Salim's Middle Eastern Foods to close after 45 years in North Oakland

A staple of the Middle Eastern food community is permanently closing in North Oakland.

Co-owners Rosemarie and Salim El-Tahch opened Salim's Middle Eastern Foods a year after they married in 1978.

Forty five years later, they're still operating from their original location at 4705 Centre Ave.

But the end looms as the couple have decided to close permanently on Sept. 29.

The deli/cafe offers dine-in, takeout and specialty imported groceries.

The couple decided to close the family business for two primary reasons.

"I'm 69 and I always wanted to retire around 70. Our lease is done at the end of September so it seemed like a good time to close," Salim El-Tahch said.

Born and raised in Lebanon, Salim moved to Pittsburgh to attend the University of Pittsburgh and study computer science.

He recalled flying into Pittsburgh, where friends picked him up and treated him to dinner and it was there, during his first meal in the city, that he met Rosemarie.

"By magic I met my wife the first day," Salim recalled.

The couple reside in Brookline and have five adult children and 10 grandchildren.

Introducing the Oakland community to Middle Eastern foods during the 1970s in Pittsburgh initially proved to be a challenge.

"That first year was really rough and a lot of people, at that time, were not familiar with all of the foods," Salim El-Tahch said. "At first most of our customers were Middle Eastern families but little by little, people began tasting it and they enjoyed it."

Their children grew up surrounded by the daily workings and responsibilities of running a small business.

Sons Aziz and Paul El-Tahch recalled pitching in with a spontaneous school fundraiser when they attended Central Catholic High School.

"Various groups used to hold hoagie sales to raise money and I thought, 'Why not do a gyro sale instead?'" Aziz El-Tahch said. "It was wildly successful and probably a lot of kids' introduction to Middle Eastern food."

The gyro fundraisers continued to be successful long after the sons graduated from high school.

For Aziz, the store has been a staple of his life.

"I remember all of us working there on weekends and in the summer when we were kids," Aziz El-Tahch said. "We didn't just learn how to make hummus or use the cash register. We learned how to treat customers with dignity and respect and I think that's largely why they've been so loyal over the decades."

Daughter Kristen Faust said watching her father work tirelessly at the deli was inspiring.

"Growing up and witnessing the dedication and passion my dad put into his store shaped my entire work ethic. It taught me the value of hard work, commitment and respect," Faust said. "His customers certainly loved his food, but they also appreciated his warm smile and friendly conversation just as much. I've always been so proud of the joy and excited reactions I receive when people find out that Salim is my dad."

Salim said he's going to miss his customers.

"I've had customers that have visited for decades and they always come back to say hello and introduce their family," Salim said of serving second generations of customers.

The news of the impending closure has surprised many customers, but the response towards the couple has been encouraging.

"The reaction from everyone has been tremendous, warm and caring," Salim El-Tahch said. "They are sad to see us go but their congratulating me on staying open for 45 years."

After closing there's one priority for Salim.

"I am missing a lot of sleep so I'm going to sleep in," he said.

The deli is operating with reduced hours, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., until their last day on Sept. 29.

"I'm having some difficulty dealing with it. It will be hard to turn off the light and close the door," El-Tahch said. "I'm still hopeful to find someone that would buy the recipes and business and reopen in the future.

In the meantime, the deli will be emptied out and cleaned after closing on Sept. 29.

The couple plan to spend tons of time with their grandchildren.

"My hobby is my family," El-Tahch said.

As he prepares to close the door on 45 years of serving the Oakland/Shadyside community, El-Tahch said it will be an adjustment not seeing all of his valued customers in the cafe.

"I'm gonna miss the customers who are really friends who come in and talk about their lives. I'm really going to miss that," he said.