Ken's Market

Delicious and stacked sandwich for average price point. The bread is so crispy and crunchy on the outside, and soft and chewy on the inside!

Most expensive grocery store I’ve ever been to. Almost always spend over $100 on several days worth of groceries at best. But it’s conveniently close, the ready made entrees are tasty, good beverage selection, and the staff is friendly.

Local grocer I wish I could leave a more positive review for. Sadly I got a sandwich that made me ill (think it was the busted plastic wrap I should have paid attention to) and noticed expired products. Big bummer, really wanted to love this nearby option. Did enjoy the sweet staff and olipop.

Great little grocery store. Not a huge selection of produce, but I was able to get what I needed. What really brought us to Ken's though was an article in the Sub-Missives column in The Stranger, which praised Ken's pre-made sandwiches. The Chinese pork sandwich (with the unexpected addition of mortadella) and the turkey on rosemary bread were delicious. I believe their bread is from Macrina Bakery, which is a plus. Likely won't be doing our regular shopping here, but we'll be back for the sandwiches.

Love Ken's Market!! I've been shopping at Ken's for years and I'm always pleased with their food and beverage selections.

The Deli has a delicious Instagram famous burger for only $6! Make no mistake though, this is not a typical Deli sandwich! This is a ground chuck steak burger made only on Tuesdays and Thursdays! They are not made to order, they are made in advance. They only make a certain amount so don't be tardy! We got there at about 2:30pm on Thursday and there were only about 6 or 7 burgers left. By the time I paid for my burger, had a couple bites and decided I wanted another one I looked over at the burger shelf and it was vacant... 🥺 Got a Gatorade from the Market and ate in the Deli. Minus 1 star only because there should be more burgers! 😋

Very cool local shop with a nice selection of the basics but with a small town feel, and most importantly LOTS of items from local businesses. Great place to pickup beers from local breweries, and my "go to" is to get Lighthouse Roasters coffee beans. Lighthouse is the BEST coffee, and their coffee shop isn't open very late - so it's so nice to be able to find their amazingly delicious fresh beans at the local shop who supports their local businesses (and stays open late). Everytime you come to Ken's you're likely to find a new flavorful treasure that you didn't know about before, and is often from nearby!

Went a lil while ago while on vacation, loved everyone there all super nice!!! The cashier girl with the cool shirt was very good!

Ken's is great. A true neighborhood staple and independent grocer. I'll start with the one downside: big-box items are insanely expensive at Ken's. Be prepared to pay $6-8 for a bag of goldfish or carton of Oatly. But that's what Fred Meyer is for. Where Ken's shines is their local sourcing. They've got a fantastic produce section with local, seasonal items and competitive prices. They've got mom+pop handcrafted ice cream that beats anything Kroger can sell you. I've become obsessed with the Vashon Island pear cider they sell and the plum onigiri that's made by Modern Sushi down the street. Oh and the staff is always friendly, the shelves are always clean and well-stocked, and they're open 15 hours/day. What a great place.

I've been shopping here for 5+ years, only because of the convenience, and this store has had so much turnaround, no consistency, and usually kids with attitudes working. I mainly would like to call out the deli department for being extremely rude with the loud inappropriate conversations happening behind the counter (why talk about baby cremation?) and treating the customers like shit. I ask for a bag, I'm about to grab the bag and you yell at me for the 10 cents? Here's a dollar and keep the change for the next person who would like a bag. Have a nice day and thanks for the burnt food. I do have to say, the older employees (managers) are good and that shows since they've been there for more than a year.

This review is specifically for the smash burger. The store seems great, clean with lots of local selection, but I had the pup with me (waiting outside) so I didn't have time to shop. The smash burger was completely on point, made to the exact specifications of a true smash burger. When you see that the price is only $6 it turns the experience from a great burger, to a great overall value as well.

Cute, smaller grocery store tucked in Phinney Ridge. Prices are higher on some items than you'll find at other area groceries, but it's honestly pretty competitive to other grocery stores. This store is also very clean with a nice deli counter. The staff is kind and professional, and it's not a self scanner!

It's a neighborhood mainstay and the sandwiches are some of the best in the area.

Get the brisket sandwich...you WILL NOT be disappointed...probably one of the best sandwiches I've ever had. Great taste...slight kick...cole slaw in it compliments it really well...I don't even have to look at a menu anymore!

Nice place but two slices of turkey on a $12 sandwich is ridiculous. I know Seattle is notorious for skimpy portions come on. Thanks Ken. Still hungry.

We love it here! The neighborhood Market that has been serving Phinney Ridge since the late 1960s (I think) is clean, organized and has just enough selection so as not to overwhelm. We once participated in an olive oil tasting and splurged on the delicious bottle of goodness! Staff are often found smiling, greeting and assisting their patrons in a way that is natural rather than a forced part of the job. Many organic items can be found in store, along with staples like cereals found elsewhere, giving shoppers a varied set of choices.

I've been an occasional customer at Ken's Market on Greenwood Avenue for more than sixteen years. Why not regular? The prices are high - they were considerably higher than PCC even before prices went up so much. But Ken's is convenient. It has amazed me again and again how there are frequently several more employees in the store than customers. That's great - so Ken's provides jobs for youth - no complaint about that. Preferably they have representation and health care, vacation, suitable benefits - for the prices Ken's charges. The reason I will not return to Ken's in 2023 is that management is too lax. The employees repeatedly express grievance about the management, and the employees do not have sufficient training. It is one thing for a cashier to express how very special they themselves are to customers - regularly. Fine! - self-love should be good. This is, however, like having an orchid shoved up to your face every time you come in. It is very much another thing for the same employee to critique the customer's choice of purchase - "Aren't you tired of that flavor, yet?" they said - and then for the insult to become a running joke among employees. No. Thank. You. The very-special cashier should not have questioned my purchase. That should be all. But. The other cashiers should not have made a joke of it when I was willing to forgive and give Ken's another try. I had been willing to be up-front and honest with staff, but that second chance only confirmed a consistent lack of basic tact. I can really only blame it on the manager.

Always such friendly and helpful employees! Always has what I need too. A great neighborhood market!

Visited Ken's Market because just finished eating posole at Hecho and The Homie needed ingredients for his chef school homework assignment. I also brought a Chinook Book coupon with me where I receive a reusable bag if I spent a minimum of $15. Not a problem there. Last time I visited all I bought were high end chocolate bars. Used to shop at the other Ken's Market when I lived on Queen Anne and shopped once at Marketime in Fremont. Definitely meant for immediate neighborhood needs and specific brands, less variety. Think polar opposite of the chains and Costco. Convenient and small scale pleasant.

My partner had an unfortunate interaction with an employee at Ken's. It wasn't a horrible interaction, in the scheme of things, but the kind that might stick with a person, so we took it to Shayna, the store manager. It makes a difference to me, how issues are addressed. Shayna was perfect - sincerely concerned with wanting her customers to feel comfortable in the store - kind and generous and attentive in her reply. No small thing, in my mind. We love this neighborhood store. Great selection, great people, great customer service. Love how they continue to stay connected to their community, caring about the people, supporting local organizations, and sourcing local products. (haven't tried Yonder Cider, but have met the employees, and heard rave reviews)

The pros are the very reason for the cons and vice versa. It's a small specialized store, so that's good if you're looking for specialized and may local items. It's bad for selection and variety. It's a convenient and small neighborhood stop and shop which makes it easy to navigate, but the prices are high because it's not a huge chain. Very little parking. The food in the deli is pretty good, but yet they operate with big inconsistency, and you never know if they're going to be open or have what you're looking for. Got three different stories on the whole Thanksgiving meal items. Went in twice based on the information on their website and in person, and neither time did they have it, so no product and big waste of time. On the other hand, got some food that was ready to go for dinner, and it was pretty good. Would like to be more definitive, but my review is reflective of the business--wishy washy.

If you want to watch people chit chat for 20 minutes after you've ordered something, head to the deli at Kens. Or don't, if you want to get anything done that day.

I was at this store on Jan 21 to buy deli sandwiches. I watched as a staff member pulled down his mask constantly, went over to where sandwiches were being made, put food in his mouth, and then kept working touching food. This is so unsanitary, especially given the current pandemic. I emailed the store and did not receive a response. It is too bad. I liked shopping/eating here, but I will not be back.

Every time that I've been inside Ken's market I leave with food that is absolutely fantastic yeah that is absolutely fantastic. Indeed 5 or 6 times I've been in there every time I've gotten one of their soups and every time it's been a different soup and every time that soup has been amazing.. I've got some other items for the meals that I've purchased food for along with the soup like their roast beef sandwiches As well as some of their pastries and everything is absolutely great. Whoever they have doing their cooking especially their soups they need to give them a raise

Ken's Market is a treasure. Small but well provisioned (including liquor cabinet). Made-in-house products are excellent. Customer service outstanding.

Smack in the middle of the best and most walkable neighborhood in the city, Phinney Ridge (98.6% walkable score according to Apartment Finder), is Ken's Market with a below average selection of what you would normally get at Fred Meyer, Safeway, Haggen's, Albertson's, etc. I came here looking for acidophilus milk, which nobody seems to have any more, and it's so important for your body and digestive system and immune system. Okay, I can live with that. But the PRICES. STICKER SHOCK. WOW. For a moment, I thought I was back in Alaska. -- 1 Gallon regular Milk, $4.29. Fred Meyer, $1.79 usually on sale. --1/2 Gallon regular milk, $2.99. Fred Meyer $1.99. --1 each regular (Tillamook) Yogurt, $1.55. Fred Meyer, Safeway, 10/$6.00 or 60 cents each. --1 Gallon Organic Milk, $7.99. Fred Meyer, Safeway, $5.99 --Dave's Bread, 1 loaf, $6.99. Fred Meyer, Safeway, $4.99. --Ice Cream, Dreyer's, 1.75 Quarts, $6.99. Fred Meyer, Safeway, $4.99, 2 for $6.00 on sale. etc. --12 oz. box cereal, $5.29. Fred Meyer, 36 oz. bag $2.99 on sale for the same thing (corn flakes, frosted flakes, mini-wheats, etc.) 12. oz box at Fred Meyer, Safeway, $2.79 average. etc. So Ken's charges about 30% to 100% more than fair market prices, and in the case of yogurts, THREE TIMES what other stores are charging. Laughable prices (go ahead, mark this review as funny I will agree with you). I will not be returning here EVER. I will go to where the shopper is not RIPPED OFF. Even 7-11 has lower prices on milk and Ice Cream, so for a larger store to be beat by a convenience store is inexcusable and indefensible. RIP OFF PRICES. Yet, this place still has a following, and I can't comprehend why people intentionally like to pay 30% to 100% more for exactly the same thing if only they drive a mile away to either Fred Meyer or Safeway. People that do these kinds of things like paying comically high prices really make no sense to me, but they must have a reason to do it. Maybe too lazy to drive down the street, I don't know. It's really too bad, though, if they lowered their prices they would have more business. Parking is atrocious. Only a few off-street parking spots, and Ken's has to share the bank parking lot across the street. If it wasn't for that shared parking, Ken's would lose even more business. Later today, I went to Fred Meyer and it was busy, as usual. Probably explains why there was only four or five other shoppers at Ken's. Why pay more? I know, I know. Loyalty, etc., but I just can't buy it. Have a nice day anyway.

The greatest grocery store on earth! Give or take. We go to Ken's on an almost daily basis to round our ingredient lists for our dinner, salads, lunches, snack attacks, or WHATEVER else we want. Despite it's small footprint, they reliably have what we need. Their produce quality is always high, they'll special order for you by request, they're wrap your bouquets for free, and now that I've met every employee I can say they've cultivated a great group of people. If you're looking for a life changing experience, their late-spring to early-summer stone fruit is almost always ON POINT. If you're looking for anything else--well, they probably have that too!

I don't get groceries here, but this is the best & cheapest lunch spot in the area! I often work out of coffee shops nearby (shout out to Celine & Vita!) and frequently pop in here for a tasty sandwich at a reasonable price. The store itself is really nice, too, with very clean bathrooms & friendly staff!

Why is no one talking about the burger special on Thursdays? This is, like, one of the top 3 burgers I've had in the PacNW! Ken's always knocks their takeaway food out of the park. We spend too much money on every day essentials here, but the market food options are top notch. Now, it will be tough for me to avoid the burger on Thursdays. Seriously, people, perfectly toasted bun, delicious burger sauce, thinly sliced onions, melty cheese, and a well-seasoned, thin-ish, but juicy and perfectly grilled patty. $6.

I love this place. Sandwiches are tasty. Try the vegan sweet potato sandwich, it's in the deli aisle where the salads and other packaged deli foods are. It's on baguette bread.

I'm a pretty high maintenance grocery customer. This deli really exceeded my expectations. I asked for a non plastic container, a meatball a la carte and to have two deli items in the same container and they did everything. The cost for a big scoop of the kale salad, one meatball, and another side was all under $5... what a great option for eating lunch in Phinney Ridge!

I've driven past it for years and finally stopped in. Wow! The biggest plus was the deli. Fresh soups, nice hot bar with roasted root veggies and mac 'n cheese. Then the deli sandwiches (panini pressed while you wait) were really fantastic - a pulled pork and a Reuben - both restaurant-quality. I also picked up some natural soap and snuck a peek at their large selection of 22 oz beers and sticky-posted wines. I was second in line at the register, and a cashier opened up a new lane just for me. So I didn't have to be second. Awesome.

It's become increasingly difficult to find individual serving-sized Greek Gods yoghurts (the only kind my husband will eat) and Ken's market is one of the few grocery stores in my neighbourhood that carries it. They also carry paleo packs, something I haven't seen in a grocery store anywhere else in Seattle. I was very impressed with the quality of the avocados last time I was here. The store clerks are always friendly and speedy and the prices can be higher than Safeway, QFC, and while there is less variety than at the Whole Foods or PCC - this store is small, resulting in less lines and a less hectic shopping experience.

Its been a few years since my last review and Ken's keeps on getting 5 stars in my book. Always a pleasure to shop here, the small community feel, the personal friendly service, the carefully selected grocery items available, their great deli selection of sandwiches and premade dinners, and their support of local items, keeps me coming back. I love supporting this local store and their employees...thanks Kens!

Heaven on earth. I work just down the street and I always feel so welcome at kens! The staff is beyond friendly (Hunter, Shayna, and Violet are just a few friendly faces!) and they are always well stocked. The new Samosa wrap is delicious and their lunch selections are always a good call. Can't say enough about this store, ESPECIALLY the people who work there!!

Staying in business while competing with the giant chains out there is near impossible, so the fact that Kens does it and makes it look easy is really something. And certainly worthy of 5 stars! There JoJo's, produce, and Archie & Friends comic books are my favorite parts about the store. They used to have a small wall of videos too, but Island Video across the street stole their customers. Their meat is the only thing in the store that isn't top notch, and that isn't surprising, since they are little and it would be difficult to get new meat each couple of days.

Ken's is priced like it's something special - Metropolitan Market/PCC territory, if not a little more, but it's actually just disappointing. The selection is small - smaller than necessitated by their small floor area - and the quality is sub-par, too. On a recent visit the greens were tired and wilting, the apples were a little soft. Next time, I'll go over to the PCC on Aurora, or up to Safeway or Fred Meyers on 85th.

Great little grocery store located in Phinney Ridge. I typically do not shop for groceries in store any longer, we use Amazon for just about everything, but I go to Ken's market whenever I need need meat or want to actually pick out my vegetables and fruit. My son absolutely loves their roasted green chili salsa. If I was too lazy to walk up Greenwood then I could get meat and cheese from Ken's thru Amazon Fresh! I love that. Every staff member I have encountered has been friendly and the owners/managers are very supportive of their community.

Ken's has it all! Delicious fresh food, deli, coffee, etc. A gem of a neighborhood market, but I think my favorite thing about Ken's is the customer service.

Not a terrible little market in Greenwood. I'm very glad they have a small parking lot off to the right of the building, or else finding parking on the street close by would be a little difficult. Making a left out of the parking lot is tough when there's cars parked up & down the street that block your visibility, but it's usually not too busy. Their produce department is well displayed for the amount of space they have, it's extremely clean & the colors always pop out at you. I like that they have some grab & go veggie/fruit packs that make a nice snack or small lunch. I haven't had a chance to really check out the deli but when I walked by, it seemed to have a decent selection. I'll definitely be back.

Sometimes, when aiming to deposit your dark roast fair trade coffee beans into the small paper bag provided (a bag that just narrowly squeezes over the lip of the dispensary), the whole operation malfunctions and the beans tumble out hither and tither at a fevered pace and skip the bag, spewing onto the floor. Sometimes it's a sneaky few and sometimes it's a grand parade. When, at your doing, a grand parade of beans, dark roast or light, tumbles out at Ken's Market and you try to scoot them into obscurity with your foot, but realize that the spillage is so significant that it will take an hour of scooting to disguise your misdeed and the Girl Scout thing to do is to just come clean with your clumsiness--when this happens to you, the sunny clerk will grab a dustpan, beam, and tell you sincerely that "it's nothing--I've seen MUCH worse! This 5 year old kid made the most massive mess the other day--beans were EVERYwhere !" and although you were just compared to a small and reckless boy, who may or may not be able to tie his shoes, you will feel warm about the clerk's cheerful charity and brawny broom and say to yourself: "Here's a good and friendly little neighborhood market!"

Ken's Market is a great place to grab snacks on the go. They sell affordable (and delicious) sandwiches and fruit tubs that are ready to eat. I'm a big fan of their salmon scallion sandwich (1/2 a sandwich usually runs under $3). I can't really vouch for their grocery selection but if you're in the neighborhood or you don't want to pay for expensive food at the Woodland Park Zoo, this is the place to hit up.

This place is the tops. I'll often come up with a silly ingredient that I need just so that I can make the trip here. Always clean, not crowded, extremely friendly crew. Very appreciative that Kens is in town!

One of the best family owned, neighborhood grocery stores around. We need more like this! Prices are higher than the big stores but I understand why and you should too. Great Deli, cool employees, a little bit of everything I need.

Finally got back here. Still 5 stars. Love the remodel. Love the drink selection in the back. Little known and hard to find snack drinks which make the day a little more fun. Thanks so much.

Family owned and community centered. They really care about the Greenwood/Phinney community and are a staple of that area. Yes it can be pricey, but it's a small business and they keep costs low where they can, like their coffee. If you don't want to pay $3 for drip or $5 for a latte, come here!

Ken's is an adorable little market that feels very local / family-owned (though I don't know if it actually *is* family owned). They have a good selection of items, both the typical stuff you expect at a super market (brand names) and lots of local and organic options. My only negative of the place is that it's a bit expensive, but quality goods often cost more than the rest.

Wonderful market right in the middle of phinney! Much like the other reviewers I also love the deli and the small-neighborhood-grocer feel of Ken's. The other recommendation I would have is the coffee stand next to the deli. Very inexpensive and very good Zoka. Prices for everything else are a bit higher, but the food always tastes fresher, the staff are obviously friendlier and better trained, and the store is much cleaner than most in town.

An update with one less star than before. Why? Snotty checker alert! You're more than likely a college student pissed off at your chem professor or your boyfriend recently broke up with you or something. Sheesh. I know its annoying to see three, four, then five customers line up at your register, but! Try and put all that crap aside and work on being polite and friendly. It may make us customers feel more valued and appreciated and it may even alleviate your own eternal pain and suffering. Prices are high for the obvious, people. Get over it. Recuperating the cost of the remodel, hard economic times, and being a small business all contribute to this. It's not QFC or Safeway. Stop making those silly comparisons. Space is maximized and produce/meat quality is still strong. Just work on checker snottiness, that is all I ask.

My friend paid $1.51 for a single apple today. One. We live in Washington state-- are apples really that hard to come by? They have a good beer/wine selection and some good cheeses, but it's a little pricey. I prefer Greenwood Market on 85th because they have better parking and more produce.

I have really become a fan of this grocery. It is small, but has the good stuff. I just picked up a pretty tasty marinara sauce that is locally made and organic. They even have a nice selection of sodas to choose from and nice beer selection. The thing that keeps forcing me to come here is The Fremonter sandwich, which is their caprese sandwich. Light but flavorful. Grab one of those, a soda, eat it outside on a nice day, then go home and take a nap = afternoon win! Zipzap Zubidy Bop!

First a disclaimer - A bit over three years ago, I worked at Kens, which definitely colors my opinions. However, I no longer work there, but still shop there whenever I am in the neighborhood. In my opinion, Ken's is a great neighborhood grocery store, family owned, and invested in the community. They treat their employees well which reflects itself in the type of service offered. It probably is not the kind of place where you want to do all of your shopping, though if you live nearby or dislike impersonal chain stores, Ken's is the perfect place to go. One of the things that I find impressive about Ken's is that for a small neighborhood grocery store, it has its own deli, meat department, and produce department. The deli serves up sandwiches, rotisserie chickens, and soups prepared on premises, the meat department makes wonderful sausage, and the produce department is always stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables. Of course in addition to the fresh food departments, there are dry goods and a large selection of beer and wine. The wine selection rivals many stores much larger than Ken's, as does the beer selection which contains a number of imports and microbrews. The store also offers a small selection of fresh flowers, and serves espressos from the deli, though your lattes are generally better across the street at Herkimer.

I work near Ken's and often walk over to pick up some dinner or lunch. They have lots of prepared foods. I'm not too crazy about most of the sandwiches because they all come swimming in mayo. They must make some no mayo sandwiches every day but they're usually all gone by the afternoon. You can get sandwiches made to order which are decent and pretty inexpensive. The prepared entrees, to my taste, are all a little off. I've tried the meatloaf and several of the pastas and none of them ever taste quite right to me. The grocery selection is reasonably good for a small neighborhood grocery store. The prices are pretty high. The staff is always really friendly and helpful.

This is our little neighborhood convenience grocery store. It's a bit pricier than the bigger competitors, but I'm going to tell you why I shop here anyway. It was a rainy day about five years ago. My son was about 3 and sick. Nasty cold and fever. I had no car. I walked with him to Ken's. I figured I'd get his fever down. They were working out the kinks still, I remember. I needed children's Tylenol. They were totally out. My jaw dropped. I was kinda pissed. I mean, these guys are supposed to sell convenience and I had a sick boy on my hands with no real way to bring his fever down, right? So, I talked to Bill, the manager. I was like, WTF? And he was like, ya. He said give me your address. I'll go to FM and get you Tylenol. What kind, he asked! Dude drove to FM and got my sons's Tylenol AND DELIVERED IT TO MY HOUSE! So, ya. That kind of compassion and neighborly help-- my kid was dog sick and I needed Ken's to be there to sell medicine-- I don't mind paying extra. And I will be a pretty loyal customer. Plus, they have a nice deli case, great cheese options, ice in a bag and fresh baguettes.

Ken's Market is a great local market. They have a nice variety of everything for being on the small side. The staff at Ken's is very friendly and help their customers in need. I usually go in the morning or during the lunch hour. The one thing I really love about Ken's Market is their pre made meals. You can get foods like mac n cheese, beef stroganoff, and even pot roast. They also have the best store bought salads I have ever had. Their salads are more affordable and a lot better tasting the PCC or Safeway. All in all Ken's has become one of my favorite markets.

This is a decent grocery store. Their produce selection is pretty big, esp. compared to the rest of the store. I like that they often have (and highlight) local produce. The rest of their aisles have a decent selection of staples and lean more towards the selction of a health food store than a Safeway, which I appreciate. Yes brown rice chips, coconut-milk yogurt, and local hummus.

I'm a big fan of their deli foods and sandwiches (single man here who is too lazy to cook for himself). Yes, some items are a little more expensive than at bigger chain stores, but a lot of things aren't so you gotta take the good with the bad. They have a great beer and wine selection also for being a small neighborhood store and each staff person that I've ever interacted with has been friendly and welcoming. Overall, each trip has been a great experience.