How we became Barbur World Foods. Barbur Foods has been a fixture on the corner of the busy intersection of Southwest Barbur Boulevard and Capitol Highway for more than 70 years. When John Attar purchased the historic corner market in September 2004, he immediately began to transform it. John and his wife, Mirna, who are Lebanese, already owned Ya Hala (8005 S.E. Stark St.), a popular Middle Eastern restaurant that has a small specialty import market attached. International brands began to fill shelves of the 13,000-square-foot store on Barbur. Oversize flatbread spilled off shelves typically full of loaves of sourdough, white and wheat. Bushel barrels full of nuts replaced shelves at the store's entrance, and less familiar tube-like pastas appeared next to the standard macaroni and spaghetti. Neighbors worried: Would they still be able to count on running in for standards like milk, bread and beer? As the months went by, locals breathed a sigh of relief. While a new deli case was added, the rows narrowed, and merchandise shifted around, the store still had everything the average shopper wanted. Better yet, the selection of fresh produce expanded. People began to try new things. John was cautious not to move too quickly. While he has made considerable changes, he makes sure his store, which he renamed Barbur World Foods, provides staples for the neighborhood in which it is located while also offering international and healthy foods, many of which are made in the deli's impressive kitchen. John wanted his store to be one of a kind, and key to his concept was offering affordable foods from around the world. "I want people to experience the foods of the world at reasonable prices," John says. Mirna Attar is the owner and Chef at Ya Hala. "I saw Americans loving my wife's food," John says, "and they always asked about recipes. They needed the right ingredients, so we started carrying them." The store carries a wide range of food from all over, particularly from Europe and the Middle East. Health also is important to the Attars, so they stock organic and natural foods throughout the store. The deli carries food made on the premises and includes more vegan dishes as well as vegetarian selections. On any given day customers are likely to find spanikopita, malfouf (a stuffed cabbage dish), grape leaves stuffed with vegetables, and more. Piping-hot pita bread baked fresh is one of the most popular treats in the store. The fresh pitas are not baked until someone orders them, and are ready in less than 5 minutes. Both the wine and beer selections include expanded local selections. The meat department carries Painted Hills natural beef, Carlton Farm pork, and chicken raised without antibiotics or hormones. The produce department has a wide selection of locally sourced fruits and vegetables.
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Reviews

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Cindy H.

05/16/2016

Provided by YP.com

I go here ever weekend and go get anything that I need and want, the surprising thing about this place is that they have everything that I need and I want, with so much more.

YPMobile User

05/10/2014

Provided by YP.com

Amazing deli-- great prices!

CL
Chris L.

03/20/2013

Provided by YPmobile

B
briangl

03/18/2013

Provided by YPmobile
My New Favorite Store.

I can't believe I had not been here before. This place puts other grocery stores to shame. If you are looking quality products this is your store. Found it online and went in. Service is amazing. Meat counter is awesome. Bought a bunch of different skewered kabobs for a BBQ. This place has a great wine selection too. Love this place.

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briangl

03/18/2013

Provided by YPmobile

More Business Info

Hours
Regular Hours
Mon - Sun:
Extra Phones

Fax: 503-244-2707

Phone: 971-255-1255

Phone: 503-892-4658

Services/Products
Barbur World Foods Grocery Our Grocery selection represents the best from all over the world, we feature products from over 50 different countries including some little known products only seen in Portland at Barbur World Foods. We Carry Only the Finest Meats and Seafood Available. Painted Hills Natural Beef supplies our beef. It is 100% Natural, Choice quality beef, fed a completely vegetarian diet. If you don't see something you like, have any questions about the beef, or would like a special cut, please don't hesitate to ask! Northwest 100% Grass Fed Beef is offered to our beef connoisseurs in choice cuts for a unique and subtly different flavor to grain fed beef. Carlton Farms All Natural Pork is the only pork we sell. Try our bulk Italian and breakfast sausage, made in-house with 100% Carlton Farms pork! 100% All-Natural Chicken. All of our chicken is free of hormones and antibiotics. The Largest Lamb Selection In Portland. If we don’t have it you won’t find it. All our lamb is young Australian Lamb, tender and delicious. Our Produce Is Always Fresh, Local When Possible, and Something Different When You Want It You will find one of the finest produce departments in the Portland area your one stop for produce in the Southwest.
Neighborhoods
Multnomah, Lair Hill, West Portland Park
Categories
Grocery Stores, Supermarkets & Super Stores
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