Rad corner store. Pokemon card packs for $3. In this economy??? Easy spot to stop for road trip snacks or a last minute drink. I have even purchased rice here when I ran out at home. It's an awesome one stop shop. The employees are always great! Love chatting with them and having fun conversations. Lots of parking out front. read more

Something of an eclectic neighborhood convenience store. While there is always parking avaible, it's partly because this is a you go we tow lot. That means if you park here, do not go inside and/or leave your car for a few hours it won't be there when you get back. Consider yourself warned. I'm pretty much ok with that as well, there will always be a spot right up front when you visit. That's not something that you should assume will be possible in santa cruz. Inside there are a couple of tables, a bench overlooking the front lot/street and a small cozy not quite a garden spot in back. Even though this is a convenience they try hard to make it not feel like one. The seating winds up being cozier then you'd think. In addition to the shelves of overpriced dry goods (you know the drill. They have everything you forgot to bring, but it'll cost you.) they have their own prep kitchen which they use to make fresh deli things of varying degrees of tastiness. Basically if you get a sandwich or a burrito you find meh-that was prolly not one they prepared on site. Good selection of Marianne's ice cream treats(nutty bars, chocolate covered cheescake slices etc) all the it's it made (Pay attention. The mint and the green tea flavors look-but do not taste-identical) a decent wine selection, a solid craft beer aisle, and a daily rotation of thoroughly snackable items. While I wasn't any too impressed with the breakfast burrito(outsourced from a vendor), I do consider this a decent sammich/soup/chil/salad choice. Also a great choice for whatever you need for that grab and go food run. Pricing is whatever you want to spend. Ye olde hood snack of chips and a soda clocks in at less then five, but a couple sandwiches, soup, salad, bread and a bottle of wine can get you into the forty ish dollar range. Overall it's very much the decent choice if you are nearby. read more

Great Little convenient store in downtown Santa Cruz. They carry a wide range of goods and food, and also serve an array of sandwiches and breakfast burritos. There's also a pretty decent selection of beer, wine, and snacks in case you're on your way to the beach. Perhaps the best thing about them is that they carry pints of Marianne's - gourmet, local ice cream in the most amazing flavor flavors: Oregon blueberry, mud pie with Oreos, snickerdoodle cookie dough. Holy lord, stop me now before I clean them out and take their entire freezer home with me!!! read more

It's such a bummer that they charge 20-35% more than the other local markets. I highly suggest looking at the fact that you charge more for the same product as 7/11 and the other mom and pop stores. read more

If I could give this place zero stars I would, I never write reviews on places but this used to be my favorite spot to go get a sandwich, and any other things I needed. Mel and the rest of the employees were also so nice and helpful. Since The new owners have taken over they have driven this place into the dirt. You walk in to no one saying hello, it's dark, and claustrophobic because they now have the aisles going all the way up to the ceilings. The deli never has any sandwich's and the burritos(when there are any) ARE HORRIBLE TASTING. I'm really sad these new owners and employees were not able to keep this place at the same level as before. Hopefully they change this but I don't believe they will. read more

The absolute best $5.50 sandwich from Santa Cruz to Silicon Valley. Clean, fresh and they have squaw bread - yummmm! Sweet people, great service. read more

This is a cute little market/deli, GREAT prices on items!! They have a big selection of drinks - Huge 1Liters of Jarritos!! + I'd give this place all five stars if the deli side would stay open past 2PM, I like my sandwiches inparticular & they don't do a pre - made to my liking. I did try their breakfast burritos one morning it had sausage and it was good for the most part. Not like their awesome sandwiches thou! Their salsa was good, I wonder if they make it themselves... read more

Good food. Great variety. Really friendly staff. If you're in the area, you must come. read more

Mel's Market - a meal in a plastic container - Convenience Stores Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Food is OK,. However, Mel thinks it's OK to lie. She lied on the police report when my car was towed after parking there for a mere 1 1/4 hours. She told he cops my car was there 3 1/4 hours!!! There is a $$$ reason her 1 hour parking sign is out of view, about 60 feet from the entrance! == Her husband runs a towing service!!! == So they got to steal a big chunk of the $302 tow and storage ripoff. Her lying will catch up to her karmically. Yuck. read more

The employees are so welcoming and friendly they went out of their way to make sure an item had no meat since I'm vegetarian customer service is awesome and food is oh so yummy read more

Mel Rocks, this place rocks and they have everything that I need. Mel makes me a bagel with cream cheese, avocado and tomato like twice a week. She is so personable. Actually all the staff is. I like supporting local businesses, so this is the place to go. read more

They have a dining section with tables, and they sell food to eat there, but they don't allow customers to use their restroom. I spoke to the owner who told me the bathroom is for staff only. She said the policy was because it is such a terrible neighborhood. read more

Great place to stop and grab a quick bite to eat. Good selection of prepared food. Nice relaxed place with seating inside and out and friendly people. read more

I stopped by here after driving past and I'm glad I did. I ordered an egg sandwich and it was fresh, flavorful, and healthy. Felt homemade but well crafted. Price was pretty good for size. The ladies who worked there were nice and welcoming. read more

A pleasant surprise. I had the breakfast burrito (yummy!) and jalapeño deviled eggs. I only wish they had homemade salsa because I bet it would be super good! I will certainly be coming back to try more! read more

Great place! Good food and friendly staff. They always make me laugh! They have everything you could ever want or need.

This place left a lasting impression on me, and I will definitely make this a frequently visited lunch spot. When I arrived, I was immediately welcomed and felt super comfortable. I had a bit of a hiccup as I had left home without my wallet and my sandwich was already being made. They could have easily been upset at the fact that I had made them work for nothing, but instead of making me feel bad, they reassured me that it was no big deal and that they would put it in their pre-made cooler. I rushed home and quickly ran back to come through on my end. I had ordered a chicken salad sandwich on sourdough bread and it was fantastic. In our conversation, I was informed that all of the bread is picked up daily and all of her foods are made from scratch. The food was great, but the overall experience really was the cherry on top. Please stop by and give them your business, you will not be disappointed. read more

Mel's is a fantastic Santa Cruz fixture. It's small in stature, but HUGE in personality and quality. I go there frequently on my lunch break, and their deli sandwiches are by far and away the best quality in town (which is saying a lot considering nearby competition). The staff are friendly, and the food is fantastic. HIGHLY recommended! read more