Ramadan is currently underway and there are plenty of Wisconsin Muslim-owned businesses to show your support.
Check out just a few restaurants and other places to shop throughout Ramadan.
Gooh Grocery was founded by State Representative Samba Baldeh and Jerreh Kujabi, a network engineer for the Sun Prairie School District, opened their shop earlier this year.
The grocery store provides culturally informed foods from countries around the world, including African, Arab, Latino and Hispanic nations, with the intention of filling the food desert east side. Gooh Grocery is centered on affordability and healthy food options.
3554 E. Washington Ave.
Open every day from 9-7 p.m.
One of Madison’s only restaurants that offers Pakistani cuisine. Founder Sultan Ahmed wanted to give a taste of the foods he ate growing up with a modern twist. Ahmed always intended to open a restaurant but wanted to build a financial safety net first due to the cost high-risks of opening up his own place. The food uses a “nouveau,” small plate style, as Ahmed calls it, to boil down the essence of Pakistani cuisine so you can really experience the ingredients.
1054 Williamson St.
Open Wednesday through Sunday from 12-9 p.m.
Istanbul Market & Café and Fresh Mart
Two grocery stores owned by Yashar Tairov, Istanbul Market & Café and Fresh Mart tailors their offerings to greater Madison’s international students who are looking for a taste of home. The two stores offer Middle Eastern and Turkish products sourced from international suppliers. Their success and popularity continue to grow as it is currently looking to expand into Madison proper to reduce the taxing venture into Sun Prairie and Madison’s far west side. The new location is slated to be built in the former Whole Foods Market on University Avenue.
Istanbul Market, 745 S. Gammon Rd., is open daily from 9-8 p.m.
Fresh Mart, 231 A St., Sun Prairie, is open Monday through Friday from 10-8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9-7 p.m.
Jordanian immigrant Mohammad Albeik knew he wanted to open his own restaurant after working at a Middle Eastern bakery in Milwaukee. Albeik moved to Madison after purchasing the former Nile Restaurant and soon changed it to Petra’s after powering through the COVID-19 pandemic, which he credits to the rise of delivery apps to keep it afloat. Hummus, fresh pita, Middle Eastern deserts and using its own blend of spices to bring a unique taste to Madison.
6119 Odana Rd.
Open Monday through Thursday from 11-7:45 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11-8 p.m. and closed on Sunday.
Located just down the street from the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, Amanah Grocery tailors to the predominantly Muslim area on the border of Milwaukee and Greenfield. The store specializes in Arab and Turkish food, housewares, cookware, décor and a halal meat market. A kitchen in the back cooks up fresh shawarmas, hummus and other Middle Eastern cuisine for a place to grab groceries and get a quick bite.
1301 W. Edgerton Ave. in Milwaukee
Open Monday through Saturday from 10-10 p.m. and Sunday from 10-9 p.m.
