(Shopped 10/08/24 TU @ 1:00pm): The thing to marvel about this food store was the small-town…read morecountry feel of it all! Mar-Val Food Stores' Escalon location was the closest to where I stayed with dear friends of mine while we were in town for a funeral of one of their family members. We needed some minor provisions (e.g. libations and snacks) just to tide us over for a few days, so this was the most convenient place to grab these items. Founded in 1952 by the brothers Mardee and Val Kidd (Mar-Val) in Lodi, this charming small family-owned country store was concentrated in this part of California's heartland farm country where they avoided the larger corporate supermarket chains and were able to become more integrated into the community. Was I marveled by their slower pace of grocery shopping and local produce!? PURCHASE Five Window Beer Co. Wango Mango Hazy IPA Beer 16floz Can 4pk ($16.99): Hazy amber color, mango tropical aroma, medium body, mango milky orange sweet tropical flavor, mouthfeel finish, and mango tropical creamy aftertaste. This was a truly odd beer that foamed with a lot of sediment and actual mango pieces. ​​https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=mX33WX9GoFBgVFutevJzaw Grains Of Virtue Brewing Co. Bhad Bunny Cucumber Lime Kölsch Beer 16floz Can 4pk ($19.99): Dull amber color, citrusy cucumber lime aroma, light body, citrusy cucumber lime salty flavor, effervescent refreshing finish, and cucumber lime aftertaste. Paired perfectly with chips and salsa. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=JlHt9euAg_uxaNIA-cSH5Q SERVICE We were greeted by the friendly checkers once we entered the store, but after that we were all left to our own devices as we explored down each aisle and section as we picked up random things to feed us. Once we were done, the same checkers helped us and wished us a good day. All was easy and stressless - thank you! PARKING (FREE) They had their own sizable lot - 'nuff said! ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE A medium-sized grocery store that basically had all of the same amenities and markings you're familiar with at other larger grocery chains. They carried many of the national brands, but there was a fair-share of I imagined more local brands. The one thing that stood out was just the relaxed feeling I had inside this place; there was no hustle or bustle which I loved. Plenty of natural lighting came through the front windows and doors while bright electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. I didn't notice any TVs while I believe music played in the background. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=SeqwzEOZv8uGGlXj3RJ02w ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL I enjoyed the calming charm of Escalon's Mar-Val Food Stores location, and wouldn't have any reservations about shopping here again. Granted, I personally purchased only local craft beer while the rest of my party bought snacks and some premade items. However, everything you needed was sold here, but just at a slower pace and in less quantities. The prices were comparable, the ease of moving around the entire market was a plus (not many customers at this time), and the service was straightforward while I noticed several employees throughout stocking the shelves or working behind the deli counter. And, whenever possible I liked to support small local businesses. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $41.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS

I am tired of Marvels saying there out of something when I do Instacart I know they have corn dogs…read morebecause when I go in personally there have them. And it doesn't take that long to cook them.

One of the cleanest minimart bathrooms I've ever seen -- seriously…read more Stopped in briefly and was blown away by how spotless and well-kept the restrooms were. You can tell the owners really care. And the real star? Momo the cat. Sweet, calm, and clearly the unofficial mascot of the place. Such a pleasant surprise to meet such a well-behaved shop cat while passing through. Thank you for the hospitality -- it made a quick stop feel like a little highlight of my day.

Never would I have thought to leave a review for a mini-mart but this was unexpectedly nice. Just…read morenice. Stopped for a restroom with kiddos, super clean (plenty of supplies and well maintained, welcoming attendant, reasonably priced beverages that were nice and cold, and easy on and off from street headed up towards the mountains. Will make it a regular stop in the future.

I stopped by Dollar Savers in Escalon to purchase an iPhone charger for a trip out of town. I…read morepurchased the charger, walked to my car and plugged my phone in. It did not work. I walked right back in the store to exchange it for one that worked. The man pointed to a sign on the inside of the door that said "all sales are final." He refused to exchange the faulty item and essentially robbed me of $5.43. The sign is on the inside of the door as you walk out of the store. You see it AFTeR you have already paid for the item. When I pointed it out, He laughed at me and told me I was not allowed to take photos. Be careful buying ANYTHING from this store. I left the charger in the store and I am dispute the purchase.

super nice greeting ,very nice to have near me CHEAPER THAN MARVAL I always go for my milk and…read moreeggs, ice cream, and other things Wonderful owners,

Horrible service and they do not listen I ordered 4 carne asada burritos and I repeated it to her 5…read moretimes and she even repeated my order and said you want the carne asada burritos when I got home which is like 18 mins away we started eating and it was carnitas and my family can not have pork and I even called the lady and she was very rude saying that I can't bring that back cause there's nothing they can do I still brought them and they read the name on the bag and she was arguing with me trying to say that they said carne asada I said no they are pork she checked them and remade them for me not even giving anything on the side for free not even a drink when I had to drive all the way to bring it back cause they messed up on it horrible service never going back there again!!

Very friendly staff, and food there is really good! I love coming to get some food there when I…read morevisit Modesto.

This poor review is based on the produce and dessert sections. The produce had a ton of visibly…read moremoldy and wilted items, at full price no less. The salad mixes also had a lot of moisture inside the containers with wilted lettuce. The desserts all looked really sad and unappetizing, unlike the SM location in Modesto I usually go to. I was overall pretty disappointed in the quality of these sections. The upkeep of fresh products really seems to be lacking (but prices are not lacking)

I do my grocery shopping throughout the month spending well over $700. For the month. My main…read moreshopping is done at the beginning of each month spending at least $400.-$500. That's a lot of groceries, right? I am 72 years old and I find it appalling that the Riverbank SaveMart expects me to bag my own groceries. makes me so mad. Especially due to the fact that I'm spending a lot of money at that location (I happen to live around the corner.) I might as well be shopping at Winco where groceries are cheaper, but I'm expected to bag my own groceries. I get that because the grocery prices are cheaper. SaveMart groceries keep going up! And yet you expect me to bag my own groceries and I don't mean that the cashiers should have to do it either. They shouldn't! Since you charge more for groceries why don't you at least hire baggers. I find your Save Mart store in Riverbank to be a mess and not well stocked or cared for. All I can say is a 72 year old should not have to bag her own groceries. No matter how much she spends, and I spend a lot. Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

We do like our local mini mart, the service and selection is far better than the other few options…read morehere.

For a local market this is my favorite in Riverbank. Located…read moredowntown Riverbank, and is family owned grocery store. It has as all the feel of warmth and what you want in a neighborhood store. Helen is one of the owners and is so sweet and awesome! Your one stop shop for groceries, paying your PG&E bills and even if yo have to send a money gram. Better than taking the drive to the big chains like Savemart and Obriens , I come here!

That grocery store has been there in the middle of town for many decades, dating back to the 50's,…read moreit was known as McDonald's Grocery store for years. When the present owners purchased it, they kept the old fashioned family atmosphere, it's a step back in time to shop there, and I don't mean that in a bad way. Those complaining about the meat not being fresh don't know what they're talking about, unless your standing outside of livestock slaughtering pen, it won't be truly 'Fresh', the fact that meat is brown doesn't mean it's bad meat, that's the way butchered meat normally appears, the red you see is an added dye by the big chains to sell the impression that it's straight out of the cow,pig or what have you, I've worked around slaughter houses enough to know what I'm talking about. They have a good butcher shop and quality product, and their clerks are always ready to be of service to the customer. That's something that one doesn't find much these days.