Jeff B.
Yelp
(Shopped 05/28/20 TH @ 10:00am and many times before and certainly after): Derived from arkong bato meaning "stone arch" as an homage to a town section in Manila, I would cross its threshold whenever I needed food from my culture!
ARKO Foods has been in my family as long as I could remember, and I was more than proud to carry on the tradition until my final day. This go-to Filipino butcher shop, grocery store, money-transfer service, and turo-turo has been in the area long before Seafood City Supermarket opened nearby in the Eagle Rock Plaza. Thankfully, I was glad to see this smallish mom & pop neighborhood grocery store still thrived as everything else around it has changed. Here was a quick snapshot of my most recent visit:
PURCHASE
3 Ladies 50lb Jasmine Rice Bag ($54.99): Personally, I was a Botan Calrose Rice kind of guy since I was raised on it my entire life. However, this was all they had left and sorely needed rice since we were completely out, so I hauled this thing around from the store to my car and into the house. I loved jasmine rice but never bought it, so I didn't know what to expect when I cooked it. Thankfully, all was good, and I loved the fragrant aroma. However, if my memory served me correctly this was nearly double of what I usually paid for the Botan Calrose Rice bag. Heck... when you got to have rice https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=lz8-ELk9rM0gZlh1na2_BA&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw!
Regent Green V Green Peas Snack ($0.69): A new snack item to me that I enjoyed, this proved to be extra crunchy and left a ton of crumbs all over my t-shirt and boardshorts although I licked my fingers clean.
Goldilocks Ube Mamon ($2.19): Moist and sticky, this made a wonderful breakfast.
Goldilocks Ube Ensaymada ($3.09); Also moist and sticky, I also included this with my breakfast-on-the-go meal.
Kikkoman Soy Sauce 2qt. Bottle ($9.49): Truly the soy sauce brand of choice (at least in my upbringing it has been) and again completely out at home, Filipinos cooked and put this stuff in everything by the cupfuls. If I could've bought a barrel I would've https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=qbf2eHV076cAcwfElOOTxw&userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw!
SERVICE
During this quick shopping trip in the throes of COVID-19, there was a sink outside to wash your hands before you entered. Once inside, "6-feet-distance-rule" floor markers were everywhere. There was no need for any customer service because I knew exactly what I wanted and where to find them until I reached the checkout counter at which time the female cashier quickly rang me up and sent me on my way. All was easy-peasy.
PARKING (FREE)
They had a fairly large private parking lot; otherwise, there appeared to be plenty of street parking along the main drag of Colorado St. - 'nuff said.
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
A medium-sized storefront with a tight and wrapping layout inside with a small produce section on your right, the butcher section along the middle back section, a refrigerated section along the left wall, the turo-turo food counter along the front part of the store to your left, and several long food aisles filled with shelves. Every conceivable space was utilized. Decent amount of natural lighting came through the front glass doors while soul-sucking fluorescent electric ceiling lights covered the rest. I didn't recall seeing any TVs or background music.
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
I saw no reason to stop the tradition of shopping at ARKO Foods and hoped the community continued to show their support. The product selection was very niche as was most international grocers, the prices were affordable (except the rice; I wanted Calrose!), the service was adequate, and although I didn't purchase any prepared food it was usually fresh and tasty. Lastly, it was always a pleasure to support small businesses AND my ethnic culture. I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $70.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And although they accepted credit cards, not mine of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS