Garo’s Basturma

Linda Burum’s Sausage Hot List recommends Garo’s Basturma for Armenian sausage.
On Saturday, April 25, 2015, I went to Garo’s Basturma in Pasadena and purchased 1 pound of their store-​made basturma and another pound of their store-​made sujuk. The basturma was sliced and packaged according to my instructions. The sujuk came pre-​packaged and vacuum sealed.
When I got home I tried the basturma and I can tell you their basturma is the best in the market. No one makes it like Garo’s and the taste is just awesome. I had the basturma with Arak, a Middle Eastern drink.
On Sunday morning, I made some sujuk with eggs for my breakfast. The sujuk was delicious, juicy, and very tasty.
This was my first visit to Garo’s Basturma and won’t be my last either. The staff was very friendly and helpful. I also observed Garo’s has a large selection of Armenian/​Middle Eastern specialty items.

First time visit to this wonderful grocery. Very friendly helpful staff. Great selection of Armenian delicacies and specialty items. Will be visiting again soon!

I would give their Basturma a 4 or 5 star! Even at the whopping $ 12/​pound. So worth it!!!
Other than that, the store has lost its glory of the older days when everyone was going there to pick up their deli and produce and middle eastern items. Sometimes I go during the day and it feels like there is no one in the store. They still have plenty of products in the fridge and on shelves, but just that it is not that amazing happening fun grocer anymore. Maybe they are catering to the wholesalers now, or branding themselves otherwise…
Also prices are a bit higher. I used to get those holiday seasonal items they bring in from Fresno for $ 9 or $ 10, and this year they are $ 12… that is a hefty increase of 20−30% in one year!
I go especially for the Basturma (Armenian & Middle Eastern pastrami/​jerky type of meat/​deli). But only for that. I love to encourage the small grocers, so I would still go, but I can’t give them a 4-​star.

best basterma, soujouk, and che kofta meat around!
always fresh, delicious, best spices, best flavors, best selection, best prices!
the basterma is the best no one makes it like them!
soujouk is soo delicious, juicy, flavorful, spicy, great with eggs!
che kofta meat is so soft, fresh, bright red and delicious!

Located in the heart of Little Armenia/​Pasadena, this is a small, mom and pop Lebanese grocery that features imported foods, fresh meats, juices, and sundry spices and a few household goods that make this a fun ethnic experience.
In the front of the store, they have fresh flat breads, sweets, and large bins of spiced roasted nuts. My biggest thrill today was finding a 2 pound bag of lamb tongues for sale in the meat department. Yeah, I know it is not for everyone, but it is a delicacy in my book, and very hard to find.
The only reason I gave it three stars (it really should be 3.5 stars) is because stock is limited. What they have is nice. The lady at the counter is very friendly and will go out of her way to help you.

Came here because the first reviewer said they had hookah tobacco… but this is not a place to go. All the tobacco was old and dusty, many were at or past their two year mark. Prices were not bad… but I want FRESH tobacco! I looked at some of the other items and prices were good and they had a good selection… but just not a place to get tobacco!

Aside from the fact that this is a quick bike ride from my home and that I’m partial to markets containing Armenian/​Lebanese-​related foodstuffs, I would call this place a gem. All the essentials are here for making hummus, tabouleh, fool, and the like. They also have a large meat section — hence the «Basturma» in «Garo’s Basturma», though I don’t eat meat (bad Armenian) so I can’t comment on the quality.
General Selection [ 4 stars ]
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A good selection of all the essentials; chick peas, a variety of fresh roasted nuts, teas, spices, halvah, cheeses, syrups, breads (lavash, pita, manaeesh) to prepare a great middle east feast and then some (e.g. hookah pipes and tobacco). Pastries are also near the cashier though I would highly recommend Vrej Pastry next door.
Nuts [ 3.5 stars ]
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Good selection of nuts of all types including a particularly crunchy and delicious Lebanese ‘Kri Kri’ peanuts.
Produce [ 3 stars ]
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Fresh, just wish they had a little more variety.
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Service [ 4 stars ]
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Friendly and helpful in my experience.
Atmosphere [ 3.5 stars ]
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This place is completely bare bones though I prefer it to the typical Ralphs décor. I appreciate the small-​town, old-​world feeling of this place. Reminds me of some of the markets I frequented in Armenia. Completely unpretentious and to the point.
Would I recommend it?
Yes. It caters flawlessly to the Armenian /​Lebanese crowd, yet has enough variety to appeal to all discerning tastes and ethnicities.