Spokane’s Diversity Hotspots: International Food

   Whenever I have food with refugees, they eat and serve things that I didn't know were available for purchase in Spokane, from sheep and really nice pita bread to long, dry sesame covered breadsticks. I decided to track down the origins of some of these food items, and while doing so found a true gem of a store: International Food, billing itself as Spokane's First Choice for Middle Eastern Grocery. Located at 3021 E Mission, a block and a half east of Chief Garry Park, this store is well known among refugees for having the foods they want to eat—and many foods that Westerners consider "specialty"—for very low prices. Bhutanese refugees have identified it as selling rice for the lowest price per pound in Spokane, even below bulk suppliers like the Cash and Carry. I bought several ounces of cardamom seed there for $5, which would have cost me more like $30 at Rosauers or Safeway. Cheap olives, spice mixes, cheap tahini, this place is a wonderful resource. If not the Trader Joe's of Spokane, it's damn close.

   Check out their website, and check out the store. You won't be disappointed.