"They have very unique and tasty deli salads as well."
(in 30 reviews)
"Great produce, great meat, lots of organic options."
(in 35 reviews)
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Real Food Company
Rating Details »
Categories: Health Markets, Grocery [Edit]
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow3060 Fillmore Street
(between Filbert St & Union St)
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 567-6900
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- Hours:
Mon-Sun. 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
101 reviews for Real Food Company
Review Highlights
This business is a Yelp Sponsor
10/28/2009
11/16/2009
10/3/2009
11/20/2009
8/12/2009
9/11/2009
7/9/2009
9/7/2009
7/6/2009
9/28/2009
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1/31/2009
5/5/2009
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4/4/2009
8/11/2009
11/30/2008
2/23/2009
Updated - 7/18/2008
9/11/2009
10/4/2008
4/18/2009
6/2/2009
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3/5/2008
4/7/2009
7/14/2008
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5/20/2009
4/7/2008
3/16/2009
5/28/2007
2 photos
10/30/2006
6/26/2008
2/20/2007
1/5/2007
9/13/2007
One of the Business' Favorite Reviews What's This?
While standing at the prepared food counter, trying to decide what to shove down my gullet in a hurry, in my car, in secret, I noticed a woman next to me ordering pints of roasted brussel sprouts and roasted broccoli.
She was gorgeous. Flowing red hair, a leather motorcycle jacket, holding a shiny helmet.
I think she was a deity sent down to spread the word, because when I said, "Those look good," she looked at me, eyes glowing, and said, "They are made with magic".
Well that was it.
If they are selling something made with magic, then I want in.
Let me tell you right now, these brussel sprouts ARE magic. Super simply prepared with olive oil, salt and pepper they taste like candy.
Ok, they don't taste like candy. Kids would NOT be happy if you passed these out on Halloween. They would probably throw eggs at your house after. Eggs or crap. Either one is bad.
But they are so delicious that I crave them all the time. Which could mean that I am just vitamin deficient from my steady diet of M&M's and Cheezits. OR it might just mean they are made with magic.
Beyond the sprouts, I think they mix a little magic in with their rice salad and their roasted butternut squash too.
Four stars instead of five because Real Foods is expensive.
But, it's also magic.
And magic is expensive.
It's MAGIC, people.
MAGIC. And magic costs MONEY.
Just ask Harry P. how much his school books are.
I've been here are few times but hadn't thought to review it until now. Great deli counter (buy some olives and hummus if they have it and then walk to the back counter and have them slice up some prosciutto for you - this is how you dine like a capital r), decent wine selection, the produce is fresh, a good choice if you're out on this end of town and you're looking for somewhat pricey natural groceries.
I stopped in late on the way home because I was hungry and Rachel's review said the brussel sprouts were made with magic. They had the brussel sprouts ready to go in a pre-pack container but I had to pause because brussel sprouts and I got history.
You see, when my mom was a little girl, her mom made brussel sprouts for her. Brussel sprouts are one of those vegetables that are terrible if prepared wrong (hence their reputation) and both my mother and my aunt recall my grandmother as a strong, warm, fascinating woman who survived Minsk, New York City, and Cheyenne, a loving mother, and an awful cook. My mom to this day does not like brussel sprouts, and never served them when I was little.
But our people (Rachels and mine but probably not yours) have a saying: "What the son wants to forget, the grandson wants to remember." I tried to reconnect with brussel sprouts, but having no cooking guidance, I came to dislike them as my mother did before me.
I have since tasted properly done brussel sprouts and I'm open minded about them now, but I opted for edamame and calamari salad that night which has plenty of magic in it too, but mostly it's little bits of squid and seaweed.
The short answer is that I don't like brussel sprouts that much and the calamari salad tastes good. and the prosciutto.
Real Foods Company is a great place for a quick lunch outside. Their prepared food is of great quality and all the salads are fresh and delicious.
The orzo salad is amazig. I also enjoy the grilled veggies.
The sushi here is great. I usually would never eat pre packages sushi but the stuff there is better than some sushi restaurants.
So yes, don't come here if you're a coupon cutter or if you are spending your unemployment check, but in the store's defense, I'm sure it's not cheap to be in such a big piece of real estate in such a high end neigborhood, and also to be able to have it feel like a nice shopping experience, rather than an Un-Lucky's massive mart. As good a selection as you could get for the size of the place, friendly (enough) staff. They aren't going to have every single thing you want, but it's convenient, high quality, fresh food.
As I've gotten a little bit older, I've turned into more and more of a food snob. Whereas Safeway used to suffice, I am now more of a Whole Foods kind of gal...
I really enjoy grocery stores that offer yummy fresh foods and good organic options. I don't do all of my grocery shopping here but I love to stop in for a snack or for a few delicious items!
Real Foods is a good place for really wholesome food items. They have a wide array of health conscious choices. The selection of supplements and herbal supplies is outstanding.
Be prepared to pay a bit more. Yeah I know, but 100 percent natural food and so forth is not cheap. There are some sales and bargain items. You just have to look and know what to buy.
Take time to read the labels and ask staff to help
Staff is friendly and helpful. Credit & ATM cards are accepted. Meter parking is available. Keep in mind Marina & Cow Hollow Hollow area is busy so it is not easy.
Entrance is wheel char accessible and has tables and chairs to sit if you want to take a moment to eat, have a cup of coffee or read the paper. They have a deli of fresh made sandwiches and unique meal creations.
Worth a visit.
Real Food does not have the extensive repertoire of groceries that I typically like to see when I shop. However, it is GREAT in a pinch; when I just can't get my ass in the car over to Trader Joe's or Safeway, I walk the 4 blocks down and get a few things to tide me over.
I've found some absolute gems in here. For example:
Gold Rush Honey (from Canada) - Hands down the best honey I've ever had. Warning, it's crack-like.
PopChips (salt and vinegar kind) - So deelish and you don't feel bad about eating them either!
Chicken Verde Burrito (Frozen) - This is great if you don't feel like cooking but still want something satisfying and hearty.
Red Quinoa Salad - This is in their deli section and is so healthy and unique.
They also have an amazing isle of all natural skin and hair products along with vitamins. My one complaint would have to be that it's way too damn expensive. I never walk out of there spending less than $30 and I've literally only gotten a few things.
Happy shopping!
I lived near here for a couple of years and only stopped in 3 times. I love to cook and always have my eye out for something new and different to try. I truly believe grocery shopping, organic or not, shouldn't make you feel like "OMG did I really just spend that much money?!"
Their staff is only somewhat friendly and I expect if a butcher is going to hand you a specialty item to cook, they should automatically know to give you advice on how to prepare it, temp, time, etc. I do think it's great that you can find vitamins and harder to find items like pro-biotic pills or interesting non-dairy options, but how can a small basket of strawberries cost $6? When there are so many other options in the City such as the Ferry Building, Falletti's or even the Whole Paycheck, I can't see why this place charges what they do.
You know why I like Real Food? Because they make my life easy and save me time, and any business that can do that gets my support.
Grass fed beef, free range poultry, cage free eggs, and all the above sans antibiotics and growth hormones - just the way I want it. I honestly don't have the time, energy or desire to scan EVERYTHING in Safeway to ensure their ingredients meet these standards (or organic standards, in some cases), so I like shopping at Real Food since they do the pre-scan for me. Also, I like that most of their food is locally grown.
Easy. Done. YES!
(And sure they may be a bit pricey, but quality is always worth the price.)
Quality, staff attitude and price. By and large, the quality of all on offer is quite high. The staff and their attitude range from fair to shite. Real Food Company thinks a lot of what they offer and charge you accordingly.
If you find yourself skipping the ferry building Saturday morning, Real Food's has you covered. I absolutely love the produce and more importantly, the staff. They are so friendly, helpful and nice. About a year ago I discovered their "create your own sandwich" and have been returning ever since. Honestly anywhere that has rosemary focaccia and locally grown vegetables knows whats up with being organic. For a truly organic, delicious dose of veggies, stop by real foods -even after you've slept in on Saturday.
They only get two stars because the deli section is good. The food in general is good here, minus the produce section. Why does organic and local have to look so substandard and shabby? Why do I have to find flies and bugs in my salad if I choose to be responsible? I cannot even look in the direction of the produce.
The actual beef I have with this place is not the produce, but the service. The people behind the counter consistently act holier-than-thou if you do not bring your own bag. I actually have my own and try to remember, but sometimes shopping is not always so planned. Even if all my things, just a small purse, are sitting up on the counter as I count out money- and clearly I need a bag for 10 items- they will look at me and ask if I need a bag *with ATTITUDE*. I should rephrase that because I rarely get a good look in the eye. I won't be mean and describe the hipster that is the rudest, he knows who he is. Don't talk to your friends and ignore me as if I were not there just because I don't have a bag or my nose pierced. You work in the Marina, buddy, and don't forget you chose the job.
My friend and I have decided to boycott until they shape up and try to be considerate of us non-tree-hugging humans. I am only a part-time tree hugger but when I am not, I still pay for those groceries and I am sure that silly brown bag.
I LOVE me some Real Food.
I don't do my grocery shopping here, but I come here for lunch quite often. Their deli sandwiches are so good. I love the mozzarella and pomodoro sandwich, but I also enjoy "building my own" when I feel like getting a little crazy. They have tons of breads, and AMAZING veggies- I'm talking mixed greens, tomatoes, onions, SPROUTS, cucumbers, etc...YUM!
As a sushi fanatic, I decided to give their sushi a whirl recently and it is fantastic. I loved it and strongly suggest it.
They have very unique and tasty deli salads as well. I've tried a bunch and they have all been equally satisfying.
1 star off because when ordering a sandwich the workers can be verrrryyyy slow, but I won't hold it to 'em because it's worth the wait (and the price).
I loooooooved my Fresh deli sandwich. It was delish.
The guy who rang me up though, well like a few folks mentioned on yelp, Smelled and looked like he didn't a shower for a few days or maybe even weeks. Poor guy, he seemed out of it.
Regardless, the food from the deli was great.
The guys that work at Real Food Co look exactly like the stereotypical hipster stoner & it's awesome; totally gives Real Food Co character. (so much better than Safeway)
They have a decent selection of organic produce, a meat department & a small deli. They carry most of the things Whole Foods would, but smaller scale since the store is much smaller.
I go to Real Foods at least twice a week to get something to make for dinner; I do not like planning in advance, how the hell am I supposed to know what I will want to eat in a week? It's quick convenient & the food is good. Prices are comparable to Whole Foods, which I'm OK with for organic food.
I've worked in the hood for over 2 years now and I go to Real Foods often for lunch breaks. Who cares if the dudes behind the deli counter look stoned? They probably are. They work at REAL FOODS...an ORGANIC grocery store in SAN FRANCISCO. it's not like it's your doctors office or something.
Anyways, their sushi is very good, always fresh, and their sandwiches are really good as well!! I nom them alll the time.
The old guy making my sandwich refused to wash his hands after running them under bleach, and then talked shit to me. I will never go back there. Plus its way too expensive.
THIS IS THE ONLY BAD VIEW I HAVE EVER WRITTEN
Yes this is the standard, typical drunk/high/whatev staff of real food co. checking your groceries out and answering questions you have like mine, ("do you have chopsticks for the rolls?") with a seven-second pause and a slow, "they should be over there......." and return to pausing and then asking to scan the next of the total four items - understaffed, not a bunch of selection; keep in mind, it's not meant to... i like the patio outside you can sit at and just relax in the sun on, i love the wraps and vegan cakes they have (and donuts), but, yes, it's expensive, and not something i would patronize often, unless i'm in the area and want no more than four items... it's a very laid-back grocery store
BUT
they have some foods i love so i'll be back, you know i can't pass those vegan donuts and wraps up.
"and if yuhh don'tknow, nowya know, ............" - notorious big
Love the place. Love the food. coffee is great !
Review Formula: 1 star for poor checker customer service, over-priced bad produce and a deli counter filled with fatty, fake healthy deli salads, plus 5 stars for very friendly and good meat/fish department equals two stars total.
I shop here about twice a week, patiently putting up with the pretentious self -righteous service offered mainly by the checkers. I resisted temptation to Yelp about the one chick a couple months back, who blasted me for not giving up my green little basket containing my cherry tomatoes. She asked me if I needed it, and I replied "yes, it holds my tomatoes." She stared at me for a long minute, then informed me, most self-importantly, that i would get a 10 cent discount if I brought it back to re-use it next time i shopped. I fumed but smiled and nodded, then continued to feel guilty after I threw it away- this chick nearly gave my PTSD.
I had to Yelp though after my experience tonight, with my friend Nicole as witness. The checker scolded me for for not being able to tell him with 100 % certainty that the PLU for mocha marble maple crunch was 1813. After he typed in 1813 and it properly registered, he educated me while sanctimoniously tying an elaborate knot in the plastic bag, about the little twisty ties located in the bulk bin section, that i can use tie the bags. He even continued to elaborate on the pens, also located there, in which I could use to write the PLU number on the twisty tie.
I resisted telling him about how when I was a grocery store checker back in high school, I memorized those PLU numbers within the first couple weeks. It was a fun brainteaser, kinda like SAT prep. So, my advice to you for finding happiness and a sense of accomplishment in your career, checker guy, is memorization. It might make your job more fun too.
A few words...
1) Produce - nothing is firm, most veggies/herbs are wilted and drab. Depressing display of produce everytime I go.
2) The cashiers are stoned or something. I get sleepy watching them work. It takes them ages to scan the items and then bag it. Even their speech is a bit slurred and incoherent. Their response time is delayed as well. You ask them a question and it seem like they really have to concentrate to formulate a response, then the speech slowly follows.
3) Meat - very small selection. It's one of everything it seems. 2 chicken breasts, 1 slab of meat, 2 lbs of ground meat. That's it!
4) Over priced for quality and very very very sparse inventory of everything
So, after writing my original review of Real Foods, I received this private message in response from a mysterious Yelp member with ONE review (of Real Foods), and ONE obscure picture. I dont know...sounds pretty fishy to me...cough cough:
"you're a dick head
who cares what you hate
nobody fucking forces you to go to real foods
i bet you drive too
have you bitched about the gas prices yet?
or have you not even noticed that
you mindless cunt"
WELL, ok then...PSYCHOPATH!!!! I'm getting images of Jack Nicholson in The Shining over here...teeth grinding and all...
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/2/2008
This market is overpriced as hell! I've been duped into buying some food here a few times, because… Read more »
ok, i've only been here once. still, i wasn't in love. i bought a coconut bar for dessert, and a honey-crisp apple for a snack. the apple cost me $1.04. really?! for an APPLE? sorry, no can do.
This particular Real Food is Real Wierd. I only shop here when
I don't have time to go somewhere else.
This store is a mixed bag. The selection is ok. Layout fine. The produce only so-so (and overpriced).
But the worst part is the check-out staff. With only a few exceptions, these are some of the most indifferent, slowest check-out people I've ever encountered. It's like a bunch of stoner/slackers are running the place.
Customer service (at least at check-out) is non-existent.
They almost seem resentful that you're interrupting their daze
by asking them to ring up your groceries.
The service is so consistently lousy, I'm starting to
believe it's intentional. I can imagine the requirements to work here:
"Must be lethargic, indifferent and a touch bitter."
Is this part of the "natural" ethos? Are these guys just so damn pure,
they don't believe in exerting any energy at all? The group at
Whole Foods is generally more energetic and professional. At least they make eye contact with you and say "hello".
My checker today at Real Food actually STOPPED mid-way through scanning my groceries, picked up the newspaper I was buying, and just stared at it for about 30 seconds. I had to ask him what was going on.
He stopped looking at the paper, and reluctantly went back to scanning.
What's with this place??
l am obsessed with their deli.
Their sandwiches are the best deli type sandwiches you can get on or around Union St. The have a "make it your way" option, which I always hit up. Also their other deli options are fabulous as well. I love their spicy tofu salad and the chicken curry salad. It is kind of expensive, but I feel like its worth it because its fresh and because there isn't a lot else around in this vein.
The prepackaged deli section is good, but a step below the other deli options. The sushi is OK as far as grocery store sushi goes. But if you want a sandwich stick with the deli and skip the pre made.
I have a hard time stopping here for lunch and not ordering the Spicy Chicken Breast sandwich. I love Real Foods deli. Haven't done much shopping here, but their food is always fresh. I just wish the patio was a little warmer. For some reason, even in the summer, it feels like the arctic out there.
Great products.
When I need Quinoa or a refill on my homeopathic remedies or a grilled chicken breast for lunch, this is my stop.
The service is kind of crappy though.
Most of the people behind the counter are slow and too busy talking amongst themselves.
Some days you get good service, some days you get ignored, its a toss up.
I still go there though, what is the alternative in the area? Safeway???? Fu*k No!
I called the phone number listed for Polk street Real Food on yelp. The lady answered and said
Lady: "Real Food on Fillmore"
Me: "Oh this number is for the store on Fillmore?"
Lady: "Yeap!"
Me: "Could you give me the phone number for the Polk street location?"
Lady: It's in the phone book. You can look it up.
Me: ?.............?............?............. Ok.....
What a customer service. Who uses phone book these days anyway...
FYI the correct number for Polk street location is (415) 673-7420 - I edited on the yelp as well
I had another pleasurable shopping experience at this Real Foods! They found my toothpaste! (Many distributors are no longer carrying it!) We all talked for a while about holistic dentists and natural shampoo--everyone was so knowledgable!
I'd rather grab a nice sandwich here than eat at Left at Albequerque or Betulnut on a Saturday afternoon any day.
You can get all organic produce or a huge variety of deli choices to choose from.
After you make your purchases, you can sit outside while you gaze at all the bluetooth headsets and hoodies with greek letters.
The first time I came here was a few years back, the night of the Marina Challenge. That debacle consisted of 10 - 15 of us with one goal - hitting every single bar on Union and Chestnut for a drink. I don't remember much from the challenge, except my lone non-liquid nourishment was from the Real Food Company. And we made it.
Years later, I returned, much, much, much, much more sober. And this time I will remember much more, including one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. Turkey, cranberry sauce, sprouts and other assorted veggies were piled higher than I've ever seen on two slices of wheat bread that were barely able to hold the weight of the food. It was absolutely delicious.
I go for the Kombucha.
So I've been into Real Foods many many times since I moved 2 blocks from here but today was the first day I was compelled to review. Why? Because i finally found my long-sought after favorite Tazo tea flavor...HoneyBush!!! I have never seen it in a store and it is the BEST. Yay Real Foods!
So Real Foods isn't cheap, but the goods are quality and much of it is local. They have a small selection too sometimes, but for my mid-week shopping it's perfect. I've been forced to try weird things like vegan worsterschire sauce and the like but it's still worth it!
Also...best prepared food and sandwiches ever!
Used to shop here all the time, until I started noticing the following:
Produce: Usually not very fresh. Usually ridiculously overpriced. I guess I never looked because I never thought you could charge so much for a red bell pepper - but they do. I don't care if it is grown by parapalegic refugee farmers that use snow leopard dung for fertilizer. No red bell pepper should cost $6.99 per lb!!
Staff: You work on the corner of Fillmore and Filbert St. You should expect people in coat and ties to come in around 6:00, as a handful of people who live in the area might have jobs that require a reasonable dress code. This does not make said people "white devils" or "rich assholes", it just means they have a job that unfortunately doesn't let them wear hooded sweatshirts, hipster hats, and get away without showering. Don't hate them, they are shopping at your f*cking store!!!
Otherwise this place has a great meat department and has all the weird hippie organic stuff that you sometimes need. Get some fresher, reasonably priced produce and get your checkers a Tony Robbins CD set and I'll kick Safeway to the curb....
This is a really nice market. Good produce, good prepared foods (on the left), and nice selection of bulk bins (in the back). The store gets great light, and it really makes for a pleasant shopping experience. The Real Food on Polk http://www.yelp.com/bi... seems dank and cramped by comparison (especially in the back meat/fish dept.).
Tip: Excellent prepared foods section makes for a great lunch spot (and they have tables outside).
Real Food Co on Fillmore and Filbert....Witness the clash of civilizations in which Mission hipsters serve Cow Hollow/Marina clients with aloof disdain. Thank god I was wearing a SLINT sweatshirt when i went in there last time. The cashier actually talked to me.
Good selection of products. Very good produce and fish/meat/poultry. Prices on a par with whole paycheck.
[According to Polk's 1953 San Francisco Directory, Golden Gate Garage was located here.]
At first this all-organic market was refreshing and cool. Their organic sushi is not bad and they have my favorite ginger-beer. Its gotten really old though. Its hard having it be a main source for all your grocery needs because its ridiculously expensive and they aren't kidding....everrrryyyything is organic. Even their tampons and toothpaste. They dont sell hard-liquor...so I had to dock a star for that. Call me lazy but I just dont have the time to get my whisky at one store, my produce at another, and my soap at another.
If you want organic...this is your dream market.
They have some cute scruffy guys working here, but they get old fast, just like this market.
A nice yuppie-hippie organic high-end supermarket. Looks like a Whole Foods, but with more aisle space and fewer customers. We dropped in to pick up some scented soaps, but a look over the produce and the meat section showed high quality. Yes, high price as well.
They also have a pretty good deli.
Bottom line: Will I come back? Yes, when I'm in the neighborhood.
I really like this place. I usually get the meat for my holiday dinners here because, though small, I really like their meats department. They have sushi grade fish, and organic meats and the cuts are beautiful (and so is one of the butchers).
The prices are way too high so I can't give more than 3 stars. But boy was my Christmas dinner delicious because of the meat.
These jokers saved me a couple of years back on Thanksgiving.
I waited till the last minute to get some produce and they were open....nice place. Got a Whole foods vibe to it so be prepared to drop some cashola. I liked it since it was the only place in the marina where the employees didn't follow me around to make sure I wasn't shoplifting. Got to love this "diverse" city.
