The Story of Holy Land
Over a century ago, in the heart of Palestine, Grandfather Abu Saeed baked his first loaves of pita using a recipe built on patience, precision, and love. His values of hard work, family, tradition, and the guiding principles of Islam were passed down through generations and helped shape what Holy Land would one day become.
Our family’s journey was not without hardship. After being displaced from Palestine, we became refugees in Kuwait, where we rebuilt our lives while holding tightly to our culture, traditions, and recipes. Those roots, and the resilience they required, remain the foundation of who we are today.
In 1985, with the support of his mother, Mama Fatima, and father, Baba Mahmoud, Wajdi Wadi left Kuwait for Minnesota to attend Moorhead State University. After graduating, he moved to Minneapolis with a dream to create a place that combined his family’s recipes with a spirit of hospitality. That dream began with the purchase of “Ali Baba” bakery, and soon after, the name Holy Land was born.
The Heart of Holy Land
Baba Mahmoud was the personality of Holy Land. Always behind the counter with a warm smile, slicing fresh gyro or prepping vegetables for the day, customers came not just for the food, but for the man who made them feel at home.
Mama Fatima was the backbone. Her recipes, crafted with care and authenticity, became the foundation of Holy Land’s deli. She led by example, cooking through the night, training staff, and creating an atmosphere where hospitality was not just good service, it was family. Her warmth filled the space, and her food drew larger and larger crowds.
Today, that same spirit lives on through the next generation. The legacy they built is not preserved in stories alone, but carried forward every single day in the way Holy Land operates. The welcoming environment, authentic flavors, and genuine hospitality remain unchanged.
This is more than a business. It is a continuation of a tradition rooted in love for the food, the culture, the community, and the customers. Every meal served, every guest greeted, and every experience created is guided by the same purpose that started it all, to make people feel at home.
From Neighborhood Deli to City Institution
Holy Land began as a small Middle Eastern deli, bakery, and grocery in Northeast Minneapolis, featuring Abu Saeed’s original pita bread alongside a growing menu of family recipes. By 1993, City Pages named it the Best Middle Eastern Deli, and the space expanded to meet demand.
Over time, Holy Land evolved into one of Minnesota’s largest and most beloved international grocery stores, known especially for its wide selection of imported products from across the Middle East. From spices and grains to specialty cheeses, olives, teas, and sweets, our grocery aisles have become a trusted source for both nostalgic favorites and hard to find ingredients. For many in the Twin Cities, Holy Land is more than a store. It is a connection to heritage and tradition.
In 1995, Wajdi’s brother, Majdi, joined the business, bringing expertise in management, marketing, and finance. Under his leadership, Holy Land grew from a modest corner store into one of the region’s most recognized and celebrated culinary and cultural destinations.
More Than a Business
Holy Land has earned national recognition, including:
- National Small Business Person of the Year nomination (Wells Fargo)
- Holy Land Day proclaimed by the City of Minneapolis (2002)
- Keepers of the American Dream award (2008)
- Featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
- Dozens of “Best Middle Eastern Restaurant and Grocery” awards from City Pages, Mpls/St. Paul Magazine, Yelp, and TripAdvisor
- Featured in The Oprah Magazine for our hummus
Giving Back
For over a decade, Holy Land has donated more than a million dollars to local and international causes through the Holy Land Charitable Fund at the Minneapolis Foundation. We support neighborhood programs, youth organizations, schools, the Minneapolis Muslim community, and international organizations in the Middle East and Africa.
Our employees come from all over the world, living out one of our core beliefs that food, hospitality, and community have the power to bring people together.
From a Palestinian grandfather’s pita bread recipe, to rebuilding as refugees in Kuwait, to becoming a Minneapolis landmark, Holy Land’s journey is a story of family, flavor, resilience, and a deep commitment to the community we serve.