Lyla D.
Yelp
We had planned to celebrate Christmas with family in LA since they came home to Hawaii to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. At the time, my eldest brother-in-law mentioned the opening of a new 99 Ranch Market in Westwood that is closer and more convenient to his home and promised to take us here to shop or market. Well, since we are down to our last full day of a two-week vacation in Los Angeles, today was THE day to go there.
The new 99 Ranch - Westwood is located at the corner of Westwood Boulevard and Rochester Avenue and officially opened on November 29, 2023. My brother-in-law has visited this location several times since it opened and gave us a rundown of the new market. His descriptions encouraged us to get there early in our vacation, before Christmas Day, but unfortunately, we had other activities. We liked the design or layout of the store where the entrance is opposite from its checkout stands, and there's less chance(s) of customers entering the store to retrieve a grocery cart with those leaving with carts to ever bump into each other.
We immediately noticed more variety of Asian food products (fresh and frozen), yet the market is much smaller than other 99 Ranch Markets that we've been into. Also, the food displays appeared more organized and less picked through. Also, there wasn't a butcher on duty, so all meats were cut, packaged, and neatly displayed. However, there was a fishmonger on duty who was friendly and efficient as he scooped out live shellfish from tanks or fresh fish from the display case before weighing and labeling them for purchase. The shelves of dried food ingredients, canned goods, and pre-packaged snacks were colorful, neatly stacked, and clearly marked with product descriptions and prices.
There is a bakery/coffee shop at the Rochester Avenue end of the store where many Asian savory or sweet pastries can be found.
Maybe because I was chilled for the mid-morning overcast and drizzly weather, I could only think about making meals for hot pot, Korean BBQ, steamed or stir-fried fish dishes, or Chinese meat or seafood casseroles.
I look forward to returning to this market and will explore its food court the next time I'm here.