Nice "mom and pop" neighborhood grocery store that's been around since 1950. Small but organized offering essentials, BBQ options and sauces, and a selection of local and organic products, wine, beer with a small produce section. Sadly, they stopped offering barbecue (they did a yummy tri tip sandwich) as of 6 years ago but offer a great meat section to do at home. I picked up some short ribs and sausages and very happy with the purchase. I decided to make a coffee rub for the short ribs and after 3.25 hours (wrapped in foil) of slow baking/indirect grilling they came out amazing! To complete the meal I picked up items for a salad and some Semifreddi rosemary focaccia that I slathered in garlic butter and warmed up. So good! :) Clean environment, convenient and great local store. Small parking lot with plenty of street parking. I'll definitely return and shop again soon. read more

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Castro Valley's best kept secret. Helio is an old school butcher, he knows his meats and how to greet! Everything is farm fresh and affordable. Highly recommend this mom and pop as it's still here 50 years later for a reason. read more

They have everything you need! Nice people too. Prices are a little higher but it's ok!

Love going to Al's market when I can't get into TJ's parking lot. Their butcher department is the best, a little pricey but you get what you pay pay for! read more

i leave in san jose, but i love coming here for there blueberry/apple pie its so good, but they alway sold out everytime i called.

What a hidden gem! I've passed by this market since I was a kid in high school. It's so unassuming from the outside that I always thought it was a convenience store. But once you enter you find a very fine grocery store that has everything you want. The employees are friendly and know the names of their regular customers. And even though it was my first time there, they showed me the same warmth. Shout out to Helio at the butcher counter who helped me and recommended his favorite cuts. I will definitely be back! Also thank you Penny at the cash register! I'll see you guys soon! read more

We went here for the first time and we love it! Great selection from junk food snacks to healthy snacks. Regular grocery selections and the prices are comparable to target and Safeway. Good ice cream selection for kids and adults. Meat market looks great too. We will be back! read more

Great little local market. Stopped in to grab a few drinks when heading to a party near by. The staff was friendly and helpful. Our local friends say it is a great little market. Support the little guy, shops at Al's. read more

I love this shop. The young ladies and men that work here are always so sweet and friendly. They all sang Happy Birthday to our dog Sooky. They carry a wide variety of spirits, and other drinks. Full service butcher shop, fresh vegetables, and baked goods. Many unique brands that aren't carried in most stores. Gourmet foods. Definitely recommend! read more

This is my favorite place to shop. The staff is wonderful and they always have what I need. I love Al's!!!

The people who work here are always nice. My fam and I have been coming here for years to their meat counter. The meat it always fresh to buy w/ alot of diff cuts and options to choose from. The store is always clean & they have lots of products u may not find in a reg grocery store which is a plus. The prices are a little on the pricey side however to be expected w/ a local great food market. I enjoy going when I have to order certain meats for holidays, special occasions or jst bc knowing it will be what I want & fresh very worth it. read more

Five stars for all the delicious meats at the meat counter! I have been disappointed ZERO times by my purchases as well as the wonderful customer service that comes along with the order. I have tried various cuts of meat and highly recommend the bone-in rib eye as well as the tri tip. My mouth is watering as I write this! The produce section is also stellar. I am hooked on corn on the cob again thanks to the delicious corn they have had this season. All produce selections are fresh and flavorful. They also have the usual refrigerated items and pantry staples you would expect at a market, along with charcoal and lighter fluid for those grilling days. I haven't purchased any wine here but the selection looks pretty good if you want to pair something with your meat counter purchases. Customer service is super friendly and I always feel welcome when I stop by. This place is a reminder of why I love living in Castro Valley! read more

Shop small business! Al's Market is a cute little neighborhood grocery market. I came here for one ingredient in particular, green beans and they were some of the best I've seen. After purchasing and heading to the car, I decided to go back in to get some ingredients for a dessert / snack thing I've seen on IG I've been wanting to try. One of them called for coconut flour, which Al's did not have in-stock so I had to stop by Safeway down the street. The employees here are all helpful and courteous. Great place to pick up and go. read more

I Have been coming to Al's ever since I moved to Castro Valley years ago. This store looks like a cute neighborhood market until you go inside and experience this little shop of horrors yourself. You will notice you are greeted by privileged snobby young ladies (really my little girls are more ladies than these Jezebels). These girls don't even say welcome in. They don't even thank you for shopping there. I have had many occasions where there is nothing spoken not even the total amount or if I found everything OK. The only thing these girls were discussing was one of their recent vacations to Hawaii. This brand can use some customer service training because that's the industry you are in. who wants to pay for overpriced items from folks who can't even say "Thank You". Keep it up Al's Market!!!! REMEMBER YOUR CUSTOMERS KEEP THE LIGHTS ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

**BEER REVIEW** This place is GREAT for seasonal ales, special release beers, IPA's, has a rotating stock! If you're a beer connesuer, THIS IS A GEM in Castro Valley at such freaking affordable prices! I personally did a price comparison for the general area of CV and Al's blows everyone else's prices out of the water! They had Waldo's Special Ale (which was a special release from Lagunitas) at $11.99 for a six pack and everywhere else in the area was $15.99!! I'm officially a fan of Al's! Yeah, this place is my go to from now on. read more

Great store with a real butcher and great meats that are no more pricey than your average Safeway. Very nice produce as well. Prices for other things are a little high but I highly recommend getting your meats there. Will do special cuts for you! read more

Al's Food Market is a nice alternative to Trader Joe's/Whole Foods if one doesn't want to make the drive and/or lines. they do have a large meat counter with branded beef cuts. almost every food category is available. ice creams not so much. sandwiches? not sure, didn't look. saw the pics. nice compact selection of breads, craft beers had some classics including blind pig pliny.... enjoyed my blind pig ipa.(6.5%/7.99) and semifreud sour ciabatta(3.89) small parking lane on side of market.... read more

They are the sweetest. They drop cute, inspiring notes in your grocery bag at the end of your trip. It really brightened my mood the other day. read more

I don't even know why I haven't been here to get meats. We picked up some tri tips and tbone steaks. Man the tbones were thick! We threw them on the bbq and man the meat slaps! Ok nevermind slapping meat sounds gross lol. The tri tip quality was so good and prices were cheaper than the supermarkets. Defin cant wait to come back to get more meats and hopefully try out the fresh bbq one weekend! read more

Al's Food Market - Tri tip was amazing and good price! - Grocery Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Good place to have in a pinch! Good produce too! And meat department also! The people that work there are very cool and helpful.

Ive been to this market a couple of times. Today my car was not working and had to walk. I took my service animal as I take her everywhere. When I do drive she does stay in the car, as it is a safe place for her to wait today was different because I had walk I needed to bring her in with me. I walked in and then was interrupted by I assume a manager stocking shelves. He ask for me to bring my dog outside. I made him aware that my dog was a service animal and I have proof to show him. He told me because of the virus. Perplexed, I responded that you dog does not have the virus, nor can she spread it, and it is against the law to ask me to put her outside. He said he's not gonna continue the conversation and the dog need to wait outside. Extremely nervous and put off by this guy I put my dog outside and quickly grabbed the things I needed. When checking out I suggested they put a sign up, even though by California law you cannot ask anyone with a service animal to put their dog outside. The cashier complied with a ok. No apologies or understanding of my use for my service animal. Covid or not, the situation was handled horribly!!!! My suggestion the next time you are dealing with a person and their service animal. Offer to grab the things they need or offer at least. Being apologetic and a little more understanding than just spouting off "it's because of the virus" does not make anyone feel safe, and you asking them to leave their service animal outside. Love to support local businesses during these hard times but will probably choose to stay away from this one. I didn't feel understood nor safe from the anxiety I go through everyday! I'm sure many enjoy this local market. I did, until I couldn't. So thanks for that. read more

Al's Food Market - Information for the business owners of this establishment. - Grocery Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Classic mom and pop. A institution to cv and has a old school charm. Produce is super fresh i like that they have collard greens kale and chard. What really makes the market is thier butcher shop. Its unrivaled, can not be beat, best quailty. read more

Al's is the perfect neighborhood market. The deli/butcher shop has pre-made meals and sides plus deli meats and uncooked fish, fowl and meat options. I love to drop in and buy a half slab of bacon or a whole turkey. The wine selection is excellent. The many sauces are fun and there's always a dessert option in the freezer or near the checkout lane. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Al's is a gem! read more

I shop at Al's because I want to shop at a LOCAL business. I like it here better than Safeway, Lucky. Shop local. The people are nice and selection is excellent read more

Nice 'old timey neighborhood supermarket', something you don't see much of anymore. Wide selection of items, many that you don't see at Safeway... and a great meat counter. Good selection, meat all looked fresh, lots of different sausages, too. read more

My husband's favorite place to find his pineapple soda. We like that it's a neighborhood market. We've learned that the Market carries other items that we don't usually find- for example, a hot sauce that my husband loves. Friendly staff. We also enjoy their bbq and hot links when they're outside. read more

Love this local market! We live just 3 mins away and go here often because they seem to have almost anything and friendly service. I really like their meat section, they're always super nice and always available whenever we are ready. One time I needed to find maraschino and the staff was so accommodating, they spent quite a while to go to the back to get it for me. Really appreciate them! Good people and good place. Highly recommend coming here! read more

I recently moved to Castro Valley, and with this whole COVID thing going on, I have been trying to avoid the big chain grocery stores and all the madness going on with people fight over toilet paper! Unfortunately ALS did not have any, but they had everything else we needed, from great cuts of meats, eggs, bread and one of the best beer selections I have seen! They have these jalapeño tequila chicken sausages which are amazing! These are a must try from the deli counter! They also have a good selection of lunch meat, so much better quality than your local big chain grocery store. TLDR: they have just about everything you need, even in these Apocalyptic times! Friendly, local and good cuts of meat! read more

I come her because I usually get quick service so often times it is worth paying the higher prices. Today, I am frustrated. I bought wine, the sticker says 10.99 and I got rung up for $13.99. Was going to make a salad, the cashier failed to give me my cucumber and my ranch dressing. It could be worse but it is what it is read more

Very friendly and great costumer service. Easy parking and stocked with a variety of imported products . Fresh fruits and vegetables. And they had pies and great scones. Meat products look great and they had a variety products from Harris Ranch. read more

Been shopping here my entire life. Their meat and produce is out of this world amazing. Their customer service is even better! When they bbq I highly recommend ordering their smoked meats and sandwiches. Plus they have all kinds of great stuff most chains don't. Shop local, support your small businesses! read more

We love having Al's in Castro Valley and I'm glad to see that the store seems to be thriving. Al's has a great meat deli if you are ever in need of fresh meat for dinner, cooking out, etc. I'm not a meat eater by my family swears by the meat selection here. Overall, the prices are very reasonable and we prefer to come her to grab a few things we may need over going to Safeway. I hope Al's will stick around for as long as we live in CV! read more

I'm very disappointed in AL's. I went in today to get meat just to find that they have price gouged there limited selection. When I spoke to the butcher he had very little compassion. People are losing their jobs and to price gouge food is just wrong. I would expect more from a family owned small business. I ended up buying a $30 steak out of desperation but I will never give them my business again. read more

Big thank you to the family working hard to keep the shelves stocked during this crazy time. I know it means ordering more and coming in earlier. I also appreciate the fact that they are opening to only seniors, like my grandparents who live down the street, for the first hour. As well as limiting items to each customer so items can last longer. I saw a complaint about the price of meat. Unlike some, I understand price depends on vendor. I also know the quality can't compare to the chain grocery stores. I know you're an honest family and I thank you all so much for everything you're doing! read more

Stoe is always super clean, and staff very helpful. Wonderful meat department. They always seem to have what I need.

The vibe in here is great - the meat counter is phenomenal, people are nice, no crowds, no lines and they have about everything you need. I bought tri-tip, sausages, chicken, potato salad, beef, beer, wine, whiskey, and bread - I mean ya it's a bit more than safeway, but the experience and quality is worth the extra few dollars.... I remember this is how small grocery was back in the 80's read more

Purchased a rotisserie chicken today from Al's market it was severely undercooked borderline salmonella. Drove back to the store and arrived at 8:15 PM just to find out they were closed. Online it says store hours are from 8 AM to 8:30 PM after speaking to one of the employees he said that they have not updated their Covid hours which is very frustrating we have been in Covid for almost two years now and they have not updated their store hours frustrating I would not shop there again... I attached pictures judge for yourself read more

Al's Food Market - Under cooked chicken - Grocery Near Me - Castro Valley, California

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Ordered 2 fresh turkeys as well as a ham. They apparently gave us a number which we couldn't remember. When we went to pick up our items they weren't very nice when we forgot the number but we gave them our last name, and eventually they found our order for the turkeys but not the ham. I think his name is Kevin? but, he was borderline nasty and kept hammering on about how we should remember our number. When you place an order don't forget the number they give you lol read more

Honestly the best damn Tri Tip sandwich you'll ever get when their outside BBQ'N, great costumer service too. I've been going here since I was 13, I live about 3 blocks away & I'm 25 now. I've turned a lot of my friends on to their BBQ, super convenient, always fresh & if they don't carry a product all you have to do is make a request & they will try and bring it in for you. read more

Al's Food Market - Best Tri tip sandwiches in the world! If you see the tent in the parking lot it means their BBQ'N ! - Grocery Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Small mom and pop shop in Castro Valley. Last time I went I remember some hostile notes from management toward teens with backpacks. Great place to get meat. They have super quality ground beef and a variety of offerings that are different than you local Safeway. Its almost like a Trader Joes only more unique and less modern. read more