For whatever reason, both Harris Teeter and the Fresh Market have stopped carrying the skinny (flat) Middle Eastern-styled pita breads. Both are now carrying pocket bread pita, which is thick and doesn't work well with the variety of dips both stores carry. Go figure.

Where to find it: Middle Eastern-styled pita

Sahara Market, 5107-C2 Piper Station Drive, is located in an isolated shopping center backing I-485, on a street parallel to Rea Road. Unless you were going back to one of the shops or the veterinarian, you could miss it. I have found all kinds of hard-to-find items there, including spices and frozen molokhia, a green used to make an ancient Pharaonic soup (which I have also bought fresh at the Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Church on Randolph Road during a festival). Sahara also carries a good selection of Lebanese and Middle Eastern cookbooks.

Sahara carries both the 10-inch pita and smaller flat pitas in whole wheat and white flour from several sources. The breads are kept in the freezer section in the back. Unfortunately, Sahara does not carry Neomonde Baking Company's excellent pita, made in Morrisville, NC (near Raleigh).

Looking for a food you can't find? Or do you know of other food items unique to the Q.C.? Whether it's regional foods or international, talk to me: tricia.childress@creativeloafing.com or 704-522-8334, ext 136.