“Ararat Market” Deli Opens in Clovis, California

SUREN OGANESSIAN – Staff Writer

Fresno is famous in the American Diaspora for its Armenian cuisine, with plenty of restaurants and delis to choose from. But it has always been harder to find a good Armenian deli in neighboring Clovis; that is until recently, when on October 2, 2013, the “Ararat Market” opened. Located in a shopping center at the corner of Herndon and Clovis, near Wal-Mart, the deli offers not only imported Armenian and international foods, but fresh hot meals prepared when you order them. The choice of meals includes beef lule kebab, chicken kebab, and barbecued pork marinade, among other selections, served with rice pilaf, pita bread, and onions.

“Ararat Market” is family-owned by an Armenian family. Heghine Aydinyan, cashier at the deli and wife of the owner Ara, says that the “Ararat Market” was opened because Clovis lacks Armenian delis and restaurants, despite a growing Armenian-American population there.

So it was only natural, that eventually the void needed to be filled so that Armenians from Clovis would no longer have to drive long distances to get traditional Armenian food.

Aydinyan also hopes the market will give non-Armenians from Clovis the chance to try something new, and while there I saw customers who were perhaps setting foot for the first time in an international deli, curious about the exotic food within. Aydinyan says that the name “Ararat” was chosen to appeal to Armenians no matter where they are from, because it is such a universal symbol of the Armenian people.

Having heard talk of this new deli in town, I promptly tracked it down to see what it was like, and it has quickly become my favorite deli in the Fresno/Clovis area. “Ararat Market” sells food that is hard to come by even at other delis in Fresno, like chi kufta (steak tartare).

The option to buy hot meals really sets it apart from most other Armenian delis in the area. Because the hot food is made-to-order there was a bit of a wait, but it pays off because the food is fresh.

The food is very affordable, with a beef lule kebab meal for only $6.99—quite a satisfying meal. The workers were friendly, and the market maintains a nice family atmosphere within.

So if you live in Clovis or are just in the area, I would highly recommend “Ararat Market,” located at 457 N. Clovis Ave. Ste 205, Clovis, California.

Their phone number is (559) 324-9999.