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Alameda Natural Grocery
Categories: Food Specialty Food Health Markets Food Grocery Food Specialty Food Fruits & Veggies Health Markets, Grocery, Fruits & Veggies [Edit]
1650 Park St(between Buena Vista Ave & Pacific Ave)
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 865-1500
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 8 am - 8 pm
Sun 8 am - 7 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
76 reviews for Alameda Natural Grocery
Review Highlights
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"I wrap it all up with a stop at Feel Good Bakery." In 6 reviews -
"The organic grapes were so sweet, I had to buy some." In 34 reviews -
"...Baron's Meats and Farmstead Cheeses & Wines, who are both..." In 2 reviews
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76 reviews in English
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Review from Anita W.
12/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
YES to..
one of the few places that sells raw milk.
they also have some grreat eats inside as well.
free parking in the lot with plenty of parking.
NO to..
pricey produce and products. -
Review from Sean C.
Berkeley, CA
4/28/2012
You guys suck for inconveniencing me by limiting customers to "1 bottle" of Claravale raw milk. I usually buy 7 to 8 bottles per trip when I shop at Berkeley Bowl and it looks like I will have to go to BB for my supply rather than this super lame store's policy. I understand that it is in limited supply, but if people really want the product, they will be at the store at its earliest shipment if they really want it. The early bird gets the worm, and first come first serve. I don't need this nonsense, and Berkeley Bowl doesn't have this stupid policy.
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Review from Chuck S.
San Francisco, CA
4/2/2012
I really like these guys and am rooting for them. I wish they got more business. It would be good if they could integrate the other stores in the market so you didn't have to pay seven times. There are cities with their own currency for god's sake. SOME items are expensive but the organic yellow peppers I bought tonight were $2/lb cheaper than Whole Foods. And not shopping at Whole Foods is a bonus.
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Review from phil k.
Alameda, CA
3/26/2012
Barron's Meat staff needs a course in customer service. Four people behind the counter, bantering and joking around.
They look right at you, then ignore you. -
Review from Linkie L.
Alameda, CA
3/2/2012
The employees are very helpful & cheerful. Great selection & very fresh produce & meat.
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Review from Marina R.
San Lorenzo, CA
2/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Im a fan of this place because they sell hecka healthy stuff then I hit up feel good bakery for not so healthy stuff!!! HAHAHAHA
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Review from Desiree L.
Honolulu, HI
1/20/2012
I get all my homeopathic remedies here and oils for healing or when I am sick. It's so nice and all the people who work here are wonderful. They have great restaurant, bakery, fish and meat market, kitchen store as well as coffee shop this place is great if you like organic stuff this place is better than wholefoods and a jewel of alameda!
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Review from Melissa G.
Sunset Beach, CA
7/13/2011
This place is definitely worth a stop, especially if you're looking for alternative, hard-to-find, eco-savvy health products, but your pocketbook will take a hit (even whole paycheck has its own brand of everyday items that are inexpensive (corporate maybe, but inexpensive):
What I like:
-I don't have to cross a bridge and there's ample parking
-Deals on produce (yes please!) with a minimum of plastic stickers/packaging in the produce department -- it's not completely eliminated, mind you
-Location inside the marketplace with other green vendors
What I don't like:
-Poor selection of prepared foods and a too-small clientele which leads to weak turnover -- both the milk and the veggie burrito I bought were off when I got them home and they went into the trash and down the drain -- not cool...it makes me wonder a. if anyone is actually tasting the products they carry and b. if anyone is actually paying attention to the turnover
-Lots and lots of plastic here! Step right up. Wow.
-The answer I got when I asked the cashier, "Do you recycle batteries?" "No." Well, maybe you should! ;) And change your attitude, dude!
-Organic products don't have to cost 4x the usual rate, just a little more -- see Safeway's organic line as an example
There's a bulletin board in the hallway for suggestions, but no community board for people to promote community events. They give away free samples and a free magazine, but I was disappointed to discover that it was all about supplements, the barf-worthy "naturalness" (dyed hair, professional make-up and probably botox) of ultimate fame-whore Sheryl Crow and other commercial crap.
Hey, what about just eating vegetables and laying off the chemicals? -
Review from Nick S.
11/20/2011
They have a good selection of organic products and fresh foods, but it's definitely not cheap. However they do have Niman ranch hot dogs, so they're OK in my book.
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Review from Ann L.
10/31/2010
Went to Alameda Natural Grocery because of a coupon in the EcoMetro guide. It's in the Alameda Marketplace with Feel Good Bakery, Baron's Meat, Farmstead Cheese/Wine. Some parking in the back or meters on street.
I got a few things:
Coco Delice Sour Cherry Bark $8.29 a 4oz bag.
Amy's Lentil in a can on sale $2.49, reg $2.99
Peruvian Aji Limo Rojo dried peppers $3.49 a bag
Coco Delice 6 pc assorted $10.99
Happy Goat 2oz Caramels $5.69
Amy's Lentil soup $2.49 on sale
Muir soup lentil on sale $2, reg $3.19
Muir black bean soup on sale $2; reg $3.19
My total $37.44 - $5 coupon = $32.44. Credit cards taken.
I wanted Alameda honey in a jar - next time
Wallaby NF yogurt on sale - didn't buy
Fresh kale - didn't get
couscous - sold in bulk, didn't get any
There's persimmons (both kinds) available at now 10/31/10 - didn't buy any
Marketplace hrs:
M-Sat 8-8
Sun 8-7Listed in: Alameda Marketplace
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Review from Jana S.
10/1/2010 4 photos
My recent review of Monterey Market has spawned an "I shoulda had a V8 moment", seeing as I have forgotten to review this wonderful grocery market on the heels of having visited Little House Cafe, practically a hop and skip away.
I love stores that carry specialized items... like a heat-sinking missile, my ever-roving eyes aim to spot all specialty, independent labels.
The organic grapes were so sweet, I had to buy some. And yet another store that sells Christine's Upper Crust goodies from Marin county! Brown Cow and Straus yogurts! Great new find reco'ed by cashier: Virgil's Root Beer. The pack was pricey, but the flavor is wonderful...Awesome. It was here that I purchased my first box of Cafe Fanny granola. That stuff is perfect atop yogurt and flaxseed meal....an empowering breakfast, to be sure.
Store layout is a bit of a doozy..some aisles feel 'dead' (do these products move?), and some are wildly awesome...love the organic Castor and Pollux pet products that i used to buy in Portland, and come from OR as well!
Great little Italian canned section with peppers and sun-drieds and capers. Opens early. Not the most cost-effective, but please name a place that stocks brand specialty items that is (even TJ's doesn't qualify!) -
Review from Caroline V.
Berkeley, CA
1/24/2011
Shop the produce and bulk sections and make your money stretch. I've read other reviews about people spending $40 and walking out with a bagful of groceries, and I guess you COULD do that, but I mostly love the following things about ANG:
1. GT Dave's Kombucha for $3ish
2. Raw milk, non-animal rennet cheeses for $5ish
3. All (?) or almost all organic produce, and not much that's glaringly out of season
4. Gigantic selection of Traditional Medicinal teas. The biggest I've seen anywhere. Thank God.
5. Lots of Strauss dairy products for baking delicious diet-ruiners.
I do most of my grocery shopping here, and usually walk out with 4 large-ish bags of groceries (you know, the bring-your-own kind) for about $75. Which is kind of a lot, I guess, but I really do feel like the food I get here is high-quality. But then, I don't buy a lot of pre-packaged stuff, which is where I think the cost goes up (and, some might argue, the quality goes down?)
If meat's your thing, you can get ALMOST anything you can get at Whole Foods at Baron's Meats -- call ahead if you're looking for something specific and they'll tell you if they've got it (or what they have that's similar). -
Review from Rinky N.
East Bay
12/22/2007
Wow! What a great market! Hubby and I were completely impressed by this store. It has all the range of Whole Paycheck in a smaller and friendlier environment.
They have an incredible range of cereals, breads, crackers, jams, teas,
juices, flours, frozen entrees, pet food, soaps, spices, condiments (ie. 6 or 7 kinds of mustards), and much much more. We only bought a few things since we were planning on having lunch at Bagan.
All the staff we encountered were friendly. One fellow my hubby spoke with said that he knew the owner of the El Cerrito Natural Grocery (where we usually shop). He said they tried to pattern their place after ECNG.....well I think they have improved on ECNG quite a bit.
This could be a dangerous place to shop........I could easily spend a paycheck here! 8D
We'll definitely shop here again. -
Review from Kim D.
2/5/2008
There are days when I'd like to deny that I stayed in and devoured the cupboard full of snack items I swore were being stockpiled for "drop in guests". But sometimes a girl finds herself unsupervised, with a fresh batch of Netflix and ends up freebasing a few seasons of guilty-pleasure shows. Especially when it's been raining a lot.
Alameda Natural Grocery has 3 free parking lots for store patrons, which makes it so much easier for me to seek refuge in this organically-inclined grocery. So I slink in... eyes hollow and blood shot... crumbs of Japanese rice crackers dusting the front of my slept-in t-shirt, my right thumb absently clicking at the phantom remote control.
The verdant greens of their produce are so rich and true that I can't help but pull the constituents of a powerful antioxidant salad off the shelves, hoping in vain that such a meal will cancel out the massive load of carbs, salt and fat that I've recently ingested. I hardly wince as I note that their organic ginger is $6.99 a pound - and I live not so far from Chinatown where they practically give it away...
The wholesomeness of the grocery begins to spook me a bit. Tofurkey? Dairy-free? My palms begin to sweat, so I duck into hallowed ground - Farmstead Cheese, and leave with $80 in truffled cheese and Vosges chocolate bars, feeling less like I will be escorted from the building for being such a poseur.
I make another pass into the snack aisle and find some allergen-free snackage that the Caveman will be able to eat, so I add those to my growing stash... pausing for a moment to help myself to a sample of fresh seasonal pie at the bakery station and gaze longingly into kitchen goods store. Note to self: I need to get my knives sharpened.
The selection of "natural health and beauty" products is rather large, given the overall size of this market... I've wandered aimlessly through the shelves a few times, but don't even pretend that I'm interested in lip balm made from free-range bees wax or magnetic tension-reducing bracelets. Since I esteem facial products that require a prescription and have lasered off all of my body hair but for that which is on my head, I am hardly the person to endorse the efficacy of salt-crystal deodorant.
As I belly up to Baron's Meat & Poultry counter, Chef David greets me with a smile and asks how I liked that last batch of hanger steak. I leave with some pate, more hanger steak, nitrite-free maple bacon and some organic chicken that should be lovely... with the addition of some lemons, rosemary from the herb garden and LOTS OF BUTTER.
I like the idea of Alameda Natural Grocery... but when I'm here, I find that I tend to make most of my purchases at their in-house vendors... and maybe score the ingredients for a nice salad. I do shop organic and local - typically at the Alameda and Oakland Farmers Markets.
That hanger steak has to rest on a bed of something, right? -
Review from Lisa T.
11/20/2006
To the pierced and tatted-out little minx who served me in the produce section this weekend:
Thank you for paying attention to little old me, a drab and boring, old fashioned "paying customer." And thank you for cutting up the apple for my baby. I am sorry you seemed to have something in your eyes, because you rolled them when I asked you to cut up the apple.
I realize I am just a speck of dust in the galaxy that is centered on your dreadlocked pate so I am duly grateful that you deigned to breathe on me.
UPDATE: I just received a comment from a fellow Yelper, calling my review catty and immature, but I stand by it. As you can see, mine is not the only review to mention poor service at the store. -
Review from Ed U.
10/17/2006
Location, location, location...
It seems a shame that this organically-oriented marketplace warehouse is on the crowded stretch of Park right on the other side of the bridge from Oakland. I think it would have great pedestrian appeal in a more spacious location perhaps along the waterfront.
As it stands, I'm sure it must be a favorite of the locals as it's an open, expansive warehouse that houses not only an organic market but a coffeehouse, a kitchenware store, a meat and seafood counter, a sushi eatery, a bakery and a hot food area - a nice combination for indecisive yuppies in need of nourishment that their dietitians wouldn't poo-poo.
I tried the sushi place. Granted it was fresh and quite attractive, but $8.99 for a small plate of six individually prepared pieces of sushi seems rather pricey. It was tasty enough though and the service quite nice, so dig deep in your pockets if you have the urge. Worth a peek.Listed in: Go East, Young Man!
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Review from nadja h.
Champaign, IL
4/4/2006
Organic food in Alameda, biking distance from my house in Fruitvale and less snooty than Whole Foods.
I've found their produce can be a little too ripe, had a few lemons go south on me pretty quickly, but at least they aren't coated in pesticides and wax.
Their prices are much less gouge-tastic than other natural grocers and they have cute indy/punk staff.
It's my new favorite store! -
Review from ChubbyBunny I.
Oakland, CA
11/1/2006
DRAMATIC improvement over my original review.
It's still scruffy around the edges in here, but overall has improved there service & their produce enough that they're back on our list as a place to grocery shop. I prefer here to whole foods, etc.
___
Oh dear. Well first, let me say I adore 95% of the small businesses in this marketplace (cannot stand Season to Taste's craptastic fare but the rest is solid gold deliciousness with customer service to boot)
I find prices to be rather high here, but it's closer so I shop quite regularly and will pay a bit more for the local owned and convenience factors. Produce is definitely riper than not and selection is nothing to write home about.
A great little natural grocery on our side of the East Bay and they have 2 parking lots making it easy. They stock all the big hits as well as some of the harder to come across products with an admirable but small bulk section that covers most bases.
However, I have to say they lose 2 full stars and if it wasn't for the other businesses here, they'd go down to one for this reason: the friggin' "disaffected" be-trucker hatted (yes, they are still wearing them) whitebelt hipster asshats. WRETCHED service and horrid attitude from most of the store's employees has been on my rage-o-meter for about 2 years now. I'll be balanced: some of the people who aren't hipsters are assholes too.
I should be fair, I recently had one checker be so helpful I almost tipped him and talked about it with my partner all the way home because we were SHOCKED to be checked out efficiently and treated like customers instead of interruptions to his conversation. He even had his cool outfit carefully in place and still remained pleasant to we lowly people over the age of 35 with our tattoos neatly hidden beneath our long sleeves. I hope it's not just that he's new but it's a new trend at this place.
I do keep coming back because buying meats, breads, fishes, kitchen supplies, and cheese/wine from the other vendors here makes it all worth it in quality and service and proximity gets me here 7 out of 10 trips for supplies. -
Review from Jeff D.
Oakland, CA
2/16/2007
Okay, I'm prejudiced as I own a business that shares space with this organic market. But having said that, I do shop here an awful lot and have a perspective that might be a bit different from your "average" shopper.
Their produce program is about the best I've seen in a market of this size. 95% of the produce is organic, and most of it comes from small, local farmers (as opposed to some mega-"organic" farm in Chile or Argentina, like at Whole Foods).
The management lives in the community and strives to find friendly "experts" in each department (supplements, produce, bulk, etc) who are as informed or more informed than most health food store "owners" , and who can impart that info without 'tude.
There was a glaring weak spot in the place and that was the front end (cashiers), but the management has really made great strides in improving customer service, friendliness and efficiency in that area.
I'd shop here even if I didn't spend 55 hours a week next to them.
Word.Listed in: Alameda Shopping Spots
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Review from Stephanie W.
Oakland, CA
4/4/2008
I drove all the way to Alameda to check out this Natural Grocery store, on the recommendation of my healthy friends who like all things organic / holistic.
I was in search of mainly one thing, local honey. I've heard that by taking a teaspoon or two of locally made honey in your hot water or tea, every day, it will help your allergies. I could have waited for my local farmers market, but my cough just wouldn't let me.
I drove over to the place - HEY! Is that Pop Inn just down the street?? Sweeeeeeet!!!
Not only is this a grocery store (small, but packed with goodness), there is a cheese/wine shop, a meat shop...it's like Market Hall in Rockridge, only less stuffy.
I found the honey I was looking for and came out with a bag full of other yummy things. I'm sad I don't live near this store, it's definitely rad and has a lot to offer. But, be warned, it's pricey - like Whole Foods. But for all-natural products, I'm willing to bite the bullet. -
Review from Jenn C.
5/1/2008
Great concept - open indoor market
While in Alameda -- with my Green Zebra coupon book -- popped in to buy bread at Feel Good Bakery and found myself in an open indoor market that was gorgeous and smelled quite delicious. Alameda Natural Grocery is pretty well organized and offers a wide variety of affordably priced organic produce and other groceries. I really enjoyed shopping there and it makes me think that Alameda might not be such a bad option!
The staff were super friendly and helpful -- I will definitely return here when I am in Alameda. -
Review from Ivy R.
12/24/2008
I love this grocery store. They have the most amazing selection and their butcher shop is astounding. I can get rabbit there. Where else can anyone get rabbit? The deli is OK. That's why I only gave four stars. Sometimes the help in the deli isn't that great. Its also pretty pricey.
Also, when they have the Park Street Car Show this is the only place to use the bathroom. I hope I'm not giving away to big of a tip but there is never a line and its way better than using a port-a-potty.Listed in: Grocery Shopping, Alameda!
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Review from David C.
San Mateo, CA
4/1/2008
I love this place. The girls that work here are really cute, and the guys even look like chicks. I think you have to be vegan or something to work here, everyone looked malnourished, like the lion they trained to eat tofu on Futurama.
Nice selection, not the best prices, but hey... it is what it is. I originally came here looking for fancy bar soaps, which might I say they have a good selection of, but was then drawn to all the other things there, especially the feel good bakery!
I shop here and will continue to shop here. -
Review from Bodacious T.
Alameda, CA
1/29/2008
I'm the last person on Earth who would shop at a natural grocery of her own volition. I like meat and potatoes and lots of stuff that's bad for me. However, when I found out my son was allergic to almost all of the major food allergens, I grudgingly started driving down to the city to Rainbow Grocery to find gluten-free, soy-free, egg-free foods. It was a pain in the tuchus.
Then I read about the best pastries in Alameda being located in this marketplace, and I happened to walk past Alameda Natural Grocery. They had the same allergy-free cereals, pastas, snack bars, cookies, etc. that I had been buying from Rainbow! I was ecstatic! Now, they're not cheap, and they've had some technical issues with their registers, and there are a few things they don't have (like Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free All Purpose Baking Flour), but they have made my life so much easier -- so if you see someone munching on a roast beef sandwich with Velveeta in the aisles, you'll know it's me! -
Review from Robert v.
Alameda, CA
12/9/2006
I love the Alameda Natural Grocery!
I realized my lifestyle was too fast, hectic, and judgemental, and I wanted to change. Along came this fun and fresh natural grocery, challenging me to eat fresh, organic produce that's local and in season. The staff is always ready to help me taste something or point out a great value, and they look me in the eye and smile and treat me great, even though I'm sure that most of the time I look like a Republican.
Parking can be an issue, if I forget to be gracious and cooperative, or if I forget they have three parking lots. And anyway, I'm wanting to drive less, so I walk there when I can and avoid the whole issue of driving a gas-guzzler to pick up my organic food.
Shopping at Alameda Natural Grocery is a must for anyone in Alameda concerned about global warming or savvy to bioregionalism and relocalization efforts. -
Review from Michael B.
Spokane, WA
7/4/2008
If I had unlimited funds I would shop here for pretty much everything I needed. The open air market with a decent bulk section, decent produce, decent spices, and a great varied milk/dairy section as well as plenty of veggie options and labeled locally produced food makes this a place to lust after.
I can't afford to make this my everyday shopping venue - yet - but maybe someday. The staff has always been friendly. Park street is great and this is a vital part of why it is a vibrant area.Listed in: My Alameda Neighborhood
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Review from vinnie g.
Oakland, CA
5/30/2007
The greatest people working in all departments.
It's the hottest thing since sunburn.
I actually met the owner at Urban Ore. How cool is that?
Great selection of everything you can possibly want or need.
Produce fish breads always fresh.
They really keep a good stock of supplements as well.
The cheese section is addictive (especially the double creams)
Not only does all the staff know their wares but have that good neighborly attitude of making you feel welcome and respected.
The only pretentiousness I ever see is some of the yuppie customers with entitlement issues. (but thats the whole bay area now) Other than that
It rocks. -
Review from dawn l.
Millbrae, CA
5/28/2009
Believe it or not, diapers brought me to Alameda Natural Grocery.
I love, love Nature Baby Care diapers but there are so few places that stock them (Dublin Babies R Us is my usual place) and the places that stock them frequently run out because they're so popular. So when I found out that ANG had them in stock, I got excited about the prospect of going to a new grocery place, a natural grocery place too! I love exploring new grocery places!
The Park Avenue strip is a lovely part of Alameda. I've hung out in this street several times before but I had not previously noticed ANG because it's at the beginning of Park, a couple blocks right off the bridge. I missed getting into the parking lot the first time because I was unsure if I could turn left across a double yellow (you can, if it's into a driveway). So I made a left at the next protected light and whipped back around. There is parking on the street as well as the lot.
When I got into the store, I was pleasantly surprised by the selection. I walked down every aisle and was pretty impressed. Lots of fresh, organic groceries to choose from. Lots of well-stocked aisles of everything else a natural foodie loves. I was blown away by the "dry" aisle because their selection of rice, grains, cereals, and other dry stuff was amazing. In addition, their baby aisle was also impressively stocked with a lot of organic and natural baby stuff that I've only been able to find online. The "bar" was small but the items in the bowls looked yummy. Mental note to try next time.
At the end of my visit, I had picked up the NBC diapers, 6 bananas, one bushel of asparagus, and a gingerale soda. Damage: $26. Wow. This is the only reason why I'm giving this place 4 stars. I know it's not really fair, but damn, that hurt my wallet! I could get a week's worth of groceries at Safeway for $30! I guess that's what healthy, natural, and organic will set you back these days.
Some other cool things about the building that ANG is housed in: there are other very awesome stores to browse including a natural personal care section where every kind of natural lotion and soap is sold (love Alba, Tom's and J/A/S/O/N), a large and well-stocked pills and supplements section, a butcher/deli front that had super yummy looking stuff in the display cases, a sushi/Japanese food place, a bakery in the back that had the most delicious-looking key lime tarts, brownies, and cookies, and don't forget the cafe and kitchen/home supply place in the front. Oh, and I forgot to mention that there is a neat little stall to get a quick fix massage. Awesomely impressive use of space for this one-stop shop building.
I'm going to have to come back here when I have the time and walk around some more. What a terrific place to run errands! I just wish I had more dinero to afford all this natural stuff... -
Review from Steven C.
San Francisco, CA
1/13/2012
Love this place. Even though small, they have a great selection of products, friendly/helpful people, and parking - works for me.
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Review from Valerie F.
Fremont, CA
5/8/2006 1 photo
Better than all of what has already been said is that this place also has a large selection of organic and cruelty-free beauty products, free range meats and poultry, an in-store organic bakery, to-go deli with convienience foods (and fresh potato chips/crisps), a sushi place and humanely caught fresh fish market, organic free-trade coffeeshop, and a lovely wine and cheese shop.
All for way way less than Wholefoods!!!! and without the snobs of that store.
http://www.alamedamark... -
Review from L W.
Alameda, CA
1/24/2010
Between ANG & Trader Joe's, I never have to leave Alameda for my groceries. :-)
Since I'm a fan of several harder-to-find organic cosmetic brands, I'll list a few here in the interest of making life a little easier for y'all out there:
- Dr. Hauschka
- Weleda
- Dr. Bronner's
- Jason
...plus Seventh Generation, Amy's Organics, Ecover, Newman's Own Organics, PetGuard, Izze, etc.
They also have their own peanut and almond grinders, so you can get fresh-ground almond butter.
Oh, and fair-trade coffee, too! Enjoy! -
Review from Nobbi L.
1/19/2009
I love this place's produce. And they've got great other items too. And it's not expensive, especially for organic stuff.................
And where else do you get fresh turmeric? -
Review from plot t.
CA
2/12/2008
They specialize in hard-to-find, local/organic/guilt-free or nonstandard items. Come here first to get the bulk of your ingrediants to make sure you're doing local/organic/fresh as much as possible, and then mosey up to Nob Hill for the three things left on your list, usually:
Unlce Joe's Budweiser
Spray cheese for Uncle Joe's idiot children
Scrub brushes to clean up after Uncle Joe's family finally leaves
About the service: I like people who aren't told by the management to smile all the time. These folks are normal, regular workers -- smile and say something nice to them and they'll smile and say nice things back to you. They're certainly much better service than evil Safeway down in the mall!
Oh, and don't miss the Strauss Ice Cream. So good, you will bump your nose on the rim while licking the empty carton -- OM NOM NOM NOM NOM!!!! -
Review from Monica L.
Alameda, CA
10/27/2008
If you're looking for supplements, then they've got you covered. Someone is always at the back desk to help out.
Small cosmetic section with detanglers for baby, wide selection of sunblocks, lipsticks, massage oil. Little bakery and gelato counter.
Bulk section.
Various sauerkrauts.
Frozen confections.
Born Free Bottles.
Friendly staff.
Make sure to remember your reusable bags or get a withering look.
These are the things which come to mind. -
Review from Peni Soo G.
Alameda, CA
11/24/2006
I was sooo happy when the Alameda Natural Grocery first opened: it's local, organic is the default, prices are reasonable, parking isn't usually a problem, and the staff is great - friendly, helpful, irreverent, good taste in music, and not artificially polite like the clerks at Safeway and other chains. As their selection has expanded (due in part in response to customer suggestions), my trips to Berkeley Bowl have dropped dramatically, and I very rarely visit other stores such as Whole Foods, Safeway, and Trader Joe's - even though the latter two have locations even closer to home. The produce selection is sometimes a bit slim, but hey, that encourages me to eat what's in season, and to augment my purchases with trips to the local Farmers' Markets (including Tuesday morning on Webster Street in Alameda, and Sunday morning at Jack London Square in Oakland).
Since the companion stores to the Alameda Marketplace (including Farmstead Cheeses and Wines, and Baron's Meat and Poultry) are separately operated and have varying personalities, I've done them the honor of providing separate reviews. -
Review from Laura G.
Providence, RI
4/28/2007
Update: I have added 2 stars to my initial review. Over the past year, I have seen dramatic improvements in the quality and variety of produce at Alameda Natural Grocery, which had been one of my main beefs with them. They also now have a large map posted in the produce area showing where much of the fruit & veggies come from. Recently, I bought a delicious pound of Frog Hollow Farms cherries for about .50 cents less than at Whole Foods, as well as fabulous local apricots. I now go to Alameda Natural Grocery to do much of my shopping.
***
As an Islander, I would love to be able to give my local Natural Grocery more stars, because there are plenty of things to love: great selection of natural bath & beauty products, handmade soaps, and certain products (such as yogurt & juices) are priced well below Safeway and Whole Foods.
BUT...I have a major problem with their stocking of fruits and vegetables. On too many occasions I have found piles of ROTTING fruit, greens wilted beyond recognition, and BUGS in the bins of arborio rice! This makes me sad because I want to support my local businesses, and the local organic farmers who supply them. But this lack of attention to quality disturbs me. There is no excuse for baskets of rotten strawberries being left on the shelf (and sold at prices equal to Whole Foods).
Also, on a recent trip I noticed many fruits shipped from around the world (pears from Chile! blueberries from New Zealand for $6.50!), which does not mesh with their supposed commitment to local producers.
I will continue to shop here for some pantry staples and natural cleaning products, but until they get their act together in the produce department I will stick to farmer's markets for my fruits and veggies.
However, be sure to check out Baron's Meats and Farmstead Cheeses & Wines, who are both located in the same building as the Natural Grocery, and deserve 5+ stars apiece. -
Review from Phill W.
Alameda, CA
12/8/2007
The biggest problem Alameda Natural Grocery has it that not enough people shop at it ... or so they would have me believe. ANG carries just about everything I need, everything I used to get at Rainbow in SF. The only problem is that stuff goes out of stock, and isn't replenished unless I ask about it. I'd give this place five stars but I've been burned too many times, having to hit the mainland for a staple good.
The produce is pretty awesome, equal in quality to Rainbow, an order of magnitude better than Whole Foods.
Yes, cashiers can appear blase, and they have interesting piercings & tattoos, which clearly scares many Mayberry Alamedans. Fear not, they do not bite, they're just making ends meet and working at a great local business to do it. When you do need help, the buyers/stockers/specialists are extremely helpful, especially the folks in the natural pharmacy. -
Review from Shannon H.
Alameda, CA
8/5/2010
I really want to like this place. It has a fairly good selection and is close to my house, but the prices keep me from being a fan!
I recently got a group swoop coupon for them $40 bucks of stuff for $20! a good deal says I then i go shopping there, I end up spending $5 over the coupon and with only a small bag of groceries. Suck!
The staff is great, the layout is OK, the selections... ok but for 10 minutes more of driving I can hit the wonderful Farmer Joe's in Fruitvale and make my $40 stretch to 2 bags of groceries.
I will give this place 1 more try just because it's local but so far... meh. -
Review from Amelia R.
Updated - 4/12/2009 6 Check-ins Here
Back up to 5 full stars since they removed the ONE WAY signs for the main parking lot.
Plus they have kept restocking the sloppy joe mix that I luh-luh-love. And they're getting quicker with the special orders. I call and make an request and I'm called back immediately if they can't get it or within a day to tell me it's come in. THAT is great customer service.
Mahalo!Listed in: My Neighborhood - Alameda
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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11/19/2008
Well,
They've solved the need for more parking sitch, but increased the GRRRR! factor with the… Read more »
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Review from Jen W.
CA
2/16/2007
The produce is great - it is pricey but always great quality. You get what you pay for, and here you get great quality, service and food that contributes to great health. I can always find things like galaxy granola, Not sweet vanilla munch (no sugar added, great flavor) and sprouted grain english muffins and raw milk butter. I need great food options in this over-sugared world that my son is excited about without driving out of Alameda.
Now they have a great juice bar. My son begs for the Tropicali drink. $4.99, for our family this is the answer to celebrating some achievement or a treat on a hot day. Just ask Randy about why he uses the quality of carrots in his juices, you will love the answers and his commitment to his products. We aren't taking our son to Tucker's, like most other treat-loving Alameda families, this is our alternative. He loves it and we feel good about it, getting great quality food into his body in a way that feels fun and exciting to him and is guilt free for us parents.
The staff is always helpful and it is such a nice alternative to Market Hall and the every-horrible parking lot at B.B.
