On a recent trip to the Strip District, I was short on time, but made a quick dash into Labad's to buy some halva. I had purchased some elsewhere recently, but felt compelled to stop in to see Labad's selection. The store ambiance is welcoming, and the man who assisted me was kind and calm when he showed me several types of halva. I chose the Lebanon Valley Halawa Plain. As soon as I got home, I tried a small piece. Oh, my gosh!! I couldn't believe how much better it tastes than any other brand I have tried. What a wonderful flavor and texture! Just perfect. I highly recommend Labad's. read more

Labad's - Lebanon Valley Halawa Plain - Grocery Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I was there recently looking for a spice they didn't have. I bought a little tub of humus priced at $5.50 or so. When I paid for it the price was over $6. I was told it was the tax. It wasn't until later I realized there is no food tax in Pittsburgh. Strange read more

Best gyro I've ever had. The meat is hand carved and incredibly delicious. The veggies are fresh and their homemade spicy peppers are fantastic. You can't leave without their made fresh daily baklava. Love this family owned spot in the strip. read more

We've been coming for a few years now. The hummus, baba ghanoush, baklava, gyros.. all the things are amazing. Those particular things are homemade. They stock lots of middle eastern cuisine fixings, tea, seasonings, etc. The men who run this place make it, though. William, whom you'll easily recognize by his amazing mustache, and Larry who's also extremely nice. From what we've read in City Paper these guys are brothers. They are easily one of the best little spots down in the strip. I want to tell you to buy the baklava, but I also want there to be baklava left for me! read more

Labad's - Balaclava is wrapped, on the right of it is hummus. Above the hummus is the baba and next to that is the spicy hummus. - Grocery Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Got Baba ghanoush at Labad's and it was the best I had outside of Israel. It was smoky and creamy and very flavorful. The man at the store was extremely helpful and walked me through several of their food items and how fresh they are and how long they are kept at the store. I will definitely come back to try their Tabouleh, tzatziki and other fresh items. read more

Very cool Lebanese store in the strip but for me, it honestly cannot match the variety or value of Pitaland in the Brookline suburb of Pittsburgh. I came here as it was the 3rd stop on my foodie tour and we got to sample a plate of hummus and pita bread. I like my hummus more intense - this was fairly bland and the one bright spot was luckily the intense Greek olive oil used (after living in Europe for a couple of years, I can now totally tell you the difference in taste between Greek, Italian and Spanish olive oils!) The owner had an interesting mustache but I couldn't take any photos of him. Based on the food I had, it was a-okay hence 3 stars. If I go back and eat something that blows my mind, will update my review. Yelp Review 62/2017 read more

Labad's - Hummus and Pita bread - Grocery Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Bought a large, delicious and cheap gyro from a man with a nice handlebar mustache. WIN. Only thing I bought in the store was a small container of sliced almonds for $2. Seems like a great place to buy ingredients for Mediterranean dishes though. read more

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Super amazing gyros (homemade cucumber dressing is to die for)and homemade baklava is the best we'veever had! The hospitality is super awesome and very personable. The grocery store has everything you need and very well priced. I was able to get grapeleaves to roll my own and will be making this place part of our grocery go to's. read more

This is a cool place if your looking for products from the Levant (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, or Palestine). Try the baklava or call 2 days in advance and order some kunafa. Come early: so you find parking. read more

This is a small shop on The Strip that absolutely had the best tzatziki sauce, ever! Firm and flavorful, perfect texture. Shops like this Mediterranean specialty shop make The Strip what it is: the flavor of the city of Pittsburgh. I cannot comment on more here, but wouldn't hesitate to go straight back for any other unfamiliar Mediterranean recipe components, meal accompaniments or simple advice on either! Nice proprietor and nice shop. read more

This place is a Strip District staple. His gyro's are VG and there are some to find items in the shop. In the wall freezer they sell containers full of rotisserie gyro meat. I buy to make my own or gyro omelets. read more

A little while ago we just browsed through this store just to look around. It's always good to do this type of browsing in the Strip District because you never know when you might need something that they have and nobody else does. This sort of happen when I went to Labad's recently. My wife was going through different recipes for our Thanksgiving dinner coming up. One recipe called for Pomegranate Molasses. She tells me she doesn't know where to get this. I didn't either so I googled how to make it but she figured out that it could be at a store middle eastern like this one. I work close by so I walked her on my lunch break. They are a store and a good lunch spot during the week for people working down here and good for visitors on the weekend. I didn't purchase a gyro but they looked really good. I walked in and it was a little busy. I was going to just ask if they had pomegranate molasses but I just happened to stumble upon it. It was in a about a 10oz bottle for $4.99. A little expensive but I had to get it. It smelled good in there and they have a lot of different products to look at if you need something to go with your middle eastern dinner one night. I went to pay and the guy at the cash register was nice and we small talked. I didn't have cash on me and they only let your use a card if your total is at least $10. So I ran to the ATM and got some cash out. I never have cash on me. Anyways I had a good experience here and I'm sure I'll be back. read more

Came in with my boyfriend because he wanted to look around. I was checking the map on my phone how far we were from our restaurant when one of the guys, I guess it's the brother, came charging over rudely informing me videos were not permitted. I told him I was looking at a map. Admittedly I didn't use ladylike language which I later apologized for and when my boyfriend came over to find out what was going on, he acted like he was telling on me saying he'd been nice to me (no he wasn't) but that I'd used bad language which I had apologized for. I just was irritated by his demeanor while accusing me of something I wasn't doing. Only giving this place 2 stars because my boyfriend likes it. Boyfriend did congratulate me later for standing up to him; though he likes Labad's he knows those guys can be creeps, especially with women. read more

A man who looked like a 1900s circus strongman with a killer handlebar mustache sold me fantastic baklava and husband a decent gyro on the street out front. Three cheers for the Strip District. read more

Labad's - a woman standing in the doorway of a store - Grocery Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Been going Labad's since childhood. Very nice guys - they act like they can be your uncles! The place hasn't changed since the late 80s. Excellent food and well stocked groceries. If you have never been to the Penn Avenue district of Pittsburgh, you are doing yourself a great disservice. read more

We went to Labad's over the weekend and saw the man cutting the meat out front threaten a lady with a knife for taking his picture and ordered her to delete it. He said, "No! No! No pictures can be taken of me. I have a big knife, delete it and remove it from your phone immediately, or I tell you I have a big knife". Psycho! I will never be back and won't frequent any store who talks that way or threatens a customer. read more

From California but everytime I come Pittsburgh to see my beloved Steelers play I make sure I stop here for the best Gyro I've ever had.

I stopped in here after reading past YELP reviews. I picked up some tabouli, hummus, baba ghanouj and stuffed grape leaves (Yebra?). The smoky deliciousness of the baba ghanouj/sh was my favorite. William (Whoo hoo....secret's out, that is the moustachioed man's name!) helped me, and gave me tips on cooking the stuffed grape leaves. ( I used a pan with a little water and fresh lemon juice. Delicious.) He was extremely friendly and nice - I have already recommended this store to others going to Pittsburgh, and to ask for William. read more

Impressive gyros from a guy with an impressive mustache. If I can pry myself away from the taco cart at Reyna, a gyro from Labad's hits the spot. I'm pretty sure every place in the entirety of Allegheny County that serves gyros claims to have "The best gyros in Pittsburgh," but from what I've seen, Labad's gets the title. But it doesn't just stop at the delicious gyros. There are few other places to get sheep's milk feta, for instance, and the hummus made there is a great fill-in for when I'm too dang lazy to make my own. And their bulk falafel mix... I can't say I've had better. The falafel bucket is empty probably about 60% of the times I go, and there's a reason for that. The folks who work there are also friendly (seems to be a theme that the places I like have good people in them...) and as I mentioned, one of the most epic mustaches in the world works at Labad's. If you seek middle eastern groceries, or a good gyro in the middle of a shopping day, this is the place. read more

William makes the best gyro you can get in Pttsburgh, hands down, and the baklava is also TOPS. It'll always be him outside at the stand if it's open... the legendary mustache really does draw people in! Everything they make here is fantastic. Worth knowing: His grandmother makes the baklava from scratch and always FRESH. read more

I'm starting a list, "Where the locals go!" This is IT. Labad's is the best and the moustached man who works there is so helpful and nice! Best hummus and baba ganouj in town!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They have a little restaurant in the back, try it out, this is a great lunch spot! read more

The store is small, but it carries specialties that are difficult to find in Pittsburgh. I was particularly excited to find middle eastern chili sauce and chocolate covered Turkish delights. read more

Trust a man with an epic mustache. Made a stop here to pick up ingredients for a Middle Eastern lentils and rice dish; Mustache Man taught me the name of the dish in Arabic and gave me detailed instructions on how to cook it. He recommended the best bulk rice (basmati) and the best bulk lentils (green) for the dish and now I just want to stop in casually to ask him how his weightlifting is going! The sliced almonds I bought at Salem's in North Oakland had bugs in them; The ones I bought here did not. Another plus. read more

Did you know that Labad's has a restaurant behind the store? I didn't. This little nugget of information was discovered by hubby, who works in the Strip District. Soooo glad he discovered it because as far as I'm concerned this place makes the BEST Mediterranean food in the 'Burgh. The store/restaurant are owned by a family from Syria who have always been friendly when we go in. I guess my husband has gotten to know them pretty well because they always come out and greet him when we visit and have taken to asking why we haven't been in more recently. (Invariably the answer is TOO MUCH WORK!) If you're feeling adventurous, try the Sleek -- it is a dish made with kale, garlic, and bulgar wheat and is ohhhh so yummy (and packed with good nutrition!). The gyros (hubby prefers traditional, I prefer chicken) are TO DIE FOR and come loaded with meat, veggies, and tahini. The hummus is also delicious. And the prices are good, especially when you take into account how much food you get. Don't have time to sit down at eat? The food sold in the front of the store is just as tasty. You can even buy specialties like Sleek to go. Oh, and if you eat a lot of rice (we prefer Basmati), they sell it in barrels or bags and it's MUCH cheaper than at the grocery stores. read more

Not a bad store for a few tough-to-find Middle Eastern items, and the price is right. Because Labad's doesn't appear to be as popular a destination as other stores in the area, some shelves are scantily stocked, and some items look a bit battered and dusty. Still, this is the place to go for canned fava beans and Turkish delight. Labad's also offers tasty, filling falafel wraps or gyros for super cheap. read more

Amazing falafel & baba ghanoush wrap for $5. The first one he gave me didn't have falafel but he quickly fixed me by giving me another one on the house. Falafel was obviously fresh and flavorful. Baba ghanoush was some of the best that I've had - smokey, yummy and lots of it. Fantastic baklava! (and his mustache is as impressive as everyone keeps talking about) There's a small-ish grocery store inside where they sell things like grape leaves, hummus, miscellaneous Greek/Meditt food. I'll have to try out their falafel dry mix for myself! read more

The restaurant in the back of this grocery store is a gem! The food is homemade, fresh, and flavorful. The service was friendly, relaxed, and efficient. The prices were very reasonable.I will definitely return. I heard there's a second location nearby now, serving lunch and dinner. A winner! read more

Today was our 27Th wedding anniversary and mu hubby asked me where I wanted to go to eat. I could have chosen any place I wanted in Beaver County but all I wanted to do was to eat at Labad's. Unfortunately the restaurant part was closed and we ordered gyros to go. When we told the owner that it was our anniversary and that we came from Beaver County just to eat there he told us to come in and sit down, he deemed the light for us in the restaurant and served us our delicious food. He also put a CD with awesome Arabic music and belly dancing, we had an awesome time and we felt like royalty. Thank you, thank you for making our special day so special. We will be back!!!! read more

Go for the gyro and hummus. Stay for the awesome convo with the gentleman who has the best facial hair I've seen in a very very long time.

I like this place. So far I have tried the hummus and the falafel, it was good. I lived in Israel, so I have eaten my fair share of middle eastern cuisine. The only feedback I have is that the store looks a bit dirty. I think that could be a turnoff to some.... I think they could do a few things to freshen the place up and make it known they serve food, I think they would get more business this way, and people would not miss out on the great middle eastern cuisine. The man at the front desk is very kind as well. read more

The hummus was good quality. I would like to try the red pepper flavor. I'd come back if I was in the strip.

Always go here for traditional Middle Eastern staples at decent prices. The employees are colorful and fun.

This was a pleasant surprise and a great experience. Annie and I are at Ross Park mall walking around trying to figure out our lunch destination when serendipitously her phone rings and it's her Dad, "Brother Len" calling to ask us to lunch at this hidden gem. Nice! I prefer not to make decisions on the weekend. Next we are headed down to the strip on a relatively pleasant saturday afternoon. The locals are out en masse and parking is at a premium. In keeping with our serendipitous saturday theme we find prime parking right in front of Kaya (another one of our favs'). We walk towards "Labad's grocery". Now, I've been to this grocery before and have certainly walked by it numerous times and had never known of the little cafe located in the back of the grocery. Len's been a regular here for years and is friends with the lovely syrian family who own the joint. We walk into the back room which is exactly what I was hoping for in that it was very small a few tables, middle eastern decorations on the wall and a cozy somewhat seperate room which had for some reason multiple stuffed animals next to the table. There also was a sheet hanging blocking something from view and if I'm to believe Len it was a camel :-). Annie and I have a seat with Len who is sitting with the patriarch of this family "Fayed" I believe his name is. Fayed has to leave to tend to the store and multiple operations occurring. One of the sons is selling "shish kabob" on the sidewalk. This is also a grocery store with sidewalk sales and of course the small cafe in the back. I love the entrepreneurial spirit of first generation immigrants. Len orders me up some coffee. It was a very strong version of coffee served in a tiny mug. I'm guessing their version of espresso. Len takes care of ordering, which is good because I can't claim to be a middle eastern food connoiessur and tend to be lost after I exhaust the hummus and gyro options. He orders us some type of platter, not sure the name of the platter itself but can describe the offerings. I liked the metal plate that all of this food was served. It was a large round plate sectioned off for each dip/option. It was served with warm pita bread. I like family style dining and this platter certainly encouraged sharing. Now, the only thing that I was familiar with was the hummus and the black olives. The hummus was as good as any I've ever had. It was very authentic mashed chickpeas blended with olive oil, lemon and garlic. It was really good served with the pita chips. The olives were really good briny small black olives served with the pit. The other sides were Baba Ganoug, which is really good eggplant dip with oil, garlic and pepper. I have tried this in the past and really didn't like it. I really liked this, so I guess the stuff I had in the past wasn't authentic. Now, one of the two new things I had and probably my favorite was the shanklish salad, which isn't the type of salad you may be thinking of. There was no lettuce, but instead homemade aged cheese that is very good and delicate. The salad also consisted of onions, tomatoes and oil. It was great. The final side of this dish wsa the macdoose, which I had never tried before. It is eggplant pieces stuffed with walnuts and drowned in olive oil. This wasn't my favorite, but I found myself however I kept eating it, so I guess I must have thought it was okay. This would have been a great vegetarian meal (first time I've ever said that sentence) if I stopped there. But, Len also ordered me a skewer of lamb. At first it was a bit undercooked, but one of the sons (Lawrence?) grabbed it and grilled it for a few more minutes and then it was more to my liking. I really like lamb and grilled with middle eastern seasonings is a treat with a little pita and some onions and tomatoes. Annie had a skewer of grilled chicken, which also was seasoned nicely and cooked well. Throughout the lunch we were greeted like family from other members of the family including "Mama" who you just want to wrap up and take home with you. The guy on the grill (another son can't recall name) also was very warm and friendly and had this killer "handlebar" mustache. Fayed stopped back after we were done with lunch and spent some time chatting with us. He is a really interesting guy and a true renaissance man with vocations that have included the military, principal in school, chef amongst other things. One of the most interesting things I found about this guy is that in spite of being a syrian christian part of his history includes teaching the koran to the bedouin (nomadic desert dwelling arab group). A couple other notes Len who knows this type of food says it's the best authentic middle eastern food in Pittsburgh. Next time I'm there I will definitely try the kibbee, which is spiced ground beef w/pine nuts and stuffing. It's a favorite and you can get it raw if you order in advance. That would be adventorous. read more

I had the misfortune of leaving my iPhone in the grocery at Labads. My husband purchased tea there and I inadvertently left it on the counter. The phone was in a distinct black an white polka dot case which I described repeatedly to them. At first I was told that they didn't have it. Then when I returned again to leave my husband's number, these jerks started toying with me. Forcing me to describe the phone over and over. They finally admitted that they had it but instead of giving it to me, they told me to go and get my husband. I did just so I could get it back. This was my thanks for spending money in their store. When my husband came they made some lame excuse about running after us the first time. These guys are liars and thieves. Don't shop there. read more

1st time there. Great selection of imported teas at a reasonable price. Bought fresh figs too. I'll be back for sure

In love with Labads!!!!! Been coming here for years. The owners are the nicest men and their mom cooks the best food in the back. Gyros, cheeses, middle eastern items, hookah, ajvar. And all the favorites! Here and Chicken Latino are my 2 favorite lunch spots! read more