Rancho Gordo is a hidden treasure in the St. John's neighborhood. It's near some farm supplies, auto maintenance places, and warehouses. Not exactly a ritzy setting like the Sonoma Plaza. They often host famous cooks and cooking classes, with luminaries such as Deborah Madison and Diana Kennedy. They carry New Mexican chile powder, heirloom beans, and Gay Caballero Hot Sauce. In addition to their huge supply of heirloom beans, they have heritage grains such as quinoa and amaranth, as well as clay cooking pots. The store is campily decorated with old Mexican movie posters. Rancho Gordo is a laidback destination in the culinary center of Napa. read more

Beans beans the musical fruit the more you eat, the more you toot, the more you eat again, the more you don't toot anymore because your digestive system begins to harbor the little enzymes that can easily break down the specific sugars in beans that are hard to digest... So let's have beans at every meal! Three cheers for beans!!! I love you Rancho Gordo!!! read more

My favorite bean go to place! I have been bringing my daughter here since she was 6 months old, because guess what- she loves beans!!! Yummy! The staff is super sweet and very knowledgeable. I love their vegetarian bean cookbook. I've gifted it so many times! So happy to have Rancho Gordo in Napa!!! read more

I never knew this about Beethoven: "He also perfected a Texas chili recipe that was to become the main ingredient in his "Ode To Beans" choral symphony of 1824. Not being able to taste food, he was still able to create a dish and musical accompaniment which to this day remains unmatched. " (http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_van_Beethoven) Of course that story is too silly to be true. The real story is that Ludwig, a great fan of beans, composed his "Gaseous Concerto" for piano, orchestra and a special section of townsfolk who provided the 'special' rhythm section - after a hearty serving of beans. A particularly feisty townsman 'contributed' so loudly during one performance, such that Beethoven stood up from the piano and exclaimed, "I can hear! And speak English!" Oh, and one window blew out. I love Steve Sandos' beans - you have no idea what a bean should taste like if you've only experienced the who-knows-how-old varieties sold in your local grocery stores (note: Many of the beans you find in the grocery store are from crops up to five years old. ) Many of Rancho Gordo's varieties are just fantastic cooked in their own liquor with a little onion and garlic. My favorites are Goat Eye, Scarlet Runner and Flageolet. You can easily find Steve's beans at the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market (he's frequently in the bean stall, so say 'hi') or on line. He has some great recipes and advice on the best use by bean variety. Eat beans! read more

I order these beans online direct from Rancho Gordo. The beans are incredible. I also love their grains, vinegars (wow!) and spices. They are also quick to ship and everything arrives beautifully packaged. They have a customer for life! read more

I've never been to their physical location (although I am hoping to change that soon), but I have now ordered their beans twice. I just received an 18 lb order yesterday. They are soooooo good. Beans from the grocery store require a lot of seasonings and/or animal fat to not taste bland. These beans are different. Saute a little onion and garlic, add beans, water and eventually salt. That's it. I was originally opposed to paying $5 a pound for beans (plus $8 flat shipping!!!). I mean, you can buy steak for that. But once you eat these, you will never want to go back (then again maybe you shouldn't buy them?). This is how I justify it: 1. Beans are healthy and you should eat them often. If I'm going to eat them often, I should get the ones that taste good, right? 2. Buying really good beans will encourage me to eat them more often. 3. Beans expand when you cook them. Once they are cooked, the $5 bag of dry beans is still probably cheaper than buying the same amount of beans in cans. AND they taste better. Some tips: 1. Flat shipping means you can order as many as you want and never pay more than $8 for shipping, even though your box might weigh a ton. Order a lot of beans (or at least as many as you can consume in 6 months time). 2. If you see a variety available that you want, order several of them. They might not be available the next time you visit the site. 3. Subscribe to Steve's blog for ideas on using the beans. Also visit the nifty recipe section of the Rancho Gordo website, or order Steve's Heirloom Beans book. Lots of people use these beans and then write about it online, so Google "Rancho Gordo" and the name of the bean you want to cook and you should come up with at least a few ideas. So what are you waiting for? Go order some beans! read more

Oh my GOODNESS! Now there is a retail store so you can buy your favorite most awesome beans PLUS other stuff like cookware. You can go to their blog and see the kind of things they have. Rancho Gordo 1924 Yajome St Napa CA 94559 707/259-1935 Open Monday-Friday from 11:00am to 5:30 pm I have been eating RG beans for years, they are the best. If you eat in the best Sonoma county restaurants, you have probably eaten RG beans, because the top chefs know Steve's beans are unparalleled! Forget the Napa wines, it is all about the beans, baby! =) read more

Went here with my super foodie friend from Dubai and she knows hella lot about food and beans whatnot.

I dig this place, though I still need to refine my bean cooking technique. I'll add to the chorus praising Good Mother Stallard beans. Cook those up and they're awesome, rich & creamy. The Christmas Lima is really good too--and I've never liked traditional Lima beans. Nice change of pace from the usual canned beans I get at the grocery store. read more

My review is based on online ordering. These beans are the best. I had really never know how good beans could be until I made my first batch. Favorites include: Midnight Black Beans and Rio Zape. delicious, nutritious and supporting a business invested in protecting heirloom species. read more

Very friendly store staff and an amazing variety of beans and grains. Their online customer service is also fantastic , there was a mixed up with my order a while ago but they took care of it right away! I just love RG beans! Growing up we ate a lot of beans, but I was never a fan! After trying these beans I understand why! The Mexican hot chocolate they sell is addictive! You've been warned! read more

Rancho Gordo - Can't wait to cook the Marcella beans! - Specialty Food Near Me - Napa, California

Did you know that most dried beans in retail grocery stores were grown at least a couple years ago and have been stored in bulk in some warehouse? True! Rancho Gordo beans are grown, dried, packaged, and put right out for sale. In fact, they run out of the most popular beans every year. My favorite way to use their beans is to dump a bag in a crockpot, add filtered water, some good dried mushrooms. Let everything cold-soak overnight, add a pound of diced chorizo, and then turn the cooker on low for at least 4-6 hours. You may not need anything else besides some salt. I have a couple of the T-shirts with the licking woman logo and get comments every time I wear one. read more

The only place to get an amazing selection of heirloom beans, grains, spices, etc. they also have great recipe cards (for free) and their recipes are so easy, and amazingly delicious. I picked up Posole and the spices to go with last week, and made it this weekend. It was so incredibly delicious, and easy to follow. The owner Steve and the staff are all fantastic. I would highly recommend stopping in any time you find yourself near downtown Napa. read more

As someone who had a completely career, then growing tomatoes, has had much success growing many types of heirloom beans. From the refried at Tacolicious to the fine dining of per Se and French Laundry, Rancho Gordo beans are amongst the best you can get. From far and wide and great local varieties. The Vallartas which i had recently are nice and creamy cooking down to a smooth richness. I knew they were in Napa but i didnt realize i could find them much closer to me in San Francisco at the Ferry Market. Time to explore more varieties read more

This place rocks! The variety of heirloom beans and other items are awesome. They are Super Fresh and the staff is extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The recipes that they have on their website as well as in the shop so far have been all hits. I think the place is pretty awesome read more

Does anyone remember the name of the documentary about beans/Rancho Gordo that played at Copia years ago? Thanks.

I've heard good things and I was excited to stop in. Yes, I get excited over random food products. I picked up some Borlottis and a bag of Good Mother Stallard. They also carry some other very interesting products. You can get a decent sized bag of chia seeds for $4!! Beat that Trader Joes. I wish I'd grabbed one of those Mexican hot chocolate disks though. Next time. read more

Rancho Gordo - Specialty Food Near Me - Napa, California

All dried beans are not created equal. These are top notch. Don't miss a bottle of the Mexican Oregano and the New Mexico Chile Powder. These make your dish, hands down. The Rancho Gordo cookbook is chock full of great, authentic, easy to prepare recipes that will have you creating delicious dishes in no time. I'm a huge fan of their dried posole corn, too! read more

best beans in north america, can t beat their flavor and richness read more

Rancho Gordo - black beans with a hint of fava - Specialty Food Near Me - Napa, California

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february is kicking my ass this year. so on one particularly dark and freezing day i gave myself permission to do what i've been wanting to do for about six months: order over $80.00 worth of heirloom beans, canela, jamaica, and popping corn from rancho gordo. yes, that's a lot of beans. i didn't feel guilty for ordering so much, since they're interested in and passionate about preserving genetic diversity. delicious genetic diversity. everything i've tried so far has exceeded my high expectations. the beans are excellent, and i was surprised at how much flavor the popcorn had before it was seasoned. i was looking at their client list and it included per se. now i have something in common with thomas keller. take a moment to think about that, february, you mercurial bastard! read more

My husband and kid love coming here. They are really sweet to our 2 year old and that is basically my main concern these days. He LOVES beans and so he and my husband come here to pick up a "treat" to make at home. We haven't branched out to any of the other products yet, but we really should! The beans make a great addition to any "local" foods gift basket you might want to create. Easy to ship and won't perish on the way. The recipe cards are awesome. Buy things from these nice folks! You won't regret it. Not cheap, but certainly delicious. read more

Rancho Gordo sells beans grown in California, as well as some varieties grown by its affiliate in Mexico. The California beans have, in my experience, been far superior, both in terms of flavor and freshness. Additionally, the Mexican grown beans often have a lot of dirt attached. By all means avoid garbanzos, which are five time the cost but no better than grocery store brands. And other common beans, such as pintos and black beans - are nothing special. However, the California-grown Cannellini beans are the best ever (as good as anything you'll get in Italy), the Yellow Eye, Pinquito and many others, are also excellent. ON THE DOWNSIDE: customer service, while youthful and friendly, leaves much to be desired in efficiency. I've had recurring problems with orders never shipped, incorrect information given on the phone, etc. Stay on top of your order, call to confirm shipment, and get the name of the person you've talked to. read more

If you like beans or are interested in learning about them, go to Rancho Gordo when you're in Napa. There are many unusual varieties of hard to find beans as well as spices, vinegars and sauces. The store is small but quaint with helpful staff. There are recipes that will encourage you to branch out. The popcorn is tasty and beautiful. You will be glad you stopped in to Rancho Gordo! read more

I can't say enough about Rancho Gordo beans. I have been eating Rancho Gordo beans for many years now and always love coming to your Napa store. I came in today to stock up on beans for myself and to purchase some to bring to a friend in Southern California. The young man that helped me out today was really nice and extremely knowledgeable. And, I learned he already earned his bean pot, which is really great. It is nice to know you guys are super to your employees as well as your customers. Thanks. I just keep hoping that you will have room on the Bean of the Month club for me some day soon. read more

I started buying their beans in 2010 when I went on the "Thin for Life" program. I had no idea there were so many beans available. These are the most fantastic beans in the world and I'll be a customer for life! I'm driving up to Napa today and will stop by the store for the first time. I turned on Nonni's Bistro in Pleasanton to Rancho Gordo and they now use an extensive amount of the beans on their menu. read more

I love this place! I was always intimidated by beans until I came here. I love the Good Mother Stallard's and Christmas Lima's especially. The girl in front is always helpful and offers suggestions and samples of the various other specialty foods and supplies they sell. read more

If you are going to cook a ppt of beans - these are the beans! Super good. Nice folks, learn allot, the best vintage Mexican movie poster collection on the walls. This is a special place. read more

The best beans ever, I bought a bunch and always order on line. Don't ever buy beans anywhere else

Had not tried cooking beans, but tried their sample and now hooked! VERY nice people and Great products!

I heard about this company when I was listening to a program on Vermont Public Radio. I checked out the web site, and ordered about 10 different varieties. The order came within days and I've already tried 2 varieties --delicious, great products,lots of advise and recipes on the web site--customer service is awesome. Glad I was listening that day! read more

Steve Sando has curated a most sophisticated and beautiful selection of authentic New World specialty food products. His tastemaking abilities and sense of humor are impeccable. Follow Rancho Gordo on Facebook and sign up for their newsletter for a delightful dose of Steve's joie de vivre and bonus recipes, ideas, etc. read more

In December I bought over $80 worth of beans thinking it would take me forever to get through them. I was wrong, I'm out. I, now make beans every weekend and eat them throughout the week. They are amazing, cook up so much quicker than other store-bought beans. I love Rancho Gordo beans. Really can't get enough of them. I'm not sure I can wait for the delivery and may have to drive up to Napa tomorrow. read more

So excited the Runner Cannellini beans are in stock! The beans you get from here are not like what you find at the grocery store.

Fantastic source for unusual beans - try the dried peppers as well. Very friendly staff at store in Napa.