Cal-Mart Super Market Inc

Cal-​Mart is super convenient because it’s right next to my work but this is the 2^nd incidence where I’ve found mold in my food that I got from the refrigerated section near the deli. The first time was with the cheese from the Cal-​Mart Cesar salad. The expiration date on this pasta was ¹²⁄₂₂ and I got the food on the 18^th. Careful with what you get. Definitely will NOT be coming back

I’ve always enjoyed coming here to shop for those pricey-​but-​singular items that Safeway and Lucky are never going to carry. I make special long trips on the 2 Clement to reach here.
However, won’t be doing that anymore.
Not after seeing their shockingly low Health Score. An 80? Really?
Wow.
So sorry, but that score’s the end of the line for me.

They are amazing. Old school feel with people who genuinely seem to be in a good mood. Pretty layout and easy.

5 stars for the employees at the registers and the shelf stockers, along with butchers (although not technically cal mart).
3 stars for VERY overpriced food and produce, although produce is probably the best selection in the city, beating whole foods by a mile.
1 star for the deli. Are all of you people hungover or stoned or what!!! LOOK ALIVE! You will wait 15 minutes at least just to get your order taken on any given day or time, the workers at the deli literally move like snails and have to have you repeat a simple order 5 times.

The deli department is terrible. The kids that work there are rude and seem like their stoned on pot. I asked for a very basic sandwich and the tall kid couldn’t get it right and thats after he asked me three times what i wanted. I wanted salami with mustard lettuce and swiss. I got salami with mayo and tomatoes. Way off. And stupid me, I went back the next day to give them a second chance and they blew it again all the while laughing at me almost like they were messing it up on purpose. When i went to pay at the checkout line I told the casher that the deli department needed help and she completely ignored me. matter of fact she wouldn’t even look up at me.
I’ll never step foot in that store again.
Bottom line is you should fire the deli crew because they can care less about customer service.

Cal-​Mart has slowly redeemed themselves. A half-​year into moving to the neighborhood, I had nothing but bitterness for Cal-​Mart. I thought it was overpriced, the service was subpar, the selection limited, and the patrons unpleasant (though some still are)… but it was convenient as a local. I’m now a convert. While I still acknowledge some of their prices are pricier than they should be, most of their items are competitively priced — especially products that go on sale. I wouldn’t say it’s anywhere near the sticker costs of a Lucky or Safeway, but Cal-Mart’s prices are «good» given the location. It’s hard to find a store in Laurel and Pacific Heights that is considered «affordable.» Cal-​Mart is the closest you can get around these parts. On the whole, I feel their customer service has improved. Perhaps it is somewhat psychological, but the staff seem more knowledgeable and friendlier than those earlier visits over a year ago.
Another reason why I’ve changed my opinion on Cal-​Mart? Their selection. I’ve often been surprisingly pleased to find items I was *sure* they wouldn’t have but would check anyway: ethnic spices and sauces, little-​known vegetables and fresh herbs, very specific cheeses and charcuterie. I like that they also supply Semifreddi bread from Berkeley and Acme bread from the Ferry Building — saves me trips to those bakeries. Their produce prices are generally fair. I love that they also have almost every herb you can think of… even the sometimes-​hard-​to-​find sage (often understood as a fall-​flavored herb), tarragon, marjoram, etc. While I admit you’ll still find me most often at Trader Joes or Lucky, I’m still happy to shop at Cal-​Mart. But if you find me there, it’s usually because I’m too lazy to trek to a less-​expensive alternative. I feel the time saved to save a couple bucks is justified by walking over to Cal-​Mart.

Don’t shop here!
Wouldn’t go back here again if I can avoid it! Extremely rude cashier in the express line today at about 5:30. I was one item over the limit and she scolded me for it in front of all the other customers! I was extremely insulted and offered to leave 1 item out. She told me again that she was just ‘warning’ me. She could have told me politely and respectfully. I’m thinking what did I do to deserve this treatment? I should have just left everything there and took off. I just basically paid for her to disrespect her own customer.

I love all things old-​school, so thumbs-​up for that. This market is «retro» in that it has probably never been updated/​remodeled ever in its life. And BIG thumbs-​up for the quality of their produce — consistently fresh and lots of organic selections. A few of their cashiers are friendly and pleasant, but most of the workers are kind of surly and it’s clear they don’t want to have to interact with you.
It’s not incredibly comfortable to shop there — aisles are super narrow, fellow shoppers tend to be of the old-​money-​entitled-​1-​percenter variety. The kind of shoppers who expect you to find a way to go around them instead of sharing the aisle. The kind of shoppers you read about in the society pages and then you spot them in real life and you’re like, «Wow that’s some serious plastic surgery and OMG is that a diamond-​studded crocodile Birkin bag?!?» So the atmosphere of the place makes me feel a little out of place.
The prices are definitely appropriate for the well-​heeled clientele — EXORBITANT. But I live in the outer Richmond where there aren’t any options for high-​quality produce/​meat, so Cal-​Mart is my default place for produce/​meat, much to the dismay of my bank account. (I get the rest of my groceries from Trader Joe’s)
Antonelli’s is the butcher that shares the space with the market — excellent quality meat (though pricey) and helpful butchers. The little bakery inside CalMart is good, too. The deli is OK — I buy their rotisserie chickens frequently.

Due to my job (as a nanny) I come here almost everyday. The produce is fresh. The store is very well maintained. Best of all, hands down is the staff. There is this family like relationship that makes visiting the store a pleasure. If I ever need help with anything, the staff is so nice and helpful. We loveeee the delivery service, and the delivery guy is really cool too.

Definitely not my favorite grocery store to peruse — but if you happen to be in the area Cal-​Mart is not a bad place to pop into to pick up some last moment produce and deli items.
Cal-​Mart has an old school grocery store feeling about it and you can tell that much of it’s clientele have been going there for awhile. Many if not all of their items are over-​priced here — but they have a decent organic section and I’ve heard solid things about their meats and sandwiches.
I personally couldn’t wait to get out of here — as soon as I stepped in. I normally love grocery shopping, but this place — felt too congested, the prices felt off, and I wasn’t impressed with the layout.
Unless you desperately need some food items here — I would highly suggest going to a different grocery store with more charm, more selection, and one which is easier to navigate.
Trust.

Customer service is exceptional in every department. Food is fresh and the deli has some of the best meat I’ve seen in the city. The price is more than Safeway and other chains but the quality is worth it, do yourself a favor and check it out.

Service is good and help is easy to find… but man, it must be nice being rich and not caring about prices. I myself cannot relate to that population, so shopping here is just painful. pAiNfUL!

Dairy from Cal-​Mart? No, no, no and no. In the past two months, I’ve now TWICE bought dairy products that have gone bad long before the sell-​by date.
The first time, I went to pour a freshly purchased and just-​opened carton of milk into a bedtime bottle for my baby girl and noticed chunks coming out of the container. Chunks. Of curdled milk. Checked the sell-​by date and it was three weeks in the future. Had to drive back to the store to exchange it (with my daughter crying because bedtime was late) and when I told the guy working the aisle, he just shrugged and said, «Well, you know dairy.»
Well, sir, I didn’t make a special trip to your overpriced market so I could pour chunks of CURDLED NASTINESS into my baby daughters’ bottle. Jerk. Anyway, as I was leaving with my replacement milk and without anything resembling an apology, I heard another woman complaining of the same problem — chunky milk that spoiled before the sell-​by date.
And now, the second time, I was serving my daughter yogurt with a sell-​by date of mid-​July when I noticed a disgusting smell. What the hell?! Spoiled yogurt now, too?
I really want to like Cal-​Mart because I love small businesses (and own one), and I respect that Cal-​Mart hasn’t been edged out by some big name corporation. They’re also way closer to my house than any other market or grocery store.
But, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Well Cal-​Mart, I’m nobody’s fool. If you’re reading this review, you’re probably not a fool either so stay the F away from Cal-Mart’s dairy aisle.

This is a quintessential neighborhood market. Neighborhood being the operative word here. Part of the Laurel Village Shopping Center. It’s not a chain. Therefore, selection will be a bit limited. You can always go to a Safeway or a Costco.
Why this place is great…
Service. Outstanding. Personable. I like & appreciate that.
Antonelli Meats. First rate, in both selection & service. Whatever you need, they’ll happily accommodate. It is an impressive operation.
Sweet Things Bakery. This is where the SF Sweet Things Bakery is located. It’s inside, to the left of the front entrance. Their larger bakery is in Tiburon. The BEST CHOCOLATE FROSTING IN THE BAY AREA. It’s the classic creamy frosting. Not the sugary, waxy crap. And I’ve tried them ALL.
Deli. It’s in the back, at the back entrance. Old school. Take a number. Rotisserie chix, macaroni salad, salami, etc. Great sandwiches. There’s a line @ lunch time. Always. No seating inside. Couple of tables outside in the back.
Parking. FREE. You can park in the BACK parking lot for up to 90 minutes… for FREE! Love! The parking in front, though, is metered.
Convenience. You’ve got Starbucks, Noah’s, The Bookstore, Peet’s, Bryan’s, beauty supply, a couple restaurants, etc, all in Laurel Village. Read: Laurel Village is a slice of heaven in this town.
Cal-​Mart crushes it.

This market is way overpriced! I never thought anywhere would be more expensive than Whole Foods for produce that’s not organic. You are better off shopping at Safeway or an asian market on Clement for the same stuff.

This place is pricy for sure. But it has great products, a nice selection of breads. I recently got a sandwich there, it was well-​crafted (with meats cut to order) by a kind deli man — albeit it was about $ 7, which is a bit on the pricey side.
If you need some fancy ingredient for a recipe — they are likely to have it… on the other side, if you want to make it look like you slaved all day (and didn’t) there are plenty of those options too (gourmet pastas & sauces)

Deli customer service: Rude, surly, nasty.
In fact, I have been here about a dozen or so times and I come to the conclusion that the deli employees are pretty much an arrogant bunch of jerks, led by the older female cow who was ruder than sh*t to my elderly auntie today. Gads.
Why would anyone put up with the employes attitudes from the surly bakery, uninterested checkout, to the d-​bags in the deli AND their exorbitant prices? I bought a three pack of mini garlic bread and they charge a dollar more than the boutique grocer down here in the South Bay Steppford-​Ville town I live in.
The prices and especially the employees are much, much nicer at Trader Joes.
Screw this place. I“ll take my auntie to TJs from now on.

I can’t believe I haven’t reviewed this place sooner, I’ve been going here since I was a baby! Let’s get it out of the way it’s insanely expensive so don’t go there expecting to do your weekly shopping unless you don’t mind spending $ 300 – 400 for basic dry goods and essentials for what you’d pay $ 100 for at Safeway. And don’t even think about buying things like razors or toilet paper that cost 100−200% more than Walgreens down the street charges.
That said, I go here for the produce, deli, frozen & refrigerated items. the produce is spendy but very high quality. It’s been extremely rare I’ve seen anything even close to getting old or rotten, and if you shop in season you can sometimes get chain grocery prices on local high quality produce.
The deli is really good and not too high priced. I love the potato salads (there are several to choose from) macaroni salads (also several) and I’m not too fond of their sandwiches but my husband loves them, as well as the roasted chickens which are very reasonably priced and high quality.
They have a huge selection of refrigerated & frozen things that are hard to find in other stores like Soy, goats milk, sheeps milk & coconut based yogurts, vegan frozen meals, Three twins ice cream and several other local brands (some as much as $ 12 per pint!!!) So it’s up to you whether these specialty items are worth the price & trip there. It’s not like I know where to get organic blood orange gelato any cheaper!

It is a good thing for my wallet that I live across the city in Russian Hill. Otherwise I might be tempted to buy the whole store.
The selection of Cal-​Mart is similar and a little be more than the culmination of inventory in the boutique specialty stores in Russian /​Nob Hill but for lower prices (15−50%). Lots of imports from all over the country and the world. I even found Bar Harbor (Maine) chowder, bisque and seafood products (now I know where to go for an authentic lobster bisque fix)! Expansive pasta selection from Italy (both mass market imports and specialty) and many different gluten free pasta brands to choose from. Large jam, jelly condiments section. Large meat counter rivaling those in Chinatown but without the smell. Fruit was pricier than Safeway, but not sure if the quality is better. If you have time, like I did, do a little bit of browsing — there are some unadvertised deals to be had among the shelves.

Really only two reasons to shop here!
One: Their great deli with their fresh oven roasted turkey and their amazing deli sandwiches.
Two: Antonellis meat market. From marys chickens (air chilled for a crispy skin when cooked), to marvelous meats… wagyu beef, tender lamb, pork and very good fish.
The rest of the market is over priced with octogenarians ruling the roost. Dont you point that walker at me busta… I did say please and may I.