Happy Pantry

I recently had some friends in town over the holidays, and they ran across Happy Pantry at a farmers market in Hillcrest. They shared one of the kombuchas that they had purchased down there, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
About the kombucha — They use Carlsbad Alkaline Water (Henceforth CAW), which is super cool. Now honestly, the CAW tastes like normal tap water to me, but there’s constantly people filling up whatever can hold water down at the CAW spot in Carlsbad Village. It’s a testament to quality products that Happy Pantry chose to use CAW in lieu of of plain filtered water. Happy Pantry’s kombuchas are awesomely flavored, with selections such as ginger-​lime-​cherry, pomegranate-​pineapple-​orange, and vanilla-​pineapple-​orange. The selections are constantly changing with new things to try weekly. I should add that their kombucha varies in levels of carbonation. Some you hardly hear a hiss when you twist the cap, some want to explode like a shaken soda. This isn’t a big deal for me, but your mileage may vary.
But it’s not all about kombucha, Happy Pantry deals in many probiotic foods such as sauerkraut, pickles, and kimchi. I’ve had two different types of their sauerkraut and kimchi, and they were both incredible. The pickles looked off the chart delicious, and I look forward to trying some when available.
What I really like about this place is the customer service. The people in the storefront are incredibly helpful and passionate about what they do. They are always very honest about what to try and not to try, which is refreshing. For example, I was looking at two types of sauerkraut today, and asked which one was better. There was a strong recommendation of one over the other. Super cool.
Happy Pantry has a recycling incentive. Return the glass from their products and get a card stamped. Fill up the card, free kombuchas. I love this!
It appears that they have some fermenting crocs for sale, and I’ve read in other reviews that you can purchase a SCOBY for brewing your own kombucha, but I’d rather have Happy Pantry keep brewing it for me, and continue to support this outstanding local business.

Sampled a few of their krauts and kombuchas at the Farmer’s Market, amazing stuff. I also bought a SCOBY for $ 5 from their shop in Carlsbad to brew my own kombucha! Thanks HP!

I stopped by their booth at the Little Italy Farmer’s Market today. I bought the Power Krautage. It’s delicious! I will be back once I run out!

hadn’t given it much thought till the other morning when i was cleaning out my «tupperware» drawer and realized how many old HAPPY PANTRY jars i had.
we usually grab some of their fermented foods (pickles and the unique varieties of SAURKRAUAT and KIMCHI are my favorites) when we stumble across their stall as we wander around the VISTA FARMER’s MARKET.
their offerings are unique and well crafted.

I get kombucha and kraut every week, takes care of my gut for the week.
At the Hillcrest and Little Italy farmers market you can try all flavors before you buy. All flavors are unique and very high quality using local organic products, handcrafted.
I just cracked open a strawberry vanilla kombucha for dessert and its insaneee.

I have been a customer of Happy Pantry for about 5 years give or take and I love all they do.
My favorite is with out a doubt the BeetNik Kraut its amazing .
Pick up pickles as well best ever.

Wow! Stopped by the stand at Hillcrest farmers market on Sunday. The owner was so friendly. Tasted me out on about 5 different sauerkrauts, all delicious. I ended up choosing the El Diablo. Spicy, crunchy, perfectly balanced yumminess. I’m putting a spoonful on my plate with almost everything I eat. Delicious on pizza. I’ll be trying the Kombucha next time.

whoaaa!!! seriously can’t get enough of happy pantry. each one is so delicious and i develop cravings for more… i keep showing up at farmers markets like an eager puppy to try out a few more flavors and take home a few more jars… nommmmm! also, delicious food is made sublime when made by kind and lovely people — these people are amazing!

I am addicted to that sauerkraut! LOVE the «chakra kraut»!

I was in San Diego this weekend and bought six bottles of kombucha from them at Hillcrest! Sooooooo goooooooddd! Pineapple ginger and apple cherry. Just got back to LA and am already regretting that I didn’t get more!

Some of the BEST kombucha I have ever had. My only complaint is that they don’t have store I can access at anytime. Until then, I clear my schedule for their booth at the Hillcrest Farmer’s Market every Sunday. You guys are awesome :)

Happy belly happy life! Just made my FIRST purchase which was the beet kraut and a very healthy saurkraut with organic green cabbage, kale, dandelion greens, spirulina, and chlorella. Yum!
I am so glad I stopped at his stand today at the Hillcrest Farmers market. The owner is super friendly and these items will be gone in no time. They have a great selection and I can’t wait to try more products. If you want a happy tummy don’t hesitate and get some items for yourself.

Wowzers. Delicious sauerkraut. I bought some at the Hillcrest Farmers Market today and have spent the last 45 minutes trying to find a sauerkrat making workshop in San Diego. I should probably leave it to the pros and just revisit these guys next Sunday. De-​lish!

Thank you Happy Pantry for introducing me to your amazing Kombucha. Each week they bring two different flavors to the Mercato and they are always really good! Get there early because sometimes they sell out! They also have a ton of other fermented goods like sauerkraut and kimchi. You can sample their stuff to see what suits you best.

we have been looking high and low for decent saurkraut in SD. Finally found it at the farmers market, the kraut with horseradish is the best! Real fermentation instead of icky harsh stuff from the grocery store. Pricey but worth it. Great with german style anything, sausage, mustard, potatoes and beer. yeah!

Love Love Love. My favorite stop at the farmers market for sure. Absolutely love the Kimchi. I dont know what Kimchi is ‘supposed’ to taste like, but you can call this stuff whatever you want and I will eat it. Its awesome with eggs and potatoes. Or just out of the jar. Also, spicy carrots. And curry sauerkraut. Its all good. And they are always letting you taste their new inventions. At $ 9 a jar this stuff is a luxury, but I have no problem spending my money here because the business is local and they love what they do. Now if only I can find a way to ship this stuff to my family up in NorCal!

We love Happy Pantry! In our small business, Cellar Door, we try to support Happy Pantry every chance we get. We have tried their Hab-​a-​hotties (i’m obsessed), pickled rutabaga (great with rillettes!) and Dilly Beans (a MUST for a homemade bloody mary), and have served all three to rave reviews from dozens of guests. Now to cash in on all those empty jars we have and ALWAYS forget to bring to the farmer’s market…