Andronico’s Community Markets

Dear Andronico’s, Though I love your convenience as my neighborhood market I can no longer accept the inflated prices. $ 11.50 for peppercorns, $ 10 for a can of nuts, $ 12 for a bag of pistachios $ 8 for 2 organic red bell peppers. These prices are 20% –25% marked up from other retail establishments. It’s cheaper for me to drive to Safeway. Adiós.

Bravo Andronico’s! You have managed to piss off a faithful and regular shopper for over 10+ years as of today at 4:01 pm (the time on the receipt) to be exact.
I have been shopping here RELIGIOUSLY for over ten years and even grew up going to this grocery store, hell my husband even worked here when he was in college but I am very put off by my recent shopping visit.
I’m a pretty low maintenance customer. I can find what I need on my own without assistance, roll my cart up to the check stand, put my crap on the counter to be rung up, provide my collection of 6+ reusable bags to put said crap into, BUT I cannot fathom why a bag boy (seriously, the ONLY thing you have to do is put my crap into a bag dude) would just walk away midway through bagging my groceries to do nothing. Just strolled outside without any «pardon me» or «sorry, break time b*tches!» which would have sufficed. AND the kicker is that the other bag boy standing next to him looking at my unbagged groceries and not offering to do his job or making any movement to bag (for real though… how hard is it to do your actual job) just continued to «chat» with the other checker.
Soooooo after just dropping over $ 100 at this establishment I am treated with utter disrespect and flippant disregard. I had to bag the rest of my groceries (which I am cool to do if no one is available but come on bag boys, at least PRETEND you are doing something when customers are supporting your place of employment.)
This place will probably see a decline in their sales if they keep hiring rude employees. I will probably be shopping here A LOT less until their staff learns some better customer service skills.

Andronicos is hardly a «community» market. Quite the contrary!
On 23 December 2014, my car was side swiped in Andronicos parking lot by a hit and run driver.
I reported this to a store staff member and to the police. He said that one «Hastings L,» their «loss prevention» officer would review their video and attempt to identify the hit and run vehicle. They made made an appointment to review the video with me (in order to provide the police the vehicle’s license number but Hastings did not show up at the appointed time. I reported this to the store staff who expressed surprise that Hastings had not shown up. Hastings made several more appointments but true to form, he never showed up and he never called to cancel. He also has not returned numerous calls. Meanwhile, I am out $ 1000.00 deductible for repairs plus many hours of my time waiting for him (n0 shows). As result, we are not able to identify the vehicle in question.
Do not trust them when they promise that they will address your issues or complaints. I guess I will have to file a claim in Small Claims Court.
MS complaint

It’s not as good as when it was owned by the Andronico family. They always want to bring in the latest «hot» product, while discontinuing other items you like and want to buy again. They shouldn’t continue to offer the blue request forms because they completely ignore them. Even when you fill in your phone # on those slips, you’ll never hear anything back, nor will the product you requested ever be ordered.
I bought some of their guacamole two days ago. It has a funny aftertaste, and it’s too smooth, almost ready to be a sauce. Homemade guacamole should have some pieces of avocado in it. Makes me wonder if they’re making it in a machine or something.
Their new produce area, redesigned to look like a farmer’s market, does not have as many produce options as before the remodel.
The people who work in the meat section are not knowledgeable about meat and cuts and weights the way earlier employees of the company did.
If a store is going to charge such high prices, it should be top notch; instead, the store has lost its former glory.

Sometime things happen when least expected. Sometimes things happen very close to holidays like, oh, say Thanksgiving. When those unavoidable things come up and all of a sudden a premade Thanksgiving feast is needed, thankfully, Andronico’s is a great, local option to turn to for a «close to homemade» Thanksgiving feast.
«All of a sudden» means two days before Thanksgiving. When all of a sudden, on a Tuesday, afternoon when internet orders are all closed, and cooking from scratch is just not possible, pick up the phone and (if at all familiar with customer service in the San Francisco Bay Area, which is generally very poor) be treated to a cheerful (but not overly so), competent clerk who will not only take your order, but make suggestions and actually know about the product she is selling!
Upon arrival at Andronico’s Solano Ave., in Berkeley on Thanksgiving Day, the place was absolutely abuzz with people and staff trying to keep up with everybody looking for their last minute purchases. In the rear of the store, near the deli, a table was set up with totally calm, polite clerks who looked up the ordered meal and then another clerk ran in the back, came out with a big box, opened it went over everything in the box to ensure the items ordered were actually in the box. Towards the front of the store, some extras could be found, such as gravy and vegetables and dips. The management and staff should be commended on their outstanding customer service!
Once home, the box was unpacked and with easy instructions to follow, a Thanksgiving feast was produced, except without all the work of making it from scratch. What resulted was a very, very good turkey dinner with all the trimmings, right down to the pumpkin pie!
Homemade turkey dinner is the best, but, if for whatever reason, that can’t happen, go to Andronico’s and let them help out. Everyone will come away happy and satisfied!

Lovely market that opens early, provides hot breakfasts by the pound, selective quality products and produce and a beautiful staff group. Good parking and good vibes. Smaller and less hectic than the other location.

Have decided to take my business elsewhere. This store, which was once a wonderful neighborhood market, has turned into an expensive «wanna-​be» Whole Foods. The prices are now astronomical and the selection is marginal at best. To add insult to injury, they now have a parking attendant marking car tires — evidently trying to catch folks who park for free and go elsewhere to shop. I get the concern over abusive parking, but I literally went across the street to make a small purchase before returning to buy my groceries. Rambo in the lot gave me the creeps…

Andronico’s is a friendly, clean, well-​stocked neighborhood market. We’re lucky to have it in the neighborhood.

Very convenient if you’re in the area. The Shattuck store has a better, and bigger selection but the quality of produce and meat items here is just as high as their other Berkeley store. Plenty of parking in the back too.

They’ve stopped recycling plastic bags. Boo! And as always, the lines to check out are long, no matter what time of day it is. No more.

Wow. How the more things change, the more they remain the same.
I made the mistake of revisiting Andronico’s on Solano. I had heard that it revamped its produce section and the rest of the store. Given I had not been there for a number of years, I decided to check it out.
Well it does have new floors and upon first walking into the produce section, it does look nice. It has a farmers market look to it. The middle section of coolers where the dairy used to be has been shrunk in half making it more open and inviting. However, in the area to the right where the carrots and peppers were located in coolers there are now a bunch of boxes against a dark wall without adequate lighting. It looks like a dungeon. The kiwis were mushy and well beyond over ripe.
The prices are higher than Whole Foods. Try five bucks a pound for organic oranges. Or nearly five dollars for a clam shell of lettuce. To be fair they had some on sale for three dollars. But when the sale is over expect to pay more than even Raley’s. I saw someone working in produce who was having a social conversation with a coworker. I waited until she was finished and asked her a question about produce availability. She never made eye contact with me and appeared to be inconvenienced by me asking. It looks like the original produce people who were friendly and professional are long gone.
The market seems to want to be the most expensive in the area. For example, I looked at Morton and Bassett non organic whole black peppercorns. It’s nine bucks. Compare that to under seven dollars for the same thing at Berkeley Bowl. Or look at Amy’s frozen food items and compare to Target and Whole Foods where you can get them for less.
When I went to the checkout counter, there were long lines and since I had only a few items, I decided not to buy them. Judging by the speed of the lines, I guessed I would have to wait 10 minutes for checkout. Not worth it.
If you live nearby and you don’t buy produce, this place is convenient though with a steep price tag. I can see why longtime gray haired locals continue to shop here. Maybe the drive to Whole Foods on Gilman, etc. makes the higher prices here worth it. I remember back in the day, when Andronico’s had a slogan on its shopping bags that said shopping the way it used to be. Well as I experienced during this visit, it’s now shopping the way it should NOT be.

Andronico’s Community Market looks cute but having almost been run over by a speeding grocery cart, i see the short, choppy shelves as a potential safety hazard.
large selection of wines and beers.
brew: «le merle» saison belgian style farmhouse ale beer: 5.99 ($ 2 off)
–north coast brewery, potent 7%, too smooth for my taste, not enough hoppiness.
drips:
–parking lot in back which i didn’t notice.
–Andronico’s too small to enjoy peaceably.

I hope you read this Andronico’s. I’m saying this because I care about you. I work only 2 blocks from your store on Solano and was so happy to see you finally re-​modeling your salad bar. Your moving it to the front of the store is much more convenient and roomy, but I have to tell you, you are still failing miserably at quality and experience.
I have been trying to buy salads from you everyday for lunch but 4 out of 5 times the lettuce takes vaguely like soap (are you washing your lettuce with soap??) and the lettuce is usually wilted and brown by 1:00. In addition, it is IMPOSSIBLE to get at the items in the back: the overhang of the glass roof extends so far I literally cannot reach the salad dressings or other things in the back. You seriously need to ask for your money back from whoever sold you this non-​functioning new salad bar.
Also, have to tell you, I used to buy your Andronico’s free-​range turkey twice a week. It has become quite inedible due to some horrible change you have made. Are you injecting it with a salt solution? Have you tasted it? It is really, really bad.
I did not want to leave you for Whole Foods. It is much less convenient for me to get down to Gilman, but you are not helping me to stay with you. Please give me a reason not to abandon you altogether.

I pray you don’t get the cashier who is a hot young woman with long dyed hair.
EVERYBODY is flirting with her so the line is slow as fuck. Arrgghhhh

Andronico’s keeps getting better since its reorganization. The variety and quality of offerings have improved, but best of all: they seem to have cornered the market on real service professionals. The staff are genuine, look-​you-​in-​the-​eye personable, and humorous individuals.
As I was purchasing some flowers today, the checker pointed out to me that the leaves had black blemishes and suggested I pull another bunch. I thanked him, and said that the spots wouldn’t matter for how I was planning to use the flowers. He then gave me a discount on the flowers.
Thank you, Andronico’s, for not staffing with robots and empowering your staff to delight the customer!

This place has such a good vibe. It makes me happy. I swear every time I’m here I dance to the music. They must think I’m nuts.
The meats are local and totally fresh. The fish looks good, though I have yet to try it. They have local honey and great snacks. I don’t buy their veggies because they are over-​priced and Monterey Market is just down the street.
I guess the main reason for stopping by is to get my grove on. Who would have thought at an up-​noisy market?! ;)

Dear Andronicos Market:
I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your generous donation to the Albany Middle School Wrestling Team Luncheon.
**Dirk**, I believe he’s the store assistant manager, was very attentive, kind and without any hesitation, agreed to donate a huge tray of yummy sandwiches so we can serve in the event. We hold this luncheon once a year to honor and give thanks to all the coaches and volunteers who make the wrestling program happened in our beloved schools.
I was very impressed by your kindness. Other big businesses on Solano Avenue (which benefit from the patronage of Albany residents), simply turned us down due to plain bureaucracy. I thought it was imperative other Albany residents see this posting and get inspire to continue supporting your business!
Many Thanks,
Johanna Valle
Parent/​Volunteer Luncheon Coordinator

We hired Andronico’s to cater a luncheon at our office and because the other administrative assistant (on our end) waited until the last minute to place the order the afternoon before, we had a few hick-​ups… (hope she’s not reading this because I love her). lol
Our order came in so late that they were unable to get it on their delivery schedule so that meant I would have to pick-​up. It also didn’t get to their deli staff so they could prepare the next morning… internal issue.
Yeah Andronico’s dropped the ball but I feel we should have placed the order sooner… not blaming them entirely…
Marnie (one of the checkers up-​front) jumped on the horn and coordinated the food, beverages and desserts with the deli crew within 30 minutes. she made sure we got extra meat and an additional pound on all 3 of our salads. Not only did they give us way more food than we ordered but they threw in a bag of ice when I asked so the crew back at the office had icy cold drinks… She jumped in and made sure the error was corrected and I left without being too far behind on schedule. Thank you Marnie — YOU ROCK!!!
Hey things happen — mistakes are made. We rush and all that jazz. They came through and the food was amazing!
Thank you, thank you! We will use you guys again on our next luncheon — but we’ll place the order earlier next time! lol =)

After a fabulous pizza dinner at Zachary’s we waddled across the street to Andronico’s Market to find something sweet and tasty for dessert. They have a gorgeous pastry case filled with so many treats and yummy looking cakes but we decided to hit the ice cream freezer instead. It was like a who’s who of ice cream, Coolhause ice cream sandwiches, Ruby Jewel ice cream sandwiches, Jenni’s Splendid pints, my gawd we struck creamy gold.
Our checker was super nice and even offered us napkins and spoons for our ice cream delights. I’d say that’s great customer service anticipating our needs because at that point we were just going to take the ice cream home. Well because of her foresight we totally pigged out in the car, yeah we did.
Next time we chow at Zachary’s I know where we’re going to have dessert. in the car! Thanks Andronico’s!

Andronico’s suits my needs for a few choice reasons, but it is not my staple grocery store (ie this would never replace Berkeley Bowl or Trader Joe’s in my weekly rotation). I frequent here every so often, maybe once or twice a month, for a few reasons:
Proximity: it’s walking distances to a few key areas: my house, and my work.
Specialty items: my husband LOVES their apple pies. I’m a fan of their indulgent adult brownies. In a pinch I can also buy Semifreddi’s and Grace’s Baking goods here. Their fresh deli items (like their sandwiches) and cheeses are good quality, although you do pay for it.
Convenience: Aside from proximity, they also have my bank’s ATM (Wells Fargo) and a parking lot where parking is scarce.
Organic/​gluten free/​health food store items: they carry Bob’s Red Mill items, for example, as well as a large array of nutritional bars, although the price is not that competitive.
Bulk Bin items: Mostly from Sunridge farms, and a pretty large selection– bigger than El Cerrito’s Safeway or Lucky’s. The prices are not as good as Berkeley Bowl, however, but it’s good enough.
However, there’s a few things I would not get here:
Produce: it’s fresh, but overpriced. Go to Berkeley Bowl instead. Or anywhere else for that matter.
Staples: they lack the generics and generic prices (eg for sugar, salt, canned goods) that you can find elsewhere– Safeway, Lucky’s, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Target…
Dairy items: milk, pre-​packaged cheese, and any commercial items are cheaper at other grocery stores.
Anyway, it’s not my go to grocery store and it’s similar to Mollie Stone’s in SF, IMO. But it’s a good Bay Area run grocery store mini-​chain for the occasional grocery.
PS: I was told a few weeks ago that they don’t offer the 10 percent off discount to teachers or UC students anymore. That really bumped Andronico’s from receiving my patronage!