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110 reviews for Ballard Town & Country Market
Review Highlights
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"All kinds of fun stuff in the bulk section." In 16 reviews -
"Love the salad bar - so many options." In 18 reviews -
"Best grocery store produce and meat." In 54 reviews
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110 reviews in English
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Review from Angel I.
3/1/2012 4 Check-ins Here
Ballard Town & Country Market is one of my favorite supermarkets in Seattle for its mix of organic and regular produce that is quite fresh. They have a lot of items from local vendors, they're also open 24 hours, and the location is in a convenient location in Ballard.
They have a great coupon in the Chinook Book for a free tote bag and 2 coupons for $5 off $25. I'd say their prices are fair for produce and the items for local items, and even their more natural products. However, if you're looking to get national branded items, they are a bit more pricier. Their prices are cheaper than PCC, Metropolitan Market and Whole Foods, and they have a lot of the same brands or products as those markets. -
Review from Heather V.
Seattle, WA
4/18/2012
My first experiences at Ballard Market weren't what I was hoping for, especially considering the positive online reviews. I felt I needed to set the record straight.
1. I paid $6.08 for a tiny bag of organic potatoes. POTATOES. The same potatoes would've had twice as much and would've been $3 or $4 at Trader Joes (in fact, Whole Foods wouldn't have even charged this much!).
2. The organic and regular produce is all mixed together -- I prefer them to be separate, so I can do my organic shopping first, then round back for the items (like avocados or onions) that don't need to be organic. Kind of a PIA when you don't have a spare hour to hang at the grocery store and you're zipping back and forth to find what you're looking for.
3. The frozen section is SAD, and I'm pretty sure that Target has a better selection (consider that Target isn't even a true grocery store). If you're vegetarian, don't think you'll find much more than Morningstar Farms and Boca burgers. If that's all your looking for, then I recommend you go to Target and save your cash for the visit to Whole Paycheck for some specialty items. Forget about the fun frozen snacks for entertaining.
4. The salad bar area was a huge disappointment (god, I miss the days of Whole Foods in NY, I didn't realize how good I had it!) . The olives were just OK - on the mealy side, and there were only two salads that didn't have meat in them -- and they both sucked. ANNOUNCEMENT: vegetarian and vegan foods do not need to be tasteless and lame!! What about eggless egg (tofu) salad or an Asian inspired quinoa salad or a Mediterranean inspired whole grain and veggie salad? Or even just roasted veggies?! P.S. I'm always turned off by a place that has FRIED CHICKEN in the salad bar. And we wonder why our nation is in such poor health..
4a. I asked the gentlemen that make the food for the salad bar if they had any other non-meat salads at other times and they looked at me like I had 4 eyes. I found the deli staff not very polite and/ or helpful. Umm, thanks anyway?
5. I didn't get the feeling that there were much of the better brands, as opposed to the bad national brands that you'll find anywhere. For example, there was plenty of Kraft foods and General Mills here, but not as much Eden and Kashi. I felt like I was shopping at a messier version of Safeway with bad concrete floors.
6. I was told that the Ballard Market is owned by the same owners of the now closed Greenwood Market -- and that store was equally as bad -- there's a reason it has closed its doors. I was stunned when I visited during their "going-out-of-business sale" and found their heavily discounted prices to STILL be higher than what they should be. The one positive -- the Greenwood Market did have a much better selection, better brands, like a Whole Foods would. Too bad they priced themselves out of the market (literally).
In conclusion, I much prefer Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, a local farmers market, or even Target than the Ballard Market. I hate the feeling of paying too much money for the same items I can get elsewhere (e.g. organic potatoes!), and not having the brands that aren't looking to put me in a grave any sooner than necessary (thank you Kraft & Velveeta). I'm planning a visit to Whole Paycheck later today. -
Review from Agnes K.
3/28/2012
When you want it fresh,
Ballard Market has it all.
Prepare to pay up.
Ballard Market is close to home for me so it is very convenient. They carry both Essential Baking Company and Macrina baking goods, and those two brands are enough to keep me coming back. They carry unusual imported beers, excellent produce, and fresh meats and seafood. They also have a nice selection at their deli bar and we are especially fond of their soups (the tomato basil soup is particularly yummy!). The one drawback to this market is their cost; they are quite a bit more expensive than going to Trader Joe's or Safeway, both of which are only mere minutes away. And in terms of frozen goods, Grocery Outlet has some of the same selection for significantly less! For that reason, I get my non-perishables elsewhere. -
Review from Jeff S.
4/26/2012
After living in NE Seattle for 14 years and moving back to NW Seattle, I've rediscovered the Ballard Market. With the Central Market a long drive away and the Greenwood Market gone, this place is now one of our new weekly stops. It's not very large, but has everything you need. Great produce, bulk foods, fresh seafood, prepared foods and a small but nice wine selection. The staff here are awesome, super friendly especially at night.
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Review from Cookie B.
Seattle, WA
3/14/2012
Best-smelling, cleanest public restroom in the neighborhood, bar none.
Good deals can be rooted out if you're willing to do extensive comparison shopping. Has a lot of unusual, good quality supplements and natural products (fungi perfecti? No one has that, and for less than list price? Damn.) Ultimately pleasant because the employees are paid a living wage, so you don't feel like a huge dick for shopping there. -
Review from Ashley F.
2/22/2012
Ballard Market is always my first stop for all things fresh.
My husband and I spend the majority of our grocery money on produce, and we were tired of all our produce being days old and over ripe before it made it home, so we finally checked out Ballard Market.
We loved the huge selection of *mostly* local produce with a lot of organic options. Although some produce can be slightly higher (usually $0.10/lb more), many sale items are cheaper (i.e. Red Bell Peppers 10/$10 or Asparagus $1.99/lb). We also love the bulk section for all our rice, grains, coffee and spices.
Although some people seem to have had bad experiences with customer service, we have always been over the moon about our treatment. The store is always buzzing with employees on every aisle ready to point a lost customer in the right direction or explain the difference between types of quinoa.
The only reason that Ballard Market gets 4 stars instead of 5 is the cost of things like dairy and pantry goods (beans, pasta, sauces etc). This is the area that Ballard Market really does have much higher prices than the regular grocery store.
We usually break our shopping trip by Produce, Dairy, Pantry and Frozen - and each and everytime we are thrilled that we do our produce shopping at Ballard Market - a true gem of a store! -
Review from Melissa S.
Seattle, WA
Updated - 2/3/2012
I figured it out. The only nice folks who work there are the morning crew who happen to have a penis. Seriously. The ladies there not only don't smile, but if they can help it, they're going to completely ignore you while they help you. This is a consistent experience over the course of two years.
This review will probably be flagged and that's cool. But seriously...move to a different job if you hate this one so much.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/14/2011
I love that they have star fruit pretty much year round and they try really hard to get quality… Read more »
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Review from jinny b.
Seattle, WA
10/11/2011
Lately I have been cheating on Metropolitan Market with the Ballard market. I feel a little guilty but I have found that the Ballard Market is closer to what I want and need in a grocer. I am the kind of person who has to go to PCC for their almonds and Whole Foods for the aardvark hot sauce, Met Market for the rice chips and so on and so on. I am a high maintenance grocery shopper.
Well the Ballard market has my favorites of everything. The only thing they are missing that is a must have item for me is the Rice chips that I get from Met Market. The bulk tea section is fantastic and they have bulk effing sea food. Bulk sea food! Do you know how happy that makes me? Really really happy. I really enjoy this market. My fiance and I went for our first full on grocery shop here a few weeks ago and dropped $250 on four bags of groceries so take that as a warning that it can be expensive but does not have to be quite that expensive. We managed to get out of there yesterday with another four bags of groceries but this time for only $155. -
Review from Jonathan B.
Seattle, WA
9/27/2011
Confession: I don't actually SHOP here.
Let me clarify. I don't fill up my cart with all my regular food items at the Ballard T&C, but I do stop in once a week or so for my bulk food fix - popcorn, jasmine rice, hummus mix, lentils, pasta, yadda yadda. Oh yes, there's also candy. C-a-n-d-y. Lots of candy. Choose wisely.
On the way out, I'll swing by the deli to see if they have any spinach dip, and stroll through the bakery to browse their selection of pies and goodies. Oh wait, I will sometimes find a smoking deal on eggs (18 for $1.49 was my last score) so I'm always looking at them. Ok, ok, so I check out the produce too, just to see if anything jumps out at me, like eggplant or fresh peaches. And the deli again, because they have some pretty delicious prepared food and...alright, so I DO shop here.
The store is always clean, it's open 24/7, and the staff is generally friendly and helpful. The prices are higher than Safeway or Trader Joe's, but that is generally offset by the quality of the goods, and the convenient (for me) location.
Did I mention they have bulk candy?Listed in: The Ballard Bubble
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Review from Tony V.
Seattle, WA
2/28/2012
Awesome selection (deli gyro meat? Sweet!) and decent prices. Plus it's not terribly crowded. Its a town & country so if you know those then you can make your assumptions about it. I recommend it it if you need an uppity market.
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Review from Kate S.
2/14/2011
I don't live in Ballard so i've never been here to grocery shop. My only experience comes from coming here for lunch options in between my classes on the weekends.
Best. Salad bar. Ever. Seriously, you got options upon options here! Several "greens" to choose from, tons of toppings, cheeses and dressings, and oh... you want some pasta salad too? You have like 10 to choose from. Hummus? Sure thing. Quiche? Why not. A fan of olives? You have a boatload to choose from. Fresh soups to pair with it all as well. And at something like $7.29 a lb you arent spending a ton on lunch (unless you are like me and are so excited with choices that you go a little overboard).
Right next to the salad bar is the bakery section. Mini-personal sized french bread rolls to normal sized family loafs. Cookies. Brownies. Bagels. Chocolate covered graham cracks? Yes, this is turning into the best lunch excursion ever!
While not recommended during class, the beer selection here was pretty nice for a grocery store too.
The place was clean, and employees were happy.
As long as I have schooling going on in Ballard im coming here for lunch.Listed in: Groceries
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Review from Sonya L.
2/3/2011
I had a hard time coming up with what to write for my 700th review. I mean, it's a lot of pressure trying to come up with a place worthy enough for such a milestone. However, Ballard Market meets the mark.
I used to live in Ballard and I went here fairly often for groceries. For the most part, I was always pretty impressed.
There is a HUGE produce selection - lots of organic choices. The deli is also great and the cheese section is quite large.
Love the salad bar - so many options! And the bulk section is to die for - lots of spices and various nuts and other goodies. I've spent many a time perusing the bulk items here.
I'm not a beer drinker, but even I noticed that they have a really large and wide selection of beers.
They have a lot of gluten free options, which are pretty darn tasty. Breads, pastries, and other various items are available in the bread section. There are also other gluten free items found throughout the store.
The downside is, of course, prices. They are high. Very high. And I feel guilty saying this, but I often went to the nearby Safeway so I could save (more than) a few bucks. I'm not some rich chef, you know!
Anyway, I do recommend Ballard Market very highly - but know going in that you are going to pay a lot for your groceries.Listed in: Bodacious Ballard
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Review from Akvile H.
3/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I work in Ballard and my one coworker goes here just about every day to either grab some lunch, snacks, or some coffee from their cafe. He got me to tag along a few times and I have really grown to like this market.
The market is great, has a good selection of food, and have recently expanded their hot lunch selection as well. They have hot and cold food to go, however it can be a bit on the pricier side, compared to other grocery stores in the area.
If you want some really great service and coffee, stop in their cafe up front and grab a latte or something of the like to enjoy there or take it to go. I like this market, however I would like prices to be a tiny bit lower on certain things. I recommend checking it out though! :) -
Review from Brandon N.
Seattle, WA
12/1/2011
Pros: High Quality Products
Great Variety of healthy products
Nice meat, fish, and poultry.
Convenient location.
Cons: Overpriced all around
Too many young workers who don't have a clue about ingredients especially when it comes to allergies.
Parking lot is seemingly always full.
Disorganized with poor labeling of allergens. -
Review from Christine Z.
Seattle, WA
1/24/2011 51 Check-ins Here
I love Ballard Market because:
- it has a GREAT bulk section (I often get spices, teas, nuts, ingredients for baking, honey and freshly creamed PB from the bulk section)
- they carry a wide variety of local, organic products (from bread to wine... it's awesome)
- the staff is always happy and helpful, no matter what time of day (they are open 24 hours... another reason to love them!)
- it's easy to navigate through the market (even though it's a large store, you can find things quickly)
I don't love Ballard Market because:
- their produce can sometimes look nasty and old
- their produce is pretty pricey (you can spend close to $2 for an organic lemon at BM, while it's only $1.29 at Trader Joe's or $0.99 at Fred Meyer)
- the deli, salad bar and prepared foods section are laced with some common food allergy items (i.e. dairy, eggs and sugar) it would be nice if they offered healthier alternatives like PCC, Central Market and even QFC
Overall, it's a great grocery store! -
Review from Derek M.
9/14/2010 89 Check-ins Here
This is one of my favorite grocery stores at which to shop.
The produce is top notch, with a wide variety of organic options available.
Their meat and poultry section is a little pricier than a Safeway, QFC, or Fred Meyer, but the quality shows and it's definitely worth spending the extra money.
The deli has a great selection of cheeses and cured meats. There's also a large salad bar with soups, olives, and peppers galore. They offer bulk spices which I have yet to purchase, as I'm still going through what I have at home, but I will certainly procure my spices when the need arises.
The store has a massive beer selection and minimizes domestics in favor of craft-breweries, which for me is a major plus (don't worry PBR, I still love you).
The aisles lack the massive variety you find in a larger supermarket (e.g. Ballard Town & Country had only 1 or 2 types of Mexican-style hot sauces, vs. the 30+ options at Fred Meyer). This could normally be a problem, but the products they carry are the cream of the crop without being too expensive.
The staff is super friendly, knowledgable, and helpful. I also appreciate the free samples that are regularly place near the register. -
Review from abigail l.
Seattle, WA
8/8/2008 ROTD 10/22/2008
Psst--come here. Crouch down. Shhhh! Lean in: There are shysters among us. Swindlers. Tricksters. Wise guys. They congregate behind Ballard Market's fish counter. And they're scheming to sell us bad fish.
Last night, I served up the most revolting dinner to an important guest. It was sick. S-I-C-K. It tasted like rot. After one bite, I knew it. The VIP knew it. The cat knew it. There was no hiding from the stench. I can still smell the bone caries in my hair and hand.
Gourmet magazine told me it would be delectable. Miso-glazed Sea Bass with Asparagus! AHMMMM! Epicurious thought it would be a smash hit. 4 forks! Highest rated International! A Cook from Los Angeles said it was "very tasty." A Cook from Brussels said theirs was "great!" A Cook from tribecanyc deemed the recipe "excellent and easy!" No fail! Klutz proof!
Why did my version turn out so vile? Why did it taste like Decomposition? Why did the diners glance around at each other before sending their eyes downward at their sad putrefied plates? The fish, Sirs! The Ballard Market fish.
They were out of sea bass, so I told the fish guy what I was cooking and asked him which salmon he recommended in its stead. He trumped both salmon options that pleased me with a hard sell of the black cod. "This will be perfect--really good with that preparation--yep, seriously: go with it!" Black cod, least popular seller. Black cod, a cheapish fish, which was no bargain here at $17.99 a pound. Black cod that had clearly been sitting long, lonely and pimpled behind the counter with no one to sign its dance card. Because Japanese preparations are so simple, the freshness of ingredients are key. I trusted that he steered me right. He's the fish guy! The Ballard Market Fish Guy! Like Father, he must know best!
The Fool-Me-Twice-Shame-On-Me, Sucker tragedy of the whole event is that this is the SECOND time I fell for this racket at Ballard Market. Another aimless fish counter stop, they had something great to sell me: Skate---"This is a REAally tasty fish! The reason it's cheap is that the market has not embraced it, but the market is ignorant! It's an under-the-radar find!" Oh?! Okay! Sold! [Blichh and Blechh and grody textured BLACHH.]
Since the rest of Ballard Market contains rows of tasty treasures and the produce and bulk sections gleam, let's call it 3 stars. But know this, Ballard Market Fish Men: I'm ON to you.Listed in: I like you, Ballard., ! Storytime !
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Review from Josh b.
Seattle, WA
4/7/2011
this place is alright... i usually shop at the much better central market in shoreline, but if i am feeling lazy and want coffee, i come here because i love equal exchange coffee, and if the right person is using that fancy slayer espresso machine, it can be fantastic!
BUT - i had some of the worst customer service from the wine guy. he's tall, grey/white hair. i was asking for a wine they carry at central market, but once he heard that it may have been a "sale" wine, he stopped helping me and told me to "go back to safeway". (!!!)
i told the PIC and probably won't be back to this location anytime soon. -
Review from Katie S.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 7/13/2009
Okay, so you've got Dry Soda for $1.19 right now in all of my favorite flavors... and I finally purchased the Lemongrass, which I really love.
And I got to see my favorite checkers here last night, who've been working here since I started shopping here in 2003. They're so nice and personable here.
I'm giving you back a gold (or orange) star, Ballard Market. You've earned it... but I'm still not over the avocado incident, fyi.Listed in: Best of Ballard!, Eat Yo Veggies!, Groceries in Seattle, ROTDs a la KTown, Shoppin' for Groes.
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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6/19/2009
My favorite food in the whole, wide world is avocados.
When I was little, I used to tell my mother I… Read more »
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Review from mel r.
Emeryville, CA
4/24/2008
I'm awash in a large colorful sea of beautiful pornographic produce.
Mmmmmm look at those round plump melons...long fat cucumbers. You like it when I fondle you apples? Delicately peal back the soft supple folds of leafy lettuce... OH THE ARTICHOKES!!!
Wait, not sexy
Don't get me started on avocados; you open them up at just the right time, you get a creamy surprise.
Hey you, cutie hipster employee, come smack my tomato
I love X-rated trips to the market -
Review from Betsey S.
8/1/2006
Just like the sign says, there really are 24 hours of savings at Ballard Market. Okay, maybe not tons of savings exactly, cause it's actually kinda spendy there, but it really is open 24 hours a day. Last Sunday at 4am, we were on our way to get in line to vend at the Fremont Sunday Market (it's a long story, but note to Yelpers: you do NOT have to get there at 4am like the website says), and we needed everything bagels really badly. We pretty much plucked them right out of the bagel truck dropping them off!
Their fish dept is reliable but not cheap. Excellent selection of wines, but also not cheap. Wines on sale are about what they'd be normally at Safeway (if Safeway even carried them). Lots of different beers from around the world - I have been told this is one of the only places to buy Mississippi Mud in Ballard. Dizzyingly delicious array of expensive cheeses from parts unknown as well as local - they carry Beecher's. Great deli and by-the-pound salad bar, including soups, antipasto, and all kinds of reheatable dishes. Their cioppino is not as good as Larry's cioppino. I've noticed they almost always have Tillamook Baby Bricks at a really good sale price. The produce is always really fresh and there is a full selection of organics. One of the best deals at Ballard Market is the bulk section. Try the bulk mac and cheese mix! Seriously. I love it. -
Review from Jessie R.
8/11/2008
These five stars are for the wonderful ladies in the floral department. I hadn't found a florist for my wedding yet, when I decided just to use the same vendor that was doing the flowers for our caterers. (Part of the service from the caterers is that they decorate the buffet table...)
Anyway, I gave them a rough idea of what I wanted, and the results could not have been more pleasing! They were reasonably priced, too. If you are ever in need of floral arrangements, hit up the ladies of the Ballard Market! -
Review from Erika O.
Seattle, WA
10/22/2010 31 Check-ins Here
It seems like the majority of my trips to Ballard Market involve late night hunts for dessert, and, at those times, the market fails to disappoint. They have just about any Theo bar you could want, a nice selection of single-serving desserts, and a good ice cream case.
I've also been well pleased with Ballard Market's cheese and coffee offerings, and I can't argue with their bulk items.
That said, the reason I'm not giving five stars is that I've occasionally been disappointed with the produce. The biggest disappointment was when I went looking for cherries at the height of the season and found only pre-packaged bags. Some of the cherries within were obviously moldy. It put me off buying produce from Ballard Market unless absolutely necessary. -
Review from Ian S.
11/25/2007 1 photo
This is an awesome grocery and will be seeing most of my business.
One thing I noticed most of all is that the usual things I buy at a store like this are all laid out in the way I want them.
First I pick up produce, then perhaps something from the meats section, over to the seafood, dairy products, sandwich makings, deli, brews, and breads. In that order in a lovely clockwise dance of caloric fuel.
The rest of the usual stuff is in the isles, but the staples are around the perimeter and it makes things quick.
The people are nice and professional, the foods are high quality, and it is open 24/7. This is clearly a winning place and you should shop there. -
Review from Lydia P.
Seattle, WA
7/17/2006
The Ballard Market is one of the things I miss most about living in Ballard.
Not only will you find pretty much anything you might be looking for foodwise, but it's also one of the cleanest and best laid out stores I've been to in Seattle. The Ballard Market definitely is not the cheapest place you'll find to shop, but the produce quality (plenty of organics to choose from) is way beyond what you'll find in other grocery stores in the same neighborhood and therefore worth the extra bucks in my book. They have an extensive bulk foods section that I love to peruse - you can even get bulk olive oil and honey! It's great! The staff is very friendly and helpful.... I've been found wandering the wine aisles more than once (looking pathetic and lost no doubt), and they've always helped me find just the right bottle (Apparently, it's not all about finding the prettiest label... who knew??!??!??).
This store just makes me happy. Every time I go to Ballard, I make a point of stopping in for a quick shop before heading home. -
Review from Ginger B.
Seattle, WA
3/27/2009
This is where my boyfriend and I do the vast majority of our food shopping. Monday evenings, we go there armed with our menu for the week and can usually get the ingredients for the whole list, plus some extras, for less than $150. That's for 6 home-cooked dinners and any breakfast or lunch fixings we could use in a week. Pretty decent!
The real reason you should shop at Ballard Market is their wine steward. He's amazing. Look for the guy with light gray hair, wearing an apron and holding a feather duster. He can teach you anything you want to know about wine, how to pair it, and what recipes to use when cooking a dish to pair. He also knows the food world of the Seattle area better than anyone. He can tell you which obscure market in Everett is the only place you can find authentic Spanish chorizo, or which fish shop in Rainier Valley has the best octopus for grilling. Amazing!
Don't go on Sunday afternoon or evening, though....it's packed. If you can shop before breakfast or after dinner, you'll have the run of the place. -
Review from Carrie H.
Seattle, WA
3/21/2007
A typical list for things I buy at Ballard Market:
Produce
Yogurt
Milk
Fresh deli selections
If you need to get staples (i.e. paper towels, cereal, toilet paper) go across the street. Safeway is cheaper, and you're already out and about, AM I RIGHT?!Listed in: Ballard rocks.
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Review from Erik M.
9/24/2009
Although it's not nearly as massive as it's sister Central Market on Aurora, I've long considered Ballard Market the flagship of the modest Town and Country family. It may seem a bit more expensive than the larger chain stores in the neighborhood, but that's likely due to them carrying generally higher quality products, and they don't make you carry a club card to get any kind of price cut.
The store is well-lit and they usually have pleasant music playing - it's not uncommon to find the produce staff singing along. The flower, produce, fish, cheese, and wine selections are all fantastic, and the employees are always friendly and helpful.
The produce section has organic and standard options for pretty much everything, and the store generally carries a very good selection of local/organic/vegan/gluten-free/soy-free/et cetera options in every department. The beer selection is never lacking in variety, and we take regular advantage of the wine steward's rotating selection of discount wines. It's not uncommon to to find $25 wines for less than $15, and most featured bottles are typically in the $8-12 range.
We frequent the bulk food section for staples like grains and spices, but there are a couple of bulk essentials for us, like soy protein powder and birdseed, that they don't carry but are found at the Greenwood Market (the other T&C market in the area). Hopefully they consolidate the selections if the rumors about the pending demise of the Greenwood Market are true.
Something that has always impressed me about the Ballard Market is that the turnover among the checkers seems to be nonexistent. The same smiling, enthusiastic people have been ringing us up for years.
For me, the only thing missing is a butcher counter. Their pre-wrapped selection is typically pretty decent, but for my money a proper meat counter would really make Ballard Market a truly top-notch neighborhood market. However, I live happily in spite of this slight deficiency with all of the other good parts make it our primary grocery store.Listed in: Ballard Shops and Services
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Review from Phil S.
Seattle, WA
3/23/2007
A few of things I love and hate about this store.
Love:
1. Of all the stores in the area, their produce is among the freshest. They have the best looking, reddest tomatoes I've seen anywhere.
2. Bulk Ala Francaise mini baguettes. Mmm, that old fashion french bread taste.
3. Good variety of items.
4. fast and friendly checkers.
Hate:
1. Overpriced on a lot of items you can get elsewhere for considerably less. WAY over priced (from 7 to 10 dollars more) on some wines. Wine merchants are the way to go here.
2. Good luck finding any dairy products e.g. milk and half & half and cottage cheese that isn't ultra-pasteurized. Some people think you can't taste the difference but we have half & half in our coffee and we definitely can. This seems to be common with a lot of Thriftway and AG related stores.
To sum up: I'll go there for tomatoes and some other produce, mini baguettes, fruit depending on what it is and cereal when it's on sale but that's about all my buget can handle before I hit Safeway or Fred Meyer.Listed in: When I need stuff
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Review from Laura L.
7/30/2007
PC- what? No need venture into the small-scale specialty grocers anymore. For me, at least. I know that *some* milk and dairy products here can be ultra pasteurized. But, as one yelper says, "Milk was not a good choice". It's all wrong. For me... you know?
So... the things I shop for at Ballard market (where before I scoured the naturals sections at other main stores, Trader Joe's, etc) are as follows:
1. Produce
2. Meats and sliced deli items
3. Salad bar items
4. Organic/ sensitive skin bath products
5. Natural detergents
6. Certain breads and crackers
7. Certain bulk items
8. Eggs- you can pack your own, and buy them six a t a time. Since extras are not sitting in my fridge, I always get fresh eggs.
9. Plants
Stuff I need to go to another store for (Fred's or QFC):
1. Paper products, trash bags, etc.
2. Oxy laundry products
Pro:
Most everything I need is here, and I don't have to hunt for natural products. They are located throughout the store, with all the other products.
Con:
You have to watch prices and try to shop the specials to save cash. -
Review from John L.
Seattle, WA
It's hard for me to find many redeeming factors for this grocery store. So, let's weigh the pro's and the con's:
Con's:
1) Very overpriced. And usually by a LOT. Yesterday we bought 2 cheap bottles of wine, a large bottle of beer, hot dog and hamburger buns, chips and salsa, and hummus, totalled to $65. Today, we went to PCC and bought three humongous tote bags of groceries for an entire week of meals, and it totalled $88. This is typically how this place compares to other area groceries.
2) Flies are usually hanging out on the produce near the entrance.
3) The shelves always seems half-stocked. And they never have the one thing you are looking for. NEVER.
4) They don't offer any sort of "members" discount club to help save $$
5) Ultimately, it's just a higher priced Safeway with a few specialty items.
Pro's:
1) It's the closest grocery to me.
2) The beer selection is OK.
Once the new Interbay Whole Foods opens, I'll be doing my close-to-home market runs there. I'm really tired of going to this store. -
Review from kristin m.
Seattle, WA
8/3/2011
I love this market. We just moved to Magnolia, and thought that the highly rated Thriftway would be our replacement, but no. Ballard Market almost always has a great selection of Grand Central Breads (a big issue in my house), a varied selection of prepared foods, everything else that you need and an amazing florist built right in. I. love. this. market. Usually a few cents pricier than your average Safeway, but makes up for it in quality and selection.
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Review from Tres B.
Denver, CO
4/6/2010
This really is a top flight market, with terrific produce, a terrific bakery and deli section, and a stocked to the rafters feel. My personal favorite section is the spices and teas, all of which you can buy in minuscule quantities if you desire. So if you need a teaspoon of star anise for a seasonal recipe, you need not buy an $8.00 lifetime supply that will get insanely stale in the back of your cupboard in the year 2036.
In many ways its similar to Whole Foods, with lots of organics and grains, etc. with out the hoi-palloi disdain and refusal to sell main line products like Coca Cola or Kellogg.
And its not as spendy as PCC or Whole foods, and locally owned and operated in the funky vibed skirts of Ballard.
Yeah, this market feels like home. -
Review from Mandy O.
WA
5/5/2007
The Ballard Market is one of my favorite things about living here -- it's only a couple blocks from me, and their 24hr schedule has saved me when I stagger home at 1 or 2AM after OT at work and I'm too exhausted to cook anything more complicated than sticking something in the oven or nuker.
It's more expensive than Safeway, but a) it's local b) it's got a great organic selection c) their CHEESE AISLE d) their wine selection isn't shabby either.Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Lisa C.
Seattle, WA
1/3/2010
Ok, I have officially given Town and Country a try, but I just can't get myself to like it. I mean, I LOVE the fact that they advertise all the NW producers, they seem to have a great selection of produce, the bulk section is great and the wine, cheese and olive sections are great... but...
The place feels like a warehouse. It just doesn't feel cozy in any sort of way. The people who shop here seem to be of the opinion that they are all fabulous. I usually don't have qualms with these people, but I don't usually have to play chicken with them while pushing a grocery cart. The only place I've seen that rivals the number of yuppies pushing carts full of organic produce while talking on a cell phone is Berkley Bowl.
More than anything though, this place really is expensive. It's more expensive than Whole Foods or Metropolitan Market. I thought maybe this was because they're employees were paid really well and had great benefits, but I made a $230 purchase and both the kid bagging my groceries and the woman who rang me up made some inappropriate comments about how I was spending more than their paychecks... AWKWARD....
I think I might just have to drive to Queen Anne to go to MM for my stuff.Listed in: Gotta Love Ballard
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Review from Roanna Z.
5/15/2010
This may be a beautiful market but I found the prices were lower elsewhere for the same product.
My customer service experience was mixed. First there was a wonderful floor manager who pointed me in the right direction, then there was a horridly rude person in Seafood called Seth. His personality is like poison. When I arrived at the check out I was asked by a very nice cashier about my experience and I spilled it.
Apparently this person Seth is rude to everyone! customer and fellow employee alike. What a poor choice to keep an employee like that in a economic climate and job market like we have today.
So, yeah, it ruined my overall experience to come across someone like that who was altogether SO rude. There are so many other markets to choose from in Seattle. -
Review from Paul B.
WA
2/21/2007
The Billboard in front of the Market this week promotes "Spaghetti Feed" for the Ballard HS band. For those of you who drive by on a weekly basis, isn't it nice to see a billboard updated all the time? Quite a difference from Aurora's "eekly Rates - ree HBO" signage...
If the Ballard Market doesn't scream Local Flava, I don't know what does.
That billboard is a great representation of the Ballard Market: It's current, but knows its audience. The "BM" (sorry had to point that out) realizes it's not Whole Paycheck or Trader Joes, or Freddy's for that matter. It sticks to what it does best - Fresh foods with an awesome preference for locally grown/raised products. Thanks for the cheese samples on Sunday, BM! -
Review from Tama K.
Seattle, WA
4/17/2007
I am a food snob. I like to be entertained at a supermarket and hence enjoy a good long perusal at Met Market, Whole Foods etc.
But Ballard has it all. And with a Ballard smile. Check out the seafood and meat guys/gal. They'll chat and serve and help all at once. Lots of organic (sorry to say it equals PCC). For bakers the selection of chocolate beats everywhere. The cheeses don't beat Whole Foods but are pretty varied. Bread vendors include Wild Wheat, Essential and Tall Grass. The fairly new Equal Exchange is good and politically ahead as well (originally East Coast and 20 years old).
You can check out it's sister at Greenwood/85th. Ongoing argument about which one is better around Phinney...Ballard wins ya sure, ya betcha. -
Review from Rachel B.
Seattle, WA
7/18/2006
I heart Ballard Market. It can't have 5 stars because it isn't perfect, however it is really awesome.
Things I like:
Mixing the potato salad and egg salad from the salad bar.
Bulk french rolls.
Awesome Bavarian Meats selection.
The best peach I've had from a store came from here.
I go there when I am over that way. -
Review from Jackson R.
Seattle, WA
11/12/2010
Things I love about Ballard Market:
Equal Exchange Espresso: I love their Slayer machine and the great coffee they make with it. Always friendly, fun daily deals, and good treats.
Dairy Offerings: Fresh breeze organic milk products for less than you can get them anywhere else. This is a great place to get it all.
Produce: They have everything. Organic celery root? Heirloom tomato? Sweet potato? Yup.
Bulk: Spices are fresh, redolent, and fairly priced.
Things I don't love:
Eggs: I buy dairy here and eggs at PCC, because I get a better deal at PCC for eggs. For whatever reason, I have to shop in multiple locations to get the best deals, money that I probably end up using up in transit. Whatever.
Deli section: No way to get fresh sliced bacon. Or at least I haven't found it. The packaged meats can be a little overpriced, but the pre-marinated stuff (like stuffed game hens) are great deals!
