Except for shops from Antarctica and Australia, Charlotte has a corner on world markets, so to speak. The products on the shelves of international markets hold a bit of home for expats and a bit of fascination for anyone else.
AFRICA: Anyone connected with the South African subculture in Charlotte knows Jeremy Dreyer. In fact, most have a story or two to relate about him. But Dreyer’s the South African Shop with “the largest selection on the East Coast” is the place to go for Mrs. Balls chutney and Monkey Gland (it’s a barbecue) sauce. You cannot beat the frozen sausages here.
The South African Food Shop, 11229 East Independence Blvd. in the Fullwood Plaza Shopping Center, Matthews, 704-849-2660.
ASIA: One of my frequent stops is at the Oriental Market on Central. With an aisle devoted to soy and ponzu sauces, and the side wall devoted to noodles and large bags of rice, how can you go wrong? They also have fresh produce, small sauce packages from throughout Asia and frozen kiffer lime leaves.
Oriental Foods, 4816 Central Avenue, 704-537-4281.
For frozen naan and paratha, go to Bombay Bazaar which also has a great supply of Indian groceries, spices, chutneys and pastries.
Bombay Bazaar, 6233 South Blvd., 704-643-4647
EUROPE: It may seem a long drive if you live in south Charlotte, but it’s closer than New York — or Italy for that matter. Ferrucci’s Old Tyme Market is owned by Brooklyn natives Tony Stafford and Maria Randise who offer freshly made sausages including hot, sweet, pepper and onion, cheese and parsley (Cervalat), chicken, and bratwurst. Their meat case contains both fresh cuts and prepared items such as steak pizzaiola and stuffed pork chops. Other prepared foods are available as well, such as lasagna and meatballs, as well as pasta and sauces, wines, pizza dough, and desserts.
Ferrucci’s Old Tyme Market (Closed Sundays and Mondays.) Shops on the Green, Cornelius, 704-896-3190.
NORTH AMERICA: Mexicans prefer meats thinly sliced and enjoy different cuts of meat. Carniceria La Mexicana, which has shops through the area, offers Mexican cuts of beef, pork and chicken, as well as Chorizo sausage, offal and cold cuts. The store has a large produce section, and one aisle devoted to various brands of tortillas.
Carniceria La Mexicana, 6129 The Plaza, 704-531-2290, 4412 Central Avenue, 704-568-4810; 5920 South Blvd.; and 1230 W. Roosevelt Blvd. in Monroe.
SOUTH AMERICA: Newly opened is the Food Bazaar (formerly Syms) on North Sharon Amity. Owner Carla Shulga, a native of Ecuador, says this emporium “will have everything.” Currently, at the South Boulevard location, Shulga stocks all the imported food — from drinks to snacks — from countries throughout South America and Mexico as well. She said her butchers have experience cutting meat “any way a customer wants it.”
Food Bazaar, 6407 South Blvd., 704-552-6684; 3600 North Sharon Amity Road.
This article appears in Aug 2-8, 2006.
