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99 Ranch Market
Categories: Food Grocery Food Specialty Food Ethnic Food Food Bakeries Grocery, Ethnic Food, Bakeries [Edit]
Pacific East Mall3288 Pierce St
Richmond, CA 94804
(510) 769-8899
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 9 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
258 reviews for 99 Ranch Market
Review Highlights
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"...88/ea, weird fruit you can't find anywhere else, I was in..." In 5 reviews -
"This is a one stop shop for all your Asian needs." In 5 reviews -
"The produce is fresh and plentiful." In 73 reviews
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258 reviews in English
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Review from Heather G.
Berkeley, CA
5/9/2012
We have enjoyed their fresh live crabs several times this past dungeness season! We also like to purchase fresh fish from the market. The seafood is all great quality.
We also like to try different asian treats.. Sometimes we even pick things that we have no CLUE what they are because theres not anything in English written on the package lol.. Great variety of imported sweets and snacks.
The parking lot is always packed and weekends
Even if you dont buy anything its a cool experience to go and just look around. I really feel like Im in chinatown when Im shopping at 99 ranch! -
Review from Steph T.
Berkeley, CA
4/27/2012
Ranch 99 Market is wonderful for picking up ingredients to make asian dishes at cheap prices. Huge selection of vegetables and fruits at low prices - here, and Berkeley Bowl are my go-to places. All your favorite asian snacks can be found down the aisles when you're craving some particular flavor that still hasn't hit the mainstream. The large selection of seafood is hard to beat for this area. Plus, you'll still find a lot of whole fish, some still swimming, untouched and ready for all your home preparations. Time for creativity and getting smelly!
Tucked in the corner you'll find some tasty dim sum at prices that make going anywhere else inside the mall seem plain - stupid. Three pieces of dim sum for 2.30 plus free tea. How good is it? Worth every penny. Not the worst I've tasted and far better than most places outside of densely asian populated areas. The tea, of course, helps break away some of the grease. Also, there is a buffet of delicious food offerings and again at pleasing prices. The whole fried tilapia for 4 dollars with the eyes still intact was delicious. The restaurants inside the mall have not been that impressive, which only makes this hideaway cafeteria all the more welcoming!
I remember having to come here for my favorite thai coconut milk before other places carried it, but Berkeley Bowl is selling it for over 2.50 and Ranch 99 had it for 0.99 today. Cooking happiness. -
Review from Amelia G.
Berkeley, CA
4/24/2012
Ok, I've been hearing about 99 Ranch for years, but living in SF it wasn't really near enough to try and being in the sunset meant I didn't lack for nice asian green grocers. Now that I am in Berkeley I thought it was worth the jaunt to finally check it out, and it was definitely worth it. I love the fresh and affordable selection of veggies, the entire aisle of rices, and the amazing fish counter with the crazy long line. I didn't wait for the fish line to clear out, but I can vouch for the quality of all the veggies that I bought and for the affordable prices for their rices.
Store is located in a little Asian themed mall with a good amount of parking. The parking lot was still a bit crazy when we were there, but we found a place to park without too much trouble. Not especially doable from public transit, though, I don't think. It's sort of on a frontage road right by the freeway. Bit busy for pedestrians. -
Review from Rebekah T.
San Francisco, CA
I've heard about this 99 Ranch Market and set out to check it out. I love to cook, so I look to ingrediants to give me inspiration.
I wandered around the tightly packed store and checked out each eisle. The store reminded me of a smaller Manila Oriental Market (SF), but with a bakery and hot food bar.
I purchased some pork belly and a couple vegetables, and spent under $7. The pork belly was only about $4.50 and came out really good. I never really tried making it before, but I love trying new things.Listed in: Adventures in the East Bay!, Ooooh, pork belly
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Review from Randy B.
Pinole, CA
4/30/2012
Closet and largest grocery market closest to my house. Large parking area but still get full and busy on weekends. Conveniently adjacent to restaurants and snack shops. Market has all of those misc, hard to find, asian food/ spice that you could not find at a luckys or trader joes.
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Review from David N.
Roast Duck. I've been jones-n chinese roast duck for weeks. And dreading the parking in Oakland's Chinatown, I took on the dreaded parking at 99 Ranch.
Yep, a full parking lot, but I was determined to get my duck on.
A long line at 11:00AM, I guess that's when the ducks are roasted. Two rows of the brown duckies hung there and already, my mouth was watering. I was going to buy a half, but decided to go all in with a whole duck.
Except the head. A woman next to me said that the head made great soup. I told her she could have mine. Ugh.
Jumped in the car and could not resist taking a few bites. Oily yes, but so much flavor.
I gotta go and get another today! -
Review from Melinda Y.
San Leandro, CA
1/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
I used to come here more often when I lived further north. It's a nice plaza with tapoica drinks, stores, and every conceivable Asian cuisine.
Ranch 99 is a very complete Asian supermarket (with some American brands), with a big produce department, fresh (live) seafood, bakery, cookware, and hot plate area (and seating for some quick dining). My favorite aisle is, unquestionably, the snack aisle! So comprehensive. I'm a slave to good munchies. Asian snacks are one-of-a-kind (ie Asian-style pork jerky, cuttlefish, lobster chips, little fried fish, mochi, tempura seaweed, rice crackers, etc.) As you can tell, I'm well-versed with the varieties to choose from...an expert!
It is a popular alternative to Oakland Chinatown, so nights and weekend can be a circus. Major holidays? Fuhgeddaboudit! So plan accordingly to avoid a frustrating experience. -
Review from Tim T.
12/27/2011
Good location. Plenty of parking and next to alot of restaurants.
I see some pretty good deals on alcohol.
I like buying their dumplings, onion pancakes and various asian items.
They have some good deals on alcohol -
Review from Mona T.
San Pablo, CA
3/13/2012
I would try to avoid this shopping center if I were you. Parking is always a b* here. Imagine a parking lot full of Asians who can't drive fighting for a space. Yes, NIGHTMARE! This is a last resort place for me, I'd rather go to an independent stand alone place for Asian food or groceries.
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Review from Matt C.
Sacramento, CA
12/3/2011
The dim sum is one of the best kept secrets. Its about half the price of Asian Pearl (next door), and you don't have to put up with the nasty service staff!
Fried chicken drumsticks were only 50 cents each. Cha Shu Bow (Steamed Pork Bun) only 65 cents.
I was in dim sum heaven.........L & L (in nearby El Cerrito) is better, but Ranch Market is quick and cheap!!! -
Review from Jess L.
2/21/2012
This market is a trip. A whole aisle of beef jerky on one side and cookies and candies on the other? Awesome. The produce, meats, and fish appeared to be of good quality; and there's even a dim sum buffet bar where you can eat pork buns to your endless delight. (Or mine, at least.) They have tons of Asian treats and goodies. There's even a [small] section with Mexican foods (sauces, spices). It can definitely get crowded on the weekend, but it's actually not terrible.
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Review from Summer L.
San Rafael, CA
3/24/2012
If you are looking to make your own milk tea with boba, I recommend you come here. You can buy a variety of tapioca pearls (sizes, colors) and what you need to make the tea. This place looks like it has a lot to offer, but I didn't get a chance to explore more :(
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Review from Brian M.
Marina Bay, CA
11/12/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Apparently some of the employees at 99 Ranch don't seem to be fans of white folks patronizing their Asian market. I've noticed this before (asking an employee where something is or at checkout) but it seems to be getting much worse.
On this past Thursday night I went in the store to get a few things and noticed I was pretty much the only white guy in the place. As I've been there several times before, I normally notice it but don't think much about it. This time however, the cashier that checked me out was extremely rude. When I approached her empty line she gave me a cold look and then whispered something to the Chinese guy bagging my groceries. Talk about making me feel uncomfortable. During the checkout process she (Shao Zhen C. - her name was on the receipt) just stared at me the entire time. I said Hi to her but she didn't say a word to me and spoke to old man bagging my stuff in Mandarin. It's was totally obvious and really quite annoying. No "How are you", "Thank You" or nothing. Just that cold stare and evil babble with her co-worker.
When I returned to the car I checked my face to make sure there was no food or anything hanging off my chin. I hadn't shaved that day but nothing looked out of the ordinary. My zipper was ok too and I hadn't wet my pants.
2 stars because 99 Ranch offers a great selection of ethnic food at reasonable prices. I will continue to go back there because it is so close to where I live. Next time tho, I won't let Shao Zhen C get away with that kind of treatment and will call her on it. It's not cool... -
Review from Rob L.
San Francisco, CA
12/24/2011 10 Check-ins Here
A supermarket that sells mainly Asian foods or Asian-inspired cookware, 99 Ranch is your place for a cleaner, organized, and central place for your food or kitchen needs. This place is part of an area full of Asian-themed businesses. Parking can get tough during the lunch or weekends, so plan ahead before you attend. The traffic right outside this place can be tricky, especially if you're coming from Central Avenue as the freeway traffic and traffic lights aren't consistent, causing long lines of cars.
The supermarket has many Asian-inspired food choices, such as Japanese beers, all sorts of Chinese packaged foods & condiments, rice cookers, teapots, ceramics, along with your basic groceries such as fruits, vegetables, and meats. They also have small restaurants within where you can get pastries, dim sum, and combination meals.
Being the only supermarket that caters to customers that want Asian-themed food, 99 Ranch thrives in a niche market as there is no other big supermarket that sells similar goods that's within miles. If you're in the area and want something different, shop at 99 Ranch for your kitchen needs. -
Review from H K.
San Francisco, CA
9/24/2011 10 Check-ins Here
This is the Ranch 99 I visit most often because I usually stop at this mall during family visits on this side of the bay. This location doesn't have as good of a feel as the one in Foster City (somehow that one beats all others, as written in review there). Otherwise, it's comparable to the one in Daly City's Skyline Plaza, which is actually closer to my home but I really go there that often unless with my lady friend. It seems that there's a slightly better selection on many items here even.
The thing that now bothers me about this location is that when there's a special on the 12-pack Japanese beers (like Sapporo), the price is higher. Last weekend I bought a 12-pack of Kirin beer for $6.99 plus tax, but here it was priced $8.99 even as a special price. It's been that way here for some time now. -
Review from Cindy K.
9/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yay for 99! I love this branch of asian supermarkets. Very big store with everything I need in term of food. Good deals on veggies, fruits, meat, and snacks. I like to stock up on veggies, drinks, and snacks. They even carry my favorite brand of skincare masks - My Beauty Diary.
If you want ready made hot food they have a to-go area and if you want baked goods there's a bakery.
This place is very packed and the lines look long, but everything moves very fast. -
Review from Fenny g.
9/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
99 Ranch is where I go for grocery and Indonesian product!
I'm happy to live 10 mins away from 99 Ranch!
I love their sea food service!
Tip: Buy produce, meat, sea food, and Asian stuff because the price tend to be cheaper than other places. Go to Safeway for non-Asian stuff and sometimes meat in Safeway is cheaper if you find the 30% off..
I'm fan of 99 Ranch! -
Review from John M.
8/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been here a whole bunch of times over the years & am finally getting around to writing a review.
99 is a great supermarket & a great resource for all sorts of Asian food & household goods. I was here recently with the girlfriend & a friend who was looking for the ingredients to make a potentially elaborate Asian dinner. 99 had it all, no problem.
I definitely consider 99 to be authentic just because there's a whole lot of stuff in that store that I either don't have a clue at all as to what it is or would be too squeamish to actually eat whatever it is.
99 Ranch Market has got to be the best Asian goods 1 stop shop in the near East Bay around Richmond, El Cerrito, Albany, etc. For a wide selection of all things Asian at good prices, 99 Ranch Market is the way to go. -
Review from Elizabeth S.
Oakland, CA
8/25/2011
Great prices on everything! I can actually afford to buy fruit and veggies here! Not to mention seafood that is still alive, such as crabs, lobsters, oysters, clams, fish, (can you say sashimi quality?) and weird seafood I've never seen before so I need to find out what they are and how you eat them. Whole live lobsters were only $9.99/lb and dungeness crab was $4.99/lb. Mangoes at $.88/ea, weird fruit you can't find anywhere else, I was in heaven!
Worth the ten minute drive for me! -
Review from Melvin P.
Alameda, CA
8/2/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Its a Asian Market, that means get food far cheaper than Safeway. And its the same quality as Safeway. So why go to Safeway when you can come here and save a lot of money.
BTW there are a lot of asian girls so that's a plus right? -
Review from Eileen L.
San Francisco, CA
12/15/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I'm not a big fan of Ranch 99 but I'm just glad this location is here because it's convenient and it's the only Asian supermarket in the area .
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Review from Jerico P.
go right now! dungeness crab for $3.99/lb
it's cleaner, roomier and more organized than other asian markets you would find in your local china town. well stocked with your harder to find ingredients for those homecooked dishes you just called your parents to get the recipe for.
reason for this review however is the tag line. every year the live crabs go on sale and yes i've said it before though i'm allergic to them... i just can't say no! they are so good!
why wait an hour or so at the restaurant. when the prices are this low, get some and cook some yourself! go right now!
until next time
cheers! -
Review from Ria R.
Alameda, CA
5/31/2011
I love shopping here because I can find most or all of the specialty items/groceries I need to stock up my home without going to China Town and hauling everything back and forth to the car, while adding money to the meter.
Let me just say, MAN! Can this place get unbelievably crowded!!!! To the point your either waiting on a grocery cart from someone in the parking lot or near the checkout counter. Even then, once you get your cart you besta be watchin that $h!# or you'll find yourself turning around to add things to your Oops! Now non-existent cart HAHA I'm tellin you it's like they have hawks up in this place ready to swoop in and pull a fast one on ya if you leave your cart unattended for more than 30 seconds.
Yes, believe me it's incredibly difficult pushing your cart through these super narrow and crowded aisle's but is it necessary? Completely. Unless you like playing hiding go seek with carts (In which case, you probably need to do my groceries) =)
Anyway, I'm not being stereotypical, I shop at 99 Ranch ALL THE TIME, big time Asian supermarket goer here but let me just say: If your not the right kind of Asian i.e. Korean, Chinese, Filipino or Japanese you just aint getting answers out of ANYONE one on where things are. You get super neglected customer service-wise if you come here and your not the right kind of Asian. Or maybe it's just me? I will say, I shopped here with my Chinese friend and we breezed right through the checkout like royalty.
Anyway, I still go here. I need my groceries, teas and pastries but sometimes it can take a while so plan your trip here accordingly and try not to get too mad at the lovely people who swoop in and steal the parking space you were waiting on for 15 minutes in the parking lot. They probably didn't even see you. =) If you can get around it's quirks and not let it get to you, you'll actually like the stuff you can find at 99 Ranch. -
Review from Maria Anna J.
San Francisco, CA
5/27/2011 6 Check-ins Here
Never ever go here on a Sunday! Seriously this place is super packed on Sundays.
This is my go to place for quick Asian related items cause it's basically the only Asian grocery store in my side of town. Yes, some prices are cheap but you get what you pay for. Don't get me wrong, it's convenient and have almost everything you need for most Asian dish but I've been to cleaner more organized Asian grocery!
But the thing that annoys me the most is the crowd! Ugh! Seriously there have been times when I just wanted to throw it down with some older Asian dude cause I was blocking his way! Boy don't make me get outta my car. If it wasn't for my daughter in the car with me, I would've been cussin' him out like a sailor would! Haha for reals. They just crack me up and I've lived in SF most of my life!
There's a big parking lot that's mostly packed, probably due to the other businesses in this plaza.
Avoid Sundays, get their oysters and we'll call it a good day! -
Review from Phet J.
Hercules, CA
1/20/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I've been here many many times before. The place is awesome. Full of produce from far East regions. Prices are very low and quality is pretty good. Has adequate meat section and pretty large seafood section with many of their seafood still being alive which in my eyes mean FRESH!!! Surrounded by many other stores around the Pacific East Mall, this place offers everything that other large supermarkets offers. The negative is the super tight check out lines. Other than that this place is pretty cool.
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Review from Samantha W.
El Sobrante, CA
8/6/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I've been shopping at Ranch since I don't know... Forever! This place really provides all the ingredients needed in cooking Asian dishes. The location of the market is encircled in a plaza that has tons of restaurants and eateries. Because of that, it get's really packed on the weekends. Parking could be more troubled on the weekends, but you'll manage if you circle around the rows.
The foods here are fresh and sometimes a couple of cents cheaper than a Safeway, Raley's, or Lucky. If you're a total germaphobe, then I would recommend bringing your own sanitizer or even gloves. What I like the best is their abundant varieties of vegetables, fruits, and snacks. The vegetables are easy to locate, and their fruits are bigger than any other places (I'm not sure if that's a good thing for now). The snack isle always has the things I crave for. Oh, and the frozen isle has a lot of varieties of dumplings. From the cheapest dumplings ever (3 for $6.87 or something) to the most expensive dumplings ($7.99-9.99).
Their cooked foods are also a + since they allow you to stack up as much food as possible. Perfect for families of 2. You could stack it soo much that you don't even have to close the lid! Their cooked meats are also alright. Depending on the days, there are good days and bad days. We usually get their roast pork, or char-su.
The seafood isle is an interesting isle, just because it has the fishy smell that I hate. For those who have the same problem as I do, it'll suck, but if you need seafood, you have to face your fears and hold your breath and talk. I like buying their fish paste, because it makes an awesome dish for hotpot. Depending on the season, their dungeness crabs are alright. It could range from $2.99-6.99/lb.Their Oysters in a bottle are really good though. A bottle costs ~$3.99 and is stuffed with secret amounts of oysters. Sometimes if you're lucky, you'll get 3 REALLY REALLY big oysters. Sometimes you'll get 5 mini ones.. May the force be with you!
Overall, if you're an avid grocery shopper, you should know the prices in some of the produce. And being a shopper myself, I think I compare a lot of the prices to other stores. So far, I know which items are better, and which items that are not.
But one thing that I do know, is that the price always changes depending on which ranch market you go to. The concord Ranch is a little more pricier than this ranch..But it's also cleaner..
SOOOO. Do you want a clean atmosphere, but more expensive produce? Or a little dirtier atmosphere, with cheaper produce?? What to do? What to do?? -
Review from Catherine W.
Oakland, CA
6/24/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I've always loved Ranch 99 for its selection of fresh Asian produce, bakery items, snacks, hot-foods, and cheap meat. Because they were my one-stop-shop for Asian food, they were already getting 4 stars from me. But I'm giving Ranch 5 stars for carrying Indonesian items! This is rare around these parts!
It is really hard to find Indonesian food or ingredients in the Bay Area. There are a few markets in the South Bay, but the drive isn't worth it for me. Ranch 99 is the one place I can always count on to carry a large selection of Indonesian ingredients. When I saw the aisle sign read, "Indonesian Foods" it made me really happy! You just never see that. Markets usually lump together Asian/ethnic foods into one lonely aisle that never gets to feel the love it deserves. Well I loved the crap out of this aisle.
Ranch carries the ingredients and sauces that are needed to make staple Indonesian dishes such as Rendang (spicy beef stew), Gado Gado (cold salad), and Pempek (fried egg filled fishcake) to name a few.
I wanted to make the Gado Gado salad the other day and needed to make the peanut dressing that accompanies the dish. I called my aunt and she recommended I go to Ranch and said that I would be able to find everything I needed in one stop. The Indonesian peanut sauce tastes different than Vietnamese or Thai peanut sauces. There is a base that you buy to mix with hot water, sweet soy sauce, and lime. It's a bit darker, thicker and much richer than any other peanut sauce I've ever tasted. So I was really glad to hear I could make it the right way instead of settling with a faux peanut butter and water concoction.
When I was peroosing the Indo aisle, I found so many sauces for other dishes I grew up eating and missed! It was very nostalgic for me. I spent a good 30 minutes in that section alone and picked up way more than I had time to cook!
They had an amazing selection of boxed Indonesian desserts too! Bika Ambon, Lapis Surabaya, ready-made thousand layer cake (takes ALL day to make!! So I'm glad they have it already made), and fish, shrimp and bitter cracker-chips ready to be fried! They even have the syrups that go in Indonesian dessert drinks.
Ranch is great for so many reasons. I just wish they opened another East Bay location! They have so many in the South Bay. Spread the love Ranch 99! Spread the love! -
Review from Jasmin F.
4/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
What the...? Since when did Asian Markets venture out into the luxury all-in-one costco type of retail groceries?
From sample tables filled with fried tofu or mochi ice cream to an in-house bakery filled with special occasion cakes; this place literally has it all! Oh, and let's not forget the in-house fish market (that's a given) and DIM SUM to-go counter.
The concept of this ranch 99 is absolutely absurd yet weirdly...AWESOME and fantastic. I will never forget the words my boyfriend uttered when we stepped inside it's doors: "Wow. This is the nicest Ranch 99 I've ever seen in my life!" I guarantee you will agree. -
Review from Chad P.
Crockett, CA
8/9/2011
Parking can be ridiculous but the oysters in the shell we have had were always fresh and reasonably priced. The crab is usually good, though I wait until the price drops under $4 a pound.
I learned to like the small carafes of sake at the Diamo restaurant next door, and then found out I can get 1.5 liters of the same sake for $5+ at 99 Ranch.
I like 99 Ranch -
Review from Tito Y.
Emeryville, CA
Updated - 6/21/2011 5 Check-ins Here
My last visit..
Go up to glass window
Me: "Please 1/2 duck, and 1 steam rice"
Them: "You PAY"
Me + other Chinese cashier overhearing; first I chuckle at the rude direct remark and she said something in Chinese - Which i could translate like... "How can you be so rude to that guy?" She was nice.. and so..
I pay my $9.00
Sat down...
started to dig in ----
UGGG.... The roasted duck was a total disappointment. First of all ... it was cold. Aren't those hanging ducks on that window thingy suppose to be warm? Second.. the skin seemed loose and over salted. ... The meat was also dry.
Next time .. i only order duck in the winter.
Next time .. I ask if duck is warm before I PAY first (I shouldn't have to do this)3 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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12/31/2009
Can't go wrong here at Ranch 99. Today went in for fresh seafood. The lines where huge which means… Read more »
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Review from Donna T.
San Francisco, CA
7/13/2011 13 Check-ins Here
Great produce and prices. We always lump our Costco run with 99 Ranch. I also like the food they serve in their ready made food section, although it could be warmer.
Oh the parking situation here is pretty abysmal over the weekends. Every asian person living in the bay area (okay, that is an exaggeration) seems to shop here and you can circle the parking lot for 30 minutes without finding anything. -
Review from Cody P.
El Cerrito, CA
12/24/2011
A big Fuck You too Ranch 99 -Dungess Crab was $3.99 yesterday. Then on Xmas Eve day you double the price to $7.99 lb . !! After waiting in a line outside to get in when it opened at 9 AM ? Puhleeeze .. will never fall for that shit again!
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Review from Em S.
Updated - 12/15/2010
Wednesday and Thursdays are really good for shopping. Produce and fish are at the maximum in the displays by Thursday evening. If you can get to the fish or produce counter before 5 PM on Friday, that's really the best. I bought a condo next door because this is where the food is and the Bay Trail is where the sky is.
Oh .... there's stuff to buy besides produce and seafood. Stuff to cook veggies and seafood with .... to serve on ... to flavor with. I'm not a meat eater so I wouldn't know about the other stuff.
Mushrooms of various kinds, especially fresh shiitaki, are the very best price outside of Chinatown. Leaf lettuce is not very fresh, so I go see Peter at Happy Produce for that . But most veggies to cook are a good price and in plentiful supply.
Unless you live next door like I do, going on the weekend is pretty crowded and you may as well park on the street. You could get there between 9 and 11 AM and park in the lot.
When I give a hard exam to my students, I buy them little treats from here ... cookies, crackers, dried plum candies, and other little things. It keeps their strength up.Listed in: My Neighborhood
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/28/2010
Best prices for fresh fish and fresh meat, cut by butchers and by fish cleaners. You can pick your… Read more »
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Review from Chloé N.
Mountain View, CA
6/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
This is the Ranch 99 I like the most out of all I think. Sometimes they really have some surprising stuff that I've been looking for but could not find else where.
I'm too far from this place, can't go too often, but every time if i'm in that area, I will make sure to take a look and get some small stuff that I like. :) -
Review from Helen Y.
12/8/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Every time I come out of Ranch 99, I'm struggling to hold bags and bags of groceries.
Needless to say, Ranch carries a whole variety of items, from groceries to fresh produce to seafood to ready-made meals. It's definitely like an Asian Safeway, with very affordable prices. Whenever I want to make a home-cooked meal, I can trust to find all my ingredients at Ranch.
I always enjoy talking to the Chinese ladies when I check out my items. They're always friendly and say "zai jian" (see you again) warmly. Yes ma'm, you'll be seeing me again very soon! -
Review from Gigi T.
San Pablo, CA
Updated - 11/30/2010
Ranch, you suck! How dare you try to sell me dead crabs for $3.99/lb where other places charge $2.99/lb. And really, how dare you try to sell me 2 dead crabs?!
I waited my turn for crabs, $3.99/lb, ah whatever, since I'm already there. Fish staff took his sweet time, looking and looking, and searching and searching, and returned to me TWO big dead crabs.
Forget you Ranch! If that's how you want to do business, you won't be getting my business here.Listed in: i love seafood...
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/22/2008
I lived in Emeryville, but I would go outta my way to hit up this Ranch 99 in El Cerrito!! Well,… Read more »
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Review from Eleanor D.
Hercules, CA
12/16/2010 1 Check-in Here
Tight spaces, rude customer service.
On the bright side this market has almost everything you need. It has its own bakery, dimsum, and takeout spot inside!
I love going here in the morning when the dim sum is still fresh. The fried shrimp and sui mai is delicious. -
Review from Eva Y.
4/4/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I am a fan of this place since I can get everything I need here for all of my Asian cooking. I avoid coming here on the weekends because it is a mad house here at the parking lot and I can never find an available cart.
Inside this market, there is a bakery along with dim sum buffet. There is also a section for Chinese BBQ pork and soy sauced chicken and ducks. The seafood here is always fresh and you can find various cuts of meat here including lamb and pork insides. -
Review from Austin W.
3/26/2011 2 Check-ins Here
If you're a Berkeley student, this is about the closest place you can go to get your Asian groceries. This place is always PACKED, no matter what day you go, or what time during the day that you go. From entering the parking lot to getting through the aisles, to checking out, you're gonna be waiting, waiting, waiting.
The selection of produce is pretty good here. Lots of Chinese and non-Chinese fruits and veggies alike. I'm a huge fan of tofu (if there is such a thing) and they have quite the selection here. Lots of different brands, lots of variety, and it all looks pretty fresh. The meat section looks a bit nasty and it does smell a bit, but I've gotten meat here before and haven't gotten
sick from it so I'll just assume it's a problem with their ventilation or something and not the meat itself. If you buy a fish in the seafood section of the store, you can ask to get it deep fried for free (takes about 10 minutes). I'm not sure how often they change the oil, but if you're lucky, it comes out pretty good. Definitely a gamble so don't count on it if you're trying to impress your date with fried fish.
There's a bakery and a hot deli here that's decent -- lots of different kinds of breads and pastries--so if you're hungry, it might be worth checking out for some hand food to go. The dim sum is not that great here so just hit up one of the other restaurants in the outer plaza for your dim-sum cravings. I would avoid packaged stuff like Doritos or other "American" snacks. Get your random Chinese snack goodies here.
If you can put aside the claustrophobia and the utter chaos that's here, 99 Ranch is a nice place to shop. -
Review from Hung P.
Orange County, CA
7/7/2011
There's one reason that I go here: it's a one stop shop for most of your Asian needs. You'll have to go to a specific ethnic market sometimes to get some items or brands, but for the most part, it'll cover your range of Chinese, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Thai, Lao, and Filipino needs.
The prices here are also going to be cheaper than what you'll find at most other supermarkets, especially for the items in the produce section, which has a large selection of vegetables, but not such a selection of fruits though.
They also have a full service meat counter, something that you don't find in many markets these days and they also have a full service seafood department. You can get some pretty fresh seafood here, as in take your pick of what's swimming in the tank.
They also have a cooked food market where you can get your typical Asian Food togo like Peking Duck, Chow Mein, and the like. The bakery also produces marvelous cakes that are works of art to behold.
They also have samples of items most days so as you go through the store you can probably get a taste of 3-4 items.
