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99 Ranch Market
Categories: Food Grocery Food Specialty Food Ethnic Food Food Specialty Food Seafood Markets Grocery, Ethnic Food, Seafood Markets [Edit]
7330 Clairemont Mesa BlvdSan Diego, CA 92111
Neighborhood: Kearny Mesa
(858) 974-8899
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 9 am - 9 pm
Fri 9 am - 9:30 pm
Sat 8 am - 9:30 pm
Sun 8 am - 9 pm
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
343 reviews for 99 Ranch Market
Review Highlights
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"try the hot dog buns or the taro bread, so bombbb." In 11 reviews -
"I like how it's in a little plaza with Sam Woo (YUM." In 18 reviews -
"Freshly made Custard or Red Bean Filled Pancakes- YUM." In 12 reviews
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343 reviews in English
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Review from Lloyd W.
San Diego, CA
5/25/2012
I'm Asian.. more Importantly, Chinese
I have my new Fav' from 99 now!
Sasaya Coconut Milk & Mocha Pastry ~
It's Cheap, it's Asian, what's not to Love? -
Review from Angelo F.
5/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
If you need to come here, come here during the day. Stay away during lunch time and after work hours. Why? DOOR DINGS GALORE! The parking here is horrible and tight.
Tip: Park in the back on Convoy Court. Avoid parking in the front if possible.
Other than the parking situation, this place has it all. Cheap produce. Cheap meats. And cheap everything. But do understand the products sold here aren't top quality (prime), but just be sure to pick and choose for age and quality.
Another plus to this place is the little shops and restaurants inside. Sam Woo's is my favorite but I'll save that for another review. -
Review from Scott D.
San Diego, CA
5/8/2012
Always crowded on the weekends. Wisth the parking was a bit more organized. They have basically everything I ever need. I also like that the Taiwn Beer is only $2.00. Even in Ludao I wa paying $3.00 USD per bottle and in most all 7/11's in TW were $1.50 for the large cans. haha
I love that Sam Woo is attached to every 99 there is, haha. I like the food, just wish they'd take cards too.
Everything is pretty fresh for the most part in the fruit and veggie area. People are friendly and helpful. -
Review from Beth E.
Escondido, CA
5/24/2012
I wish Ranch 99 was closer! But when I do venture down to it...I love getting fresh greens, ginger, basil, and tofu.
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Review from Zue W.
Escondido, CA
5/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
One of my favorite grocery stores I always find what I need and even what I don't expect I buy it anyways. Love this store. Has all sorts of foods cooked raw and still alive. I love the store but the service is for crap so basically you have to find out where everything is all by yourself and suck it up.
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Review from Kim V.
Santa Barbara, CA
4/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Nothing makes you more appreciative of something until you don't have it anymore.
I moved to Boston for a few years and the best Asian market was in a land far, far away.
At the time, I was really disappointed. Now that I live in Santa Barbara, "far, far away" is still much closer than a decent market for me now!! It's all relative! -
Review from Glen H.
San Diego, CA
5/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
I love this place. They have literally everything. Well, almost everything. Parking can be crazy, but that's because it's so great. There are the typical old women who try to cut you in line, but that's expected with all the Asians here.
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Review from MooShell H.
San Diego, CA
3/21/2012 3 Check-ins Here
I only go here cuz they got what I need--sometimes (groceries, I mean). I HATE their service. Rude-ass cashiers! Why are those old chinese folks so cranky?!!
Parking lot is dangerous. I feel like I'm going in to a war zone each time. -
Review from Christine M.
San Diego, CA
3/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
It would have 5 stars if the parking didnt suck and if it were closer to my 'hood, bleh!
Bakery is awesome- they have a variety of breads/pastries and Asian desserts imaginable and their Ube/Taro bread is the "bizzomb!!" Express to-go area is also awesome- fresh dim sum to go and a lot of entrees to choose from, all of which taste so damn good.
My mom decided to buy seafood since we were already here and the live crab was 3.99/lb.. WHAT!?!?! I forgot how much fresh scallops cost a lb (still in shock for how much crab was) but it too was inexpensive. I ended up getting fresh vegies, crab and scallops to make my husband dinner with and boy was he a happy husband.
I also love the mini boutiques they have that sell atypical gadgets, pretty darn cool. (=
If it wasnt such a trek to shop here, Id come more often.
But then again, it's just my opinion.. -
Review from Hazel P.
Chula Vista, CA
5/3/2012
It's not as big as the ones outside of San Diego, but it's still the place to buy asian food including seafood. One thing I can say is if you like cheesecake but its light, try the 'cream cheese cake' at the bakery for $5.99. The top is brown like flan, but it's good! Its not actually cheese cake but its light fluffly with cream cheese!! Bomb diggity!!!
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Review from Brian K.
2/15/2012
LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP:
LOVE
* Seafood: live spiny lobster, sheephead, halibut, and king crab (in season)
* All the MSG-enhanced seasoning I want
* Produce selection (though I've found rotting pieces of produce)
HATE
* The weekend crowds
* The parking lot (Asian driving skills + small lot = WOWZA!)
* Overly aggressive elderly Asian women*
* Waiting 10+ minutes for some fresh custard buns because some jackass is ordering 20 buns
RANDOM
* Frozen escolar - can cause Gempylotoxism (oily diarrhea) due to indigestible wax esters (FDA)
* Main (sic) lobster
* I'll never forget the time I thought I was going to score some fresh lychee: an employee dumped satchels of fresh lychee, a swarm of elderly Asian ladies encircled him (and the lychee), and in a matter of of 10 seconds, all the lychee (for the rest of the season, I'm told) were gone. -
Review from Shannon D.
Vista, CA
3/18/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Great prices on vegetables and fruits, especially since you can't find them at the local American grocery store. Also, sake is very affordable here. I know it's not the best brand, but you can get a HUGE bottle of Gekkeikan Sake for under $10!
There are a few restaurants in this 99 Ranch, plus a bakery. Fresh fish and seafood is always available. Don't be intimidated by all the ruckus of everyone speeding around with their shopping carts, just watch out! -
Review from Lisa W.
3/17/2012 2 photos
Fast food area:
$4 Pork Chop Thursdays!!! My coworkers and i officially made Thursday our $4 pork chop thurs. That's the best deal you can get for that. It comes with 2 HUGE pork chops, rice, and a little lettuce. And the pork chops aren't bad! Just add some soy sauce and siracha. BEST deal ever. -
Review from Way F.
San Jose, CA
3/20/2012
Pretty good Chinese supermarket actually. They have special prices on items every week. I would go here for spinach or sour mustard or onions. I like the produce and the meat seems okay too.
It's really not that nice a market inside, but it suffices and isn't too dirty/ghetto. -
Review from Mitchell N.
San Diego, CA
4/26/2012
Every time I go in I get good service. I still feel that they could clean the place better.
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Review from Leroy T.
San Diego, CA
99 Ranch Super Market is a Good place for your everyday Needs or Grocery Shopping they have all sorts of Teas and different types of foods there also when you walk in there are a bunch of small little stores inside and a couple of restaurants in there also . Also great place for phone Cards !! But overall it my get a little Busy at times and the parking is a little crazy but good Market !!
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Review from InventingJOy I.
San Diego, CA
4/4/2012
Try the taro cake; pineapple bread (they call it toast) & the huge variety of buns like the cheese buns stuffed with taro. They are against the back wall, kind of hidden, near the bakery. The steam table has great meals. 2 items under $5 & I take it home & get 3 meals out of it.
To the yelpers who ask why there are so many "crabby Chinese ladies"? It is because they are rushed off their feet dealing with a bunch of snobby round eyes who forget that we all share humanity. It may be compounded by frustration abt the communication & the impatience of the customers. Nobody knows the life & challenges faced by another, especially when one leaves their country & must find a way to make a living in a new country without the language & where many round eyes yell &/or blame them for the poor communication. All it takes is the universal language of smile & maybe a personal comment & they are as friendly there as anywhere else.
The fruit & produce is great. I have the most fun when I see a new item (at least new to me) & I ask someone what it is & how to cook it. I get a bunch of friendly Asian ladies more than willing to give me advice. Sometimes, I learn about their country & their journey. Its fascinating & I come away with a new information & awareness.
If you want fastidious cleanliness, then go to the chain markets where you pay for the constant cleaning & decor through the food prices. You also may get chemically treated meat to make it look fresh. I find that, for some reason, the meat at 99 tastes better than most places & is cheaper. Maybe bcs they sell so much, it's always fresh. I get specially cut bones for my dogs. although we don't speak the same language, they go out of their way for me. I always leave a note in the suggestion box naming the person who gave me special service & they treat me like a queen.
I've shopped in a lot of markets in different countries. I haven't read my name in the obits so I know I'm not dead yet. I don't see the need for pretty waxed apples & fastidious, shiny floors.
Slow down & open your mind & heart yelpers. You may come away with more than food. InventingJoy -
Review from Ken K.
1/6/2012 3 photos
Just like most 99 Ranches but, if you are really lucky, right past the cashier is a stand manned...or woman'd, rather, by an older lady cooking up batches of a Taiwanese style street food dessert, that I thought I would never see in the US.
There's no formal name for this snack, but they translate it as "pancake" which is incorrect. In Chinese, it's labeled as "Jing Chuan Sao", which is a loose derivation of the name from the Japanese wagashi known as Imagawayaki. I suppose it is imagawayaki anyhow but done with 99 Ranch ingredients...
In Taiwan they refer to this as red bean cake/hung doh bing or chelun bing (where chelun = wheel because it reminds one of one).
They're 60 cents each, and you have to pay at the cashier first. Buy 5, get one free. Ain't bad.
Yes it is slightly cheaper than in Taipei for example...but for a little bit more, you get something that might just be 2 to 2.5 times the size, like this one
http://beefnoguy.blogs...
In Taipei, there are flavors beyond red bean paste, egg custard....why taro can be one of them...even pickled mustard greens with meat at some other places, or ones with cabbage (gao li tsai).
But at 99R SD, two flavors. Can't mess up a classic to start. It will at least hold off those who will find this a novelty, but not enough to ward them off boba milk tea, pork bone broth ramen, macarons, and overpriced food truck fads.
A taste of nostalgia, right in San Diego, and at a 99 Ranch no less.
As far as I understand it, there are no "gai daan jai" or eggettes in SD...so this "pancake" thingy will have to suffice. -
Review from Chris G.
Temecula, CA
4/23/2012
I come here to buy all my Asian ingredients. Stuff you went find at your local markets like Albertson, Ralphs, etc... great seafood selections. They also have restaurants inside the building but I still yet to try.
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Review from Lincoln N.
Scripps Ranch, San Diego, CA
12/27/2011
Go here if you want to meet some of the rudest people in existence. Place reminds me of Black Friday sales, just nothings on sale. Old ladies have juice here with the cashiers and automatically cut you in line all the time. It takes one rude customer to even think about cutting you in line, and it takes another rude clerk to allow them to cut. This type of situation always happens to my Japanese friend, i'll name him Wild Bill. Wild Bill informed me about these situations but I'd have never expected it to happen to myself. Well it happened this weekend.
When you push your cart around, the Chinese ladies jump in front of your cart and expect you to move. Not with me sisters, I just run them over with my cart. It's not my first rodeo and the last time my cart actually did a wheelie from the force I hit some lady with.
That being said get the Mochi's and Aloe Vera Drink here it's gooood. -
Review from Juan C.
San Diego, CA
4/10/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Standard 99 Ranch. This one tends to be a bit crazy (went the weekend for Lunar New Year and barely made it out!) but has all the things I need. Great selection of produce (although Zion is often cheaper), Chinese frozen goods and fresh meats. The bakery is ok, nothing amazing.
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Review from Charlotte C.
San Diego, CA
2/17/2012
I love coming here for Japanese grocery items and bakery goodies.
Pros: Indoor fish market, say what? How nifty is that. Meat counter is fantastic too. Taro Bread! Purple creamy swirled goodness. Get in mah belly!
Cons: I'm knocking off a star for their produce - on occasion their stuff has less than fresh. Ick. -
Review from erin c.
San Diego, CA
2/29/2012
Oh how I love 99 ranch!! Love to cook southeast asian food and they have all the ingredients I need. Also unbelievably cheap veggies and excellent quality!
Also- the only place I've found to buy Kaffir lime leaves in San Diego County. Important in many thai recipes... -
Review from Sally M.
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
99 Ranch is your typical Asian market. If you've never been to one before, don't expect it to be the cleanest or to have friendly service available when you need it. But, they do have all of your Asian food needs here and for a good price. I'll be surprised at times when things are on sale, especially when they are on items I need. You can definitely score on seafood.
99 is smaller than some other Asian markets, so the parking lot can be horrible. I recommend parking in the back and actually driving up from the back road rather than hitting it from Clairemont Mesa Blvd. Like other reviewers mentioned, avoid it on the weekend if you don't like crowds.
Sam Woo is also located within 99, so you can buy some candy and pay by debit card and get cash back so that you can pay for your food at Sam Woo! -
Review from Peggy W.
Oceanside, CA
1/6/2012
Consider this is an old Chinese market, it is not bad. You don't expect a indoor market carrying that much kinds of fresh seafood smells like a florist.
But the parking lot......I don't think that's a real parking lot.
I still like the new one in Irvine but this one is closer to where I live.
Just don't go there at the weekend only if you need a real Asian shopping experience. -
Review from Alêx Y.
Oceanside, San Diego, CA
This location did not disappoint as I was able to get my hands on a handful of Taro bread which should last at least a month (hopefully). This place is the number one stop shop for all your Asian food needs. If only there were a 99 ranch location in North County!
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Review from Frederick H.
Honolulu, HI
4/6/2012
Typical asian market. My first impression was like i was in a third world country, but that's what i was looking for. I found everything i needed: green tea, jasmine rice, and some instant ramen. I have to say this place is legit, rude asian customers and that fish market smell we all love. The parking lot was compact... like Tokyo compact but they get a huge thumbs up for awesome seafood.
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Review from Hang L.
Round Rock, TX
1/28/2012
Be cautious while trying to park. It's a zoo here so be prepared for people to cut you off, take your parking spot or honk at you while you're waiting for someone to back out.
The store is actually pretty clean for an asian market and they pretty much have everything you need for preparing asian cuisine. The prices are right and they have a very good selection of meats, seafoods, various sauces, noodles and produce. I did however buy a package of sliced porked belly and when it came time to prepare dinner, I found three pieces of just pork belly fat under my other pieces, totally invisible when glancing at the package. -
Review from Bonnie G.
12/31/2011
I braved 99 Ranch Market, on a Saturday, on New Years Eve day, with a tired toddler in tow and I survived. I freakin' survived and came out unscathed.
The parking lot was a mess so it's best to park on the side streets and walk in. My apologies to the guy who was waiting for the spot. I didn't know you were waiting and I'm glad there was room for the two of us.
The store smells like an Asian market. Being from NYC, this isn't surprising. Chinatown has the same odor. Have you ever walked past raw fish, on the street, in August? Yes, it's not the cleanest but it has everything you could ever want or need.
Asian languages are loud, so while people may feel like they are being yelled at by the workers, I doubt they are. The store sounds exactly like when I visit my inlaws- a mixture of loud, Asian languages.
No need to say excuse me to anyone, since no one else does. Push your way through the narrow aisles, get what you need, pay, and leave.
It's quite simple.Listed in: Places I shop for food!
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Review from Dalton N.
1/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
Today, I came here with my girlfriend for lunch. Usually, we would shop for groceries to cook at home.
I'm glad there is at least one of these in San Diego. I wish there were more. Back in San Jose, there were at least 3 by my house. Now, I have to drive at least 9 miles to get there, but better than nothing.
Onto the food, I like that the food is authentic Asian food. It is nice to have a different lunch special each day for only $3.50. Today's lunch special was the Cantonese pork with bok choi and rice. The portion is pretty big that both of us needed to bring it home. It was really tasted. If I am in the area, i would definitely come to eat for the lunch special. If not ordering the lunch special, they have lots of other items to choose from, which all look so tasty.
We also got the hot and sour soup. My girlfriend liked it, but I thought it was a tad too peppery for my taste.
One tip is to bring your own drink, unless you want to buy a drink from the vending machine. -
Review from Stella A.
Updated - 4/23/2012
did you notice that the inside of this place looks like the one on "$h!t Asian Dads say" I found it to be quite amusing....
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/9/2011
This place is an experience for those of us who are used to shopping at places like Ralphs, Vons,… Read more »
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Review from Arlene P.
2/22/2012
I had to rush in to grab some tea... turns out their tea aisle alone is amazing! Just due to the potential and ability to make me desire to return so I can spend more than 5 minutes there, this 99 ranch gets 5 stars!
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Review from Rossi H.
9/22/2011
Some may call the sport of kings -
Horse Racing.
For me,
the sport of kings is
making it through the hell that is:
the 99 Ranch parking lot.
This is truly a sport.
One that can't be taken lightly.
I have to swing by and check with 99 Ranch at least
once a week for work.
It is never NEVER easy.
Just last week, I had a pallet of ponzu sitting by the loading dock.
A lady ran through the corner of the pallet.
A two foot high pallet of ponzu.
She couldn't see it.
She couldn't.
The market itself is sweet.
Much cleaner and more respectable than the fake facade put up by
other Asian markets in San Diego.
*Narrows eyes @ Zion!
99 Ranch is full of everything Asian. Geared a lot more towards the Chinese preferences but whatever. China will rule the world someday. Better start shopping here now.
Just make sure your auto insurance is up to date and
be ready to participate
in the sport of kings. -
Review from Orlando P.
Escondido, CA
Where in San Diego can you get a variety of produce, meats, seafood, bakery items, deli, garden plants and liquor in one place? You can find almost any type or kinds of Asian food products. The aisles are pretty tight so be ready for some strategic cart olympics. The fresh seafood is pretty cool...those lobsters sure have some large claws! Produce is fresh and they have a great selection of mushrooms, which is good for you! Very crowded on the weekends. Did you know they have dried scallops for $120.00 per ounce? Wow!
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Review from Jeff J.
San Diego, CA
3/12/2012 1 Check-in Here
Holy-crap, parking is a huge hassle and the mindless drone of customers is barely tolerable but this place has alot of good stuff you can't find at other stores.
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Review from Christine A.
San Diego, CA
3/4/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I used to HATE coming to this place but I go pretty regularly because my boyfriend is Taiwanese and is always wanting the food here.....and I am slowly getting used to it.
First off, their parking lot is horrendous (small parking spots + tons of Asians driving = NIGHTMARE). I always say a prayer before turning into the parking lot. Park in the back.
Do NOT go on a busy day like the weekends or around holidays (we went on Chinese New Year....holy shit....I considered suicide for a second there). Basically, you are invisible to the elderly Asian people here. I've been hit by shopping carts and not been apologized to, I've had fruits taken out of my hand by people, I've been pushed aside numerous times. Like many of the other reviews say, the people here are rude. I wanted to order something from the meat counter, but everyone was shouting in Chinese and kept pushing me out of the way so I just turned around and left. White people just can't compete with these people. Like I said though, I am slowly getting used to it and surprisingly it doesn't really bother me if someone treats me like shit here and I have learned to fight back with the elderly Asian ladies for the freshest produce lol ("I DONT THINK SO LADY- THIS ONE'S MINE... NI HAO!").
This is your typical Asian market. It's basically got everything you need to make Asian food (go to Mitsuwa for Japanese though). The prices are right and they have a very good selection of meats, seafoods, various sauces, noodles and produce. Definitely not your cleanest and it smells like Chinatown as soon as you walk in. -
Review from Victor C.
CA
11/14/2011 21 Check-ins Here
The yelp community can throw harsh words at me all they want, but coming here to get ingredients to make legit Chinese food is the best bet to eating legit Chinese food. Albeit 99 Ranch isn't the cleanest grocery market I've ever been to, but hey, we ain't at no Vons or Ralph's son. You want to pay $3/lb for baby bok choy be my guest. Anyways, I get majority of my shopping done here for fresh meats, seafoods, fruits, and veggies. Usually Ranch has the cheapest prices of the Asian markets of the area (Zion, Marukai, Mitsuwa, etc), so that's why I go here unless there's a specific item I've learned is better to get elsewhere.
For example, if you're lucky and not too picky, you can buy $3.99/lb dungeoness crab that probably died in the tank and they're just trying to get rid of. Hey, don't knock it, because it's probably true. I bought two and only paid around $12. Where are you going to get $12 for dungeoness crab to steam at home short of driving out to Baronas?
You should look at the ads the store always puts out to see which veggies, meats, fruits are on sale that week and stock up on those to save a few extra pennies. Anyways, good place. Been going to Ranch my whole life whether it's here in SD, LA, the bay, or in Hawaii. -
Review from Lucy C.
Berkeley, CA
12/16/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Ah 99 Ranch... so many childhood memories here, haha! One warning for all of you- the store is definitely distinctly Asian, which means that some areas aren't exactly super clean. But other than that, this is a great place for grocery shopping, gift-browsing at Giga, or picking up some dinner at Sam Woo's. You should definitely drop by the back and pick up a fried fish though- I spent soo many afternoons just munching on 99 Ranch fish. Ahhh so good! Oh and if you have kids with you, drop by the bakery! They typically have these light, sweet cupcakes topped with delicious frosting and a cute little plastic ring or toy. Not ashamed to admit that I still get one everytime I go here...
Word of caution though, parking is super hard! All the lanes are really narrow, so take your time & be careful! -
Review from Amy X.
San Francisco, CA
10/10/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Where else are you going to get your Chinese grocery shopping done in San Diego??!?!
The other day I came here looking for tea-filter bags. I ran out and I usually buy them at Daiso. But Daiso's closed! And my friend convinced me that they HAD to sell them at 99 Ranch. But I sweaaarrr they didn't have any the last time I checked. They only had the metal reusable balls and I hate washing that shiaiaattt. And lo and behold! They sell them!! 5 Star Automatica.
And 99 Ranch is where I buy my potstickers, no where else in San Diego. I get my green onion pancake here, my favorite vitasoy draanks, 1-minute microwavable chicken&lettuce buns. DOES NOT compare to Ralphs or Trader Joes (though I shop there all the time! just not the same!) -
Review from Angela Irene D.
Kapolei, HI
10/3/2011 6 Check-ins Here
NEVER. EVER. (I mean it) COME HERE on a damn SATURDAY/SUNDAY.
Why you ask?
EVERYTHING is either misplaced or not stocked and EVERYONE is here. Meaning, if your a big girl like me, there is NO space for you to walk around in their small skinny aisles to even LOOK at things in their aisles!
They also DO NOT take out of town checks!! what a load of bull shit! Sorry, but my mother and I spent how many hours here, and we even ASKED BEFORE we shopped, if they take out of town checks, and they said 'yes' so as we spent those many hours here and had a lot of groceries about $300 worth, yeah. They DENIED it and said they CAN NOT take out of town checks.
I know what you are thinking, who uses checks anymore? but my mom has always used checks and not her debit card to help her balance her finances. It's just I don't understand how they could NOT take out of town checks? I mean just this ONCE? they just lost so much money from ONE person right there? I felt so ashamed for my mother because she doesn't have the luxury of living here in san diego, and then wants to buy things in this dirty place! and she and I spent many hours around the store too!
They don't even sell my favorite milk tea anymore, what a load of B.S once again! I still come here because of course there is things I need in here at times, but still. They should change that policy. It just saddens me. UGH!
