by Ara D.
Aside from the fact that this is a quick bike ride from my home and that I'm partial to markets containing Armenian/Lebanese-related foodstuffs, I would call this place a gem. All the essentials are here for making hummus, tabouleh, fool, and the like. They also have a large meat section - hence the "Basturma" in "Garo's Basturma", though I don't eat meat (bad Armenian) so I can't comment on the quality.General Selection [ 4 stars ]-------------------------A good selection of all the essentials; chick peas, a variety of fresh roasted nuts, teas, spices, halvah, cheeses, syrups, breads (lavash, pita, manaeesh) to prepare a great middle east feast and then some (e.g. hookah pipes and tobacco). Pastries are also near the cashier though I would highly recommend Vrej Pastry next door.Nuts [ 3.5 stars ]------Good selection of nuts of all types including a particularly crunchy and delicious Lebanese 'Kri Kri' peanuts. Produce [ 3 stars ]------------Fresh, just wish they had a little more variety.---Service [ 4 stars ]----------Friendly and helpful in my experience.Atmosphere [ 3.5 stars ]-----------------This place is completely bare bones though I prefer it to the typical Ralphs decor. I appreciate the small-town, old-world feeling of this place. Reminds me of some of the markets I frequented in Armenia. Completely unpretentious and to the point.Would I recommend it?Yes. It caters flawlessly to the Armenian / Lebanese crowd, yet has enough variety to appeal to all discerning tastes and ethnicities.
by Jasmyn S.
Came here because the first reviewer said they had hookah tobacco....but this is not a place to go. All the tobacco was old and dusty, many were at or past their two year mark. Prices were not bad...but I want FRESH tobacco! I looked at some of the other items and prices were good and they had a good selection....but just not a place to get tobacco!
