I went to this little gem of a grocery store and found wonderful foods that were locally sourced in the surrounding area. What a treat that is! I love local and this is the place to go for wonderful cheeses, breads, produce, milk, and more that did not have to travel very far to get on the shelves! read more

WOW, The Best Service! Selection you would expect at the largest market. Meat and Fish, This is where I go and it is out of my way but I trust the folks who work there and Love the selection. Profesional and Personal read more

I LOVE THIS MARKET !! My husband is from Chualar and introduced me to Star Market 30 years ago. Well stocked. Great products. Cheese and cracker bar. Yum. Beautiful produce! Nice nice employees. We visit every time we are visiting. read more

This is the absolute best meat market in Salinas. I bought pork chops and meat for a pot roast and both were excellent. I am definitely going to be a repeat customer. read more

Went to look around & to my surprise they sell Carmel's coffee! The nice gentleman from the meat department assisted me. They also have a good selection of cheeses. read more

Star Market - Grocery Near Me - Salinas, California

Best cheese shop around; personalized service; staff always there to answer questions; lots of European and other cultural food imports.

Star market is such a gem in Salinas. They have the best meat, produce and liquor selection in the area. Their produce is the most fresh, and most of it is grown locally or at least in USA. The staff provides excellent customer service and are very friendly and helpful. We tried the online ordering service for the first time today. It was the most intuitive system for online groceries I have used. They even ground my coffee for me (I asked them to). The online shopping is just so convenient for a busy family. read more

Best produce and fresh meat in town!! Store is very clean and organized. I would love to shop here for everything. Some everyday items are priced a bit higher than we care to spend. Over all experience here is good. read more

I hear great things about this store but when I went in, staff was not as friendly as I expected, didn't acknowledge me as a customer. I didn't even get a thank you or have a nice day after paying. Maybe it was the tattoos? I would hope not. Maybe everyone in the store including their own customers were having a bad day. Or maybe I will just stick with shopping at Lucky's. read more

Locally owned and the best customer service out there. This market has local foods that the near by chain grocery stores do not. I make the 15 minute drive just to support star market! Can't beat it :) read more

If you can't find it at Star Market, you're not going to find it in Salinas. Star has a great selection of interesting and gourmet food items. The produce is excellent and meat counter is cut to order if you'd like. Lots of organic items without the mark up of Whole Foods. Finally, an absolutely fantastic wine and spirits section that has many local wines. The owners have worked at the store for many years and know many of the customers by name. You only find that at a chain store after you use your club card or credit card, it is there in front of them and they have to do it. It may not look like the special store that it is on the outside, but go inside and look around and you'll see the difference. Verdict: Keep local stores alive. Give Star a try. read more

One of the worst shopping markets ever. Totally unfriendly staff and customers that go there. You would have to "fit in" with their cultural backgrounds. This store makes it clear it is not for young people of color. Many stares, many rude gestures. Many micro aggressions. I will only go back to make them feel more uncomfortable just cus my presence simply does that read more

I love Trader Joe's. Most everyone does. I am amazed by Whole Paycheck. Their cash registers must get hot and wear out after a couple of weeks of ringing up that stuff. Wow. Star Market is the best of them all. They carry everything you could ever want, from the usual national brands to a vast array of the items the regular supermarkets no longer carry due to their never ending quest to discontinue everything you like... Some examples that stood out to me: #6 Melitta coffee filters, duck fat, five kinds of clam juice, about 1400 varieties of olive oil, milk in glass bottles, absinthe (yes, really), mini ice cream cones and on and on. Just fabulous. The best wine and liquor department I have seen in ages. And that doesn't even count the alluring display in the locked cases... the best ever. I think they got some sort of award for this. The produce was excellent, the butcher shop seems way above average, far better than Safeway and the like. The prices seems about average to me. It isn't one of those gruesome box stores, not a small boutique market. Many of the items are locally sourced, like they went out of their way to do that. A fair amount of organic products, but it doesn't tout itself as a "health food" store as such. For me, Star Market is just that perfect store in terms of products and it doesn't hurt that they have a friendly and knowledgable staff. I don't mind lugging my own groceries out, but they insist. I blush when I gush, but this is one heck of a store and one of my favorite finds of any kind, ever. read more

Wow, my second favorite (regular) market, anywhere (in the U.S.). 1. The Nugget (in Davis) 2. Star anyway doesn't include places like Dean &DeLucas which are more pricey, not everyday markets. Star Market is a valuable, er, star, among other supermarkets. The owners are personal and interact with their customers regularly. If there is a product you want, they will likely order it for you. A problem with something you purchased?... they will replace it. The owners and employees offer some great/ knowledgeable service. They have fresh, local produce, and a great meat selection with a few seafood offerings. The sausages (made there) are headlined by their "Swiss Sausage" which has a taste that is not found very often. They also make a Italian and a a roasted pepper garlic sausage. The tri-tip here is marinated and ready to go... just cook and enjoy. As for the misc. items and products that supermarkets carry, Star Market carries the mom&pop products as well as the normal. What else is there to say? Why go to a chain when you can go to Star. read more

Star Market has only one of the few remaining butcher shops that will still process home raised livestock and wild game. They are always busy, but do a good job, cutting the animals exactly like we ordered. Unlike wild game processors in San Jose, I have never experienced "excessive shrinkage." Star Market can be trusted to return what you delivered, without a "butchers commission" for their home freezer. The grocery store is small by today's standards, but they have a lot of hard to find items. One of our favorites are Bellota Iberico Jamon (bone in hams) from Spain. They are DELICIOUS and taste like Italian prosciutto. Their deli has many hot and cold take out dishes and a great selection of cheeses. A gourmet selection at family friendly prices. read more

Great service. Amazingly wide choice of everything from cheese, dry salami to wines and other liquor.

Being that is a little more expensive than other places go there for just a few things. 1. Their specialty meats are outstanding! What ever they marinate turns to gold. 2. The wall of granola and other bulk items. 3. They know their local wines! Other than this its locally owned by great people. read more

BUYERS BEWARE!!!! Check expiration dates on what you purchase. This store is known for selling expired products. On July 2 we shopped for our 4th of July BBQ. We bought soy milk for my niece and when she went to open it it was already opened. After further examination I noticed the best by date of 22/February/2016! Almost 5 months after the date it was still on the shelf. The salad packet we purchased was orange yet had not expired. Always check the dates on the packaging!! read more

Star Market - Check dates on anything you buy at this market! - Grocery Near Me - Salinas, California

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As a newby to the salinas area.. Star Market is a sanctuary! The cheese and wine selection is amazing and the customer service is equally as amazing. The man working there helped me pick out some wine and even gave me some information on local wineries and such.. They have everything you will ever need in this one old school style market! Keep it up! read more

Excellent quality market, good selection of meats, fresh produce, cheese, sauces, spices, Walden's Sugar/Fat free items. Customer service is fantastic too. The ONLY market I have found that has Edamame grown in the USA. I don't like buying food from China. I always get great advice from the butcher shop. Their hot food is one of the best deals in town. After 5pm, they mark down 50% ALL the hot food items - roast whole chicken, tri-tip, ribs, turkey, meat loaf, whatever they made that day. You don't even need to cook! This is an wonderful local, family owned market. These kind of markets are getting rare. I do most of my shopping here. I want this market to be around a long time. They have an advantage over the chains and we should support them as much as we can. read more

I remember my mother doing her shopping here back in the early 60's when the current owner's parents started the store. It doesn't get any better when it comes to a FULL SERVICE grocery. Great selection of meats and the butcher's will cut to order. Need to speak to an owner with a question or request, look for Vic in wine dept. This has to be the most extensive selections of wines in the area, although the focus on mainly on local wines, they have many from Napa ,Santa Rosa and Paso Robles. Put that together with a wonderful new cheese dept and you have a special treat. One other thing, if there's some item that you need and can't find at a chain grocery, ask Vic, he'll go out of his way to try and find and get it for you. Everyone knows your name and are so friendly there. Its rare to see a good independent grocery that's lasted 50 yrs. Customer service is the key here. read more

This is THE BEST MARKET IN THE COUNTY, hands down!!! I recently moved to the Monterey area from the North Bay, and I've had a hard time finding fine foods around here. I work in Salinas and checked this place out because another reviewer said they had Serrano Ham, which was hard to find even in the north bay. First of all they have an incredible selection here - excellent meats, cheese, wine/liquor, and veggies!! The best part was the price - anyone who says they are expensive is trippin! Here is a comparison of items I bought to prove this: Framani Salumetto - in Marin, $19, at Star, $13.50 Serrano Ham - in Marin, $37/lb, at Star, $22.99/lb Chanterelles - in Marin, $30/lb, at star $19.99 I love this market so much I don't imagine I'll ever go to another. For those of you with a refined palate or those just looking for good foods, this is the place!!! read more

Even though I didn't really shop here much when I lived in Salinas, I always return here now when I visit my parents. The prices may be higher but the selection is great and the service second to none!! I was looking for some golden kiwi the other day and even though they didn't have it, the lady working at the product section offered to order some for me! What great service! You would never get that from a chain super store! They have a great variety of things to buy here and I recently picked up LuLa's confections here for my dad (The dark chocolate hula rocky road features handmade artisan marshmallows with macadamia nuts and really rich delicious dark chocolate). I love that this store supports local businesses like Monterey's LuLa's! read more

Star Market was my go-to grocery store growing up and I've been hard pressed to find another one I like as much. It's that quintessential small town market where all the locals go. They have a great selection of meats, vegetables, and alcohol. There service is very nice and they'll walk your cart out to your car for you and help unload your groceries. I prefer Star to a chain market like Nob Hill or Trader Joe's because it has the small town feel where everyone who goes there knows each other (cue the Cheer's theme song). Maybe the prices are a tad higher but, I think you're paying for Star's quality if anything. Plus, large grocery stores may seem appealing at first but, I think they can be overwhelming. I love the charm of Star and would continue going if I still lived in the area. read more

Great staff, wonderful produce, wine, meats and cheese. Our favorite grocery store. It's old school personal touch store with best quality goods. read more

Art and Victor Kong are just committed to outstanding customer service. They are respectful and welcoming, I have shopped at Star for over 30 years and they maintain consistent quality in their produce and meat departments. the staff are great, Amy, Denise, Mary and Joy, great customer service. Brian in produce absolutely the best, they bring local fruits and vegetables. We don't need whole foods or trader joes, when we have Star Market, the name says it all, it is the Star of Salinas grocery stores read more

First time I went it was not a busy morning So I had the store to myself. I left the store with over $100 worth of groceries and things plus a new coffee. Second time I went there not very busy again so I went in for that yummy coffee and noticed other people are buying it up as well. So I poured my beans and ground them up, they were out of coffee bags but left small paper sacks to use. Anyways bought creamer too, I want to add %90 of my store experience was great BUT both times I went to the cash register the ladies both made me feel I was bothering them and I was a lower class citizen...... Also I had goat cheese on special order request and never heard from the store if it ever arrived. If it wasn't for the forgetful cheese order and those unpleasant cash register ladies I would have given 5 stars . read more

Stopped here yesterday on my way through Salinas headed home. Im happy I did. We were planning on guests for dinner and I needed a few things. Its a little dated and felt nostalgic to my youth.. in a good way! Very clean, well stocked, and the wine isle is the bomb! Very nice selection of local and imports. They also have a great produce and cheese department. Picked up a nice selection of both and some premium deli meats from the counter. The items were a nice add to our pre meal and I got good ratings from my kitchen boss ;-) read more

Star Market in Salinas has really gone the distance in becoming a fine food merchant. It has always had a great reputation for their butcher service and produce. Several years ago I ventured in and couldn't get "foodie" stuff . Not being a very good meat cook at home, I did not think the Market had what I needed. I decided not to go back. NOW: After several beautiful meat and cheese trays that have come my way at my office I decided to go back in. I was thrilled! There is a beautiful and fabulous cheese counter (not cheep but good) great wine (with bargains) and the best produce probably in the world. That's not exaggeration. Star Market has the real connections to wine, produce, meat and fish- Thank you for adding some really foodie cool things! Yeah Star Market! Finally Loving Salinas! Erin from Carmel Valley read more

I grew up in Salinas and Star Market was our grocery store. It is family owned and operated with the best customer service. If the prices are a little higher than a chain supermarket, remember that you get what you pay for and good service is worth top dollar. Fresh produce is a no brainer, since they are located in the heart of the Salinas Valley. My mom still shops there and everyone knows her by name. I left Salinas to go to college in 1990 and they still know me as XXXX's daughter :) But now that I am grown up, my favorite part of Star Market is the wine and cheese section. Henry knows all the local wineries and has such extension knowledge it is infectious. He turned me on to Leal Vineyards several years ago and I am now a loyal wine club member. My brother said Henry has helped out with cheese selections for dinner parties and is always right on point. read more

If you can't find it here, you can't find it in Salinas. I'm quoting another reviewer, because it's true. The wine/cheese aisle guy really knows his stuff. Be sure to ask him if you are looking for a special bottle of wine or delicious cheese (you may never have heard of before). He has copies of wine reviews tucked away everywhere down that aisle and really knows his stuff. The readily available variety of wood chips for our weber are best we have found locally. read more

Star has everything a great cook needs to make those out of the ordinary dishes that wow the family or the dinner guests. Really good quality produce, a fine butcher shop, and the best wine selection north of Paso Robles. Try the "Jamaican Me Crazy" fresh ground coffee! All with truly friendly service. Try 'em, you'll like 'em! read more

Love these guys for cheese, meat, produce and alcohol. Our favorite cheese (Ewephoria) is $24.99/lb at The Cheese Shop in Carmel. At Star Market it's only $16.99/lb. They have a great selection of liquor and produce. The frozen food is overpriced but that's not why we go there. read more

This place is a small store. It has fantastic vegetables, fruit, meat, cheese and wine selections. Wonderful customer service. You might pay a little more but the store is clean and the employees are friendly. They go beyond to help you. read more

This is such a great grocery store. They have many unique items I can't find elsewhere. I love the meat market, it is second to none.

They have one of the best produce departments that i have been to. The vegetables seem like they have come right out of the fields, the lettuce is always displayed nicely with never old stuff. The manager is always tending to the produce department, probably ensiring that everything is staying fresh. I go here about three times a week and i am never disappointed. read more

Only an extra star because of the nice selection of fresh meats, cheese and wine. I felt good going into this store because of the good reviews.. As I was browsing the store I found a few items that were near or past the expiration date! Other things such as deodorant, shampoo, soda bottles and snacks were a bit more expensive than Safeway or Nob Hill and were covered with dust.. obviously they've been sitting there for quite a while. As for the staff don't let their friendliness fool you, I noticed that as soon as a customer would walk out the door they would start talking smack about them! Especially the punk kid with the big glasses and curly hair. Very rude, unprofessional and gives the store a bad image. read more

Best produce in town. We even get it delivered. And when you go into the store you see why......I have never seen ANY food market stack their fruit in such beautiful, appetizing formations. It is something I would expect at Disneyland. read more

Great grocery store. Ask where something is and someone will take right to where it is -not just tell you. You feel like you belong. Not impersonal like other grocery stores. Rarely have to wait in line. Everyone is friendly. And the prices are competitive if not lower. And if you're on a wine tour through Monterey, make this your last stop. It's all here. Ask Victor - he'll help you out in the wine aisle. read more

There I was last Friday night, it was my girlfriend's birthday and I stopped by Star Market to pick up some items to make a home made pizza and to buy a cake. When I got home (12 miles away) and unloaded the items, I noticed that I had left the cake after paying for it. Not good. I called the store and spoke to Mark. He checked and found the cake. Mark immediately offered to bring the cake out to me saying " there can't be a birthday without cake." I told him of the distance and he said no problem. He was there within 20 minutes. I've shopped here for years and find this truly above and beyond great customer service! Thanks Mark and everyone at Star! read more