Wow! Pretty impressed with this mini grocery store. Family-owned. One of the staff, Freddy, was very welcoming and friendly, we appreciate that. A couple of other staff asked us if we are finding everything ok, whoch was nice. Excellent variety of seafood, meat, cold cuts, cheese, wine, bread, jams, canned goods, chips, ice cream, eggs, cereal, chocolates, baking ingredients, milk, juice, produce, and whatever else you need and think is not here... it is here! We will be coming here more often. read more

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This is a great little store. It's packed with food great for the road. Since we were traveling through we stopped in for a few chips and some pickles. However the store had s lot of great shopping for every day needs. It was pretty clean. The people at the register were nice. read more

Lilac Foods - Yay new pickles to try!!+ - Grocery Near Me - Valley Center, California

Love this store. I don't shop here everyday, but I'm local and they have everything I need. Very convenient and everyone is very friendly.

Bad expired food. We went there for breakfast to get some food and pretty much almost everything was expired and the food was so expensive.

We are local to Valley Center and I love being able to get things I need for dinner without leaving town. They have a large selection of beer, wine and liquor. Decent amount of produce and a butcher counter with a good variety of meats. I asked to have my pork butt sliced thinly and they were happy to accommodate me. Lots of parking in the big parking lot. read more

After lunch at Fat Ivors we left in search of fresh strawberries. Nice waitress mentioned the strawberry lady in front of Lilac Foods. We drove up and found the strawberry lady with strawberries. I bought 3 baskets for $7.50. She mentioned the strawberries were grown in Vista. They are juicy and full of sweet strawberry flavor. These fresh from the field strawberries are among the best I've eaten. I took a quick look inside Lilac Foods. It was almost the size of a Vons/Safeway. Good selection of items. It's great they let the strawberry lady sell her strawberries in front of their store. Back in the old days I loved driving up to Valley Center as there were many roadside stands to buy fresh strawberries. Sometimes the stand would be right in front of the strawberry field. All the stands I knew of are now closed. It looks like in front of family owned grocery stores are the only spots to get fresh strawberries in Valley Center now. read more

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Beautiful place A mile from my Ranch Love it Nice employees very humble Prices are fair and convenient I support my local community read more

I told the lady in the back I only wanted a pound of carnitas, she gave me 3 pounds. And charged me for it. Prices too high

Came to grab some groceries and a quick hot meal turns out most if the groceries were expired but also the chicken meal was all bad underneath it was super soggy. Place needs to be checked out. read more

This place sells rotten food.. I'm surprised it hasn't been shut down. The owners are horrible people. I bought a watermelon that looked fine on the outside and it was completely rotten on the inside, disgusting! I would never buy anything else's here. I'm afraid to get sick. read more

$6.99 plus tax and CRV for 24pk of water. That's ridiculous!! Especially in times like these. And then they tell us prices are going up tomorrow. $27 for water, eggs and 2 packs of bacon read more

Lilac Foods - Receipt - Grocery Near Me - Valley Center, California

We live on the north county coast but over the year we learned to shop here for all our needs when camping in the mountains or desert. The variety, selection, cost and fast in & out time is exceptional here. We like their amazing meat counter & craft beer selection too . For your cooler the ice is a good deal here as well . read more

Where the old Harvest Farms store once was has now been turned into the aptly named Lilac Foods. Recently opened in December 2013, this great new store is a big plus for Valley Center. My brother just bought a ranch out in Valley Center and he always complained about having to drive into Escondido to do his shopping. Not anymore. We checked out Lilac Farms the other day and it had a great selection of products and some very reasonable prices. A story in the Valley Roadrunner noted that "Tom Jabro is one of the managers of Lilac Foods and is a veteran of the supermarket business since 1967." He and his wife realized the need that existed in the Valley Center community for their family-operated business. Son Matthew Jabro--a Valley Center resident--is managing this new store. I liked the great produce selection here and was pleased to see that 50% of the store's produce will be certified organic and supplied by Coast Citrus. Also, set to be offered are fresh fruits and vegetables from Valley Center growers, of which my own brother is one. There are on-site butchers and a nice selection of wine and spirits. In support of the community, grocery delivery service from Lilac Foods to HideAway Lake Mobile Estates is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks. Lilac Foods is easy to get in and out of and is a great new shopping asset to the Valley Center area. It is breathing new life into a section of Valley Center that will soon be welcoming other new businesses. 5 YELP STARS for the great new Lilac Foods. read more

Lilac Foods - Grocery Near Me - Valley Center, California

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This place is nice to have especially on the area that it's in which there isn't to many places or markets. They have everything you need and prices are fair. They also cook food in the back where they sell meat. You can find fried chicken and other hot foods. Also sell liquor and fruits, vegetables. read more

It is a nice little supermarket with fantastic tacos, burritos, and much more depending on the day (located in the back of store.). The supermarket itself pretty normal, not a lot of organic options but decently inexpensive for the region, with pretty much whatever you need. Happy eating!! read more

This place really deserves two stars, but it is the best market I've found in Valley Center. I went into the store for a few staples and found what I wanted. The produce looked meh and a lot of things struck me as very expensive. I was a little miffed that their hours were posted incorrectly on Yelp! I watched as the staff arrived almost at 8AM. Thankfully this is a true food market with liquor in contrast to the many places that seem to be exactly the opposite. read more

Lilac Foods - New hours - Grocery Near Me - Valley Center, California

If you are buying anything but meat from the meat market in the back dont waste your time. My last 4 containers of mushrooms were molded and slimy. I bought lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms, and meat today hoping for a good taco night. The mushrooms were molded once again and the lettuce had bugs and insect eggs on it. this is not only disgusting but a health hazard. I will never go back, not even for the great meat prices and quality. The FDA is on there way. Pics have been sent to them of moldy food on the shelves. read more

It's nice to have a market in town. However, this place is way overpriced. Expect to pay $2.00+ more on EVERYTHING you buy. I have not purchased any produce here, after reading the reviews I don't think I will...lol! I hope they get it together and take these reviews seriously. Valley Center is growing. They will get pushed out by the bigger markets coming in. read more

The checkers at this could not care less if you buy anything. No hello, no eye contact, no thank you. In fact I definitely felt the two checkers on duty were annoyed I even came in. P.S.: it wasn't late at night. 4:45 pm read more

We live in VC and make an effort to support local businesses but the management in this place is a big disappointment, I went through the whole veg section trying to find one thing that was fresh, nothing, I bought frozen veggies. Then the wife bought a chicken which was bad, she dumped it and went back in with the label. She was told by the owner she was a liar and sent on her way. This guy will never get another cent of our money. These people don't get it - unfortunately we now have Walmart in Escondido because they do understand customer service. VC has some other businesses with a terrible attitude to their customers, they wonder why things are tough - clue in ! read more

Living localy, we have expectations of fresh veggies and fruits. Lilac Foods is far from fresh. My comment is not based on a single visit to the store. We really want to support local markets and small businesses, but I think we just made our last visit today. We went to the store to buy some fresh strawberries for my kids. Doubled checked the packaging and made sure fruits are fresh. When we got home,.. sure enough, they looked fresh only from outside. Please, take a look at those pictures and see how the strawberries are inside. Black, white, mold, hairy, pure rotten. One thing we don't mind buying in this store is canned bear. But no food, especially fresh. They should considering, @least changing the name "Food". read more

Lilac Foods - a bunch of strawberries on a counter - Grocery Near Me - Valley Center, California

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Well unfortunately supply and demand is what drives pricing in a some what rural community like VC. Price for me was not the issue, I bought the pre made shrimp ceviche...I been sick for over a week! I knew instantly it was bad. Such a disappointment. Don't by the pre made food. read more

Living in Valley Center is a lifestyle of liking the solitude of a rural setting . That being said I'm glad we have some Grocery stores up here . Who really likes driving 6 miles down the hill and 6 miles up? I am smart enough to pay the extra for something up here instead of wasting gas and time on the alternative. I have shopped at all the grocery stores up here and they all have similiar pricing. Lately Lilac foods has dropped its pricing and added more produce. Lets be honest , if we supportted our local businesses more they would be willing to risk adding more products to offer. Long story short, I like to shop there when I need something and they are nice people. Go Jaguars !! read more

The owner of the store sold me a brand new propane canister by lying and saying they didn't refill them. When I returned to have the canister refilled at a later time, he stole the new canister and gave me an expired one in its place. They also sell old wine that they know is vinegar, 12 year old white wines sometimes and they refuse to give refunds even though they know its rotten. The owner lies and steals. On one occasion, I heard hi swearing at his partner and calling her names on the phone. I was done after that. Please don't give these people your money. They are horrible con artists. read more

Just moved to the area. Nice place to get some fresh produce, and great for a last minute item if I forgot something when in town. Also I'm very impressed with there wine selection read more

I was really looking forward to a nice, clean and healthy grocery store in valley center. Something like major market. This is just another run down, Tijuana looking store with expired food in every department and horrible meat. Tendons gristle gross! Even the packaged salads were all slimy. Now we have 3 choices for groceries in valley center and all 3 are so filthy it makes you wonder how safe the food could possibly be. read more

As a former food health specialist and inspected hundreds of groceries, wholes food centers, food establishments in L.A, orange county , I , MUST say that the LILAC grocery store is deplorable . The produce is some of worst I've seen , prices are exorbitant, even pre packaged goods were outdated . The store does offer a variety of products which were more expensive for the same product elsewhere. Staff were cordial, helpful. Getting to the meat of matter, the butcher seemed to have good quality meats, pork and beef , their hooded food steam table was sizzling and steaming a good sign, barbecued chicken just off the grill. The meat prices were comparable to the big box stores , ALBERSTSON'S, VONS, RALPH'S etc. When the big box guys move in down the block , they will have to redesign themselves to compete, Remember the BIG BOX GUYS never are graded less than "A" when inspected ! they can't afford to lose a customer!!!!!! FOMER ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SPESIALIST, L.A. COUNTY PS: ASK TO SEE THIER INSPECTION REPORT THE USE OF THE REST ROOM IS ANOTHER ISSUE read more

Deli part of the store is always great! customer service is always great! BUT they always have tones of expired food!!! ... Hope they get this corrected soon because I really don't want to see any major supper markets come into town, take over , and Lilac Foods ends up having to shut down! read more

Few times before have I walked out of a grocery store because the prices being so high and the selection being so bad. This place is ridiculously expensive, I will not be stopping in, in the future. read more

I have always had great service here. All the employees are friendly and helpful to me every time I go in. The prices are a little high, but I rather pay a little higher and get great service. Thanks you Lilac foods. read more

I love this little market. The chicken tamales are wonderful and pick up a few every week or so for lunch or dinner. It's the closest market for milk, or something else I might need without having to drive all the way into town. The store is always clean, the people are very nice and the prices are right in line with what they should be. read more

Another marked up place in Valley Center. Service is hit or miss and they practically do nothing for the community. More concerned about themselves than giving back and being apart of the community. I'll be glad when Major Market comes into town! read more

I live close to this store and shop here frequently. They have Dave's bread and other brands you wouldn't think you'd find in a little family run grocery store. They have a great price on fresh local eggs, and the meat selection is great. Weather your looking for a store bought chicken and mac n cheese, or wanting to cook a rack of ribs and baked beans, they have you covered. They also have a great selection of beer, wine and spirits! The veggies are, for the most part, pretty fresh. I will shop here for years to come! read more

I love this store, it is clean, well lite and their meat department is wonderful. Everyone there is so friendly and helpful. If you need something they will drop what they are doing to help you. The prices are right, maybe a little more than you would pay in Escondido but when you consider your time, gas and auto use it pays to shop there. I would recommend this store to anyone here in Valley Center. read more

Don't know why all the bad reviews on meat. I've bought Tbone and Porterhouse and they were great. Also, best chicken prices anywhere. I get the drumsticks and thighs all the time for barbecuing and they are fine. The canned goods can be pricey, but it beats driving to Escondido when you run out and need something. The fresh veggies are sometimes old, but you can't beat the prices on bagged potatoes, tomatoes, onions and I've also bought celery, green onions, serrano and jalapeno peppers, and other vegies that were good. Watch for their TH and Fri specials, which are really good prices. I'm glad they are there after all these years of having to waste gas driving to Escondido. read more

I really wanted to like this store because it is close by and locallly run, but it has problems. I recently bought four large avocados for $1.59 each. I carefully palpated the entire display of avocados because most were rotten and I picked the best I could find. When I cut them open, all four were rotten inside. They overprice items and then knowlingly sell them past their expiration dates which is a shame because I wanted to like this store. read more

now i dont want to write a sour review, because i do live close to this store, but honestly there meat is sometimes old,they always have there prices wrong witch is very important to me, the only good thing i can say is the corona prices and modeolo prices are actually cheaper the alot of stores in my area,and my freind told me they were madogging him lol read more

Given it's brand new it is FILTHY inside. My friend felt the same when she visited. I was so looking forward to their opening but is grossly disappointed. Produce selection is a little better than the meat market on VC Road, but everything is more expensive. But the biggest problem is the dirty dingy feel when you walk inside. read more

This place is absolutely HORRIBLE! All of their items are over priced and more Importantly, I experienced a last straw visit when I discovered that the sausage I purchased was expired. I didn't realize that the meat was expired until I got home, so I bagged up the packaging and threw away the expired sausage meat. The expiration date is NOV 2014 and I opened it Jan 16, 2015. The worst part of it all, I get to the store with the baggy containing the expired wrapper, and I ask the cashier if I could get another one since that one was expired. Sadly, I was denied since I didn't bring the meat back with the wrapper. I was like "do you want me to go back to my house and get the meat out of my trash? Because I will." She then got her manager and then he let me exchange the meat. This place is garbage. If you buy something from here, be sure to check the expiration date. read more

This market is the only full-sized grocery store in Valley Center. The positives: the selection is good and this store will save you a 12 mile trip to Escondido if you need something while cooking. The staff is very friendly and goes out of their way to help customers. The store is clean and the prices are fair, considering that they can't buy with the same volume discounts as the big chains. They have a good produce department and a full meat market. The negatives: check the expiration dates for your purchases, as sometimes expired items are not pulled quickly enough. They close early, so if you need something at 8:15 p.m., you will probably be driving to Escondido or Temecula. Overall, I like this market and think it serves the community well. read more