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WHEELING -- Those looking to get their curry fix previously had to head outside Ohio County to search for it -- or make it themselves. Now, a way to satisfy that craving is as close as East Wheeling.
Wheeling Food Mart, on the far east side of town along 16th Street, reopened its doors late last year after closing the year previous, under new ownership. Now, the rotisserie carries assorted Indian cuisine, instead of pretzels and hot dogs.
Gul "Rose" Malik, wife of the store's owner and an employee, began by offering her cooking to friends, before word got out and she started getting requests for her food at work. At first, she began giving out samples, before her cooking was made a more permanent addition to the rotisserie.
"She just made it for her friends, and then people would come and she'd offer a sample, and then people start talking," said employee Steve Sparbanic. "We're hoping it gets out of control and crazy."
Malik's chicken curry is, by far, their most popular offering, Sparbanic said. Other fare includes curry vegetables, chickpeas, and samosas. Sparbanic said he hopes to expand the menu in due time, including creating actual menus to help customers identify what meal they want, by name, ingredients and description. For his part, Sparbanic says his favorite is the vegetable curry, an endorsement backed by other locals.
"I don't have much experience with Indian food. Their curry sauce and samosas were outstanding," said Wheeling resident Jermaine Lucious, whose social media postings drew considerable attention earlier this week.
Sparbanic said he was happy that the store could offer Indian food for Wheeling residents that they can head just down the street to buy.
"I think it's great that we can offer traditional ethnic food at a reasonable price, that you don't have to travel far for," Sparbanic said.