SINCE 1981 we have been a community-based, family-owned business on a mission to provide fresh, farm-to-table food to all families while building bridges to equality.
In 1971, Massaud Salem left Libya for Pittsburgh to pursue a Masters Degree in Mathematics. While attending the University of Pittsburgh, he quickly realized a need for access to fresh, healthy foods for international students in his Oakland community. That need continued throughout and beyond his educational experience.
In 1981, while maintaining a career as a public school math teacher, he was introduced to a local slaughterhouse and decided to open his first butcher shop on Atwood Street, feeding and giving back to the community who welcomed him.
Massaud soon discovered there was a high demand for this meat. He accepted an opportunity to move into a storefront on PITT’s campus. When there was leftover meat, Massaud would cook and serve meals for the college kids, furthering his public service to students and the community.
He became known for serving huge portions of deliciously prepared Halal food. This would become his legacy.
Today, Abdullah Salem continues his father’s community-based mission. He moved Salem’s headquarters to Pittsburgh’s Strip District in 2010, launching the immediately successful Salem’s Market and Grill. Having grown up in the family business and working every job within, Abdullah maintains the highest standard for locally raised & processed Halal meats and groceries, making them accessible to every home, and uniting all customers as equals.
“At Salem’s, we’re the closest thing to back home no matter where you’re from.”
Using a local and international network of farmers and humane, first-class facilities, Salem’s is proud to offer fresh, Halal foods to all tables.
Salem’s is continuing to grow into Salem’s Halal Food Group, which includes: Salem’s Market • Salem’s Grill • Salem’s Butcher • Salem’s Catering • Salem’s Exports • Salem’s Branded Product Lines • Salem’s International Ventures. The future is bright for Salem’s as Abdullah paves the way forward to provide fresh, affordable and accessible Halal food for the Pittsburgh
