I had to make a quick stop for a medical-related drop-off and parked in the green-painted 15-minute parking area directly in front of the store. I didn't realize there was another open parking space nearby. Shortly after, a man who appeared to be the owner or manager came outside and questioned why I was parked there, explaining that the space was intended for customers. I completely understand wanting to keep convenient parking available for customers, and if he had politely asked me to move to the nearby open spot, I would have gladly done so. Unfortunately, the interaction felt unnecessarily confrontational from the start. His tone came across as rude rather than helpful, which made what could have been a simple conversation feel uncomfortable. As a small business owner myself, I understand the importance of supporting local businesses and looking out for customer access. That's why I ultimately moved my vehicle without issue. However, I believe the situation could have been handled much more professionally and with a little kindness. At the end of the day, customer service and respectful communication matter, and a friendlier approach would have left a much better impression. read more

Owner is not nice or friendly. Not neighborly at all. Better off supporting another neighborhood market.

Owner is rude. They sell expired food. The store is dirty and unorganized. I would not recommend ever coming here. Go support the other local stores with friendly staff. read more

I love this neighborhood market and the owners. They always have a smile on their face and they give my dog treats! We enjoy going there.

absolutely love these small, family owned markets! This one is handy, the staff are helpful & friendly, and I don't feel like just another stranger when I shop there read more

We are so FUR-TUNATE to even have a corner market. American market owner Louie is an absolute delight, always is welcoming & helpful. Surprisingly they have a pretty diverse stock of groceries & snacks at reasonable prices. My pawrents are especially grateful for a surprisingly good selection of wine, beers and of course ice cream for such a small place We are truly gr888ful that my hood still has these types of small businesses that are so convenient and enhance our community. Life would be so much more difficult without them Oh, Louie also brings in great Food stands & trucks that serve us well. If you live in the hood, stop by and make sure you tell them Dexter sent you. Some to come a review on the new tamale stand out front read more

American Market - Owner Louie is just the nicest. he always has time & a treat - Beer, Wine & Spirits Near Me - San Diego, California

I was in there that night, this guy was being unreasonable. As a regular at this store, and I live closer, the bell at the door is never too loud. read more

honestly this place used to be really convenient because i live less than 5 minutes away but the service from the same guy made me not want to ever come back. I've had MULTIPLE occasions where they checked my ID and accused me that "it wasn't me" or "doesn't look like me" BY THE SAME GUY. I've started going to the liquor store down the street on park blvd . Guy there, checked my ID only ONCE when i first went and has known who i am ever since. The last time I went here was to get some arizona's and some juice, and the SAME guy who would always harass me about my ID , was hovering near me thinking I was going to steal just by dressing in sweats ????!!! Guy keep coming back and forth NOT DESCREET AT ALL in the aisle I was as if to make sure I wasn't stealing anything. Honestly haven't been there since; I have no idea what this guy has against me but he's like a younger guy with a beard. read more

I had come here for years, and the older owner/staff were fine. Pricey, but fine. Recently there has been a younger guy, who seemed to have consistent issues at the register, which always resulted in the price being higher than advertised. He'd do some interesting math on the old calculator instead of scanning. The third time this happened I pushed him to scan the item. When I looked at the display he said "don't worry about it." Huh? of course I'm worried. the next time I came in and saw it was him I casually left, because I didn't want to debate getting ripped off. I don't need ice cream that bad. today I decided to try it, and as I brought my items up, dude says "when you left last time, that wasn't very nice." What the fuck? Anyone can quietly leave when they want. And he kept lecturing me! I left, and won't be back. also have a hard time believing he would have behaved that way with a dude, for what it's worth. read more

I live right down the street from this store.. it used to be nice to walk in because the people were so nice and welcoming. Now a days there a weird high strung guy that works there.. I've had such bad interactions with this person.. he always rushing me and it seems like he making up prices and processes. At night he tries to close the store early and basically stands guard to anyone that comes in .. his thing is that he mopped the floor and doesn't want anyone stepping on his work. Last time he told me he would get the item and wouldn't let me in the store ... it was 8:30pm for crying out loud. Because of him I'm considering not even going here anymore... and I live half a block away! The owner needs to talk to this guy. read more

I wish I could give a 4.5. They have a really decent beer selection for their size. I've come here for emergency milk (like when you're in the middle of cooking, and realize you need 1/4 cup of milk), and it's my go-to for snacks and fancy soda. I'm very happy with the water dispenser outside the store- only $1 for 3 gallons of reverse osmosis filtered water! San Diego tap water is SO GROSS to drink and I'm v happy to have found an economical alternative. read more

Been coming here about 10 years. Always treated well here, these guys really are a part of the neighborhood - not just workers that show up. Many times I'm working at home on something and the store is well stocked with unusual items that come in handy, and at fair prices so that I don't have to shop blocks away. The store has a great outside mural, and the inside seems to be continuously upgraded. These guys rock! read more

Loud entry beeper broadcasts over a hundred yards constantly disturbing neighbors every time somebody enters. Workers promise to move alert speaker but nothing happens. They even refused to give owners name and phone number. So these guys may talk with code enforcement and ABC about noise violation. Good luck. read more

I absolutely love these small, family owned markets! This one is handy, the staff are helpful & friendly, and I don't feel like just another stranger when I shop there. read more

Ick to the maximum. These owners/cashiers couldn't be more creepy. Every single time me or any of my housemates go here- they get harassed and heckled. I highly recommend walking an extra mile + to avoid this corner store. 0/10 would recommend read more

You might call them bodegas, corner stores, neighborhood markets, corner shops, or convenience stores depending on where you grew up. I call them lifesavers. We bought a huge (30 lb.) turkey for Thanksgiving which doesn't fit in our refrigerator for obvious reasons. So instead of refrigerating it, we are keeping it in an ice chest and adding ice daily to keep it cold. Only today we forgot. Along rolls 9:00 pm and I get the flash..."OH SHIT, WE NEED ICE!" So I jump in the car and head on down to American Market. I walk in an the guy behind the counter greets me just like he always does with a "Hi Buddy!" I ask where the ice is and he points it out. I grab three bags, pay for it with a debit card and head off with a cheerful goodnight wish from the shopkeep. Back at home, ice in the cooler and turkey disaster averted, I am thankful that people still own small shops like this...just in case. Oh BTW, they have a large selection of adult beverages, ice cream, chips and candy bars if you are so inclined. read more

Once again, another wonderful short walk. I need eggs? No problem. Need Milk? Ham? Water? Laundry Detergent? No worries. I walk and I get it and it's great. Granted, you're paying for the short walk and the convenience as it is slightly more expensive then heading the the Vons down the street, but soooo worth it - especially on those hot days when you HAVE to HAVE an ice cream and don't want to get in your car! read more

Always friendly and great selection of beer and other fun things! They even have dog toys and pencils! Also love that they have Mexican items like candy and spices. read more

I have been inspired to review based on the other reviews here. In 2004 a guy worked here (part of the same family who still does, I believe) who ended up moving to Vegas. That was a shame. That guy made the place - he made it what it is described in other reviews: a local, we-know-your-name, we-watch-your-kids-grow-up kind of place. They let you know if your favorite wine is on sale. They smile and make conversation. As soon as he moved this place went downhill. I noticed the dusty shelves, the old product, the lame wine prices - all of which were there before, but new to me because what was good about the place was gone. The new cousins (?) manning the place were pissed about being there, pissed about you coming in, pissed about having to interact with you - even though they made sure that required no verbal activity. This place is only cool because it is the only commercial endeavor in, the residential enclave it sits in. Otherwise it sucks, and, as a fundamentalist practitioner of local patronage, I would still rather go to a 7-11 on El Cajon Blvd. All that said, I have not been in a while, so if it has changed, great. However, methinks not. read more

These little markets are the so fun. The Corner Store, as Jonathan Richman might sing ... Anyway, American Market is awesome. It is the usual fair ... beer, wine, general groceries. What I really like is the people who work here. They are just good folk. So stop in for an Ice Cream Bar. A candy. Some ice cold Chocolate Mike (this is what I get here almost every time ... as it is the last stop on the way home after long bike rides ... and there is nothing quite as delicious as Chocolate Milk after a long bike ride). Yay. read more

Small corner market in the University Heights area. Clean but a bit pricey for items (a gatorade and a bag of chips ran me over $6). This is a good stop if you don't have time to buy snacks at a normal market or store pretty much. Good selection of beer here. I saw Ballast Point and I think Stone here. read more

Moved into the condos next door and it's very convenient, always prime customer service, some of their house hold items are a little on the higher side. However, I would rather give this neighborhood company my money then a huge corporate. read more

High prices, poor selection, rude employees and owner. Avoid at all costs. I live nearby and have been several times, and never had a good experience. I was hoping it would get better but it never did. read more

Dishonest employees here, so be sure to double check your scratcher lottery tickets yourself and not just take their word for it; they tried to cheat me. read more

Overpriced and the ownership is a little douchie sometimes. However, they have a good selection of beer and wine for anything else not so much. If they would lower the price it would be better. read more

The man that usually works there in the mornings is actually a very kind man. The store is okay. I live just down the street and for game days its easy for me to just run down the street and pick up a few packs of beer. The only thing about this place is make sure you read the expiration date. I've gone in there the past few times and found supplies such as juices, health bars, etc. to be expired by at least 6 months. Keep an eye out. read more

I love this store! owner is a doll! I only wish they were bigger and had a full liquor license.

This is a very convenient local market for stuff you need. They actually have a little bit of everything here and they even make keys! The owners are always appreciative of your business even if you just buy a bag of ice. Not expensive, actually cheaper than 7-11 read more

I'm at this corner store at least 5 times a week for beer, candy, energy drinks, and other vices. It's just a couple of blocks from home, and I like that the staff let me bring my small dog into the store. The guys that work here are always very friendly, and I'm happy to spend my money here, even though I have 3 other convenient stores that are equidistant to home! The only thing that I don't love about it here is the 50 cent surcharge for using card. read more

Most of the goodness that is American Market is the fact that it is conveniently close to my house, this I will admit. I've read other Yelp reviews that say these guys have bad attitudes or aren't as polite as the guy that USED to work there, etc., and I'm like... seriously? Come on. I have to say the 3 guys that I have interacted with there have always been polite, friendly and neighborly to other patrons while I was there, and have generally great attitudes. During the blackout people were lined up outside the building, their register was down, and it was a mad-house in there, but the energy was good. Their prices could be lower but like another Yelper mentioned, convenience isn't free. They have a good selection of snacks, beers, wines, sodas, etc., and veggies like onions, potatoes, garlic, etc., so if you're in a pinch you can just pop down to American Market. Obviously I love this place. read more