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Bryan's Grocery
Categories: Food Grocery Food Specialty Food Meat Shops Grocery, Meat Shops [Edit]
3445 California St(between Laurel St & Locust St)
San Francisco, CA 94118
Neighborhood: Laurel Heights
(415) 752-0179
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 7 pm
Sat 8:30 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
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$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
73 reviews for Bryan's Grocery
Review Highlights
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"...place to go shopping, and its not as crowded as Cal-mart." In 8 reviews -
"They are closed on Sundays so make sure to go during the..." In 6 reviews -
"Decently priced produce from a non-chain store." In 23 reviews
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73 reviews in English
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Review from Katy H.
4/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
Did someone say all you can meat? This place is fantastic!
I was in town from Seattle to visit my dad and he wanted to make a favorite dish for dinner. He mentions a store he frequents and we make the quick drive to Bryan's. Already impressed that there was ample FREE parking (which is rare in SF) we walk inside and I'm totally blown away.
To the left there are shelves that are littered with fresh fruits of all colors, shapes and varieties. To my right there was a huge meat counter. Behind huge bays of streak-free glass I spotted some of the freshest, leanest, reddest meat ever. Cuts of lamb, pork, beef... you name it, it was dead and it was laying there ready to be cooked and eaten! We picked up a big 3lb flank steak and asked the butcher to cut a pocket into it lengthwise. Without hesitation he picked up a knife and did just that.
After getting our flank steak I wandered through the 8 or so aisles admiring the goods. Instead of popping in here to buy cereal or potato chips, it's really a produce store. Don't expect to find a lot of variety in pre-packaged goods but DO expect to find the best in meats, fruits and veggies. I was taking photos of the meat and produce and literally every picture looked like something I snapped with a filter. It was just that good looking on its own!Listed in: Awesome, Great Eats/Drinks in San…, All You Can Meat!
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Review from Becky B.
San Francisco, CA
3/8/2012
the main thing that draws me to bryan's is that it's a little locally owned shop that has lots of local products. they carry my favorite (and local) kombucha from house kombucha and primavera tamales. they also have a whole slew of awesome stonewall kitchen products hailing from my home state of maine. meat and fish look super fresh and i've spotted some local farm sources which makes me happy.
very compact but easy to navigate and is rarely crowded. it's not a place i would come to do every week shopping as it is lacking in some of my staples but i do like to swing by once every couple weeks. -
Review from Kathryn P.
San Francisco, CA
4/5/2012
Bryan's is truly the real deal!!
Seafood, meats, cheeses, specialty products, not to mention the most fabulous sandwiches to take home!
Their staff is so kind and knowledgeable and for such a small space, they always seem to have what I need, down to the unusual spice or condiment. -
Review from wolfy w.
San Francisco, CA
2/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Bryan's meats and seafood are one of the best has to offer in this part of town. Always well presented and fresh. Although the price is somewhat high, the quality is at it's best. Prepare foods to-go also excellent for those who partake in convenience or too busy to cook. Overall a great small scale grocery for all your needs for gourmet cooking.
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Review from gwynnie p.
San Francisco, CA
7/16/2011
Still sort of mourning the day that the separate Bryan's meat shoppe storefront closed and folded into Bryan's Grocery, but I'm almost over it....last night I was dying for a roast chicken but couldn't bear the thought of the saline injected, sweating in a plastic coffin birds on offer at Safeway and Andronico's....so Bryan's it was and wow was that a good call (stopped in at Cafe Rigolo a couple of doors down to see what they had for chicken dinners....$18.99 for 1/2 of a roast chicken on a bed of mashed potatoes - pardon me but are you on glue Rigolo?)
The Bryan's roast chicken is small, natural and maybe even organic, moist, delish, cooked with fresh herbs, crispy skin, $14.99. Ok, that's expensive but it was FABULOUS. And just what I wanted. -
Review from Ashley C.
San Francisco, CA
7/15/2011
I can always count on Bryan's to have the special things that I can't find (or don't want to purchase) at the normal grocery store. I love to pick up Stonewall Kitchen baking mixes, handmade pesto, mozzarella balls, lactose free yogurt, gourmet olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar.
I also recently purchased a tuna steak for a salad nicoise that was delicious - amazingly fresh and the price was reasonable. I look forward to trying more items from the vast cheese section as well as the seafood and meat. -
Review from Pilar P.
Napa, CA
3/26/2011
This grocery store in fantastic. Compared to others in a similar price range the variety is outstanding. The store is also on the smaller size so they pack it in. It can get some getting used to figuring out where everything is but it is worth it.
Parking is great because they validate and there are always plenty of spots in the laurel village parking in the back of the store. They are closed on Sundays so make sure to go during the week. Never very busy and the lines to check out go quickly.
The best part about this store is the fish/meat sections. Everything is fresh and they are so helpful. They have a variety of hawaiin and local fish that can't be beat! Much better than the selection at other grocery stores (ie:Whole Foods, Mollie Stone's).
* They don't take AMEX -
Review from Rosalind S.
San Francisco, CA
2/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Smaller and less busy than Calmart down the block but oh so much better. I don't know what it is but I feel more at peace in this market even though the prices are probably just as outrageous. There is a nice flow to their aisles and they have items I would buy. I have to remember to shop here more often.
Oh, and they have a great selection of chocolates and cookies I might come back for while doing my Valentine's Day shopping. :) -
Review from amanda j.
San Francisco, CA
9/12/2010
Huge improvement with their remodel. it's a nice place to shop and it is easy to find things. now if we could just improve the parking lot behind it :) it's tight but drive carefully and you'll be fine.
This is where i got when i want to cook for a dinner party or get the freshest veggies and meat when i do cook at home. i would not shop here for toilet paper or regular groceries but if you are after quality ingredients this place is the best in the city. I like the experience level of the people who work there and the guys behind the meat/fish counter really know their stuff. the produce section looks more like a farmer's market and that is appealing to me. the cheese section is also divine, a lot of good quality cheeses and it appears that they turn over so nothing looks too old. there's no one there to help you sample the cheese so you need to go to a cheese store or Whole foods if you want that.
bottom line: a good quality market and not cheap but worth it. I have never been let down but anything that i have purchased here. If you like Birite, this is sort of like that but a Presidio Heights take on it. -
Review from Peter F.
San Francisco, CA
5/6/2008
This is my neighborhood supermarket so I guess I'm a bit protective of it. I shudder at the thought of going to Cal-Mart again.
Here's some background on Bryan's which will give you a little insight to the place:
Originally there were two markets at Laurel Plaza; Laurel Super (where Bryan's grocery is now) and Cal-Mart. The patriarch of the family who owns Bryan's owned (along with his brother) the butcher shop that was in Cal-Mart. Two of the old man's sons (Peter and Bryan) became butchers and worked in the store along with a cousin who was on the grocery side. Eventually the old guys retired and the "boys" took over. Their first big move was to move into the space where the Bryan's butcher shop is now. This had been a number of things over the years including the first location of Performance Audio. Another butcher went into Cal-Mart but business boomed for Bryan's meats and they did very well. Eventually Laurel Super became worn and tired and went out of business. And that's when the boys went in, cleaned it out and made it the Bryan's supermarket it is today.
They eventually opened a branch in Corte Madera Town Center (Marin County) which is run by Bryan. Pete is the brother who oversees the operations in Laurel Village along with their cousin.
As for their prices; I don't think they're out of line at all. I frequently find the same stuff at Trader Joe's, Safeway and Lucky (ex-Albertsons) for more. Considering the neighborhood and the location, they could consistently price their merchandise much higher. But I know the boys and that isn't their modus operandi. They believe in giving people what they want at the best price. I often make special requests and they will do their best to help out if they can. You can't get that from Safeway. Or from Cal-Mart either, for that matter. -
Review from Brendan M.
San Francisco, CA
4/3/2010
"Can I have half of a skirt steak?"
"Well... It is kind of hard to sell the other half. "
What? It is sold by the pound buddy, oh and that white coat, its not cuz you are a doctor, you are a butcher, cut the meat. There are like 5 guys dressed as butchers back there, I am paying almost twice as much as anywhere in he city and instead of cutting the piece in half you are going to convince me that 1.6 lbs of meat is good for two people. I should have left it in the vegetable aisle. But, at least he saved me some money since I wont be back. (just trimmed about a 1/4 of a pound of fat from my 1.6 lb skirt before it was ready to serve to people) 9$ a pound -
Review from Phoenix A.
Seattle, WA
5/3/2010
High-priced, compact grocery store gets the yays for the meats, fresh veggies, and deli case offerings. I also bought fresh rosemary with the biggest leaves I have ever seen in my life!
Veggies looked as fresh as can be. And I came here for lamb chops but I had to restrain the pork hunter in me cuz the pig chops were looking amazing as well.
I had a Middle Eastern grocery list to fulfill and I suppose that I should have gone to a more specialty store, but I was able to find suitable substitutes here and there.
I was kind of hoping to find some unique food gems in this store in the dairy and dry goods aisles, but I didn't. That's more of a note than a complaint.
Next time, though, I think I will ditch the cooking idea and take the ready-made stuff home. -
Review from renee m.
San Francisco, CA
4/27/2010
Best looking meat and fish I have ever seen in my life. This is the primary reason to go here.
The produce is really nice too, very expensive, I bought 2 red peppers, organic - $12!!! I returned them I hate to say. Thats just waaaay too much.
And the other stuff is expensive too, but good when youre in a hurry.
Really, its the meats and fish that keep me coming back.
Note:
I will say though that the butchers arent too good on their contamination skills - they have plastic bags in the meat dept to put your paper wrapped meats in, but they put their fishy or meaty hands all over the paper, and then, the bag you want to put it in? It defeats the purpose. So now I grab my own uncontaminated bag in the produce section and have them slide it in to that. -
Review from Jackie K.
Oakland, CA
9/12/2006
I really like this place - their fresh pastas are great, as is their produce and cheese selection. It just seems like it's never open! Closed on Sundays, closed by 7pm during the week.
I refuse to work my schedule around a grocery store's. -
Review from Heidi L.
San Francisco, CA
12/19/2010 4 Check-ins Here
This has become my new favorite neighborhood grocery store!
They have a great selection of cooked items and meats, but my reason for coming here is for the Acme bread, great european cheeses, butters and the fresh vegetables.
If you need to find something a little more unique for that special meal, you can find it here at Bryan's. -
Review from Cynthia G.
San Francisco, CA
9/27/2011
$12.99 a pound for some roasted beets? Why the heck not. On a serious note, the "homemade" tomato soup really is better than Grandma's. Footnote to location manager for Nancy Meyer's next flick that requires a charming, yet unassuming, neighborhood grocery store in an area freqented by billionaires: they have auditions for the produce and then arrange the winners by a director of produce arrangements.
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Review from Scott P.
1/13/2010
I do love the fact that this is a a local place. This makes it much better than Whole Foods. I haven't been in there for awhile but since I went last they have consolidated their meats into the main store. I think this makes a great deal of sense. It is much easier for one stop shopping. The meat and fish counters are showcased at the front of the store and everyone has to walk by them to start their shopping. What is not to love about the fresh cuts and amazing helpful staff behind the counter. They really know their stuff! Again this makes it better than Whole Foods.
Certainly you pay a premium price but I always say you can't put a pricetag on great food! Common a whole chicken from Safeway vs Bryans? No brainer in my opinion. I would rather pay the $3.29 a lb for the chicken knowing it is fresh, free range, organic than $.88 / lb for a Safeway Foster Farm that looks terrible and has been shit upon by all the other chickens stacked in cages above it. -
Review from Wes M.
San Francisco, CA
6/23/2007
These Laurel Heights places are all connected. Originally Bryan's was the meat counter at Cal-Mart, then they expanded to their own shop, then they spun-off a Grocery store off of that, while Antonelli's is the new Cal-Mart meat counter.
This review is for the *grocery*, not the butcher. Overall, it seems more high-end than Cal-Mart; I liked the frozen stock & soup selection, and the cornucopia of prepared deli foods. I bought the expensivo Rustichella pasta and cooked it with Bryan's own brand of Artichoke-Parmesan pasta sauce and some Lamb Sausage from Bryan's the butcher--mmmm. But, if I had to pick a winner for Laurel Heights groceries, I'd go with Cal-Mart, mostly just because Bryan's feels a little too much like the preferred shopping center of the Pac Heights crowd, and, you know, they make me feel poor.Listed in: Lone Mountain & Laurel Heights
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Review from Jessica L.
San Francisco, CA
5/30/2008
Snooty snooty snoot snoot...and I love it! I am a sucker for upscale grocery stores. Mostly because they often carry a great cheese selection.
And Bryan's was no exception. They had Langres, they had Cabrales, they had La Tur, Purple Haze, Lingot, and so many others. I decided to behave myself and just get two cheeses for dinner. I settled on a goat cheese from France and their Mozzarella Buffala, which I couldn't pass up once I realized they had heirloom tomatoes in stock. I was a little disapponted there was no Burrata, but maybe next time.
I'll stop by and pick up some cheeses here when my energy for going to Cheese Plus or my go-to places in the East Bay just seem to far away. -
Review from Yevi A.
San Francisco, CA
7/24/2011
this grocery store has the best seafood counter in town. i always have a hard time picking out my fish because everything looks so good - you know when the fat of the fish glistens in the light and you just know its fresh? i've never been disappointed with any selection. its definitely pricey but you get your money's worth.
this family-run store closes at 7 during the week and is closed all sunday. -
Review from Jess C.
6/16/2010
FANCY!
They have some tasty pre-made deli options sold per pound. This includes tomato-mozzarella, green beans, beet salad, and assorted pastries (they have lava cake!!).
Additionally, they have a huge selection of meats.
Think Whole Foods, but smaller. I love this little grocery. -
Review from Sydel s.
San Francisco, CA
6/30/2010
great selection of cheeses, its my go to for the area, for sure. I usually go to trader joes for the rest, but tj's doesn't have the CHEESE that this place does. They have nice looking produce as well, and all the good name brand things that you just can't get at tj's as well as all the cypress grove yumminess and acme sweet baguettes I need. good thing its walkable distance...
(i almost don't know why i wrote that because i almost always drive there, due to laziness, because i know that all the back lot parking allows me to be. so wonderful.) -
Review from Jason B.
Updated - 8/23/2009
The Bryan's Quality Meats down the street has closed and moved into the front section of the main grocery store. Glad it didn't go away. Excellent house sausage selection, and for less than $3 walked out with their chicken and tomato basil variety. Food came with some cooking tips - this healthy yelper doesn't tackle fresh meat often.
After cooking it went from oven to bread to mouth to stomach in about 5min. Delicious.1 Previous Review:
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5/21/2008
Ready made turkey sandwiches without mayonnaise that are less than $6???
Awesome.
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Review from tess s.
San Francisco, CA
8/13/2011
Hands down my favorite grocery in the city. They are rightfully famous for their seafood, which is the best in town. Helpful staff with suggestions for recipes etc. The produce is outstanding, mostly organic. The only place in SF with better fruits & veggies is the Farmers Market at the Ferry Building.
Bryans is certainly not cheap but worth it if you want the best. Much better quality than Whole Foods or Faletti's, for the same price.
They are a family-owned place and are closed on Sundays and holidays. Looks like they treat their employees well.
Parking lot is validated, which makes it easier to get in and out than it used to be. -
Review from L D.
South Bay, CA
11/19/2009
Bryan's is excellent. I appreciate their great service and high quality products. They have special ordered items for me from their baked goods, meat and produce departments. They are the only place in the Bay Area that caries "Just Persimmons" (dried persimmons, no additives). I appreciate their customer service and patience when I drill them on ingredients at the deli counter. (I have diet restrictions.) Try their beet salad
Sometimes the prices are steep for my budget but... -
Review from J B.
San Francisco, CA
3/26/2008
How is it that you make Whole Foods more reasonably priced?
50 cents more a gallon for organic milk.
3 dollars more for the same mushrooms.
The staff is incredibly nice though. It's good in a pinch.
2 stars for the prices, 5 stars for the service. I'll give you 3 to even it out. -
Review from Chris k.
San Francisco, CA
6/28/2010
Bryan's gets my vote for best Grocery store in town. Certainly puts Whole Foods to shame, definitely gives the Ferry Building a run for its money, and unlike Bi-Rite there is far more parking and far fewer Mission yupsters.
The meat/ seafood /poultry selection is top notch, (even though they didn't have any pork belly my last trip) great produce, and the cheese selection is pretty good.
There is no question that it is on the pricey side, but if you're having company or just want to cook a special meal for yourself Bryan's is the place to get your goods. -
Review from miriam b.
San Francisco, CA
5/5/2006
Great butcher shop from REAL BUTCHERS!!!!!
Not faux white aproned guys that like using a knife and seeing blood.
Just ask the guys what's good today and they generally will steer you right.
Since Bryan's didn't originally start out with seafood, prefer other sources for that. -
Review from Kokoro I.
San Francisco, CA
7/7/2008
Clean good selection, smaller version of Whole Foods. Mos def for those with anti corporation agenda. They can enjoy all the fine foods, some of them corporate made though, somewhat guilt free.
They have so many fruits samples and today they had so many different kinds of peaches and they were all delicious. I bought a few.
Yup if I don't want to go through the gigantic store of Whole Foods I will come here for quick shopping. -
Review from Suzanne V.
Oakland, CA
5/5/2011
This review is just for a specific salsa they carry that I can't seem to find anywhere else - Salsa Deluna is a kosher, chunky, fresh salsa made by De Luna Delight Foods in Daly City. It is delicious! The store is clean, full of fresh meats, produce, deli section etc. It's not cheap but it is high quality stuff, similar to an Andronico's.
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Review from Veronica L.
San Francisco, CA
12/4/2007
Bryan's butcher shop next door to the grocery store is like what I imagine my great grandfather's place my dad talks about must have been like. The men bustling around behind the counter in white smocks are the most knowledgeable about their selection of any butchers at fine grocers I've patronized anywhere. Whether they are pointing you toward the best catch of the day, giving suggestions on how to thaw that 5 lb of bay shrimp, scaling a giant fish, or selecting the finest cuts of meat, I have yet to be disappointed. I'm also a fan of their prepared foods, especially the tubs of frozen clam chowder, frozen stock, sauces, and dressings.
The grocery store itself sells a decent selection of prepared foods (hit and miss), including a larger selection of the soups, stock, sauces, and dressings mentioned above. Really, the frozen soups are truly incredible. The produce is also excellent - makes up for lack of selection with quality. The selection of packaged goods isn't the best (a problem I find common and fairly universal in this city), but what selection there is is always of the highest quality. They do have an unusually varied selection of dry pastas, though, which is fun. I like to buy the annellini and toss it with homemade vodka sauce and meatballs - Presto! Homemade SpaghettiOs! Finally, I have to mention that the level of service is as top notch in the grocery store as it is at the butcher. -
Review from Emily P.
San Francisco, CA
8/15/2008
Higher end grocery store, comparable to Drager's and Andronico's.
Decently priced produce from a non-chain store. Staff, at least when I have been there, is nowhere to be found except those at the check stands.
Very clean store, and everything is easy to find. -
Review from Bennett W.
San Francisco, CA
3/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Bryan's Supermarket is one of the best stores to go to for groceries when you're traveling through the Laurel Heights Neighborhood! Their items maybe on the pricey side, but it's more important to know the fresh food and other grocery items are available when you want it.
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Review from Gourmet G.
San Francisco, CA
7/18/2005
A mid-sized, privately owned market that specializes in upscale merchandise, with prices to match. There should be an ATM in the prepared foods section, considering what they charge. Produce is always top quality, but I'll buy it only on sale, because cherries at $5.99 a pound will never find their way home with me. Of course, compared to the meat prices, that's a bargain. A nice selection of fresh cut flowers. On a par with Andronico's and Whole Foods price-wise, with a lot less stock.
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Review from mnypny b.
San Francisco, CA
2/5/2008
I don't have many opportunities to shop here lately, but I try to find excuses to stop in when I can. Everyone is always very helpful here and the selection is great. I can quickly find gourmet goodies to share with colleagues whenever we have meetings in the area. Great market!
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Review from Ivy C.
San Francisco, CA
6/2/2006
I can't fight my coleslaw addiction. Must have it EVERYDAY!! I don't know what they put in the stuff but I find myself at the Bryan's deli counter everyday. The ladies at the counter start packing my container when they see me. BACK OFF and get your own cuz I don't share.
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Review from Mariangela S.
San Francisco, CA
8/2/2005
Best butcher and fishmonger in the city! Peter Flannery is preserving a tradition that has been lost on the Safeways and Whole Foods of this country. The guys are all pros and Albert appears in a lot of local TV shows. Their veal selection is excellent, and they can special order pretty much anything.
Listed in: Where I Run My Errands, WHERE TO BUY YOUR CHEESE
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Review from Phil M.
San Francisco, CA
5/18/2005
Although Bryan's is a very nice high end grocery store with plenty of good private label soups, stocks, pasta's and meats, there is a downside. I'm speaking from a vendor perspective and they are, quite bluntly, egotistical pricks. They go out of their way to be assholes to vendors. I work with a lot of gritty people who are rough around the edges in the food business, but these guys take the cake. So we don't sell to them even though it's the perfect neighborhood store to sell in. We sell our product in Cal-Mart and it's flying off the shelves.
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Review from megan w.
San Francisco, CA
10/30/2005
This store must emit a frequency that only gay men can hear.
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Review from Kathleen R.
Los Angeles, CA
11/27/2010
Being a Cal-Mart devotee, I'm not apt to venture up the street to Bryan's...unless it's for some chocolate! Their chocolate selection blows Cal-Mart's to bits!
