Abdo Market is a one-stop-shop convenience store, with groceries, snacks and household essentials at affordable prices — it is a locally owned alternative to a dollar store. The location on High Street makes it a convenient option for the WVU and downtown community. On a recent Thursday, I was pleased to discover that it is also a UPS Access Point. Not having to trek across town during move-in week to ship a package was a real treat.
Abdo Market harbors another surprise. Nestled inside the unassuming convenience store facade is a popular restaurant that draws in the late-night crowd looking for the perfect meal.
Mountain Halal is open from 5 p.m.-midnight on Tuesday and Wednesday and from 5 p.m.-3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. There is a spacious lower level for dining in, but delivery is available through DoorDash, GrubHub and Uber Eats for folks who want to stay home.
Those who love the flavors of the Middle East and Mediterranean regions will find many delectable options on the menu. Gyros, grape leaves and falafel are always crowd-pleasers, but Mountain Halal’s standout dish is the chicken shawarma.
Coming from the Turkish word for “turning,” shawarma refers to marinated lamb, mutton, beef, chicken or turkey roasted on a vertical spit. Traditionally, the meat is seasoned with cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, turmeric or paprika. The outer layer is shaved off in thin slices as it cooks and then served in a sandwich or wrap. Mountain Halal serves its shawarma with garlic sauce, pickles and onions, and the bold flavors have made it a must-have for many Morgantown residents. There is something to please any palate, with burgers, fries and wings rounding out the menu.
At 350 High St., it is a gem in downtown Morgantown. The devoted fan base knows that whether you need bread, laundry detergent, or an emergency baklava, Mountain Halal and Abdo Market have you covered.
Eva Murphy is a freelance business writer for The Dominion Post. She writes a column on businesses, churches and other entities in the city. To suggest a topic, email her at DPNews@DominionPost.com.
