Star Grocery

Thought it was just a small neighborhood grocery store but apparently it’s so big inside. I love how they painted the different cuts of pork and beef on the wall 😂also the handwritten menu of sandwiches are cute!

I have been looking and looking for a good sandwich shop in the area and I have finally found one because I have tried many. My husband stopped in there today and got a classic sandwich and it was unbelievable. Fresh chewy bread and high quality meats. Star meat department will definitely be my go to place for a great sandwich it's well worth the price +. I will definitely spread the word. If you haven't tried them it's a must. You will not go anywhere else. Thank you again Michele and Dana (Safeway)

I love this little place! I’m a sales rep for the Arborist Gin and Fleurette Gin and it’s always so nice talking to the owner of the store and working with him! It’s also one of the only markets in the East Bay that sell our products, and they’re really good. They definitely have a nice selection.

I am willing to pay$16 if they do it right but they made a goodfellas today that was just skimpy on ingredients. This is why they raised their prices to cover costs and there is also now no choice of sandwiches. I think they had an item that became too popular and they just don’t want to make them so they overcharge and underperform to discourage you ordering it. Too bad because I also shopped there but can go elsewhere to local markets. Hope they might return to form in the future

A great place to get Foods close by when you really need them. They cost more, but the convenience is worth it most of the time. They are well stocked and very helpful if there's something you need. For a small grocery you are very helpful when you have a question

Old school neighborhood grocery store with high quality meats and just about everything else you need. There aren’t many of these types of grocers around anymore.

Wonderful holdover from old timey Star Markets (a kind of neighborhood 7-11 from back in the day). Very up to the moment with a deli / meat department. Nice selection of groceries and dry goods including many brands normally seen in upscale grocery stores - except here you can just walk over to it. Hope they continue to survive.

These kids think they can overcharge and throw in a couple of $10's and get away with it. No, dude, it doesn't seem right. next time, please ask for an itemized receipt. good luck if you're not good at math.

avoid nearby parkside drive .. aka ".. hitler hill .." neurotic nazi like neighborhood .. Intolerant Harassing Idiots .. Star market Still OK for now .. === i'm choosing 3 stars because It can go up or down in this store .. and surrounding neighborhood .. most of the time It's an even keel 3 stars .. sometimes 4 when i find unusual items .. or run into a friend .. === this store is a grocery store .. and a grocery store museum .. with items from the past, present, & future .. you could definitely include this place in an installment of ".. Back to the Future .." landing & taking off your delorean time travel car on claremont avenue .. === most of the staff is pleasant & efficient enough .. and they'll instantly run all 3 registers to keep the checkout line moving .. there is a very young girl who works as a checkout clerk occasionally who is always delightful to see and interact with .. and an older lady staffer who can give you a look of absolute dread & horror & make you feel very unwelcome and unworthy .. and occassionally customers who can do the same .. and you can expect some similar social experiences in this neighborhood .. one crazy lady with 2 dogs up on parkside drive can get the local birds to shit all over your car if she doesn't like you .. ( quite an accomplishment ) though others in the neighborhood can be very kind & accomodating .. === when i first started visiting the surrounding area It reminded me of Laurel canyon .. but not for long .. old money and old money attitudes can really prevail here .. even Overt Paranoia & hostility .. as i've seen in the atherton / menlo park area on the mid peninsula .. It Is Also here .. who knows .. they might eventually install a gate at the entrance to parkside drive .. approach the store & neighboirhood with poise & caution .. === final note .. the store provides a clean restroom for customers / public that is well stocked with toilet paper and soap .. and Stoner level lighting that is very pleasant .. though don't light up in there ..

A generational gem of a market! Check out the deli and the wine selection. Historical note: during WW2, locals were extended credit from Star Market, current owner's father.

I learned about Star Grocery due to their sandwiches, and I must say that was one of my most enjoyable discoveries when I lived in the Bay Area. This is a market, so you can get your grocery supplies; while I cannot comment on pricing, they did offer a wide selection of your standard food goods. Now on to the sandwiches: I would definitely recommend checking the menu online and seeing what sandwiches are offered on which day (I've also called their store number before to get this information). There are some amazing combinations on sale, though the one that I remember as I write this is the Brian Allen (which came with turkey, arugula, cheddar, and hot coppa). I will definitely need to get a sandwich the next time I'm in Berkeley or Oakland!

Star Grocery is awesome! They have coffee. They have nice fresh produce, interesting international cuisine, a bulk section, & a butcher shop. I happen to be a vegan a pretty strict vegetarian yet the sandwich menu is mostly meat so is non-veg yet they do have a sandwich you can have by leaving off the cheese with portobello mushrooms, eggplant, roasted peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, arugula, balsamic vinegar, & E.V.O.O. (extra virgin olive oil) that looks mighty tasty. Definitely check it out if in the area!

You're paying for that Mayberry look and feel grocery store. I read positive reviews about the sandwiches and looked forward to giving it a try. I got the Fat Albert Sandwich, it may have been Albert but it was not fat. I've renamed it, Thin Albert, and at $18.00 per sandwich, buy the meat by the pound and make your own.

Thank you for staying so constant and providing such quality produce and food. We love your store and how much it contributes to the neighborhood.

Having worked all my life, I can appreciate Nick' s being an introduction, albeit to some of the underprivileged of the Berkeley hills. They often are polite and clever and no doubt go onto greater things. My beef is with one girl in particular (long hair, talk.) No one has taught her the rules of service, perhaps. Or perhaps she cries onto daddy's and begs him not to go down to common people again She is haughty, never meets your eye, and does as little as possible. She is pathetically rude, in fact. And this isn't just me. I saw her treat dozens of customers with the same disdain. Get rid of her!

Great locally owned gourmet market. Their sandwiches at the deli counter are famously good.

I will go out of my way to shop at Star. Can't afford the meat department's sandwiches and avoid the wine selection, but always find the grocery items I need and am consistently happy with the quality. My latest discovery are the spices...fresh, organic and reasonable. Treat yourself!

High quality food, very friendly employees and customers, no crushing crowds

"Run up to the Star Grocery and get a half-gallon of milk and a loaf of sourdough" was a common directive in my house growing up. (And a 25 cent Hershey's chocolate bar for me and my dad would find its way into the bag as well) And probably lots of kids in the Elmwood neighborhood beginning in 1922 would do the same for generations if their parents didn't do their weekly shopping there. The Star Grocery located at the intersection of Claremont Avenue and the Uplands is a Elmwood/Rockridge institution that every neighborhood should have but no longer do. No, Star Grocery is not Safeway, or Whole Foods, or Trader Joe's. No scanners, no self-checkouts, no floral shop, and no Starbucks, but they do have a dispenser of free coffee you pump yourself. What Star Grocery lacks in volume it makes up in quality. Lots of gourmet offerings especially when it comes to wine, beer, cheeses, meats, bulk foods and sundries. It's got an especially large liquor selection (my mom used to tell me it was for the old neighbor ladies who'd shuffle in late afternoon for their evening tipple) and in the rear of the store you'll find Star Meats (separate business, see my review) that's been around as nearly as long as Star Grocery and puts the overrated Verbrugge on College to shame. (Try their giant sandwiches, expensive but worth the price.) The Star Grocery reflects Berkeley's character in many ways. Founded by Greek immigrants Ike and Nick Pappas, the family would deliver groceries to the neighborhood and during the Great Depression extended credit to dozens of families and wrote off presumably thousands of dollars. You can still get credit at the store today, writing down your order on a carbon-paper pad. Standing in line you'll find lots of liberal-leaning editorial cartoons from the New Yorker and the windows are usually plastered with similarly gentry liberal admonitions, but also local artists and neighborhood pictures. You'll find the Cal Band stopping by during Big Game week and many Berkeley High students and Cal students got their first jobs ringing up groceries at the Star. If you want a bright new grocery store, go to the Safeway down the street. Star Grocery's decor hasn't changed much since the 1950s. The linoleum floors could use a little TLC and most of the light fixtures and signage hail from the 1940s it seems. (Not a bad thing). The Star Grocery knows what it's got and now offers a line of blue and gold T-shirts and coffee mugs for its loyal customers (like me). Say hi to Ike's son Nick Pappas too when you go, he's usually behind one of the registers (as he has been forever) a little older and little grayer than I remember. The Star Grocery hasn't changed in nearly 100 years. Hopefully it stays that way.

This neighborhood grocery store has been serving this neighborhoods for decades. It has an amazing selection of chocolates, mezcal and other alcohol, local food products like candy and cookies, pasta, and great produce much bought directly from farms. Before you go to a big supermarket be sure to check out Star. Their low prices are the real secret.

I love this store. I haven't been shopping in person since COVID hit, and I just went back into Star Grocery again for the first time. I felt like a kid in a candy shop as I walked around and kept finding more cool things - good bread, good chocolate, good ice cream, good cheeses, good wines, good produce, good olive oil and more. And local high school kids working the registers. Very glad they survived COVID and are still awesome.

The best independent grocery in the Berkeley area. Also, great wine selection--and some bargain wines. The meat department which is separately owned has high quality beef, chicken, pork and fish. They also make big sandwiches which are not cheap but probably would feed two people (unless you're on one of the Cal sports teams). Produce section always has interesting vegetables. Fruit tends to be expensive. Enjoy your visit! Oh, and an amazing cheese section--including fromager d'affinité.

Great place!! We go there almost every day. There employees are so kind and hard working. They have all the food when you want it! It is my favorite local store. Recommend. Give it a try!! ;)

Yup, Berkeley through and through. It pleases me to say that I don't live in the area, and I don't go here for groceries. The only time I ever come in is when I go to either Dark Carnival or Afikomen (the latter a rarity, I assure you), and I always get one of the funkier sodas/drinks they have in the case over by the vegetables. Points to consider: 1) It's a grubby hippy hole: Yes sir, it's cramped, dingy, and has a 1970's "we're doing everything as cheaply as possible to make sure you have ongoing access to our vast selection of crappy carob chips"vibe. 2) Unfriendly: Double plus ungood on the friendliness factor. Think standard Berkeley customer service, but with greater disdain and not so covert hostility. 3) The clientele: It's the Berkeley Hills, so be prepared for stupid chatter, "wit," and mouth breathers clogging the narrow aisles. 4) They have stuff: Like I said, I go in here once every so often to grab a drink. I suppose if you really needed to get food and didn't feel like going to a better store, sure, this place would foot the bill. In the final tally, I this place rates 2.3 stars: They have stuff, and I buy their drinks, but it's essentially a warren of shelves, has a Grateful Dead feel that doesn't stop, and the people who work their are not friendly. As usual, I round down because Berkeley sucks. Thus: two stars.

The bald guy in the meat dept.--sorry, I don't know his name--pretty much. It my head off for asking some questions, one of which was asking for a bag, and the person I was with walked out, shocked at his behavior. Prolly should have walked out without buying anything and am not sure he didn't overcharge me. Just an angry and reactive guy primed for a fight. I will not be back and hope he's not the manager or owner. Maybe a relative--how else could he keep his job? Just unprovokedly nasty. Shout-out to Noah, who was so sweet--sorry he has to work with the angry guy.

This store is mysterious. They do not run a scanner or automated inventory system, yet they always have the one thing that all the stores around them do not have, but you need for the recipe to work. Like they have everything and anticipate your need. They must secretly tap into the other stores system to read your brain. What's even worse, they underbid with quality, price and freshness. Why is this even allowed? But don't tell anybody, I love it that way and don't want the others to find out.

Love this store and it's commitment to providing locally grown pesticide free groceries. Love the family feel of the place and the cool products.

Friendly, Varied, Quality, and Stocked Local Market. Honestly, I would give this a 4.5/5 I came here solely for the sandwiches in the back of the grocer. I ordered the Goodfella and boy oh boy was it good. For the UCB students, it's comparable to Montagues if you know what that tasted like :(. It was $11, and if it was like $1-2 cheaper I would give them the extra 0.5 stars. The rest of the market dare I copy from an older post is essentially a mini Berkeley Bowl. The staff was so friendly though and they have a little table near the front for anyone who wants to sit. They have benches out in the front if you just wanted to relax and look at the driving cars. They might not have a variety of groceries but they do sure have quality. Like Drake once said, "I'm here for a good time not a long time". I would definitely come here for the sandwiches again, but shopping for groceries maybe once in a while or when my paycheck goes up.

Love this little grocery store! So much variety and such a welcoming atmosphere.

I continue to love Star Grocery for it's generally great selection, helpful staff, quick in and out ability. My favorite recent finds is Double 8 Gelato, made from water buffalo milk. The hazelnut is crazy good. I haven't seen it anywhere else, tho I'm sure it's put there Stay away from Cake Box products however, which Star Grocery stocks regularly. I've always thought Cake Box buns/rolls etc are no better than Wonder Bread at 4 times the price. This Lafayette bakery has had several failed inspections from the FDA and a warning letter from Dec 2011 describes unsanitary practices gross enough to make my hair curl: http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2011/ucm283777.htm

Star Grocery feels like that neighborhood store you always want to visit, where the owner greets you by name and the cashier asks about your family. While they don't have the variety you'd find at a behemoth like Safeway, the products they carry are high quality, carefully vetted and selected. There's a huge array of organic items - fruits and veggies, cereal, yogurt, meat, milk, even organic ice cream. They sell museli, oats, rice, and snacks (malt balls, chocolate covered almonds, yum!) in bulk. The deli in the back is the special secret. It takes up half the store, and you can order a cut of meat or a giant deli sandwich. Try the Brian Allen (turkey, cheddar, arugula, tomato, chipotle mayo) or the Petit Sara (portobello mushroom, eggplant, roasted peppers, mozzarella, balsamic vinegar & olive oil) specialty sandwiches, they're great. If you're lucky, you'll find a freshly baked apricot pie for half off as you head to the register (score!!). Don't forget to give a warm hello to the folks who work here on your way out the door.

Their sandwiches are so good! They have a really nice deli there. I got the number 1 and I have to say that it's one of the best deli sandwiches I've ever had. 5 stars forsure!

When I was growing up in small town Iowa, our neighbourhood had a family-owned grocery store called Bringles. The space was funky, the butcher was the best in town, credit was extended in need, and everybody knew your name (and often your business). I would often walk here from home with Mom's grocery list, sign for it, and head back. Star Grocery is the "Big City" version of my beloved corner store. And it's much better. I've enjoyed delicious deli sandwiches here, spent too much trying to choose among their extensive beer collection, and "worshiped" at their butcher counter and produce section. It's all contained in a rambling and sometimes worn community-friendly space where you're never quite sure what you'll discover next. They truly don't make places like this any more.

I think of Star Grocery as a mini Berkeley Bowl. They have pretty much everything, but on a much smaller scale. In the vegan, organic, locally grown world of Berkeley, it's not uncommon to see stores like this. However, I came to try their famous Italian mafia themed sandwiches. $9 for a huge sandwich that can easily last you for two lunches. I got the Goodfella, which consists of Genoa salami, hot coppa, fresh mozzarella, arugula, sun dried tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and a touch of mayo. The meat was very fresh and went perfectly with the mozzarella. The sun dried tomatoes are a great touch as well. I'm usually not a big fan of going out for sandwiches, but this is worth it if you're heading up to Tilden Park for a picnic. Staff isn't the friendliest, but they get the job done...

My son wanted to drop off a present to his BBF. Turns out our stop was at the famous Star Market, home of infamous deli sandwiches. Back in the day, I worked at Ultra Luca, which is now known as A.J. Ferrari, so I consider myself a "deli expert." I've had Star Market bookmarked for awhile and thought it was a lucky omen. It is 10:30AM. Sandwich orders are from 11:00AM ton2:00PM!?! Sad face. Undaunted, i returned the next dat at 11:10AM and was met by a line of eight folks ahead of me. Oh, boy, this is going to be good! The choices all have a "wise guy" theme: Soprano, Godfather, Raging Bull, My Cousin Vinnie.... I ordered the Goodfella, a mix of salumi, sun dried tomatoes, Bufsa mozzarella (I think) and arugula greens. All sandwiches are carry out. $8, a fair price. Salivating with excitement, I open up my present in the car. The sandwich looks like a photoshopped version of what you see in Bon Appetit! Beautiful! My first bite into the marvelous crusty bread was... OK. As they say on the Food Network "Chopped," a lot of flavors going on, yet over powered by the sun dried tomatoes. The bread, which I have to find out the bakery, was the best I'd ever tasted. It does blow away most other Berkeley leftist sandwiches; Betty's, Saul's, yes, A.J. Ferrari, and Andronico's. Maybe not Fred's! Just the serving times aren't convenient for me. Star Market does get 4 stars. They have a great selection of spirits and wine! French rosé, my true love, is there in several lots. For neighborhood market, they have most everything you might need at tha last moment, produce, cheeses, etc. Open M-Sat, 8-7! And plenty of street parking. FYI. I parked in front of an occult store. Hummm. Not a lucky omen after all.

I used to haul my ass to ledger's liquors whenever I needed some good beer, but now that I've found star, no more. They have an unbelievable selection of single bottles, with lot's of unusual brands and styles. Looking for the Hitachino nest ginger beer? They got it. That crazy flemish lambic? They got it. The meat selection is up there (not quite ver brugge, but what can you do?), lot's of fresh produce and fruit (including plenty of local farmers' products), great natural food, and plenty of household supplies. This place is a like a small little distilled berkeley bowl - they don't have as much of the pre-packaged or frozen stuff, and are missing the awesome asian aisle, but in terms of convenience this place can't be beat. Plus the staff is friendly and helpful. I can't believe I only found out about this place now.

I came here for the sandwiches which were great, but more than that I liked the grocery store. It had all the things I ever wished in a grocery store.

I would like to shake the hand of the person who orders and stocks the beer selection. I currently host a beer drinking, dog training podcast, my co- host is based in NY. I recently moved to Oakland, my friend and fellow dog trainer in the East bay told me about star. I come to star grocery once Or twice a month to get beers to try on the podcast. Such a great, interesting, and varied selection of craft brews. The person is doing an excellent job.

Bourbon review 2/13/19 - they had baby saz for $28 and good selection of other commons. Ok place for everyday bourbon.

Walking into Star Grocery is like a walk back in time: older linoleum on the floors, cool neon sign above the awning, super neighborhoody. Nick Pappas, the second generation owner, is often there puttering around, greeting customers, working the register, sweeping the floor--you know, what you would do if you owned the place! When you go, read the plaque outside about how Nick's dad fed the community on credit during the depression--inspiring, amazing story of caring for the community. They have a lovely wine section with reviews to help you make your selection. Sandra does the buying and has been incredibly helpful when we bought in bulk. The beer department is super diverse with wonderful microbrews, local and foreign, again with great reviews to help. The produce is super-fresh, beautiful, and varied. The cheese selection is to die for, and lastly, they have an entire chocolate department (you read that right!). Who needs dinner: wine, cheese, baguette, chocolate! It is truly high-end full-service grocery store, so if you're looking to buy a small package of diapers, there's no bargain there, but they do have an incredible arrays of specialty foods that would rival Market Hall and Andronico's (two kinds of imported elderflower syrup?) without the bigger store hassle. Free, mostly abundant street parking. Also, Star Meats, a full-service butcher, is in the back--fantastic sandwiches and meats+++. Totally awesome. See my other review!

It has been many years since I've been there but have many fond memories of this store. Both My maternal grandfather (Adolpf Paganetti) and fraternal grandmother (Emma Willis) worked for Mr Pappas for years. Mr Pappas never failed to give me treats when I visited. My husband's family shopped there and even when they moved out of the area they continued to do so. I'm so glad the children have carried on the family business.

I love this amazing family market! The staff is​ so sweet and helpful! They have an amazing selection of produce, beer, and a surprising variety of groceries! While they carry some pricey products, they're usually local and delicious! And they still have some of the lowest prices you'll find on cheaper products! You can feel proud knowing you're supporting an independent​, local business. Feels more like family than a grocery store! I would rate 10 stars if I could!!!

actually came here to try the sandwich but they ran out of bread so i spent a few minutes to browse the grocery ' star grocery has a touch of trader joe's, a touch of whole foods, and a touch of an italian del, samplings: -scottish stout (500ml-3.99): actually pretty smooth for a stout, the roasted part i can taste but where's tje chocolate? -old rasputin russian imperial stout (2.19)classic strong stout bite with a kick. -green & black's organic chocolate (smooth drak chocolate with real coffee)3.79 very nice -wallaby organic pink grapefuit down under yogurt(1.09) creamy, sweet with a pool of grapefruit on the bottom. nice -bellwether farms strawberry" sheep milk yogurt'"2.49 -siggis pomegranted & passion fruit icelandic stye skyr strained non fat yogurt (spec 2.59)-very tart, creamy, smooth, has 4 live cultures, pomegrate and passion fruit not tastable. -sigg "orange & giner" (2.59)thick creaminess with a little tartness and ginger bits -the "classic" sandwich (8) pretty good 'wich' carryouts: -nice alternative to whole foods and corporate marketing with many of the basics (chocolate, yogurt, beer, meats, sandwiches) adequately covered. not that crazy about veggies nor fast food so that's not an issue. -nice, laid back attitude here. -parking on side streets.

In addition to being a great grocery store, Star Grocery has an amazing beer selection & delicious gourmet sandwiches made with meat they cure themselves!! Here's their specialty sandwich menu: The Classic Ham, salami, hot coppa, provolone, lettuce, onion, tomato, red wine vinegar, olive oil, spices, and a touch of mayonnaise Raging Bull Turkey, pepper salami, provolone, olive spread, arugula, sun dried tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil Brian Allen Turkey, cheddar, hot coppa, arugula, tomato and chipotle mayo Michael Henry Roast beef, provolone, roasted peppers, arugula, balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, black pepper, and a touch of mayonnaise Fat Albert Roast beef, cheddar, chipotle mayo, tomato, and red onion Goodfella Genoa salami, hot coppa, fresh mozzarella, arugula, sun dried tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and a touch of mayo Petit Sara Portobello mushrooms, eggplant, roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes, arugula, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil My cousin Vinny Ham, fresh mozzarella, bruschetta, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil Godfather Salami, hot coppa, prosciutto, provolone, arugula, roasted peppers, olive oil, and black pepper Soprano Bruschetta, fresh mozzarella, arugula, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil Tuna Tuna salad, provolone, arugula, tomatoes, and olive oil P.S. If you ask nicely & order ahead of time, they'll deliver large sandwich orders to nearby areas!

STAR MARKET VOTED BEST PLACE TO SHOP IN YOUR BEDCLOTHES! Yes, that's me in my slippers. I see you are wearing your housecoat. I'm picking up some Clover organic H&H and the Sunday NYT. Come on over for coffee and a little snizzle!

This place has so much history and yet is so up-to-date at the same time. I absolutely LOVE this market. This grocery has been in business a long time and the Pappas family are now on the 3rd or 4th generation to run it. They carried neighborhood folks thru' the Great Depression by allowing credit when that was a risky proposition. They still allow people to sign for their groceries and they have an extremely loyal following. Pretty much everything you need can be found here including an alarming array of chocolate, fresh produce (the produce section is managed by Misake who is incredibly knowledgeable) and lots of organic options. The wine selection is aces and today I even surprised Stuart by locating a hard-to-find Kermit Lynch Cote du Rhone he likes. The meat section has changed a couple of times and is an old-fashioned butcher shop. People tell me the quality is excellent. I like the fact that the floors are wooden and worn. I like that there is no canned Muzak. I like that they hire kids to ring up your sale, and help you to the car if you need help. I respect the way they do business and that they listen to customers. I think every neighborhood should have a grocer like Nick Pappas. He's a hold-out to the way things used to be and I think this store is a fine example of shopping local. Go and support this place. You will feel good, and you will feel connected to this neighborhood. Who knows? You may even find a babysitter (they post ads in the window), a gardener, a dog walker, or just the perfect bottle of wine.

What happened to customer service? I had an issue where I was charged for items which I did NOT purchase. The manager/owner could have cared less and had the gaul to intimate was my fault, my problem. He did nothing to address the situation and flat out said "I must have forgotten what I had purchased!" From the evening before? -- please.......very condescending, unhelpful and frankly, plain rude. It's a shame because my son's school is nearby and we go there often for an icecream or cookie treat after school! No more. The grocery itself is wonderful. The staff and management not at all!! Beware. ALWAYS ALWAYS ask for your receipt (no matter how small the purchase - mine was 2 items - $8.00) and check it before you leave. Goodbye Star Grocery - you are not customer friendly.

Five stars to the guys behind the butcher counter! I went to the Star Grocery next door to buy ingredients to make sausages. (I had taken a pork butchery class few days earlier and thought it would be fun to make sausages with my friends.) I started chitchatting with the guys and before I knew it they were giving me sausage-making tips and volunteering to grind the meat up for me! The next day, I went over with my marinated pork to do just that, but I got invited behind the counter. I got to grind, mix, and stuff the sausages! Whoa! Way cool! The best part was that they were so nonchalant and friendly. They just won themselves a loyal customer.

This charming grocery on the Claremont strip stocks all the right stuff! You'll find the everyday staples as well as specialty items you might need in a pinch. Things I found on a quick stroll-through that will keep me going back: House made sausage Crusty bread from Acme Fresh cilantro, dill and mint A ginormous beer and wine selection More varieties of chocolate than Willy Wonka A complete Asian section Friendly, helpful peeps Cooking makes me happy. Eating makes me happy. Supporting individually owned business makes me happy.

Clearly an incredible marketplace but certainly not for the Everyman. Many luxuriously priced items that are hard to come by--but is "real freedom" the choice between 50 expensive, artisan pastas that are difficult to rank, or 3-5 pastas at variable price ranges? One thing: killer booze selection. I imagine many of the rich folks in those yonder hills have well-stocked bars for their holiday get-togethers.

Star Grocery is in a great neighborhood. Since it's walking distance from my house, occasionally the thought of running over to grab a beer strikes me; and sometimes I do that, considering that they have about 75% of my favorite beers, and about 20 additional kinds of beer whose quality is indisputed (but they're not my favorite, since I prefer the local microbrews). I saw a Dogfish Head gluten-free beer in their refrigerator! But I digress. Recently, a walk to Star Grocery took me past their ridiculously ample chocolate selection, toward the beer case, and on the way, I picked up: Cowgirl Creamery cottage cheese AND Granny Choe's kimchi! (http://www.grannychoe.com/) AND Hodo Creamery's spicy yuba strips. Two of those three items are not even available at the Berkeley Bowl; they're *quite* obscure, and coveted. I had decided against paying $30+ to have six jars of kimchi shipped to my house, but not without regret; so imagine the joy upon spying it in the Star Grocery refrigerator! So I walked past the smorgasbord of gourmet pastas, the generous gluten-free section, and the small-but-appealing produce, and picked out a Lagunitas IPA or whatever craft brewery represented whatever beer I felt like drinking. Oh, I think it was the Dogfish Head 90-Minute IPA. Then I got some artisanally-baked ginger cookies, paid for all this amazing cuisine, and walked home. Their hours are old-school, and moldy bread and not-so-fresh creme fraiche have been purchased there. But it was most likely when the greater part of their well-heeled clientele had decamped for the Riviera or something, leaving no one to circulate the merchandise in due timeliness. Most of the time their stores are fresh and amazing. Oh, and I do wish they would bring back the Berghof rootbeer, which is certainly the best rootbeer available. Now that Star Grocery has reduced the rootbeer selection to only five or so, I have to go all the way to Bevmo on a bike, which is a trek (the distance, and the brand); but that is the price worth paying for the best.

I babysit nearby and this is known as "the bagel spot" for them because they have bagels for $.75. They also have a great selection of dried goods that are sold by the pound. I absolutely love the Vanilla Almond Granola. Very good. They have fresh produce, liquor and a wide selection of other goods - tissue paper, garbage bags, mustard, cheese, and meat! The staff is incredibly friendly and they even post local flyers in their window to assist the community - such as baby sitters, piano lessons, domestic assistance, etc. The only thing I thought was a little much was the pricing of some things - $2.50+ for a small box of kleenex. Yikes.

Most awesome grocery store with a whole WALL of chocolates!!!!! the meat and fruit is really fresh, and they sell ben and jerry's peace pop thingys. those are soooooooo good! They also sell swedish fish that aren't all packaged. also have the biggest selection of Dirty potato chips ever!!! yum! nice staff and yummy red licorice. bread here is yummy too. and look at all of the vitamin waters!!!!!!!!!! awesome place. : P

Like other negative reviews of this store, I had a bad experience with two of its teenage employees today. The rudeness of the teller who spoke to me demeaningly because I failed to understand her orders about waiting before inserting a chip card, was astounding. A second employee then compounded the attitude of the first by challenging my veracity after she overheard me telling her colleague not to speak to me that way. A call to the owner to suggest customer service advice for his two employees resulted in no apology, but rather telling me that one of the employees is a friend's daughter and he'll have a word with her father. He clearly didn't take the matter seriously and was quite dismissive of me. I very much doubt he'll take the time to educate the two involved, which won't help them on the path to maturity the least bit.

I wish I had discovered Star Grocery when I lived three blocks away! It's right near my parents' house, but, inexplicably, was never a regular grocery stop for us. Now I'll probably make the trek up there anyway, or combine the odd shopping trip with a family visit, since it's just a little bit further than the Berkeley Bowl, and has a lot more going for it. It's the kind of well-stocked local grocery store that feels almost like an anachronism. The selection is quite varied, considering the size of the store, and prices are surprisingly low for the great food they have. Their produce section is small but second in quality only to the farmers' market, including a wide range from local farms -- yesterday I got local Cara Cara oranges, Full Belly Farm beets, and Willey Farm leeks and parsnips, and passed by Full Belly wheat flour only because I still have half a bag left at home. When I have a little more money I will surely be back to check out their chocolates, meats, pantry staples, etc....

If there is an equivalent to "local food" in the grocery world, Star Grocery is it: they've been in the neighborhood for years, are family owned, and their food seems entirely catered to the tastebuds of the neighborhood/area. There's a plethora of fine chocolates, breads, cheeses, and they have all the things that I was surprised to find in a "mom and pop" store: they have humane raised eggs, the butcher in the back has marin sun farm meat, and they have produce from local farms--recently, I spotted ramps! I can't believe that I've missed this place for more than a decade. It wasn't until a friend of mine said, "Go to Star Grocery," that I dropped in and was totally surprised. My husband (who also loves the place--he sees it as a mini-Berkeley Bowl without the drama of parking and the crowded aisles and the occasional crazy shopper) and I now view farmers market + Star Grocery as the perfect food sourcing pairing. They're definitely cheaper than Whole Foods--we spotted Meyers products there at almost a dollar cheaper. So--you'll feel good shopping at Star Grocery (for all the reasons stated above but also because the place feels local and has a feel-good vibe) and you won't regret it either because it won't be an act of altruism. There's good stuff here and it's priced well. Oh and if you like the booze, they've got a great selection.

Star Grocery is a wonderful place to explore new foods. The variety and quality of their drinks, snacks, candies (especially chocolate), teas and foods is amazing. For me, entering the Star is about the small things, like lavender flavored soda and peppercorn chocolate. I have a friend whose grandparents used to live one block away, and they have had an account here for more than 50 years and only had great things to say about it (yes, the old fashioned I-trust-you-to-pay-your-bill-at-the-end-of-the-month kind). In general, they sell upper-end, gourmet goods at prices that are lower than other shops of their caliber, even those which specialize in one item, like tea or chocolate.