Vineripe Market

(This was an unfinished review I’m finally posting in an effort to catch up on my reviewing).
I was so glad to see this place open again after being closed a long time. I asked a guy when they reopened and I don’t remember the exact date but it was in early January when I was still out of town. I finally got in here tonight after finding out they were back open. First I had an amazing meal at the grill next door, then came over to the grocery part to buy some of the Sumac spice they keep in a shaker on the table in the grill, also check out the goat meat (didn’t get any this time), look for some olive oil soap (bought two bars) and get a variety of feta, olives, sesame bread, hummus and grape leaves. Wandering around looking at the wide variety of merchandise I ended up with several soup mixes, Turkish coffee, mint tea, and more delicasies not found most places.
I was impressed with most of the prices – things were much less than I thought they would be. Everything looked nice and clean and was well organized. the people I asked questions of were very helpful and enabled me to find the things I was looking for.
Overall, I come in here periodically for my exotic food fix and just for the fun of looking around at all the unique items they carry. It’s a great place to buy Turkish coffee, unique spices and foods, Middle East cookies and pastries etc. I almost always get half a dozen items from their hot food deli to bring home and eat over the next few days. Their feta doesn’t taste quite like the Greek feta I have eaten over the years but it’s still good so I get some of it and some Greek olives and maybe some sesame bread. Their mint yogurt drink is absolutely delicious and probably good for one’s tummy also! Oh, and bulk or packaged couscous and tabouli. Dang, now I’ve given myself a craving so I guess I’ll have to go back soon!

Vine Ripe is a great Mediterranean market. I have been coming here for the last few years and enjoy all of the items they have to offer. They offer a full deli of meats and cheeses but also offer items like feta cheese from many different countries, lots of olives, hummus, babaganoush, and other salads. They also have a butcher area and have everything from un-​marinated meats and chicken to fajitas, carne asada and my favorite Kufta. They also offer fresh tandoori breads that are awesome and other treats. They have a candy section for some unique items as well as they sell bulk nuts and flours. There is a great selection of spices and a great produce section. Just be careful went buying produce, often it is over ripe or rotten. There is produce that is hard to find in regular grocery stores such as Persian cucumbers. The prices are awesome on many of their items and be on the look our for specials. The employees are always friendly and willing to answer any questions you may have.

I almost don’t want to write such a review because this place is so awesome and would hate to spoil the secret!
I am super into organic foods and let me say their deals on certain things are amaaaazing. I bake a lot from scratch and whole foods is too far and expensive for me to go to with a little one in tow. $ 1.99/lb for organic non bleached flour, organic whole wheat flour for $ 2.99 you really can’t beat that when its like $ 6/​lb at vons and Costco doesn’t even carry organic flour. They also have a ton of international foods that are more Middle Eastern based but I can still get good prices on things for my Filipino dishes such as bok choy, daikon radishes, fish sauce etc.

Very excited to try this place out after hearing great things. My husband and I do most of our shopping at the «ethnic markets» — primarly in City Heights for Thai, Vietnamese. Unimpressed with Vine Ripe. Only a select few offerings were well-​priced: dates, lebne, rose water, fig paste, but the rest of the groceries are equitable to anywhere else, and some a bit pricier. They do carry an array of middle eastern spices if you are need of those, so a good spot for that. Would go again if I need something specific, but probably not a regular spot.

Cool store. Lots of products you could never find anywhere else. From russian to middle eastern products, american, asian, mexican… A world market!
Full service meat counter! Awesome seafood! Most of the stuff is halal or kosher (if it matter to you)
Its a shame some of these reviews are mad because they sell bacon or pork? Everything is labeled. Just READ the packaging!!! Simple as that.

I’ve been coming here for the past year and I really love it! Prices always fit in my budget, and they have a great variety of fresh produce. The staff is always nice and cheerful, and I enjoy my conversations with the produce staff. They remember their customers and always make it a point to say ‘hello’ :)
Their prices here beat Sprouts and any supermarket!
The only reason I gave four stars is because of the very small parking spaces, and to maneuver through the parking lot on a crowded day is terrible!
But I don’t let the parking get in the way — still love the store.

So I recently gave this place a try and I was genuinely excited because I heard they had great organic produce. Sadly, I was disappointed. The selection of organic produce was very overpriced. I also decided to stop by the deli counter and sample some of the turkey breast they had on sale. Yuck! The turkey tasted sour and old. Most of the employees were okay, nothing special. Everyone just looked like they didn’t want to be there. Sprouts is usually my go to and the prices their are great. I’ll stick with the friendly service and great deals there.

It’s a white-​ethnic market.
Great prices
Be sure to pick and choose your produce wisely

I used to live in La Mesa so this place was very close to me. I now travel about 15 miles to go here still about once a week since I moved. They have amazing deals on high quality meats that cannot be beat. Their large selection of produce is amazing as well. You can find raw herbs you wont find anywhere else. I love how they have what appears to be locally grown produce. The selection and deals make this place my favorite. They have also recently given the store a facelift inside so it has been somewhat updated.

I’ve been coming to this store for years. They always have everything in stock. Fresh vegetables and fruits. Friendly staff and little slow cashiers. Better prices for organic food than any other market. Highly recommended if you’re looking for organic groceries.

Don’t know why this place has five stars… Literally everything on the produce section is rotten. Apples, onions, cucumbers, everything. And I got a cheese Danish thing from the «fresh» bakery in the back and it was hard as balls. Like it’s been there for a few weeks. Shame.

I’ve been going here for 10+ years. And it’s sad to see they sell bacon now. Especially since they have 100s of HALAL signs around the store. It’s very easy to mistake it with turkey since it is next to simular turkey products and since it has halal signs so close to it. Most of the customer are immigrants too. Many of whom will probably buy the bacon on accident. The butcher said they are expanding and will have packaged pork meats.

BACON ALERT!
Vine Ripe used to not sell any HARAM products. Just recently I went in and I not only see haram chicken and stuff but now I see bacon! I think people should know to be cautious. A lot Muslims might assume they sell halal everything but they do not! Please let everyone know!

This place is nice! The thing is the fruits they have outside looks rotted. Like the skin of the fruit is all dark! But they have cannolis, and pita breads! Huge Pita Breads!!! It was cool! But it looked expensive here. Right next door is the Mystic Restaraunt if you want your shawarma fix!

I come here to satisfy my tabbouleh cravings. I could easily make it myself, but all that chopping of the parsley makes my carpal tunnel ache whilst in the produce department, so I just give into my inner lazy child and pick it up ready made. I like that they package it with the dressing separately so that you can mix it just before you’re ready to eat it, it stays fresh longer this way. I take it home and squeeze an extra lemon over it before I mix it up, I like it extra tangy. Grind a little sea salt over the top and you’ve got yourself some serious deliciousness that goes great with their lentil soup.
They’ve got some good items packaged ready to eat, just grab and go. I’ve tried all their hummus flavors, falafel, white beans with beef stew, ect. I wasn’t a fan of the spinach pie, but you can’t win them all and I’m picky about spinach.
Buy produce here and use it within a few days, it’s not covered in wax and pesticides so it doesn’t last as long as the stuff in the grocery store. I’ve seen other Unilocalers complain that they don’t have organic produce, they do, it’s a small section inside. I tend to buy most of my produce at other places, but if I need something that I’m going to use that day or I’m already in the store I’ll pick it up here.
Service is ok. I’ve never had bad service here, but I’ve never been overly impressed either. No one has ever asked me if I needed help, and the one time I did ask for help, it took three employees and a manager before they figured out that they didn’t have what I was looking for. Sometimes they’re friendly and sometimes they’re indifferent. In the end I don’t really care as long as they keep putting all my favorite items in the deli case.

This is a pretty cool grocery store for middle eastern and Mediterranean food. They have fresh produce and bulk items. It is decent sized and they have a lot of selection. The only down side to this spot is that it’s not super clean and for a place that has food that can be a little scary. Their restrooms are also filthy which is always a bummer to see.

I am a die hard vine ripe fan. Fresh produce and a huge meat counter. I love this place. Admitted sometimes they have some moldy items but come on are you kidding me it’s called having veggies that aren’t laced and pumped full of preservatives. I love the hot counter and the fact that it is connected to mystic grill. I will always be loyal to this market.

Varieties of fruits and vegetables, Greek specialties, Russian teas, and a variety of items from all corners of the world make this one of the San Diego area’s most diverse markets.
If there was the finest part about Vine Ripe is the deli: the lamb items are my favorites.
Quality can be inconsistent but Vine Ripe is ALWAYS interesting. Sadly the access via any manner of transportation is a liability.

Best place to get vegetables at an amazing low price.
I spent $ 15 bucks and got 3 bags full of fresh veggies.
This place beats out every other grocery store for veggie prices.

This place looks 100 times better after the remodel. It’s so clean and new I love shopping here now. Ps only place to get 1.49 strawberries in off season.