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99 Ranch Market
Categories: Food Grocery Food Specialty Food Ethnic Food Grocery, Ethnic Food [Edit]
Dublin Place Shopping Ctr7333 Regional St
Dublin, CA 94568
(925) 833-3999
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 9 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
163 reviews for 99 Ranch Market
Review Highlights
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"Their dim sum specials are incredible." In 39 reviews -
"9.99 whole roast duck special on Thursday." In 14 reviews -
"...yet to eat at their hot deli (the BBQ duck looks delicious." In 11 reviews
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163 reviews in English
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Review from Tina C.
3/27/2012
This comes off as being an older Ranch 99, but it's a OK! There aren't that many places to buy Asian groceries in the Tri-Valley and the prices are reasonable here.
Pros
+Spice galore! Tons of spices including Mexican and Vietnamese ones.
+Tons of sugars. Think palm sugar, rock sugar, cane sugar, brown sugar, etc.
+Fair prices. Check out the weekly sales ad as well.
+Takes credit card.
+FREE parking. After you are done, you can go to some of the other stores in the area. There's also Stoneridge Mall nearby.
+Quality and tons of veggies and selection in the fresh produce section. Cheaper than Whole Foods, Safeway, etc.
+Carries American/USA products as well like yogurt and juice. Prices are fair, but you can probably get these products in mainstream markets for way cheaper when it's on sale.
+Sells fresh dim sum and hot food items
+You can take BART/Transit to West Dublin/Pleasanton BART station although you will have to walk a bit.
+Takes credit card.
Cons
-Can be cheaper in Chinatown.
-No rewards card. -
Review from Risa S.
Bay Area
Updated - 4/7/2012
I had lunch on Friday (April 6th) at this 99 Ranch and does anyone know if the Deli changed ingredients to their Chow Mein?
I'm not sure if it was the oil they used or if they changed their sauce around or something, but my son, he loves their Chow Mein and he has never experienced serious food allergies in the past before, but for the first time on Friday, he actually broke out.
Literally, his face became what's called an Asian red similar to when an Adult Asian drinks alcohol - you know how your face turns bright red with your chest/neck area turns patches of red and your skin itches like you broke out with chicken pox (you know, the feeling)? It was kind of like that.
I thought maybe my son was hot because his body temperature is more like his father's, but then, I realized when he complained of his chest/neck being really itchy so of course, I stopped him from eating anymore of the Chow Mein, but with plenty of water, his reaction ended up going away on its own (thankfully) without having to give him over the counter allergy meds, but I wanted to see if any other parent(s) experienced anything odd with their toddlers eating their Chow Mein purchased from the Hot Deli dept on Friday, April 6th, 2012?
My husband, he ate the same Chow Mein Friday night and he was fine with no food allergies or anything. Strange.
I told my son, if he wants Chow Mein, we'll just have to go to Panda Express.
But, other than this experience, I still love their Shrimp Won Ton soup with no noodles and their bakery. Yum!! And, I still find comfort Japanese foods here too.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/7/2012
I shop/eat here alternately with the 99 Ranch located on Rosewood Drive in Pleasanton.
I've been… Read more »
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Review from JJ L.
Walnut Creek, CA
3/12/2012
Firstly, this is for the dim sum place. Second, I never write bad reviews, but I seriously could not help it on this one..
So, the other day for some reason, I was feeling extra Asian. So I hop in my Honda and head over to Ranch 99. My needs were specific - Seaweed Salad and Sake.
Cradling a big bottle of sake in my arms, my dim-sum-o-meter goes off and I sense some in the store. Being Asian I can say that I'm spoiled as shit with Asian food so that makes me a pretty fucking established dim sum connoisseur.
Alas, there it is.
Once back at the office, (now this is about to get real graphic) the sio pao was half baked (haha) inside. Fucking raw. Gooey. Bad. Weird. Ewh. Rearry?? Damn that's hella gross, son! Fear Factor worthy.
I should've known better with the poorly spelled menu, "rise" instead of "rice." What Asian fucks up the word, "rice"? Raffing out roud.
I can hear my Mom, "Ay dios!"
Don't eat here unless you wanna die of some estomago issue.
You've been warned. You're welcome. -
Review from Vivian X.
San Ramon, CA
5/15/2012
I was happy when 99 Ranch opened in Dublin. It's convenient for me on my way home from work, it's clean and has a very good selection. The dim sum is good, and the prices are pretty good. There are always specials, so check when you walk in.
There is a Target around the corner, and Dublin downtown continues to expand convenience shopping, so this location is good, although the parking can get pretty packed. -
Review from Lisa N.
Mountain House, CA
5/4/2012
Not a big fan of this location, produce doesn't seem as fresh as the pleasanton location. I got a whole duck and asked for extra sweet and sauce and they gave me tiny itty bitty containers and refused to give me more than 3. I don't know how they expected me to have enough sauce for the bland and dry duck I just got. Some of the produce looked old and wilted. They are lacking in variety, I think I'll stick to the pleasanton location. the cashier even accused me of putting two different grapefruits in one bag and said oh it's cuz this one is slightly more orange. Not a fan.
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Review from Greg G.
12/16/2011
Economy size Hello Panda cookies? Check.
I wide range of live seafood, including lobsters, crabs, and sea urchant? Check.
A self serve dim sum and Chinese food bar for ridiculously cheap? Check.
A hybrid pineapple/almond bread in the bakery? Check.
The akward feeling of being the only white guy in this place, but not giving a damn because the prices and food selection here are so damn awesome? CHECK!
I love hitting up 99 Ranch Market because this place is intense. I mean, I've grown up around Asian food and culture my whole life, but to be honest shopping here gives me a slight culture shock. Maybe it's not a culture shock as much as it is just food jealousy! There are so many delicious items to buy and eat here, that i just love coming back as often as possible. I'm a fan! -
Review from Kara V.
Updated - 1/15/2012
The Pleasanton store just a few miles away is way better. Not so crowded and parking is easy. Being a chain, you would think that the prices would be the same, especialy when two store are just a few miles away. The deli prices are cheaper for the same items at the Pleasanton store then here at the Dublin store. Givin my choice, I would go to the Pleasanton store just off Santa Rita.
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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3/20/2010
OK, I'm adding 2 more stars to 3, since Le Asia closed, so where else is there to go? Parking being… Read more »
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Review from Bob A.
Vallejo, CA
8/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
For an old store this place was pretty clean. The fresh fish, crustacean etc were actually fresh. The place smells a little but not as much as much as many of the typical Asian grocers I have visited in the past. The food is awesome even the live food was healthy appearing. The dim sum looked so good that I had to get some this morning; unfortunately many of the pieces were below my standards of 165F. Food like that must be served within four hours, for safety reasons. The biggest problem is Dim Sum is best served hot and this was my only let down.
I will return in the future but I won't order dim sum anymore. Don't get me wrong the flavor was good; but the food being cold had me thinking this could be my start to a day of diarrhea warehouse.
Just in case I took three tabs of peptol-bismols to insulate my stomach; from Mao Tse Tung's revenge. -
Review from sarena a.
Dublin, CA
1/18/2012
I could spend 3 hours walkingbaround and checking outball of the cool products that this place carries. They have items that you could never dingbat a regular super market but they also have regular products so you can get all your shopping done in one place. If you have never visited one of these stores, going just to see the live and fresh frozen fish is worth it. You can literally pick a lobster or fish that is swimming in front of you and tell them how you would like it cooked and viola 0 minutes later it is finished. The fish never smells and this store carries all specialty items. My husband loves oxe tail and goat, the butcher will cut it however we want it so it is extremely fresh. I can't say enough about their bakery and produce. Amazing!
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Review from SHURAN W.
Pleasanton, CA
3/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
What can i say? Great place to get great things at great prices!
I'm able to find a lot of misc. items there that i can only get when i eat out at asian foods restarants, such as the Chili sauce from Pho Saigon! For CHEAP! -
Review from Nina W.
San Ramon, CA
11/9/2011
IF YOU BUY FROM THE HOT DELI (i.e. roast duck and pork) PLEASE READ.
Beware of what you are getting. You might not get what you pay for.
I've been going to this store since it opened a few years ago. The store itself is great. It's usually clean and organized.
I went there on Nov. 1. 2011 and bought some BBQ spareribs and noticed that the Roasted Pig look good and asked for two rib bones. I watched them weight the two ribs and had the guy cut the ribs and put it in the box, and paid.
When I got home, and unpacking i decided to to have a piece of crispy skin for a snack.. When I opened the box i noticed that there were other pieces of roasted pork and NOT THE RIBS I PAID FOR. There was 2 big bones (the end of the ribs) and 4 small pieces of ribs and the rest was butt meat.
Unfortunately, you can't see what the Chopper (guy behind the counter) is doing to the item you are buying because of the stainless steal barrier. Most places you can see what they are doing but not here.
I wonder if anyone else has had this happen? I've noticed little things like missing a drumstick from a whole duck before but this was so obvious.
CHECK WHAT YOU ARE GETTING BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE STORE AND COMPLAIN IF IT IS NOT., OTHERWISE THEY GET AWAY WITH IT!!!! -
Review from Kiko' N.
Oakland, CA
11/17/2011
I felt this people work here is not smart atall!!! So disappointed!! I wanted buy Japanese facial product I found it was one left so I brought to register this chinese girl said product price is not in system so she can not sell it!! Then I thought " why you put on counter???!!! so I really needed buy because I came from Oakland couldnt go that store easily so I talked to Store Maneger He said same answer!!! That is why I called Maneger beg him" Please put some price on" He said "can not sell" Why they are so dummy???!!! you guy are super market !!! you have to sell~!!! if you do not sell don't put in store!!!!! you don't need buisiness??? sooo dumm.
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Review from Mary T.
7/19/2011
It's a clean place, I give it that. However, I don't think their vegetables are all that fresh. Also, their fish frying station, I had a couple fishes deep fried and when I brought them home for dinner, they were undercooked, or better yet, under FRIED! WTF! We were eating and all of sudden the middle was a bit red still, so we had to bake it for a bit longer. Will I get fried fish again from this location? Probably not! However, the one thing I will give them about their meat department is that there are actually people there who can speak English. I'm used other Ranch 99, better yet Asian markets where no one in the meat dept. speaks a lick of English. It was awesome that I didn't have to point and repeat myself time and time again when I came here.
I'd come back again, this time I will be stern about how I want the fish to be thoroughly cooked through.
Parking lot is not paved and parts of it is bent out of shape. Come on, can we get this fixed. Other than that, it's just a Ranch 99, nothing special! -
Review from Elizabeth S.
Oakley, CA
4/29/2012
I love this market. There is something to be found from nearly every Asian country. They have great produce, most of it hard to find asian specialty fruits and vegetables to make authentic dishes. You can get a great selection of fresh noodles which taste ten times better in your stir fry noodle dishes. Their fish market is pretty good too and they will scale and cut the fish to your specifications if you ask. I get unusual snacks, teas, health foods, etc. You can find ground up flour from so many different food sources to cook with or add as supplements to your foods. I get miso paste, bottted vinegars or chili oils, and large bags of rice such as Jasmine or Hinode Japanese polished rice and store it in my special rice container I bought there. If you are at all interested in making or snacking on Asian foods, you shoudn't miss the chance to stroll through their grocery store. You may have to hold your nose in one or two sections, but the food is great, healthy and authentic and well worth the time getting to know.
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Review from Bella C.
San Diego, CA
12/29/2010
Wooooooooooooo Ranch 99!!!!
I've been to this location a couple of times with my mom and it's so cool! I don't know if they are still having their promotion, but when I went with my mom, for every $20 you spend, you got $1 to use at their deli.. aka dim sum! And the deli has a nice deal where 3 items = 1 order and if you get 3 orders, you get one for free!! It's so easy to get fat here!!!
..v. ( O (oo) O ) .v.. = ME (If you can't tell it's supposed to be a pig face emoticon... =))
I wish the Ranch 99 down in SD was as good as this oneeee. It doesn't have the rice noodles I wantttt. Wahhhh. -
Review from Wilson C.
San Ramon, CA
6/9/2011 2 Check-ins Here
The prices on their roasted duck, chicken and pork is really amazing. The flavors really shine and it tastes pretty fresh to me when I buy it in the early morning not at night. I stopped by today because I saw that they had cherries in their ad but they were all sold out since I couldn't find them anywhere. Mango by the cases, lots of oriental snacks and best of all, tons of beef jerky!
If you don't have a 99 Ranch near your place, its time to stop by and stock up on some goodies! -
Review from Brooklyn E.
Danville, CA
4/25/2012
love this place! so clean and the deli have everything that chinatown elsewhere have as well! = )
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Review from Bacala B.
11/19/2010
Advice for Caucasians who shop here - Be observant, and check what you are given before paying if you use one of the service areas in this store.
This morning, I'm standing second in line at the fish counter and the Asian woman in front of me asks for two crabs. The guy behind the counter climbs on a step of some sort and pulls out two very lively examples from a large display tank, weighs and tags them, and hands them over. My turn - "Two crabs, please." This time he doesn't step up, but reaches behind a bulkhead or something with his tongs and brings out a single crab. Um, why does this crab look different? Why are its legs and claws hanging down instead of flailing like the others? Obviously, because it's dead! I point to the good ones in the tank and ask why can't I have those. "You want those?" "Yeah, I want those."
Before you call me sensitive, let me state that this EXACT same thing happened to me in this store last year. Asian person in front of me gets good crabs from good tank, they try to give me dead ones from down below. White=stupid? -
Review from Jennie P.
2/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love browsing through Ranch 99.. grab a cart and browse. The produce here are pretty fresh and cheap! I picked up a 3 pack of portabella mushrooms for less than $2!
The liquor is a bargain here too.. and for you highrollers.. they carry Louis XIII and other high priced cognac.
:) -
Review from Terry S.
11/28/2010
I have shopped in this Ranch 99 a few times but am just now getting to a review. I was in Dublin today running errands and was driving by Ranch 99 so I stopped to get some sausage to make fried rice with.
The store is pretty clean and well stocked and for as well as I can tell fairly organized.
The fruit is tasty and often times cheaper than Safeway or other places.
I'll be back again I am sure. -
Review from Chival N.
San Leandro, CA
3/31/2011
THIS IS HANDS DOWN, THE CLEANEST AND MOST CONVENIENT RANCH 99 I'VE EVER BEEN TO.
I've been to almost all in the Bay Area (I love Ranch 99) and this location's decor and product selection is the absolute best. There are always promotion deals (grab a newspaper on the way in) and stop by their dim sum section 'cause their dim sum is the BOMB! Seriously, it is GOOD for the price. I always grab some cheap dim sum to-go when I'm here.
The first thing you will notice upon entering is the dessert, pastry and bao (chinese bun) section to your left. They offer mini cheesecakes, cakes and pastries as well as big taro cakes and assorted buns. I love stocking up on buns in this area (a personal fave is the ham, cheese and corn bun) and the pastry staff is always nice.
Next, I usually move over to the hot deli/convenience and frozen food section. They store hot pot items (such as fish balls, ready-to-boil hot pot convenience packs, yakult, microwave dim sum, etc.) and other types of convenience food here. You'll always see kids and parents roaming around this area as the little ones will plead with their parents to buy them yakult (frozen sour yogurt drink). It's also a popular spot to run into your neighbor (even if you don't live in Dublin).
Where you roam from here would depend on your shopping needs but they have ginormous ramen, candy, and frozen seafood aisles. There aren't many chips or snacks here though, so I wouldn't get those things here.
They also have the LARGEST fish ball selection I've ever seen. There is seriously every kind: from small to large, processed to raw, cooked to shriveled, smooth to curry, brown to red and vegetarian to kosher - IT'S A SIGHT TO BE HELD!
Their produce is relatively fresh, they at least get points for sanitation. No fruit flies flying around here!
Their hot deli section ain't bad but not as good as the dim sum. If you buy over $20 or so, they sometimes give you $2 coupons for a redeemable item at the hot deli section. Not redeemable for cash but good for chow mein or whatever.
Basically, no other Ranch 99 I've been to has been able to beat the cleanliness, convenience and selection of this store.
The only BAD thing would be parking. On busy days and hours, it can get pretty terrible and you will literally sit there in your car, praying for somebody to leave. On several occasions, I've had to park in other stores' designated areas marked "customers only."
Other than that, check this place out! -
Review from Victor G.
Updated - 12/5/2010
Remy Martin (cognac) XO is in the da house: $99.99
Party! Party!Listed in: dublin, asian grocery shopping…
5 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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10/10/2010
came across Melona ice bars on sale here (3.49/8 pieces) $1.50 off
not the original brand though,… Read more »
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Review from Paul M.
11/4/2010 2 Check-ins Here
99 Ways to Happiness & Marital Bliss
Zzzzzzz........
"Will you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife to love, cherish, and to bring to the nearest newish Ranch 99 Market, with an activated credit card, to death do you part"?
"Yes"
.....blah....blah....& blah...
"I now pronounce you Husband, with credit, and you, Wife with card, now go forth and shop for secret delicious Asian veges & other Weird Exotic Alien ingredients"....
Zzzzzzzz........
"Honey, wake up, you were giggling like crazy and drooling in your sleep...are you OK"
"Huh...Zzzzz...huh...Zzzzz.....where's my wallet?...Zzzzz......"
99 Ways to Happiness & Marital Bliss
(99 or so, addenda: Clean, new, & spacious for an asian market, nice hanging ducks, nice tasty cooked food (some Dimsum), nice bakery (good cakes for going to visit family or friends, very fresh veges (no fungus-unless it is FUNGUS), has meats & live fish (horrifies my Buddhist Vege honey), has rice cookers & rice 50pds, bamboo, & a lovely selection of MOON CAKE (YuM) when in season, nice place, Psycho-drivers in lot-so park far away, safe nice area-right off freeways, not far from Stoneridge Mall...SUPER INCREDIBLY CHEAP & GOOD compared to crappy Safeway & American chains... :)Listed in: EUPHORIC ETHNIC EATS (or maybe…
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Review from Emily S.
Stockton, CA
9/16/2010
Have you ever had a moment....when you know you're about to meet a celebrity, or go down a black diamond with fresh powder. Or better yet, about to try on a beautiful pair of shoes that you cannot live without.
I have that moment while driving up to 99 Ranch. I perform this catwalk gay strut singing 'My Favorite Things'. And once inside, I sing in broadway style, 'I've arrived, fuckers!' With my arms stretched out like I'm a magical Asian leprechaun.
This place has a special part in my heart and stomach. They sell EVERYTHING Asian. I'm thinking of asking for a FOB to clean my toilets.
They sell durian, dim sum, seafood, rice cookers.... and soooo much more.
I'm verklempt just thinking about Ranch 99.
Yes.... you just witnessed my mood swing. -
Review from rpm r.
San Ramon, CA
10/12/2010
I picked up some hot, fresh dim sum from here. $2.20 for 3 pieces, I got 4 pieces- total = $3.00
Good stuff -
Review from Patrick L.
Danville, CA
5/24/2011 3 Check-ins Here
It's Ranch 99...what else can I say. I'm not sure this is the largest or best Ranch 99 I've ever been to. It's a decent size, in a decent location and generally has what I need to get the job done.
The people at the meat counter are pretty nice and some speak English. I understand enough Chinese to get by, but it's always easier to communicate when they speak English. One time, I asked the butcher to cut some beef for me as I was planning on doing hot pot. He pointed me to the frozen meat but I told him I wanted it for that night. As a result, he cut the fresh meat for me. For anyone that has hot pot'd before, you probably know that to cut the meat as thin as possible, you have to use frozen meat. Unfortunately the meat wasn't razor thin but it was nice of him to do me that solid.
The BBQ meat section generally has a good selection which is great. They do a good job with that stuff.
This place used to be a lot busier until they opened the Pleasanton location. I'm glad they did because I used to hate coming here because there was never any parking. There is plenty of parking now. -
Review from Stephanie M.
Dublin, CA
10/22/2010 6 Check-ins Here
My go to place for produce. Hands down. If you go to Safeway, you'll be paying twice as much for produce than if you took a trip to 99 Ranch. They ave everything from fresh fish, produce, and every type of noodle, mine being soba. Their dim sum specials are incredible. I got 5 items (substantial enough to get your fill without feeling full) for $4 and some change!
Pocky sticks, shrimp chips, and mochi, oh my. A child's haven for all things snackish. Anything with a panda on it, I will also try. And don't be intimidated that most of everything here is in another language. You get authentic over convenience so if you have a question about a product, just ask someone otherwise authentic may be confused with cheap and nasty.
Be adventurous and go down the snack aisle and just grab something that looks good. You'll be pleasantly surprised when you go home and have a new addition to your cabinet. There are fresh breads in the bakery section, all worth the perusal. Soft, fresh, and they come in various flavors. My favorite is the coconut bread, a staple toasted, at home with butter. Hoh my gosh.Listed in: TRY-Valley
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Review from Danny L.
7/8/2010
Wow, compared to the other Ranch 99 Markets, this place was SUPER clean, organized, and friendly.... Maybe because it was in Dublin?!
What?! No pushing, pulling, fighting with rude old Asian women who shove you out of the way or cut in line?
No nasty smell of rotten produce or overwhelming fish/meat odors?
No one yelling over your shoulder in Chinese?!
I can't believe I was in and out with 5 bags full of stuff in a matter of 10 minutes! And, when we asked where the pho spice was, the employee directed us to the exact place in perfect English. -
Review from Lolia S.
San Francisco, CA
9/8/2009 3 photos
They didn't have White Rabbit candy (yes, it's finally BACK but I haven't been able to find it) but it's still a good Chinese supermarket. 99 Ranch looks much nicer and better maintained than the Le Asia in San Ramon. They have the usual 99 Ranch departments, seafood in the back, produce on the right, freezers in the center. You can buy rice cookers and pots and pans here. Moon Festival is approaching and they have a wide assortment of mooncakes for the occasion.
The left side of the store has an in-store SOGO bakery with baked buns, cookies, loaf bread, Asian style cheesecakes in assorted sizes and TEN types of cake rolls (sold by the slice but also whole).
The deli has a drinks area with juices and tapioca balls, dim sum area, roast duck/BBQ area, prepared foods warming under a heat lamp, 10 types of congee ($5.99 - 6.99) including pork with preserved egg, noodle soups ($5.99 - 6.99), steamed buns, Chinese rice tamales, egg custard tarts, etc. A guy was making dumplings there (shrimp won tons I think) which was a good sign. The food is a bit expensive, like $1.45 for baked buns. But there probably aren't too many other options out in this area.
I had the won ton noodle soup with beef stew ($6.99) which comes with your choice of noodle (I chose rice noodles). The portion was very generous. The huge won tons were filled with a firm mixture of ground shrimp and nothing else. The skins were nice and thin. They tasted fine but I like having more variety in my won tons. The broth was light and somewhat sweet - not the most flavorful but okay. Some of the beef tendon was very, very tough but other pieces were quite tasty.
They had an interesting use of drink cups, the kind they'd serve tapioca tea in and then seal on top. They put kim chee and other cold small dishes in the cups. A cup of duck tongues was just $1.59.Listed in: Supermarkets and food markets
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Review from Jessica D.
San Ramon, CA
1/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
It's Filipino night! Adobo, pancit and lumpia! Sometimes this whitey gets the yellow fever. :) Don't be surprised either when my filipino foods actually comes out hella good! lol. This is my go to Ranch 99 because it is the closest to my place. The array of produce is always good. Japanese snacks are my absolute fave, so I always buy up all the biscuits, crackers and pocky! Tons of cakes and desserts to choose from!
I've been here many many times, but never for the dim sum or hot lunch! Last time I went they had a HUGE, WHOLE pig chillin', hanging from the ceiling. Now, I don't know how that effects you, but I'm into that. Lol. Fresh pork, hollller! I need to go back and eat some lunch.
Parking absolutely sucks, you have to drive around a lot until something opens up. Maybe it's just me because I go around 5pm-7pm but it always seems super packed.Listed in: My Hood
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Review from Patricia H.
CA
1/19/2009 ROTD 2/25/2009
Hmm....hmm.....I'm in love with Ranch 99.
Been wanting to go for ages and finally convinced my hon of hons husband to go this weekend. When we entered I was a little daunted since there was a scrum of Asian ladies between the produce section and the noodle section, but I quickly figured out it was because the fresh noodles, tofu etc. were just being stocked, so we sidled over to the produce area. I generally try to shop locally at farmer's markets but couldn't resist the ginger, garlic, lemons, bok choy, beans, cukes and oranges at such amazing prices.
When we finally made it over to the noodle section I was in LOVE LOVE LOVE. I bought several packages of fresh made noodles and won ton wrappers. Sadly, I wanted some flavored tofu, and it was made with msg and a lot of preservatives, so we passed that up.
On to the butcher counter. I haven't seen so many different types and cuts of pork since I shopped at Lucky Pork Store on Mission Street. We ended up with some fresh made ground pork - but said no to the pork blood. I kept going up and down the aisles and was in heaven at the condiment aisle. So many kinds of soy sauce, cooking sauces, rice vinegar, oils. It was crazy and I bought a ton of stuff.
Next to the fish counter. OK, we pussied out and didn't buy one of the hundreds of fresh dungeness crab because we both hate cooking live crab (yes, I KNOW it's the best but we're pussies, OK?). Tons of amazing fish and shell fish, but a lot of it was farmed and I only want to purchase local fish.
Many more aisles - tofu, dumplings, pork buns, mochi, dried seaweed were some of our purchases. We had a blast and didn't even spend that much money since everything was so much cheaper than places where we usually buy Asian spices and cooking sauces.
One downside - I forgot to bring in my paper bags and they packed everything in plastic bags, which I don't really like. Service was quick and pleasant.
Last night's dinner was fresh ground pork with ginger, garlic and long beans over fresh egg noodles, followed by mochi for desert. Amazing!
Oh wait - the music. When we arrived they were playing 50's oldies - "Tell Sarah I love Her", "Danny Boy" and some other gems. We were laughing our heads off. -
Review from JeFF T.
Fremont, CA
8/27/2007 3 photos
After many months of waiting and waiting, they're finally open! This location blows any of the other locations away! The place was packed and parking was almost a nightmare. Didn't have a chance to run down every aisle, but the ones that I did, were all nicely organized. The seafood selection is great. Almost like being in Chinatown. The decor is definitely modern, compared to the many others that I've been to. Think of an updated Safeway.
Next to the seafood selection, one of the main draws has got to be the hot foods section. 3 or more items for $6.49, plus, you serve/pick the items you want yourself...whatever you can fit in your container. They even had lobster as a choice. They also have the standard Chinese BBQ dishes...roast duck, roast pork, bbq pork, salted chicken, etc...as well as dim sum and noodles. They definitely have all the options covered.
Le Asia Supermarket is in trouble...
Update 8/30/07
Am I an addict already? I came back for more today. Roast pork/steamed chicken over rice for lunch. Plus I picked up some fresh ginger, green onions, potatoes, and some large shrimp that was on sale for cheap. Having more time to browse the aisle, they really do have the best selection of all things Asian that you can think of. The Tri-Valley is lucky...99 lucky. -
Review from Marla M.
Livermore, CA
1/14/2010
minus 10 stars...
Very unfriendly parking lot
Very unfriendly staff, that don't speak English
Very small aisles
Very RUDE customers trying to push their way thru those very small aisles
Very unsanitary conditions of those poor fishes and crabs stacked liked packed dominos, were they ever alive? They certainly had a light gray color, which I have never seen on a crab my husband brought back LIVE from Oregon coast.... Even after traveling on ice, for 7 hours.
Quite sure those crabs are not alive in those tanks.
Very limited selection
Very smelly, to the point that we almost GAGGED and left what limited groceries we HAD actually acquired in the middle of those one
VERY small aisles with their very unfriendly service, etc....
VERY disappointing, and gross to say the least!
NOTE!
I would not suggest buying dead packed crab in a tank with murky water..
Just saying... -
Review from L.A. W.
Tracy, CA
1/16/2008
When I cook "ethnic" foods, I don't go half-assed. My lasagna is made with homemade meat sauce that simmers for hours. My tortilla soup is homemade, too. (I'm still getting the hang of making tortilla's though. They look like fat bubbly pillows when I'm done.)
When I've attempted Chinese or Thai food at home before, it was a sad, bland, and nearly inedible version of my favorite foods. Mostly this was because I was using the limited spices, mixes, etc from my local grocery store. Well, now I have NO excuse to suck at Asian meals anymore, because I found everything at 99 Ranch Market.
At first, I wandered around a little intimidated and confused. I was one wee lil white girl amongst a throng of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thaiwanese, Vietnamese, and I'm sure, a host of other nations. I couldn't understand half of what was being said in a bunch of different languages, and I imagined that I was being looked at like I was a freak. (I'm certain that isn't true. I just have a huge ego that has me constantly believing strangers care about my existance.)
I couldn't read half the packaging, unless I searched out the tiny english or french print. I muddled through, though and found some great soups, noodles, spices, and teas that I couldn't find in my local Safeway.
The fish and seafood is SO fresh and the variety is amazing.
I'll definitely go back after I research some good recipes. -
Review from Michelle S.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 3/21/2009
If the roast duck is on special, try it. It is the best $11 you've probably ever spent. My colleague's profound words about the duck:
"This duck is so good, man. Chicken sucks."
See, you need to try the duck because chicken sucks.
The dim sum ain't too bad either.
I'm a little scared of the music that they play here. I had "I never promised you a rose garden" stuck in my head for the rest of the day.
Did I mention the cheap sake for sale?1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/16/2009
Want some irony? When I was working at Bayer, I worked with mostly Chinese people who frequented the… Read more »
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Review from Patty W.
Walnut Creek, CA
11/11/2008
On the way back from stoneridge this weekend, my sister-in-law and I dashed into 99 Ranch for some quick groceries. Thanks to Jennifer R., who started that thread about where to eat DIY fresh spring rolls. The makings of all that, PLUS the ingredients for an absolutely delicious Vietnamese style beef stew, five adults, four kids $28. Yes, I totally can see that it would be fun to relax and do this at a restaurant, but not with four kids -- all six years old and under.
Things I like:
-Great prices on meats and groceries.
-Excellent selection of sauces and marinades.
-Very fresh fish and seafood.
-it is the closest 99 Ranch to Walnut Creek (to answer Scotty D, where have all the Asians been hiding? All over the East Bay. I theorize that all the 925 area code's Asian people probably drive to this location.
-the line never takes long to get through
Things I don't like:
-their BBQ pork isn't that great, and my little man loves BBQ pork (even here, but I don't like this version).
-the parking lot! hello, fellow Asians, please DON'T feed the stereotype of bad Asian drivers.
-the Thanksgiving precooked dinner. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES buy this meal for your family. My mom bought this for our extended family one year when she came up from LA area last minute and didn't have time to cook. It wasn't a coincidence that the next year, my generation took over this holiday. The meal was edible, but barely.
All the same, unless I'm having company and cooking something Asian or if I'm in the area, I'll make do with my Walnut Creek grocery stores (thankfully, we do have our smallish County Square in Concord).Listed in: Grocery Stores
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Review from Jason W.
Oakland, CA
3/2/2009
You know you are in a 99 Ranch when:
* The isles look like LA traffic but with people and carts all over the friggin place.
* You think the Seafood department is like a Free Aquarium.
* The produce section looks like the local farmer's market
* There is a magical food court that pops out of no where!
* The parking lot looks like a Grand Theft Auto gang scene with a bumper car theme.
Other than the obvious, this place is solid!!! Freshest produce, meats, and all at a great price! You really can not go wrong!
(\ /)
( =^ - ^=) -
Review from Mary J.
Castro Valley, CA
Came in here yesterday to pick up some frozen lumpia...BF having potluck @ wk & his Filipino-side *lol* signed up to bring this in. First time visiting this place & aside from really loving its location (close to Target, BigLots, Subway, Popeye's & more in this shopping center area), they have large assortment of various American & Asian goods (meats, *fresh* seafood http://www.yelp.com/bi... , spacious aisles, & large shared parking lot w/ other stores in this shopping center area. It wasn't too crowded for me coming in (wkday after 5pm) so parking no prob & check out stands didn't take forever, but definitely a crowd of folks shopping. Found my frozen lumpia (pk of like 50 for $13) & also found some tocino (pk for like $4)...HAD to get it..ok got 2 pks *hehe*!
Took my shopping cart for a longer stroll around the store to see what else they have...restaurant http://www.yelp.com/bi... w/ dinning area http://www.yelp.com/bi... & their bakery was pretty decent w/ large assortment of everything (1) http://www.yelp.com/bi... (2) http://www.yelp.com/bi... but for some reason I couldn't find pastries w/ yellow bean =( like Hopia Mongo I get @ Island Pacific. Oh well, I'll look harder next time. Their cakes look heavenly http://www.yelp.com/bi... but have no clue on how they taste..may have to come back just for one of these. -
Review from Lea B.
Livermore, CA
9/10/2007
So we finally went to visit Ranch 99 -- er, 99 Ranch -- on Sunday afternoon. I knew it would be a mistake, and it was. Gridlock in the parking lot and twice as bad inside the store. My real vote would probably be closer to 3.5 stars or even just 3, but I think the Tri-Valley was in need of a store like this, so 4 stars it is.
This location seemed a tiny bit smaller than the one in Milpitas, but I could be trippin'. It was cool though. Most of the same items available at other Ranch 99s ... they've also got a hot food area where you can serve yourself or order at the counter (didn't try this, though). One thing that was better about the location was despite the busy/crazyness of the store, the checkout lines were shorter and faster than I had experienced in the Milpitas store.
And I actually wasn't the only white person here, heh. I'm sure we'll be back, but I'm thinking a weeknight *might* be better. Sunday afternoon was a bad idea. -
Review from Jess O.
East Bay, CA
9/13/2010 1 Check-in Here
Close and convenient.
This place is smaller than the new one in Pleasanton, but It's still great! Has all the essential Asian goodies. Pocky, shrimp chips and fresh fish.
I've never tried the dim sum or deli stuff, but it all looks good.
The place is so very clean. You know how most asian markets reak of fish, the Dublin 99 Ranch doesn't smell (as bad)
Just make sure you know what you are looking for because the language barrier...well uhh it's a barrier.
HINT: sometimes they give out $1 coupons for every $20 you purchase. So make sure you get your list ready and stock up on your Asian groceries.
