Jons Marketplace

I miss the West Hollywood location. I’ve been going there for 13 years until they closed… Five stars because it was great, but one star because they closed this location.
Last year, I emailed the company about opening another location towards the west side again, and never received a response.
My questions are:
1. Do they care about their customers?
2. Was it all about the money?
3. Is the Hollywood location covering the losses they’ve endured when closing the West Hollywood location?
4. Will they ever open another location on the west side?
The building was torn down and now they are building high-​end condos…

Pepper turkey breast to be specific.

This was one of my favorite stores even back in the 90’s. I’m somewhat saddened that they’re closing. Luckily there are a few other locations around! Jons, always saves you money!

Love the selection of interesting and foreign foods, but it smells like fish so it makes it hard to shop here! I wish is was a little cleaner too. The people working the deli are extremely nice and helpful in offering samples and helping me find new things that it makes fish oder worth it to go there! Try the feta and olives, they are the best!

I’M DEVASTATED.
Went in today to pick up some fresh veggies and fruits.
And then I found out this location is closing for «a future development».
Great, now where am I going to get all my fresh veggies?
Hm, the only saving grace would be if a Henry’s opened up.
Ralphs just doesn’t compare =(

Cheap produce (I’m talking cherries for $ 2 a lb), and depending on location a great selection of product based mostly on the neighborhood ethnicity, but also upon what you request from the manager. The Jon’s by my house quickly stocked Guererro’s uncooked tortilla’s for me when I requested.
But what I really LOVE about this specific Jon’s is the people. It is ALWAYS a trip running thru these aisles. At 9:30 at night, sometimes I’ll be the only person under 30 (or 50 for that matter) or the only person in there that speaks fluent english. haha
The customers are rude, that’s right rude, and I love it!
I tried to help an old lady with her cart so she wouldn’t just leave it in the way for the person behind her, and she looked at me like I was crazy for helping. She just didn’t know what to do. It was hilarious.
When in WeHo in need of cheap fruit & Vodka. This is def the place to stop!

Oh, Jons. I tease, but you know I’ve got nothin’ but love for ya.
If I want fruit on the cheap, you’re there for me. Parking? Never a problem. Hell, when I’m feeling down, I know I can stop on by and get a whistle or two from the Mexicans in the parking lot.
I willfully ignore the fact that your name bears resemblance to another grocer whose aisles I’d sooner stab someone than be caught perusing. For, where else but Jons, can I buy six oranges AND ice cream sandwiches for $ 4.79 total? Where else but Jons, can I explain to a middle-​aged Russian woman that the term «crows feet» (as seen on the cover of this week’s In Touch — or is that last week’s…) has nothing to do with either crows or feet? And where else can I buy all the necessary ingredients for Cinco de Mayo and check out said items without even the slightest language barrier? Where, I ask?
Well played, Jons. Well played indeed.

This Jons, like all their other locations, is no frills. I’ve had several old Russian grandmas hack into my face while roaming through the aisles, experienced sketchy produce which I knew better than to buy but got any disintegrate into mush, and have nearly gotten into a number of accidents in the poorly designed parking lot.
Yet I continue to come back here, because there are no other places in LA where I am able to get a weekly supply of decent groceries for 20 bucks.
Do not come here if you expect to find: decent «pret a manger» or heat and serve foods a la Trader Joe’s, organic produce, or anything that would qualify as a specialty good, besides some Mediterranean items.
Come here only if you want seasonal produce at an affordable price point. Arrive armed with a shopping list, grab your fruits, veggies and meats, and get the hell out.
Highlights: Baba ghanoush and pita, fresh feta, baguettes, Italian ciabatta, fresh herbs (most of which are around a quarter to 50 cents a bunch), EVOO from all over the globe, the El Guapo spice section.

Jon’s is great for produce, prices are dirt cheap and decent quality. Also their butcher shop has some great specials. Not really a place for my everyday shopping but worth a trip now and then.

I am amazed with the Jons chain of small neighborhood markets. First off, I live in Koreatown where two Jons are located, one on Third Street and the other on Eighth Street. Both are located in heavily Latino neighborhoods; hence, both have specialty products catering to the Latino populace around. I have found the 8^th Street store a treasure trove of spices and herbs, many of which are extremely inexpensive when compared with, say, Whole Foods.
Now, I chanced upon the West Hollywood Jons this week and was amazed at the products catering to the Eastern European folks in the neighborhood. They also have some great Middle Eastern products.
When my girlfriend-​now-​wife lived in Glendale, I was impressed with the Armenian food products at that store.
Terrific, cheap and intelligent grocery chain.

My favorite thing to buy from this store is their french baguettes!!! I can eat that all day, every day! :)

OK first off, I have been trying to find a place to buy GOOD Feta, not the lame kind at TJ’s but Bulgarian Feta (the best) and so far, the only places in Los Angeles close to the 90 048 that sell good Bulgarian Feta are Elat Market and Jon’s.
On a side note: Papa Christos has a great selection of cheeses, but they charge way too much. The place is a joke and an embarrassment for what they charge. You would think that I’d support Papa Christos as a Greek girl, but NO! Their prices are absurd!
Now back to Jon’s. Like I said, Elat market sells great Bulgarian Feta, but going to that market is a PAIN! It’s a stressful ordeal every time, it smells, it’s a little dirty, and the crowd is RUDE! I’m over it!
So I decided one day to try Jon’s, as I’d gone there back in 1997 with a friend and remember it too was dirty and we were grossed out. But now, compared to Elat, Jon’s is Whole Foods. No, not really, it’s still run down and a little smelly… but the staff, deli counter, fish counter, and patrons are all extremely friendly and sweet. I always end up turning someone on to the taste and the deal on Bulgarian Feta (which is half the price in the deli vs the dairy section of the store!).
Seriously, everyone is sweet and the prices can’t be beat. A liter of Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Italy is always $ 5-​$ 6 and outstanding! I buy two at a time since I use so much! Take that TJ’s with your ridiculous prices on EVOO for way less! My bunch of fresh parsley was 25 cents! WHAT? Whole foods you can kiss my a&* for charging what you do for produce and cheeses!
Today I walked over to Ralph’s to get Gala Apples which were cheaper at 60 cents a lb. verses $ 1.35 a lb at Jon’s and noticed that the previously frozen Tilapia from China at Ralphs for $ 5 a pound was only $ 3.19 a lb. at Jon’s. I was reluctant to get fish at Jon’s, but my parents have been going to ethic markets in Anaheim for years and I eat their food all the time, so I’m giving it a whirl. The man in the fish section was also sweet and helpful. Seriously, in this recession where I can’t get an effing job and have been given the run around by so many people, my trip to Jon’s just started my week right.
I am eating a delicious greek salad with yummy feta while I write this review! Now, does anyone know where to find Kasseri or Fontinella cheese around 90 048 area code? Ralphs no longer sells it! I’ll drive 20 miles for it if it’s a good price. My dad still has to pick some up for me every time I visit them! HELP!

Oh Jons, my mother always makes her trek here for tortillas, bread, meat, spices, and produce. I too come here from time to time. One thing that has changed here is well nothing. Thats what I like about this place. You find the stuff exactly where it is since I moved to Hollywood in 1998.
As for why I am giving it 4 stars??? That would be outside of Jons. Since 1998, Jons has always had these soda and water machines next to La Brea. I dont know why but it always has this noisome stench like shit next to them. Even if they clorox them it will not go away.

when i first saw Jon’s, i thought this was a giant rip off of Von’s. the place was ghetto, but had a large parking spot. my friend recommended this place, so i said, why not? we’re in a recession and i’m on a budget.
if you’re looking for produce at a cheap price, this place is the place to go! the prices are great and their stuff is pretty fresh! i come here to buy my produce, but nothing else. they have a wide selection of ethnic foods, from jewish, asian, etc. i bought a box of strawberries for .99! tomatoes for $ 1.35lb! great deal if i may say so!
i definitely think this place is a worth checking out if you’re looking for produce! the cashiers are really nice and offer to help take your bags out for you

Jons is so my new boyfriend! I just hope the current boyfriend will understand :)
I seriously can’t get enough of this market. Now that I am submerged in the culinary world and soaking up everything I can and cooking all the time, Jons is just fantastic! I usually hit up the North Hollywood one, but I stopped in here this morning since I needed parsley and I got not one, not two, but 3 ginormous bushels of the stuff for a buck! I also found a citrus smoosher (yes, that is the actual CIA term… not!) for a couple bucks and a big box of kosher salt for practically nada.
Jons is the goods and even if their stuff can be hit or miss, it seems to be more hit than miss for me.

My mother is in love with this store. Every visit to LA, she insists we go to Jons. She’s not the type of woman to shop at Whole Foods or TJ’s. She is a penny pincher. She’s the kind of gal that knows her plants, there have been many times she has picked up vegetation off the ground (i.e. sidewalk) and made something spectacular. I always worried about the dog pee factor, but she’s from the Desh and it never seemed to bother her. One of my fondest memories is in a parking lot in CT. My mom saw a turtle, squealed in delight, chased it and put it in our trunk as my brother and I squealed in fright. As soon as we got home, she killed it and made curry. I refused to try it, I have my limits — I’ll go as far as peed on vegetation.
On Wednesday I took mamma-​bear to Jons. The store isn’t pretty. I’d even go as far to say it’s pretty rundown and slightly nasty looking. Didn’t bother mom. There were deals to be had! It was super busy. A mix of people from all income levels.
The produce is ridiculously cheap. I mean crazy cheap. A pint of strawberries for $ 1. A pint of blueberries for $ 1. 3 grapefruits for $ 1. The produce was off-​the-​hook affordable. I doubt anything is organic. There maybe mad pesticides in the food. But if you’re on a budget during the Depression II, you can get your fresh fruit and produce at a steal. I suppose you could wash the produce with a fruit & veggie wash. I generally buy my fruit/​produce from TJ’s or the Farmers Market, even my thrifty husband thinks I went too far shopping at Jons. Whatever, my mom rubbed off on me.
I’ll be honest, the meat scared me. She got a lb of nicely cut beef for $ 3.42 and a crap load of Foster’s chicken for $ 4. But my mom leaves raw meat out on the counter overnight. She’ll leave cooked meat out for days. It’s the way she rolls. As sketched as I was, I ate the food my mom made for dinner and it was tasty as hell. And no, I’m not sick!
The milk, eggs, dairy products and such are still cheaper at TJ’s. Some types of cheese such as feta and Greek yogurt can be gotten at a steal at Jons. They have interesting world grocery products for a bargain as well — I like experimenting with foods I can not pronounce. I’m not sure I’ll turn to Jons as my grocery store of choice. But maybe, just maybe, I will start purchasing produce from them… if I can convince my husband that is! Or, uhm, I’ll just hide where I bought our produce from. A little food deception is okay, right?

Meh. ok I came here Saturday as I was dying to see and try out this place after driving by it for years. well ok a year on end… its ok. its not any Rock&Roll Ralphs but the meat/​chicken selection is very well priced but the rest of the food items that you would see at Von’s and Ralphs for ½ the price are here at full price.
In the end it really didn’t work out to much more or much less expensive.
I will probably not return as in the end Pavillions and Fresh/​Easy work out to the same price.

Jon’s is great — FOR CERTAIN THINGS. Frankly, I would never buy meat there. Or fish. Maybe chicken. I would also never buy regular groceries there (last I checked, their milk prices were way above Trader Joe’s and Fresh and Easy, both of which have close by locations). Same for things like cereal, pasta, brand name items, etc. No. Also, many of their deli items that i’ve tried (like the cheap salami, turkey, etc) have been pretty low-​quality. You get what you pay for in that respect.
What this place is amazing for is a few things — the selection of imported goods, especially from Eastern Europe and the Middle East area — is awesome. Oils, olives, pastas, desserts (candy, cookies, etc.), etc., are awesome. Same for the pita bread and other similar products that are located around the deli. All are incredibly reasonably priced. Some things at the deli — like the bulk olives, feta cheeses, imported salamis, etc — are very good and still reasonably priced for what they are.
But the star here is the produce department. They have all the herbs and unique ingredients and basics and new things to try that you could want, all at really great prices and the quality is generally just as good as Ralph’s across the street or anywhere else but at literally a fraction of the price. For those of us who love fresh fruits and veggies but don’t have a lot of money, this is the perfect place. No it’s not pesticide-​free or organic, but it’s better than the alternatives. You sometimes have to pick through to find fresh pieces but for the price, it’s worth it.
Yes this store is a bit run-​down. Yes I do feel like I need to wash my hands when I get home (and the produce before I eat it). But the selection and variety and PRICE and usually quality of their produce is really hard to beat. And the people who work in this location are really nice.
This store can get very busy, and it can also sell out of stuff. I try to get there before 9am. Even then, sometimes it’s busy and they don’t have enough registers open (often only one, ssooooooometimes two). I love Jon’s!

Jon’s is to supermarkets as Ross is to department stores. If you like the challenge of searching for great deals, it’s for you.
My wife and I actually had our second date at Jon’s Market.
She’s half-​Russian, and I took six years of Russian and spent a month there in high school. Half the fun of going to Jon’s is walking around and hearing couples arguing in Russian. Yesterday, I listened to a Russian grandmother screaming at her Americanized grand-​daughter in a hilarious mixture of English and Russian.
Another favorite Jon’s memory: watching a Russian woman pay for $ 200 worth of groceries with food stamps, then go outside and drive off in a red BMW convertible.
But anyway — on to the shopping experience.
I first heard about this place in an LA Weekly article about 100 Best things about L.A. They talked about the supah-​cheap produce, and yes, it is cheap. The paradox of Jon’s is that the best fruit is usually the cheapest — when something is in season, like Strawberries and Nectarines in the summer or Apples in the fall — it will be plentiful AND good quality but they have a lot of it so they want it to move. How about $ 1.00 for a pint of organic strawberries? Suck on that, Whole Foods. On the other hand, if something you came for looks old and tired — don’t buy it. Jon’s will trot out sickly old avacados or mangos and if it looks overripe, it probably is.
Also — you can expect that every other piece of fruit or vegetable in a bin with have the thumbnail print of a picky elderly Russian immigrant. That just comes with the territory.
Other favorites — I was buying Kefir yogurt at Jon’s long before the Fage greek yogurt became popular at Trader Joe’s. Kefir is still $ 2.29 at Jon’s versus $ 4.79 for Fage at TJ’s.
As others have said — the cheeses at the deli counter, especially the feta, are awesome, and don’t miss the six pound can of dolma (stuffed grape leaves) for $ 6.99.
Last thing about Jon’s? They have plenty of baggers to move people through the checkouts quickly, and they will readily offer to cart your stuff out to the car. They’re kind of old school that way.

Maybe it’s me, but I just don’t get it. I don’t get Jon’s. This place is like the fetus-​in-​fetu (aka «faetus in faetu,» or twin parasite) of Von’s.
Seriously, one day Von’s awoke to discover a parasitic twin had capitalized on it’s host’s name and reputation and had embedded itself into our lovely SoCal landscape… Only the parasitic clone decided it wanted to be called Jon’s instead and developed a penchant for rotting cheese.
I remember the first time I visited a Jon’s — it was in Simi Valley, during the big supermarket strike about 5 years ago. That Cochran St. location actually wasn’t all that nasty. I was heartened that a cheap Von’s-y alternative was available. Squeee!
But the WeHo location is just plain TOE UP, complete with ID tag. Is it cheap? Yes. But is it also dirty, run down, and fish-​smelly? DING DING! For the life of me, I will never ever ever understand why anyone in their right mind would actively *choose* to go to Jon’s when you have lovely Ralph’s literally right across the street. It can’t ALL be due to price, can it? I mean Ralph’s doubles your coupons, people! Just grab a few from the Sunday paper (or the internet), shop at Ralph’s with them, and they’ll *double the value* for you! It’s not hard to find good deals there, either, as long as you use your noggin.
But if coupon cutting is against your religion, then by all means, toil away at Jon’s, with the dirt and the flies.