Moving day. Had a hankering for pilmeni. Made a special trip to Kalinka just for that. I rushed to get there on time and arrived at 8:55 PM on a Monday. Not only closed doors, but lights were off an no one was there, so they had presumably closed a while before. I expect stores to adhere to their posted hours. Closing early is very inconsiderate to your customers. Oakmont has better prices for pilmeni anyway. Kalinka lost a customer. read more

This is, indeed, the best store in the area. I have been going shopping here for the last 8 years, and with the new owners I could not get enough of their excellent customer service, deli products, and breads. Even if you are not familiar with European foods, try it, and you will be coming back for more. read more

We got the best piroshkies I have had since I lived in San Francisco in 1960's. However because this Irishman knows little about Russian food, they have helped us select some really good things to eat. read more

The best Russian shop in San Jose area

This is a great little store with Eastern European products of all kinds. In particular, the things I've found to enjoy are the prepared blintzes, piroshki, stuffed cabbage, potato salad, borst, chicken cutlets, cheesecake, and more!!! Also, they have a wide selection of deli meats, as well as canned pâtés, farmer's cheese, candies, etc. They even have Marianne's ice cream from Santa Cruz. The staff has been courteous and helpful during my recent visits. I highly recommend this shop! read more

Being Russians, my husband and I like Russian food and are always curious about what local European stores can offer. We had been customers of many such stores in Bay Area (San Francisco, San Mateo, Mountain View) and, when we were moving to San Jose, finding a store with Russian food was one of our concerns. We googled and yelped and found the Kalinka. After we visited the store, it became our favorite European "supermarket". It is absolutely awesome! I don't care the place is tiny: it's way better to have a small store with an endless variety of food than a big one with a scarce assortment. We love absolutely everything about the store. I don't even know where to start. Their fresh baked goodies are amazing! Only a person with gold hands could make them. They are like drops of heaven. I'm trying to watch my weight but, when I'm in Kalinka, forget about it! They have so many things we used to love in Russia and much more. The owners of the store deserve a separate 5 stars. They are real professionals in the business: they know their audience well and strive to satisfy their requests. Also, nowadays, you hardly ever find such warm, kind and friendly people who make you feel special and treat you like an old friend or even family. Honestly, thank you very much, guys, for being humane and considerate to your customers. We greatly enjoy coming to Kalinka and are proud to be your customers (we brag to all our friends we have the wonderful store close by :) ) read more

Love this place, really takes me back to all the yummy dishes I used to eat when I was little. Lots of choices, both in the fresh section and jarred/canned. They have many selections for cheeses, meats, and smoked meats. The malosolnii pickles are one of my favorites. Haven't tried their frozen stuff yet, but all the fresh choices (shuba, sirniki, etc) are delicious. read more

I got in at 9:03 pm last night for a salami run (they close at 9 exactly) and they took me in because they hadnt cleaned their slicing machine yet. All is right with the world! This deli is an eastern european style shop with huge varieties and assortments of candies, salamis, and sausages. read more

I have shopped there for years, mostly for the AWESOME GERMAN BREAD. It is the Best. While it's always been a nice store, it got even better under the new management. They are super friendly, have expanded the selection and sell a lot of hard-to-find items at reasonable prices. I only wish they would open another Kalinka in North San Jose ;) read more

This store is fantastic. It has everything needed, and no busy lines and dirty floors. I am even ordering my wedding cake through this store and the cake is fantastic! Not like the dry american cakes. read more

Excellent freshly baked bread and authentic Russian piroshki (meat, cabbage, potato). Hostile and/or bored young kid working the counter, oblivious to customer service concepts. read more

I just came back from Poland and I was starting the products until I came to Kalinka. They have products from European countries which impresses me. read more

love this place. great selection for small russian store and extremely friendly service. hope they keep it up.

The folks here are ever so friendly and are happy to answer any and all questions. As a self-professed foodie and lover of new flavors, I am endlessly entertained by the unique foods and beverages they have here. I can't wait to go back! read more

Well stocked and friendly people! They even have hand made piroshki and other pastries.

This is a nice small store has a lot of food and drinks from my childhood. Always enjoy their service and meal.

My wife and I get all the salty, pickled, cured, dried stuff that we love so much from this store as well as Kvas and real bread. Young owners and employees are polite, always very helpful and energetic. read more

"Kalinka" is one of my favor grocery store. I compare "Kalinka" 3 years ago owned by different owners and one today, it's 1 vs 10. They have big selection of cheese, sausages, sweets, etc. Good luck you - "Kalinka" read more

Many visits to Kalinka and their service was excellent.What makes this place special ,you call them and 40 min later you can pic up your favorite freshly baked bread . read more

OMG, the old Russian owner is crazy! I parked in front of the store, went inside and didn't see what I was looking for. The couple working in the store completely ignored me the whole time. I then walked out and went to La Vic's a couple stores down. Next thing I know, and old Russian guy is standing next to me while I'm trying to order my burrito. He was mad that I parked in front of his store. I explained I was already in his store first, but I kind of agreed to come back to his store after, just so he would leave me alone. I walk back to my car after getting my La Vic's and he's waiting by my car!!! At this point I'm peeved, so I get into my car, trying not to look at the guy. He starts yelling at me as I pull out of my parking spot! Needless to say I'll never go back in his store. I'd rather go to the Slavic Shop, they're not the friendliest, but at least they're not confrontational! read more

I'm Hungarian and German, and was raised in a household that embraced these cultures, So comfort food for me includes just the sorts of goods they sell at Kalinka. The bread is always the first thing I head for, it's the best bread I've ever had. Heavy, dense loaves of tasty russian bread, and fresh too. I've had the pastries there as well, the meat filled ones but I'm blanking on the name right now... anyway, tasty and hearty if you're into the flavor which I'd argue is an acquired taste. The bread is cheaper than the german bread my grandmother buys all the time, as well as more filling and tastier. They've got a good variety of sausage and candies from europe. They used to sell the Kinder surprise eggs that I grew up with, but I haven't seen them in months. i don't think they can import them anymore. I'm happy they can accept credit/debit cards now since I don't always carry cash. Chech them out if you like european food at fair prices (They seem fair to me, but I have no real bearing of how much some of this stuff is elsewhere). I know I love it and maybe you will too. read more

i used to work at kalinka a few years back cooking and all and have a secret that i would like to share with people about the store. the food there is not fresh at all. the owner has a warehouse that is in sacramento and whatever he cant sell goes to kalinka. all them meets pretty much are being cleaned because they grow mold on them so that is where the oil comes in handy. same stuff goes on with most of the cheeses they sell at the deli counter. i have been asked on several ocasions to even clean the mold off the fish to sell it to customers so they dont loose money i can say that is the reason i quit. candies in the store are not fresh so if u look on the back of the box there is another date sticker on them but when u buy and open the box its stale and white. condenced milk is only sugar cuz its been laying god knows where before been put on the shelf in the store. watch out of any jelly or preserves, make sure u check a date on those. cakes that r in boxes been returned because they been green inside. pretty much i dont recomend shopping there. there r plenty of russian stores in the area that have fresh foods. the owner does not even pay the employees and scares them with police and tells them he will put them in jail for stealing if they try to sue them. so if u shop there good luck!!! read more