SINCE 1981 We are a community-based 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 at age 27 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, which 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 it up into meals and serve it to the college kids, furthering his public service to students in the community.
He became known for serving huge portions of deliciously prepared Halal food to students and the community. 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 performing all tasks from cleaning chicken boxes to butcher, 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, our customers are our
family, and our community is our
most important asset.”
family, and our community is our
most important asset.”
Using a local and international network of farmers and humane, first-class facilities, Salem’s is proud to offer a variety ways to provide fresh, Halal foods to all tables and all communities, all over the world.
Salem’s has since grown 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
