda Market
5 reviews in English
-
Review from Dorothy W.
Cambridge, MA
8/5/2011
What a treasure this place is. I came in for some pomegranate syrup ($3.49) and was happily side tracked by some delicious tahini ($3.99) which I added to my order. Oh, and yes, I will take some of those incredible olives, please. Five dollars worth will last me a while.
This is a tiny, old fashioned place about a block from Cambridge Street, not far from Inman Square and it is now going to be a regular part of my routine when I am shopping at Christina's for my spices or grabbing some food at one of the great restaurants nearby. It's also not far from the Whole Foods on Prospect Street near Central Square.
Not only is it affordable, the owner was super nice. I am just beginning to learn more about Middle Eastern cooking and I know this will be the first place I go for my ingredients and some friendly advice. I do not eat meat, but they had a wide variety of options here for the meat eaters, and I loved the old fashioned vibe here. It's a little, family run place that sort of looks like someone's house, and I like it that way.
If you enjoy shopping in small, intimate grocery stores and are the type who tends to stay away from impersonal chain stores like the dreaded Shaws, this spot will make you very happy.
Wish I had wandered in ages ago. -
Review from Noshii R.
Cambridge, MA
Updated - 10/4/2011
Oh Oh...I think this market's scales are tainted...I just got 3 lb of goat meat and when I got home I realized it was NOT 3 lb.
So, I went back and asked for twice as much meat and while the guy was in the back I weighed the original packet he sold me...
1.7 pounds!!!!!
I cant believe they are trying to cheat their customers like this...I hate it when business do this kinda crap!!!
I WILL be calling the State standards people on this spot...NOT COOL!!!!1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/4/2011
Always a good choice for fresh meat that has not been frozen.
Its a small market, but an excellent… Read more »
-
-
Review from R V.
Somerville, MA
3/22/2011
They had the ras al hanout I was looking for, and I snagged some paprika while I was there as well. The owner was totally rad (I encountered none of the language barriers mentioned by other reviewers) and, at checkout, he said he wouldn't bother to charge me for the little pistachio nougat candy I'd picked out.
On the minus side, prices aren't always posted and, when they are, they're not always right. Luckily, they're low enough that it shouldn't really matter.
I'd wanted some bulk dates as well, but their selection was so sad that I passed them up. The meat selection wasn't amazing either... only about eight different options, and only a couple pounds of each. Maybe there's more lurking behind the counter? I don't know, I'm no butcher expert. -
Review from Tatsu I.
9/6/2008
I have been vegetarian or vegan for half or most of my life, but I know my meats. For 3 years I ate meat from 2004 to 2006. I will occasionally make exceptions, and will not spit it out my mouth most of the time. It just sort of depends how I feel.
So here's my little meat secret. It's a deal, and it's good meat. Go now!
Al-Hoda (it's misspelled) is an Arabic Halel meat market in Inman Sq, right on Prospect between Cambridge and Hampshire. It's a hole in the wall ethnic place, and they serve their base, muslim people. Run by friendly enough Algerians, they have enough cuts of lamb, beef and chicken to do any kind of dish, whether it be Algerian BBQ lamb ribs (one of my favorite meats of all time), Moroccan chicken tagine (I acquit myself well here, ha ha), or simply steaks. Or as one of my friends prepared for me once, beef brains and balls. I am not kidding. The brains taste like eggs (they always do) and the balls are spongy. Kind of what you expect, right? They also make their own Merguez, a north african thing. I know Merguez too, and I can say that theirs is okay, nothing to write home to Algeria about. It's good grilled, but to "jack it up" try preparing it in a tomato base and serve it with crusty bread, even in a sub for a nice informal meal. They serve these at the Girls-Of-Yelp's favorite little haunt, Cafe Barada. One reviewer referred to them as "little penises" which sent shivers down me spine down to my groin. Not nice, girls!
Anyway, buying here has several advantages.
1.) It's economical, ok, it's CHEAP, like a gorgeous leg o lamb for 35 bucks
2.) It's fresh, especially the lamb, which is from NH a lot of the time
3.) It's an experience
4.) American or NH Lamb beats the wool off NZ lamb
5.) Other arab food items and curiosities such as $10 children's hijabs during Ramadan. (The mosque is down the street.)
Sometimes I had language problems getting my cut. No problem, butcher simply rolls out the whole skinned carcass complete with skull. "What do you want, my friend?" "Uh, shoulder!" Mystified look from my butcher. So I point to MY shoulder and say "Shoulder!" Then he points to the lamb's shoulder, and says, "Shoulder?!" And I say, "Yea! Shoulder! Alright!"
Walk on in and say your "Salamalikum!" -
Review from Catherine R.
Somerville, MA
10/8/2008
Good meat, indeed! When you pay $8 for frozen spanakopita, cheese, a pound (!) of olives, huge pita breads, and some cookies, well, I'm sold, and have fed myself for a week. Five for you, Al-Hoda.
