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Cala Foods - CLOSED
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
282 reviews for Cala Foods
Review Highlights
"And unlike Trader Joe's, Cala carries real food and useful..."
(in 28 reviews)
"The produce is very fresh, meats are fresh as well."
(in 77 reviews)
"Ok, it's not the best grocery store I've ever been in."
(in 4 reviews)
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282 reviews in English
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Review from David J.
San Francisco, CA
1/25/2012
I miss Cala!
Not looking fwd to the over eccentric corporate twats at Trader Joes now.
''Hiiiiii - thank you so much - hope you have an awesome evening sir'' *smiles*
PISS OFF!!
Bring back the NORMAL Cala staff...
Cheers! -
Review from Rebecca G.
Walnut Creek, CA
Updated - 12/7/2011 11 Check-ins Here
Officially CLOSED on Saturday, December 3rd.
Goodbye Cala!
Hello Trader Joe's! Coming Soon!2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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11/15/2011
Cala is closing! I think their last day is December 3rd or very near that date. I'm not sure it will… Read more »
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Review from Otay B.
San Francisco, CA
12/4/2011
"While renovations necessary to convert the building into a Trader Joe's will take at least six months, the city's newest grocery store is tentatively scheduled to open its doors sometime next year. Since Trader Joe's technically falls under the classification of "formula retail," the store will also require approval from the city's Planning Commission."
http://www.huffingtonp... -
Review from Jeremy B.
San Francisco, CA
10/28/2011 7 Check-ins Here
I will not miss Cala Foods when Trader Joes will take over next year.
Cala Foods is the only supermarket close to where I live. They have all what I need but most of their stuff is way too expensive. When they have deals in their weekly circular, I never find them on the shelves. The employees are always super sad looking which makes me think that it sure is not fun to work there everyday.
Quick tip: do not go to the bathroom there. There are the most disgusting bathroom Ive seen in the city -
Review from Chrissy B.
San Francisco, CA
11/2/2011
Is it an upscale grocery store? No.
Do they have the freshest, in season, heirloom produce? No.
Is it in the Tony part of Nob Hill where all you can do is look at the huge f*cking buildings? No.
It IS open 24/7 though, which checkers who know how to get the business done. The store stays fairly clean, at least every time Ive been there.
Dear Cala Foods: you are my favorite 3am guilty pleasure. I will miss you when you're gone, and turn into a TJ's with produce that even worse than yours. -
Review from C. G.
San Francisco, CA
1/7/2012
I MISS MY LOCAL CALA FOODS SOO MUCH! Thank you to the fantastic, friendly and real staff for all your years of service! i will miss my midnight strolls in the fantastic wine isles, great juice, organic produce zone and sushi selection. I was a shopper of yours since 2004, you are missed and thank you. (never getting pushed around again my friend!) i was too sad you were closing to come in and say goodbye.
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Review from Kiristen R.
San Francisco, CA
12/9/2011 5 Check-ins Here
RIP Cala. It was nice knowing you. And good riddance to the stalker security guard that used to follow me around the store...only when I wasn't shopping with my husband.
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Review from teo w.
San Francisco, CA
10/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
Pros:
Hilariously retro architecture and interior styling.
Minimally clean and tidy.
Checkout dude scanned his club card so I didn't have to fuck with it.
Cons:
TERRIBLE selection. They seem to be out of everything I want, for example no chicken breasts? WTF!?
Attitude - Everyone who works here has a look like "FML, this place sucks." .. It really makes me appreciate the smiles at Safeway, even when they're forced and insincere!
Prices - so overpriced! They charge almost as much as Whole Foods for lower quality with worse service and an inferior shopping experience.
In conclusion, I can see why this place is going out of business in December. OTOH, maybe another "pro" is that this will be a TJ's soon. Check out the ridiculousness while you can... -
Review from A O.
San Francisco, CA
11/13/2011
Hey, I owe Cala a debt of gratitude. When I was unemployed their sales kept me eating well and within my meager means. And they were fair, even cake mixes and other dessert items went on sale. I didn't necessarily buy them myself but thought of the mother for whom this would be a blessing, something to give to her family-- dessert, a little sweetness during hard times.
Cala has been a constant. When I first came to town in 1982 I shopped there. My eureka moment was when I realized they do have Hellman's Mayonnaise in California, it's just called "Best Foods" west of the Rockies.
The freshest, best brussels sprouts I've found at Cala and their Boston lettuce (AKA "Butter lettuce") grown in it's own plastic box is at least fifty cents cheaper than Whole Paycheck's.
The people who work at Cala are good and decent folk. At least they are not trying to be cute, hip, show-offs carrying-on conversations with each other as if you're not there in the check-out lane.
Did you know that the Cala parking lot is where the concept of DHL and overnight shipping got started? I think Larry Hillbloom was in the conversation but I forget the other fellowl who hatched it with him.
I photographed Cala's exterior Saturday night and was surprised and saddened, upon entering, to see some shelves were bare and some aisles blocked. It's the beginning of the end. I'm glad I photographed the interior in June, before it was visibly moribund.
Lastly, this Cala store has been there for 50 years and some people have been there for most of their working lives. One fellow who regularly bags groceries said, "I'm two years from retirement. Who is going to hire me now, and in this economy?"
I'm rooting for all of you who work there and wish you all the best. I found work again, and you will too. Hang in there. And thank you. -
Review from Molly A.
San Francisco, CA
9/2/2011
I kind of want to hate on Cala just to be cool, but I just can't! Sorry but it's the only grocery store close to my apartment that isn't super tiny and wildly overpriced. Would I rather go to Le Beau for all of my needs? Sure. But it just isn't practical.
I agree that Cala is a bit overpriced, but not in comparison to the other options in my 'hood and it's pretty much the only place I can go for a one-stop-shop.
So sorry, but I kind of like Cala and you will probably see me there pretty much every Sunday. Don't judge me! -
Review from Allucaneat G.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 11/29/2011
Waaaaaaahhhhh! NO! CALA is finally, really closing. And to make matters worse, their last day is my birthday. :(
I am truly sad. I've been weepy the past few times I've gone there to see empty shelves and blocked aisles. How can this be? I've seriously been thinking that this signals a time for me to move from this neighborhood. It's become an art student ghetto with fewer and fewer working class people. With CALA gone, a major asset (i.e. 24 hour grocery store with familiar faces) will be lost.
Damn, CALA, why'd you have to do this? Trader Joe's is NOT a real grocery store and it's not 24 hours. I'm gonna have to move.2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/6/2011
Yahoo! Once again CALA has managed to stay open another year. The lines are long and the produce is… Read more »
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Review from Katie H.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 7/14/2011
I can't wait til this hell hole becomes a Trader Joe's
The wine selection is shit.Listed in: My Neighborhood
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/13/2010
I don't really know why I hate this place so much. Probably because I go there sober and in the… Read more »
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Review from Annette H.
San Francisco, CA
11/18/2011
I loved Cala Food. I am sorry to see it go. It is a plain simple grocery store. No drugstore, no aisle of holiday junk, they have all the basics plus some. They had great baby back ribs in the deli. It had a basic bakery, deli counter, fish counter - all easy to access. It was always a quick in and out here. You don't have to walk miles to get three things in three locations like Safeway. Clerks have always been friendly and helpful. The building is a architectural standout from the 50s. Would make a fabulous ice skating rink but the word is that it is going to be a Trader Joe's. Best wishes to all the staff.
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Review from Leslie H.
Updated - 11/29/2011
Boo, I am sad that Cala is closing. Where will I got to get my overpriced chicken tenders? Here's hoping that Trader Joes' prices are better, but that they keep the parking lot!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/25/2011
Base 0 Stars for the grumpy guy at the deli counter. Seriously, what happened to customer service?… Read more »
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Review from Java B.
San Francisco, CA
8/13/2011
Convenient location but the prices are robbery. $5 for a box of nutri grain bars. $5 for a bottle of cranberry juice. $4 for a small jug of salad dressing (in Ralph brand?). Poor selection of bottled beverages, even more poor if you want them cold. Produce looked okay. Bakery looked pretty good. Lots of single serve options. Deli was limited.
Selection of packaged goods was okay.
Prices are robbery. Hardly anything was on sale in this place. For a Kroger-banner store to have prices higher than a Safeway is unheardof to me. Until I came here. And for some reason my phone number would not work to get card prices (works at every other Kroger-banner store) and they gave me a piece of paper photocopied to fill out for a new club card? I asked for a proper application and was told they did not have any. I was reluctant to fill out this weird piece of paper so they just scanned a card that was sitting on the cash register for me.
Service was fine when I was here. Pretty late at night but they had a few lanes going and lines moved just fine. No complaints there.
Not sure why they use paper bags only and double paper bag everything. I could have carried my items in hand but they gave me double giant paper bags. -
Review from Mayra L.
San Francisco, CA
10/19/2011 2 Check-ins Here
ugh...where do you start with this place?
-terrible food selection and quality
-terrible service. All the workers look like the truly hate their lives
-they are ridiculously overpriced.
I avoid this place like the plague and come here as a last resort. I can't wait til they open a Trader Jo's here.
TIP: Avoid going from 5-on since people get off work and it gets mad busy. -
Review from James B.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 11/19/2011 64 Check-ins Here
Word is that December 3, 2011 is the last day for Cala. Good bye Cala Foods; you were a grocery store when we all needed one. And also when we didn't need one. And when that one guy who wakes up at 4:30am needed one.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/13/2010
Reading some of these reviews, you'd think this place is in a third world country. Maybe I'd you do… Read more »
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Review from Dana S.
San Francisco, CA
6/4/2011
I usually don't write reviews, but I feel that the negative reviews do not do Cala Foods justice! Honestly, Cala isn't all that bad. The seafood selection may be a downer, but if you're just looking for groceries and packaged foods, this is the place for you. The groceries and packaged foods are decent. After all the years I've been here, I haven't encountered expired foods once.
I come here all the time because of its location and the fact that it is a 24-hr store! Plus, there is an open parking lot and a garage. I don't know about you, but free parking sure sounds appealing.
Additionally, prices are reasonable; they're more towards the cheap end. Most of the workers here are either friendly or neutral. Of course, it's common for convenience stores to have a few grumpy workers here and there, so don't expect every worker to be cheerful.
Overall, my experience in Cala Foods has been great. If you live close and if you haven't been here before, you should definitely visit! Oh, and on the rare hot summer days in SF, stopping by for some ice cream wouldn't be such a bad idea! -
Review from Henry P.
San Francisco, CA
12/2/2011
Why'd they gotta close this place?! Aside from picking up expired cookies (stupid me didn't look at the Expiration Date) and the fact that all the meats they have here are either pre-cut or packed, I like the architecture. Used to shop here all the time with my family while growing up, and I was always mesmerized by the swooping roof, the curved ramp, and the windows. Too bad Trader Joe's and CVS are moving in and the circular ramp would be demolished and replaced by an elevator.
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Review from Chris M.
6/7/2011 9 Check-ins Here
I am getting ready to spread my wings and venture out into the wider supermarket world
Since arriving in SF around 11month ago I have almost exclusively shopped at Cala. "Callaaaaaaaa"
It is a good supermarket, albeit slightly expensive and some what limited choice, but hey it is 2 blocks from my apartment and beggars can't be choosers. Some of the offers in the discount club are very competitive so look for the Yellow tickets.
Staff are always reasonably friendly except for the express till, they are very strict on the number of items... don't mess with the express line! Those guys are built for speed not comfort.
On one late night shopping adventure I was the only person at the registers two of which where open, the express and 1 normal register. I when to the express as it was the closest and was told that I had 2 to many items... there was no one else in the place!
On a positive note, if you forget your club card they will normally swipe one anyway.
Time to get wild... lets check out Trader Joes! -
Review from Michael L.
Nob Hill, San Francisco, CA
10/14/2011
This place irks me. Youve got okne checkstand open and 50 people in line. Makes sense. I can't wait until it *POOF* turns into a Trader Joe's!
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Review from Britt B.
San Francisco, CA
5/28/2011
This 24 hour grocery store is 1 block from where I live so I frequent it often. However, I really wish this store was a Safeway or Trader Joes. It's got all the necessities you need but I NEVER buy the meat from here. It looks questionable for some reason. It would be nice if it was a bit cleaner, the floors and the lighting could be updated.
I'm confused, is it Ralphs, Kroger, or Cala Foods? The sales are never clearly advertised which would be nice if they improved upon. -
Review from Beotch E.
San Francisco, CA
12/11/2011
ghetto, but convenient. won't miss you that much, hope TJ's does a better job of bulldozing the homeless and vagrants out of that garage.....seriously SF!!! I know you are advocates for the homeless but having them hang out on your front stoops, inside your grocery stores and piss/poop anywhere and everywhere they can!!!! time for an giuliani type intervention!
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Review from Max A.
San Francisco, CA
8/25/2011
This one's probably too little too late, but here goes ... I've got a new slogan for Cala: We're not organic, but we're A-OK!
You're also not plagued by neurotic freaks who swear they smell a chemical in the air, or annoying twits who are devastated about their favorite hummus being pulled from the shelf.
Cala is all about self-indulgence ... getting there early to grab the good Krispy Kremes, or arriving late to buy a giant tub of ice cream. Granted, the bread selection leaves much to be desired and sometimes the cashiers tend to blather on about random things like the military, but at least they have personality. -
Review from David A.
San Francisco, CA
5/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
One star: and thats for being the only place big enough in the 'nobish' area to get whatever you want at any hour of the day (besides alcohol of course oh and rolling papers)
The place is over priced, unless you have a Cala card which is free (besides the 7 minutes they waste of your time making you fill out a paper they pretty much toss away)
Dont let the employees bring you down! Their morbid attitude towards life and the current job world they absorb themselves in is explained the moment you walk into the fluorescent dungeon -
Review from A D.
San Francisco, CA
6/25/2011
On the expensive side, though the weekly deals can be good. I usually buy what's on sale and nothing else.
24 hours and a parking lot. -
Review from Michelle C.
San Francisco, CA
4/4/2011
BEWARE OF THE CREEPY SECURITY GUARDS!!!!
I've been followed around this store way too many times for no reason. I go here too many times to be followed around like a criminal. It's freakin groceries, what am I going to do? Shove a banana down my pants and run out with a carton of milk?! Bitch please, I'm not that broke!
Find something else to do with your time creepy security guy than following me around before I throw that carton of milk in your face! -
Review from Tim E.
San Francisco, CA
11/21/2011
I cannot believe the swath of bad reviews about this place. The people who work there are actually real people, as opposed to the vile Whole Foods up the street. The place is open 24 hours which is so convenient..All of you people squawking on about the lack of selection...It's fucking Cala! You want gourmet this that and the other, go up to Whole foods and get treated like a piece of dirt...It is absolutely tragic that this place that has been around for years will be bulldozed in a few months to make way for fucking Trader Joes...Trader Joes is great for frozen food and I supppose booze..But Guess what?? They close at fucking 9!..It is also totally souless..Not Cala..It's a real super market with real people..Yes, I love Trader Joes, but when you want tortillas, a bottle of cheap vodka, and and popsicles at 1:30 in the morning, don't come crying to me...Cala, and all the crew who work there...YOu will be missed..Such sweet people...Especially the asian checker guy with the bowl cut..I shall miss you all...
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Review from Ashley J.
5/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
Not the cleanest of grocery stores, but the closest one to me other than the wallet draining Whole Foods. I come here for my weekly food necessities. Prices are pretty good (especially when compared to Whole Foods). I usually try to take advantage of their sale items. There's always something good on sale here.
I've noticed that the outdoor parking lot area has been taken over by local bands with crappy music. Sometimes it's quite entertaining, but I never stick around to listen.
I believe this is also a recycle-exchange place where the collectors wait in long lines to count up the items they dug out from all sorts of bins and baskets and get a refund. Cala can get pretty busy at that point in time.
Cashiers have always been average to friendly.
Protip: Don't buy the produce here unless you're going to use it within a day or 2. I find that all my produce from here kept longer than that tends to mold or go bad very fast. Not the freshest of produce. I'd rather spend the extra dough and buy my fresh ingredients from Whole Foods to ensure longer lasting quality products. -
Review from Amanda S.
Palm Springs, CA
12/26/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I come here to stock up on the basics and dont want to chance going to my corner bodega with an iffy idea if my food is fresh or not.
To be honest I come here around 11pm. or 5am. I have odd hours. and I'm happy Cala accommodates my odd shopping habits.
I choose post st. produce over their selection any day, however I have been known to run here before a dinner party to grab some onions and peppers when on a tight schedule.
The staff is more into their own world/life/how fucked up they were the night before. Far be it from me to ask where some effing yeast is to make bread.
Its ok for what it is. Does not hold a flame to Trader Joes or Whole Foods but I can live with that. -
Review from Court C.
San Francisco, CA
As you can imagine, I'm CRUSHED that Cala will be turning into a Trader's Joe"s( Fall 2011 maybe?). I can't understand why. Anywho, I love that it's 24 hours, the food is fresh, the bakery sweet, and it's close by. But oh well...so long Cala....you'll always be in my prayers...I love u.
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Review from angela r.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 7/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I heard there gonna put a Trader Joes instead whoo!!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/22/2011
I live really close to this super market, but I only use it as a last resort.
The pros:
Open 24 hours… Read more »
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Review from Lesly S.
1/11/2011
Cala. Whatever.
This store makes me passionately indifferent. But its the closest store and saves me from having to deal with the latest crazy organic cleaning item from Whole Foods, when I really just want some Clorox-laden product. Although it feels as expensive as Whole Foods...
I'll keep going, but I won't really like it. -
Review from Troy C.
San Francisco, CA
2/15/2011
I live nearby Calas and have been going there for years...
- It's a grocery store. Nothing too exciting and nothing bad.
- It's great for packaged food, cans, chips, drinks, frozen goods.
- I usually go elsewhere for produce
- The staff is friendly
- It's open 24 hours which is always a good thing!
I know what I'm getting and where to go when I walk into Cala's so as long as I live a couple blocks away I will keep going! -
Review from Pamela R.
San Francisco, CA
12/13/2010
I went, i got a club card, i got food poisoning. Anything that comes prepackaged and in a box is probably OK to buy here, anything else that may expire, I wouldn't touch.
If you live near this spot Muni to:
38 - Trader Joe's
2 - Safeway
27 - Trader Joe's/Safeway -
Review from michael c.
San Francisco, CA
11/7/2011
I've been going here for years and it's mostly out of convenience. It's got pretty much anything you need and prices seem to be about right. My last experience there is what really put me over the edge with this store. The other day I went to buy a few cases of champagne for a party we were having. Knowing that they don't have boxed cases ready to go I asked one of the store associates, Elene M., if they had any boxes and, rather curtly she said no but that she would check. As I walked away I heard her refer to me as "the White boy, white boy, white boy with the blue glasses" as she was talking to a co-worker while at the check out stand. I was completely shocked and appalled that I was referred to in that manner. I have never experienced something like that in my life. Don't expect a high level of service here. No wonder TJ's is moving in there.
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Review from Ben T.
San Francisco, CA
9/11/2011 2 Check-ins Here
i love coming here for alcohol.
end of review -
Review from Stephen D.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 9/20/2011
Clearly what's a sign of being on their last leg (somehow, despite lines being miles long), they now close at 1AM and open at 6AM. still damn good hours, but you can tell there will be alot of trouble between now and when Trader Joe's takes over the property.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/5/2011
Cala is an awesome store that I'm really pissed to see get turned in another store that caters… Read more »
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Review from Daniel R.
Houston, TX
7/29/2011
I used to live a block away and would come here pretty often. It isn't terrible, certainly isn't great. I went here for convenience, now I go elsewhere. Other than the Whole Foods, there really isn't another large grocery store for quite a ways. I would also note that maybe some day I will see the chickens that they get their chicken breasts from. They must be enormous.
On a positive note, I was always a big fan of their garlic bread. -
Review from Kathy V.
7/30/2010 1 photo
Cala Foods is a local grocery store 1 block away from job. I tend to go here a couple of times during the week for lunch. They have quite a selection in their deli department. Sandwiches are $5.00 anyway you want them. I usually get Mortadella on dutch crunch bread and everything on it or if I see they have crab and shrimp salad out I will ask them to put that on dutch crunch. Thier sandwiches also comes with chips or potato salad. That's a deal for me!! In their deli dept, there is also a sushi stand, where they make it fresh daily and serve hot food of course.
What's great about this place for me? If I don't feel like going grocery after work, I can walk to Cala and do my shopping on my break!
Check out my morning bun that I picked up @ Cala! YES well deserved =)
