A Rundown and Review of Local Markets for Ocean Beach

By Csaba Petre

Following up on a thorough coffee tour of OB last year, I’m back to give a rundown and review of some local markets. I’ve chosen local stores (not huge chains, and not liquor-only stores) which can realistically qualify for at least a quick, missing-item type grocery trip. A couple of liquor-and-deli places have been added, if they met this criteria. Please feel free to add your favorite small store in the comments if I missed one you like.

Sunset Mini Mart

4799 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107

Sunset Mini Mart is a convenience store and liquor store on the corner of Voltaire Street and Sunset Cliffs Blvd. They carry a wide assortment of snacks, as well as non-alcoholic drinks and sodas. As far as groceries they stock some basics: canned goods, cereals, coffee, and cleaning supplies. The store is clean and conveniently accessible for North OB.

Best for: snacks and drinks; a quick canned/boxed meal; liquor and beer

OB Quik Stop Liquor & OB Deli

4984 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107

This family-owned and operated convenience store, liquor store, and deli is a staple for North OB by the park. Besides a great liquor and beer selection, they carry some grocery and household basics such as eggs, cheese, packaged foods, condiments, cleaning supplies, bbq supplies, and a variety of chips and cereals. There is also a wall of refrigerated sodas and soft drinks. Firewood and ice can be purchased here as well. The sandwiches at the deli are made fresh and are delicious. It’s easy to tell it’s a local favorite when the regulars all know the owner by name.

Best for: drinks; sandwiches; one-off grocery needs; firewood; liquor and beer

Sea Trader Liquor & Deli

1403 Ebers St, San Diego, CA 92107

All the way at the southernmost end of OB, the Sea Trader is primarily a well-stocked liquor and deli with a good amount of snack options, but also has an aisle of grocery basics. There is no produce, but there are canned goods and household basics like laundry detergent and soaps. Towards the front there is also a mini pharmacy section. The store is sparkling clean and very well organized.

Best for: sandwiches; a quick canned/boxed meal; liquor and beer

Olive Tree Market

4805 Narragansett Ave, San Diego, CA 92107

The Olive Tree is a small but fantastic mini grocery market serving predominantly the locals of South OB. It is located on the corner of Narragansett and Sunset Cliffs, and carries various packaged foods, cans, pastas, as well as cheeses, meats, eggs, bread and cooked rotisserie chickens. It has fresh produce, which is a lifesaver when you’re missing cilantro or lemons and don’t want to drive far.  Beverage options include alcohol (beer, wine, canned cocktails) as well as sodas and juices. The deli has a selection of freshly made sandwiches. There are also non-food basics as well as firewood. Two things to note are that it’s a bit on the pricier side, and it closes at a relatively early 8pm every day.

Best for: last minute ingredients; delicious sandwiches (order ahead online at peak times!); firewood, marshmallows, drinks, and snacks for your party

OB People’s Food Co-op

4765 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 9210

The Ocean Beach People’s Food Co-op, i.e. the Co-op, is probably the one store on this list for which people come specifically to OB from all around San Diego. This community-owned cooperative has a long history as a welcoming, earth-friendly hippy-vibe neighborhood staple. The produce is fresh and mostly organic. The bulk bins offer a fantastic selection of grains and nuts. The organic / fair trade coffee selection is extensive, and coffee beans can be purchased in bulk, or ground with the provided grinder. The store is entirely vegetarian, but not vegan; there is no meat or any meat products, but it carries dairy and cheeses. Upstairs, there is a deli and fresh coffee available. There is also a little side area with branded clothing, cups, glasses, and earth-friendly household goods. The staff are always friendly and helpful. You can shop here without being a co-op member, but once you join ($15 annually) you gain access to a variety of perks and discounts for members.

Best for: high-quality produce; fancy grind-your-own coffee; vegetarian and vegan foods

Krisp

4976 Newport Ave, San Diego, CA 92107

Krisp supermarket on Newport Ave. was formerly known as Appletree, which itself used to be a neighborhood supermarket located where CVS is now. Krisp is half supermarket, half liquor store. It’s centrally located and tailored more towards tourists and those passing through than towards locals. It has a selection of fresh produce, two aisles of basic grocery items and snacks, some grab and go sandwiches, and a vast assortment of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. There is a spice section that is fairly extensive, and some meats and sausages. Unfortunately, I have personally had issues with meats here; a package of frozen sausage that I discovered had gone bad after I defrosted it, and I’ve found their chicken to be fairly mediocre and close to expiring. That said, they carry a good selection of last-minute grocery basics for those in the area. The beer, wine, and liquor selection is top-notch; they also carry soju and cold sake.

Best for: snacks; a quick missing ingredient; alcoholic drinks

Stumps Family Market

3770 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107

Stumps is more in Point Loma than OB, but I’ve included it on this list (like Baron’s) because it’s close enough to OB for everyday shopping. The meat selection is large and varied, but I have had some issues with it being on the edge of going off. The produce section is larger than the other stores on this list and reasonably priced. It is a larger, more typical grocery store and has a more extensive selection of the usual boxed and frozen goods. They also carry beer, wine, liquor and coffee.

Best for: specific and varied cuts of meat, general groceries

Barons

4001 W Point Loma Blvd, San Diego, CA 92110

On West Point Loma Blvd., just before Midway Drive, Barons Market Point Loma is located conveniently on the way home to OB from the 8 freeway. It is a mid-size grocery store, and has everything for weekly grocery needs: good produce, meats, an extensive frozen food selection, canned goods, pastas, condiments, and a great coffee aisle. In general it is an excellent neighborhood store, with friendly and attentive staff, short lines, and mid-range prices (higher than Ralphs, lower than the co-op).

Best for: weekly grocery trip, general groceries

Where do you like to do your grocery shopping? Let us know in the comments!