One of my favorite local grocers - esp for their marinated meats, ceviches, salsas, and spices. Their shrimp ceviche is simply the best and sell out often! I've tried many spots and even a place like the Lure Fish house can't compare. Theirs is honestly flavorless compared to Santa Cruz market.. Their guac is also delicious! I come by here regularly to shop for pho spices individually, and a couple staples like cilantro, green onion, and limes. The only thing they don't have is cardamom but I visit Oriental Market for that. Also their bean sprouts are the best in the local area. I've checked sprouts, Ralph's, and even Oriental but they always are watery.. i think they don't store them right or receive the shipment properly. Santa Cruz has the best ones but you'll have to come when they are fresh! They are the best local Mexican market in Goleta imo! read more

Santa Cruz Markets - This is an AMAZING pairing... their ceviche is so loaded! - Grocery Near Me - Goleta, California

See all

This used to be such a great store before they sold. The workers are extremely rude and don't care about you whatsoever. Makes me so sad because it was so nice before. I doubt I'll ever go back in there like so many others are doing for the very same reasons. The food quality has also gone downhill. Older looking produce so old looking it has wrinkles all over it. Do yourself a favor and pass right on by this place. read more

Absolutely outstanding! My husband and I will be back. Love the large parking area, quality of their meat and produce

I am enjoying ALL of the businesses up and down Hollister Avenue during this great summer of "Project Connect." Out of all of the businesses, Santa Cruz is probably the only one I have visited since the early 1980s. This wonderful market never disappoints. Everyone talks about their excellent butchers, so I won't write about them. What always makes me smile is the consistent friendliness of the employees. I marvel at their ability to speak in English and Spanish, all the while, helping me choose the right amount of meat for party, or guiding me to an ingredient on my list. My prediction is that the new, calmer and safer Old Town will draw even more customers to this special market. If you see an old 3-speed bicycle in their bike rack (which is right by the front door!) you'll find me inside shopping and smiling. read more

Santa Cruz Markets - Note the new parking along Hollister. All the better to visit the Market. And much more safe for cyclists. - Grocery Near Me - Goleta, California

When we arrived they had a sign that said 10 people limit in the store. The cashier told us to wait, and we waited maybe two minutes. Once some people walked out, she kindly motioned to us we could come in. They were stocked! Lots of eggs, milk, fresh fruit, veggies and paletas. The limit for eggs was two. They also had a limit of 3 Maruchan Ramen per customer. The rice and beans were nowhere to be seen. When we left the crowd outside had grown to a good bunch. read more

Long line for meat but it went fast. The butcher was great and made to order a special cut for me. The meat was so fresh and tender.

Quality food at affordable price ! Helpful and friendly employees. They carry some products not available at other big markets. read more

Cashier drop one of.my apples on the ground. Picked it up and put it back into my bag. Said it's fine i.promise. I don't think she would Have ate it. Teach your cashiers some etiquette. read more

Hands down the best prices for meat in town. Plus the vegetables are always fresh and good deals. Tons of options to choose from for fresh produce and in the Carniceria. Our go-tos include the queso fresco, marinated chicken, and bollilos from the bakery. Yes, you can't get all your shopping done here but most. The staff and customer service is the best part since it feels like a locally run family environment. Bonus is easy parking and stop at the cheap gas station for a fill up across the street! read more

This is a good place to get meat and a good price. It is a small store, but if you are looking for something specific, it is great.

I saw a t-shirt in this market that was a take off on those Las Vegas shirts. It said, "What happens in Goleta, stays in Goleta." At first, I laughed. Then, I realized, it actually makes sense. Why? Well, "IT" stays in Goleta because 1) No one cares enough outside of Goleta to notice 2) You are embarrassed that you actually did "IT" in Goleta 3) You ran out of gas because you refuse to pay $4.73 a gallon 4) The person you tell has the response of "What's Goleta?" While Goleta is the source of much of my inner head amusement, there are a couple reasons I make it out there. For one, I got some friends that live there and two, Santa Cruz Markets makes an insane carne asada for around $3 a pound. You just can't beat that. Cheer up Goleta, at least you aren't Milpitas. Menudo. read more

Miles and away more helpful and friendly than most of the bigger grocery stores. You can find some of the harder to find Mexican items here and produce is usually fairly priced. Love Santa Cruz markets. read more

Bottom Line: Fresh produce, good prices and nice people Santa Cruz always has great produce, the people that work there are always helpful and their prices are awesome. The proper butcher shop in the back is legit and has quite a large selection. Lets not forget there is where we get our Goleta: Good Land T shirts too! read more

First, I go to SC market because it's small, and they have the best prices on salsa ingredients, with all the peppers In need in large quantities. Their service is friendly and fast. Their meat counter is Phenom! An interesting note; the different SC Markets have different marinades. I'm crazy about the marinated pork, marinated chicken, and bulk chorizo. In my opinion, the beef is so-so. Costco has better beef. BUT.... When I went looking for pork belly; they said they could get me: Vientro de cerdo, con piel (pork belly w/ skin) - which I wanted to make Porchetta. I just said, "si, me quiero...." and it would be there on Meircoles (Wednesday). When I arrived, sure enough, they had a whole 1/2 belly for me... more than I needed. They gladly cut it in half, and I walked out with a 6 lb belly, con piel, and con pezons. for $3.69 / lb. I'll update the review after I cook it, and post pics. But I love this place, and shop here regularly. read more

If you are making a bbq this is the perfect place to get your ready and prepared marinated meat.. Beef or chicken, and weekend pork buches or fresh Pork carnitas. read more

See all

Old school little neighborhood grocery store. Fresh, fresh produce at cant beat em prices. The best tortilla chips ever in a small display near the wine aisle. At $1.49 per 13 ounce bag, I am in love. Butcher counter in back with good selection. In the winter months, they have delicious little local Satsuma tangerines that I look forward to all year. read more

I love to shop for all my Mexican food ingredients here. I can find almost everything I find in Mexico, the place is clean and organized and the staff is friendly read more

Excellent piñata selection! That is what I was looking for. Did not grocery shop but does look like a great small, local market. Will definitely check out the meat department this weekend. Service was fast and friendly. No amex. read more

Santa Cruz Markets - Grocery Near Me - Goleta, California

I used to love Santa Cruz Markets because of the quality of meat and affordable prices. However, I have decided to never go back. It started with giving me the wrong meat and I didn't realize until I got home. By that point it was too late to go back so I called and told them I was coming back the next day. The employee was extremely rude and blamed it on me, like I'm the one who works there. I guess he's never heard of customer service. Then, when I came back he told me that "he wouldn't be able to exchange the meat again" never apologizing for my inconvenience even though it was their mistake. I went back weeks later to give them another try, same employee made a rude remark about not exchanging the meat (again, making it seem like it was my mistake) then he charged me $2 to cut the meat for me. No other meat market has charged me to cut meat. When I got home, I realized he cut it way smaller than I had requested. Therefore, my meal did not come out how it should have. All while acting like he was doing me a favor by simply doing his job. On top of this, their tomatoes are consistently bad. A lot of their produce seems to be of lower quality. Don't waste your time or money there. There are plenty of other options in town. read more

Neat little market with a local vibe you don't find at too many Goleta locales. As a child, I'd come here with my mom - we'd beeline to the butcher in the back to grab some pork butt for her chile verde recipe. Back in those days, I can recall the produce section looking very sad with bruised fruit you wouldn't even encounter at a gleaner. How unfortunate for the carless locals, I'd thought. Today, the produce is of a little better quality, and the meat department is still producing quality cuts at affordable prices. Coming into this place is like stepping back in time a bit. There is no POS system and prices are manually typed into the cash register. There's a sort of beauty in these non-commercialized bodega-type stores that I've come to love as a Goleta local. The aisles are clean and well-stocked, and the service is usually wonderful with much of the staff having been employed there for several years. Also, they feature a good selection of Goleta-related merchandise that you can't really find anywhere else. I'm fortunate to have a little store like this in my hometown. I will be back the next time in need of meat! read more

Lettuce was not very fresh, and was infested with bugs. Even the cans had a couple dead flies on top of them. One was stuck to the can via a strand of spider web. read more

This review only applies to their marinated chicken. The meat has a fantastic flavor and grilled over charcoal comes out perfect. I wish I had the recipe so I could recreate it myself. It's a bright red color and if you throw it in a tortilla with some cilantro looks amazing. Good pricing too! read more

Best place to get ranchera for your carne asada. They also have good prices on fruits and veggies.

My review is just for the produce. Small selection, but they have all the staples I need for a mere fraction of the price you'd pay elsewhere. I can buy a week's worth, maybe two, of produce for under $5! Excellent find, definitely one of Goleta's hidden treasures. read more

When I make my tropical hot pot I come here for their whole catfish which they cut and clean for you. When I do ceviche I get their dole fillets. When I BBQ I absolutely get their marinated chicken - lots of it. People LOVE it - huge drumsticks. Tri tip and carne asada cuts are great. Salsa is one of my favorites. Great selection of meats you don't usually see in your typical grocery store. Knowledgeable staff, affordable prices - always satisfied! read more

I like this place. Great deals, friendly staff, and a good assortment of Hispanic items. Good neighborhood grocery store. There's a parking lot or you can park on the street. read more

Great butcher counter in the back, they have it all, I tend to buy steaks at Costco but everything else I buy here. The hot salsa is the best I've had in Santa Barbara. read more

This is my store!!! I have been going to santa Cruz market since 1997. The people are friendly and treat everyone with equal respect. The food and meat dept. is better than the grocery stores. This market is truly a treasure for Goleta. I am a very long time happy customer. read more

This is the cutest market ever! Everyone was so nice and friendly. Small town market kinda feel and we loved it!

My favorite place to get premartinated beef and chicken! Great prices, friendly staff!

I go here to buy carne asada and chorizo from the butcher. It's great every time.

cute and old style market. very nice place.

Combine a full service butcher with a fantastic produce counter and you find people coming back again and again. The produce is so far superior to what the chain stores have. Being just down the street from the Habit makes it a no brainer to get the best produce in town after grabbing a burger. read more

I hate Santa Cruz Market. they have ruined me for all other salsa. Now when i go to a party i can only eat veggies and dip.