Rooky Ricardo’s Records

Almost a year ago, I was on a work trip and decided to take the day to roam San Fran and explore. I found this gem on Unilocal.Amazing find! The owner was Incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. I loved the listening stations. I’m going back in a week and I never forgot the wonderful experience I had… I’m coming back for more!

It has been many months since I visited this store, but it’s stuck in my mind ever since. I’ve been meaning to write a review!
Backstory: I was in San Francisco for two weeks in June of this year (2015), and was on a record store crawl. Rooky Ricardo’s was my fifth or so shop, and so far I had been kind of unimpressed. Then I found this gem.
The owner and a friend, who apparently used to work next door, were talking over some lunch, and I proceeded to look for a few minutes before asking about some records. Not only did the owner help me out, but his friend introduced me to some amazing new bands that I never would have listened to, even though I’d heard of them. They even offered me some food!
This store is one in a million; the listening stations allow for you to decide if the records you’re considering are the right ones, and the customer service is absolutely otherworldly. Prices are insanely low — I managed to get five records for twenty bucks! If you ever read this, sir, Nick from Boston will be back soon!

Wow!!!
This place looks pretty small from the outside but once you get in there it’s a pretty good size and FILLED with 45s! Tons of vinyl, loads of soul.
It’s paradise.
To fully enjoy this shop I recommend having a lot of time on your hands, we ended up just stopping by and didn’t have enough time… there’s never enough time in a record shop but this place is so full of rad 45s you need that extra time. Great selections. Did I mention the tons of soul?!?
Must return as soon as possible to sort through more records.
If vinyl is your thing this is a must visit shop. Prices were pretty good, a lot of 12″ for $ 5, $ 10 and $ 15

Dick is superb. This place is a Mod’s wet dream! All original and authentic. Just ask Dick if you’re unsure of what to get, his recommendations are pretty spot on. I also bought his cd comps and they were great.
I then started to ask about Northern Soul and he satisfied my craving there too. It’s too bad that more US soul is in the UK than the states but people like Dick and shops like Rooky Ricardo’s Records are «Keeping the Faith» and the torch is burning bright!
KTF!

Awesome place to find old school vinyl records. They’ve also got listening stations where you can get a taste of you selections before purchasing. I’ve spent many Saturday afternoons scanning their vast collection.

A cool little record shop. They carry a lot of 45’s, mostly oldies. Some of their 12’s are on the pricey side compared to other record shops, but the conditions of them are very good so the higher price makes sense. Definitely a spot to check out for audiophiles.

I received my first 45 rpm record at the age of 8 and have been collecting steadily since I was 13. I have traveled to many cities in many countries and always find the local record store (s), I usually have an extra bag with me just to bring back my vinyl. I first discovered Rooky in the fall of 2009 and I make it a priority to go there every time I am in San Francisco. It is my favorite record store in the world. Dick is so knowledgeable and friendly, I love talking with him (especially about our mutual love of Timi Yuro) and he helps me discover singles by Girl bands from the 60’s I have never heard of. He also makes kick ass compilations of singles onto CDs that you can buy in the store. An additional bonus is after you’re done shopping, there is a tasty pub cater-​corner to Rooky’s.

Wow. What a store!!!
If you are into soul and funk music this is the shop for you!
A one stop shop specialising in 45s for many different prices
The owner know his music in a major way and was able to suggest many records for me once he knew my vibe. But also not too cool for school. What a legend!
A serious music lovers paradise
id go back any day of the week, a fantastic shop!

Folksy and friendly people make this a good stop, especially for 45’s. Fair inventory of soul albums, but that’s it. Small selection of rock LP’s. Some jazz and esoterica.

Part of what makes this neighborhood great is the existence of this shop and others like it. Each shop, aside from the huge ones at the end of Haight, specialize in different types of music. Dick is super-​knowledgeable and has a bunch of kickass mixtapes for sale if you can’t make up your mind. Love this spot.

Funky Dick is the man… You couldn’t ask for more in a record store.
Don’t bother looking through the records, just tell Dick what mood you’re in and let him pick for you, he’s the Mr. Miagi of funk and soul.
Also the mixtape CD’s he sells are wonderful.

Pure vinyl! Awesome owner, laidback!

This place is heaven. Dick is a hilarious dude with an encyclopedic knowledge of the treasures in his store. My only complaint is I wish I had more money to buy everything I find here.

this is what heaven looks like to me. its so much fun spending the whole day here looking for records then actually getting to listen to them all in the store! that makes for a 100% guarantee that you’ll be happy with whatever you pick up. the staff there is amazing also! i was a little over whelmed at first and asked for a little help and john not only explained a little about how things were spread out threw the store he helped me dig threw some amazing stuff i may have never found otherwise.
highly recommended! ill be back at least once a week… until i die or go broke!

Bring A LOT of quarters and all of your babysitting money, because you are going to be here for three times as long as you anticipated and spend as much cash as you have in your velcro wallet, my friend.
I found this store through some light Googling because I was looking for a particular jazz record for a gift. Rooky Ricardo’s doesn’t have much jazz, but what they do have made me completely forget about my poor friend’s birthday and turned my eyes into big red hearts… At least half of the floor is dedicated to an extremely robust, well-​sorted and nicely organized array of soul, funk and girl group 45s in fantastic condition. It was like my own personal candy store. What was a girl to do?
The owner, Dick, is super nice, speaks candidly and creates a fun and welcoming environment for exploring the selection at one of the listening stations. I basically kissed my whole allowance goodbye at the register, so he hooked me up with some deals and even gave me a compliation CD of wedding songs because I mentioned that I have a jewelry business called Band of Gold (named after the Freda Payne song, of course!).
45s are priced appropriately — I do not think they are too expensive for the quality and the rarity of some of the tracks. Sometimes you have to pay to play! If you like to dig, there are $ 3 shelves with plenty of stock to search through, all organized between dividers labeled with the artist’s name. I picked up a copy of Joe Tex «I Gotcha» here — great song, three bucks. On the higher side, I spent $ 30 on a pristine copy of Lawrence & Jaibi «Walk Away, Walk Away, Walk!» which is super rare, and for me, worth every penny because it’s one of those unusual songs that also gets you in your guts.
Thanks, Dick — I’ll be back! I think this is the beginning of a beautiful and very expensive friendship.

Funk, soul, disco, oldies, and some random and rare experimental rock/​post punk/​new wave gems definitely make this ridiculously charming shop a little more niche, but nonetheless awesome.
Dick is the most helpful record store guy I have ever met, without being snobby or pushy. He offered me some whiskey on the rocks (omg, yes please!) while I listened to records on one of their many listening stations, and after I picked out a few lp’s I couldn’t live without, he threw in some compilation cd’s based on what I liked…
On top of the awesome selection and impecable customer service, the ambiance is PERFECT. I could spend hours and hours in this place and love every minute of it.

Probably a 4.5, it is Everything that it was supposed to be. Very pleasant staff, decent location. Good classic camera selection too. The only reason intake away a star is for selection but it was pretty good. I will return.

Record browsing is something that shouldn’t be rushed.
Rooky Ricardo gets this.
From their well lit interior.
To their well organized selection of slightly musty gems.
They make the elated feeling — of fumbling through slightly weathered abstract psychedelic record cover art of 60’s and 70’s artists — even better, with their accessible listening stations, and their helpful approachable staff.
If you’re looking for a used record player — come here (though apparently they do sell out of used inventory).
If you’re looking for a basic new record player — come here (we bought a seriously on point one here today).
If you’re looking to get a record player fixed — come here (while I’m not entirely sure if they can fix it — their staff can offer up some helpful suggestions)
But if you just love incredible music, love listening to it, and love being around people who appreciate it — then take your rhythmical self to Rooky Ricardo’s and get ready for musical magic.
Trust.

The absolute BEST vinyl shop in the city… well Amoeba is pretty damn cool too… but this is old school flava. I probably shop here at least once a month and they are always getting new stuff in. Dick, the owner, is rather incredible and super nice. No snob factor at all in this shop. The listening stations are a bonus as we all know used vinyl can have their issues.
If you’re a DJ and are part of the .45 club, then this is the shop for you.

This little spot has the best selection of soul and oldies coupled with the most knowledgable owner, Dick. I went in the other day looking for a specific song on 45, not only did he know what label it was recorded on, but also knew he had two copies, that one was sold the other day, found it for me and handed me a stack of personal recommendations to listen to. He has four players set up so you can sit and and listen to everything before you purchase. He also gives a good deal if you buy the stack he just handed to you.
*Wink wink.

What a gem. Great way to spend a saturday morning. Dick is AMAZING. hahaha that sounds funny, he is so great. I told him some of my fav jazz players and he suggested like 15 other resords I should check out. Even some artists I have never heard of. One of the records played perfect but looked a bit worn so he took 50% off.
And no hipsters. I am no cool ass record collecter. I just like listening to jazz and soul on vinyl. Sometimes I get intimidated by hipsters in record stores. This place is so unpretentious.
The record playing stations can keep you there all day!