Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering

When Jamil Kadoura opened a deli on Franklin Street 27 years ago it could seat just 12 people. These days his spacious premises bustles every lunchtime with dozens of diners and he’s just opened a large store next door. Many of the kitchen and waiting staff are family members: “Everyone in our family works here while they work out what they really want to do,” he says, smiling.

• If you absolutely must choose one place to eat and one only while you’re in town, it would be Mediterranean Deli. Usually referred to as “Med Deli,” this place is quite a phenomenon—for good reason. Their fresh-baked pitas, wide array of options, huge portion sizes, and delicious (free) pickle and tzatziki bar are all fantastic, but the food tastes just like what you would find traveling in the Middle East.

Mediterranean Deli is located on West Franklin Street and they have been a family favorite since they were founded in 1992. They offer a wide variety of fresh Middle Eastern foods and they specialize in vegetarian, vegan, organic, and gluten-free options. Over the years, their business has expanded and they now have over 60 different items in their deli, as well as a fully operational bakery.

Jamil Kadoura, owner of Mediterranean Deli on Franklin Street, emigrated from the Middle East to the United States and studied business management at the Minnesota School of Business. Afterwards he began working in the Food and Beverage industry. He transferred to North Carolina and worked his way up to the position of Food and Beverage Director, the highest position in the industry.

Though our stomachs were already full when we visited Mediterranean Deli, our eyes were plenty hungry. Thankfully, the displays of pastries, fresh pita, prepared foods, and an olive bar provided a visual feast. We picked up a few pieces of baklava for the road (but honestly, not enough!) and made a mental note of their market selection for future visits to better stock our pantry.

Since opening in 1992, Mediterranean Deli has offered authentic Mediterranean cuisine in Chapel Hill. The restaurant — which also has a limited selection available at the bottom of Lenoir Dining Hall — offers a variety of vegetarian and vegan options. Referred to as “Med Deli” for short, the menu includes gyros, falafel, shawerma, rotisserie and more.

When Mediterranean Deli reopened in late May, they anticipated there would be increased demand for outdoor seating. They’ve since added to their outdoor dining capacity and now have more than 70 seats outside, where you can feast on their delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes and enjoy the people watching on Franklin Street.

Mediterranean Deli might be my favorite restaurant on the face of this planet. As an underclassman still reliant on a meal plan, I ate an unholy number of lunches from Med Deli’s satellite restaurant at the bottom of Lenoir on campus. And Med Deli is undoubtedly the establishment I will miss most after leaving Carolina.

Med Deli is known for their huge selection of vegan salads, wraps, sides, and baked goods. They do an excellent job of labeling their foods, so that it’s very clear what’s vegan and vegetarian-friendly. A few of the many vegan options include: falafel, hummus, tabouli, grape leaves, cabbage salad, and chickpea salad.

After more walking we ended up at The Mediterranean Deli for lunch. It is a local Greek restaurant with tons of Gluten Free options to include pita bread the is GIG certified. They do make regular flour pitas on site so there is a concern with cross contamination, but I did not have a problem.

It’s a popular and casual hotspot on Franklin St. The atmosphere reminds me of a bustling cafeteria. The Mediterranean fare is delicious and there’s a market attached with fresh produce and imported Mediterranean delights. Oh, their bakery is also legit.

Jamil Kadoura, owner of Med Deli restaurant and grocery market on Franklin Street, immigrated to the United States to study business management at the Minnesota School of Business. Afterwards he began working in the Food and Beverage industry.

Med Deli offers a HUGE variety of Middle Eastern, North African, and Mediterranean foods that will tempt your taste buds. Check out the Mujaddara, a Palestinian lentil dish cooked with rice and onions that tastes amazing and fills you up.

Mediterranean Deli offers a taste of the Mediterranean with its diverse menu featuring falafel, shawarma, and other Middle Eastern delights. It’s a haven for Mediterranean cuisine lovers.