Pacific Coast Food

This is a very big warehouse where you can find any food from Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia and other republics of former USSR. Their prices are much cheaper than in small Russian grocery stores in West Hollywood or North Hollywood. I do not have any complaints. But sometimes you should wait in line a little bit, but usually just couple of minutes, not more. Take in consideration please, that there is only one cashier now. And this girl is very quick in contrast with many cashiers at Ralph’s or Vons sometimes.
Regarding the cashier’s attitude toward customers… LOOOL
This is really funny to read how we look like for Americans: D I just want to assure you, guys, that we or this cashier do not have something against someone in mind, that we are not arrogant, and our «not smiling» attitude does not mean we show no respect or lack of friendliness. The cashier always says «hi», at least in Russian. I hope, in English too: D This is a sign of being very polite person in Russia, believe me: D Please, DO NOT EXPECT more than this from a Russian stranger. You can discuss the weather, football, your plans for weekend with your Russian friends or neighbors who really care, but not with a Russian cashier, unless she is your real friend too or you come to this store every day. Do not expect that Russian strangers will be smiling at you without any obvious reason or ask you how you feel like either. Because you do not really care how she (cashier) feels like, right? For instance, it is still annoying for me after living in the US several years to reply to «How are you?» and ask the same from absolute strangers/​sale assistants at Macy’s or any other department store. It can happen 10 – 15 times during just a half an hour. I do not complaint. I reply. I ask. I smile. But I do not really mean this. Like you do not really mean this either.
But I understand how you feel like, guys. Because this is a different culture. You used to another attitude and «smiling» customer service. You are pissed-​of like I am pissed-​off by Middle Eastern bargain, especially because of living in Westwood. I always feel that Middle Eastern business owners try to take advantage of me if they do not have a firm price for everyone. I live in the U.S., I do not want to haggle in the bazaar every time I need to fix my laptop, get my highlights, do my permanent makeup, buy a jewelry, and so on. But no one takes advantage of you in this warehouse. Hopefully, its management will read your reviews and react, making shopping in this store more «smiling» and more pleasant for Americans as well. See you there! :D

If you like natural food of Russian/​Ukrainian/​Belorussian origin or simply enjoy tasty food, then this is your place. Everything you could need for your stomach well-​being and for your mouth to stuff! This place is half a size of Costco, which is impressive considering the fact that it’s not a huge chain. Since it’s imported it’s pretty pricy, but from my point of view it’s absolutely and definitely worth it! Recommend it!
One remark: don’t expect much of a customer service– our people in general are not used to it and care about it.

They better change their cashiers or they are gonna lose customers. These people need to understand this is USA not Caucasia, you need to smile and thank the customer instead of throwing the products and be mean like «get the fuck out!»

Great choices of Russian packaged or deli food at very prices!!! Sign up for their loyalty card for extra savings.

You come to this place just to purchase some authentic products that you cannot find in other stores, don’t pay attention to anything else:)

WOW. Its like the Frys/​Costco of Russian/​Armenian/​Middle Eastern food. Its very overwhelming. Must try their Kebabs meat to go. Some interesting goods there. Bring lots of money and know what you want.

Horrible service bat customer service. No people skills my first and last time there. The cashier didn’t even bother to smile or say thank you at the end of the purchase. The store is a ghost town you would think they will have more friendly attitude to attract more customers into their store. It’s in like all the people that work there are illiterates.

I’ve shopped here quite a few times, but as of today, it will be the last time I come here. I’ve overlooked problems in the past, where I’ve gotten bad meat (spoiled) since their meat dept. is deserted and stuff just sits for who knows how long, they’ve also sold repackaged chocolate that expired. They sell imported candy/​chocolate in boxes, and these boxes have expiration dates and when it doesn’t sell — they open the boxes and repack the candy into clear bags and sell by the pound. You wind up with chocolate with white powder on the outside, or even worse, with bugs if it’s sat too long (happened to me one time, never again).
In spite of these problems, I would still shop there occasionally when in the area, since it’s the only store of its type in the N. Hollywood/​Burbank area. This store has very little customer traffic, it’s pretty much a ghost town when I’ve been there, and only slightly busier on Mon. & Tues. due to a Senior Discount. Today I decided to inquire about this discount, which they prominently advertise on a huge banner on the wall. The cashier immediately demanded I give her my Driver’s License and walked off somewhere with it for several minutes. At this time, at least 5 other people waited in line behind us (note: she was completely unconcerned about making other customers wait, hers was the only check stand open). I could see her calling someone on the phone, and after 5 minutes she comes back and says (in very poor English) «You’re not qualified, you have to be 65 for Senior Discount». Nothing, anywhere in this store says what age you should be for this discount.
After wasting my time and doing nothing to help or explain the store policy, the young sourpuss cashier (she never smiles or greets customers, and has a blank expressionless face and monotone voice) finally finished ringing up my order. I then requested to speak to the manager to clarify the issue. 10 minutes later a blond woman with a worse attitude than the cashier walked up, saying curtly «Who wants a manager?» she was obviously irritated that she had to respond to a customer concern — and immediately proceeds to berate me that «EVERYONE knows you have to be 65 to be a Senior Citizen!» as if I’m stupid. I informed her that in many places, such as Taco Bell, etc. you can get a senior discount at 55, you can live in any Senior Mobile Home Park at that age — she said «no, no, no, you’re wrong!» She was basically calling me a liar. Then she persisted by showing me on her cell phone a website for the City of LA and proudly pronounced «it’s a law, you have to be 65, see!!!», shoving it in my face. I asked, what LAW says you are required IN THIS STORE to be 65 for a discount? What does that have to do with anything in a PRIVATE BUSINESS? She had no answer for that, of course. She just wanted to argue that she was right and I was wrong.
I absolutely don’t have an issue with them requiring someone to be 65 to give them a discount. The real problem here how they wasted my time, taking my ID elsewhere, holding up the checkout line, arguing with me and treating me like I’m some kind of idiot. I told her that she could have easily saved everyone a lot of time if the sign on the wall noted you have to be 65 or up to get the discount. The sign also said the discount applied only to «specified items», I inquired how anyone could know what items are «specified». Her attitude became even more abrasive, and she said «we have 10 000 items in this store, the only way to know is look on the receipt». Huh? Are you kidding me? So you have no way of knowing if you’re going to get a discount or not until you buy something first? «Yes», was her answer. Unbelievable. I also informed her that this would have been avoided if the cashier would have simply have asked my age or told me when she took my ID that I wasn’t old enough (in their estimation) for the Senior «discount». She didn’t care at all about my concerns or wasting my time, so I informed her that I would not be patronizing this store again and promptly left. I will vote with my wallet and take my business where customers are treated with respect, not derision. This attitude may work in Russia, but it won’t fly in the USA for very long.
After this encounter with the poor attitude of the part of staff and management, and the prior issues of getting bad/​old/​spoiled food here more than once, I am officially finished with ever shopping here again. Their prices are astronomically high for such poor quality — the only good thing I can say is the selection is decent (on some items). However, since they have so little traffic in this store, things tend to sit for a long time before they are purchased (or hidden by repackaging).
I fully expect this poorly managed store to be out of business within a year. Meanwhile, I’ll get my Russian «fix» at Jon’s, or on Santa Monica Blvd where there’s many more stores, selection, better prices, and better customer service.

This is a great place to get fresh Russian groceries. We love their freshly baked bread! Their pelmeni are great too, but recently have gone up in price so we don’t get them as often. The place is very neat and great selections to choose from.

I really like the store. I am from Europe and I can find there a lot of good product from my country and its neighbors. The store is kept clean. They even have alcohol (added recently) besides meat department and huge sweets section. I wanted to give them 5 stars but the last time I walked in with my girlfriend I experienced really bad atmosphere mostly because of security guard and cashier. Security walked by us many times and it was obvious that he was checking on us. I dont know if this had anything to do with a fackt that my girlfriend was black??? Really? Do they think I have nothing to do and I came to that store to put a jar with sauerkraut to my packet or a bread with sausages behind my belt? Finally we got to register and first it seemed to be ok untill security stopped right in front of us like we were going to take a chance and maybe run away without paying? I did not feel good and I was trying to be nice to cashier. At first she was nice but at the end she slammed change instead of putting it. The funny fackt is that when we left to the parking the security guy did not have to be at the store anymore. He came out to collect carts. Nowedays you can install really good HD security cameras and you dont have to bug people. I am assuming they dont have it. I feel like get 20 or 30 people of all rase and walk into the store just to see how security is running around lol. …well for sure some of my girlfriend friends may show up with hidden cameras… oh and one more thing. I could be wrong, maybe my girlfriend was too beautiful for that store lol and security dude couldn’t stop looking and her and cashier got jaleous. Relax people this is America.

Huge Eastern European-​oriented store located in a strange place on Vanowen next to the train tracks by Burbank Airport. Lots of stuff anyone from the old country would enjoy. Sausages, fish, CANDY, cakes, preserved/​pickled vegetables, seasonings, kasha, «lemonade,» mineral water, teas, and now in true eastern european tradition: booze. The freshly baked bread is really good! There is a whole room the size of a small house devoted to candy. Love getting my chocolate fix without having to travel across the world or having someone bring it back with them from a trip. The Lifeway kefir is a steal here, gotta love that! I bought a couple Obolon beers last time and they were damn delicious. Wonder if there’s a way to get them in bulk as opposed to $ 1.99/bottle… I’ll find out! They have a ton of European beers and all sorts of booze if you’re into that. Anyway, this is a good store, relatively inexpensive and there’s so much stuff!!!
A couple of complaints… Some of the sausages that were there when the store initially opened aren’t sold anymore. Also, the Roshen Kiev cake isn’t available all the time… so delicious. The bakery can make you one though. I don’t know if it has anything to do with the situation in Ukraine right now, but a lot of Ukrainian stuff isn’t as available as it once was like the Chumak ketchup or Olenka chocolate from Roshen, which is far better than the other Olenka/​Alenka out there.

Great selection. Superb customer service. Friendly employees. Highly recommended.

Great store! They have a big selection of sausages, cheeses, breads, sweets… you know, healthy food! (lol)
I appreciate the layout of the store, I had no trouble finding most items. I like the fact that the butcher sells prepared beef and chicken lula, makes it easy to cook at home.
I could see myself shopping here once a week if only for the yogurt, the smoked salmon, the goat cheese, and the great BBQ outside. Glad it’s so close to home! If that wasn’t enough, they will be selling liquor very soon!

I shop here sometimes and most of the time its okay. I bought a bag of chocolate from here and I opened it but I didn’t taste it till the next day. It was old and and tasted bad. I call to ask their return policy, they rejected it even though I have a receipt. They claim that its my fault the chocolate got old after two days; even though it might have been sitting on their shelves for months. Logic… This has happened to me again in the past for another product.

Great place! They have a lot of tasty things! Like our home shop :) Real tea, bread, cabbage, sausages, candies, cakes… An endless list of great things!

Be careful when you buy meat or fish in this store.
They cheated 2 times — were trying to sell more expensive meat and overweight for 1 pound when i bought fish. Ask Eduard if you want to avoid cheating in meat section. He seems nice.

I really appreciate having this store in North Hollywood.
I love almost everything about this store, so here it goes…
The Best:
overall selection (5 stars),
service (5 stars),
location (5 stars),
competitive prices (5.0 stars)
parking size (5.0 stars)
candy room (5.0 stars).
The Good:
cleanliness (4.5 stars),
cafeteria freshness (4.5 stars),
parking orderliness (4.0 stars),
The Are you Kidding Me?
grocery selection (3.5 stars)
kabob/​khorovats taste (3.0 stars).
security guard (2.0)
What I do in this store:
I always get the roasted veggies from their cafeteria, its very healthy and affordable. I love the kvas (kvas in Los Angeles? thank you God =)) and especially I love their amazing selection of siroks (Eastern European fruity chocolate dipped cheese cake bars, almost magical). The multiethnic staff are very nice, helpful, friendly, have good sense of humor and easy to approach attitude, love them all.
This store deserves solid 4 stars, if you want to get 5 you must:
Either get rid of the kabob or get a new recipe.
Its ruining your rating.
Fire the security for deliberately walking too close
to customers in order to rub his body against customers’.
Do not prepare more cafeteria food, unless
the existing food is already sold and remove the
least popular prepared food so that others can
be sold faster.
One rack in the back can be removed and filled
with more grocery options.
Pay attention to overall cleanliness and
shopping cards accumulation in the parking
spaces.
Overall great job!

Thank god this store is 2.5 hrs drive from me! I would probably gain a lot more weight than I did after trying to adjust to the US food traditions. Well, maybe it’s a good thing that it’s so far from me and this store will forever remain a Christmas wonderland to me, the place I can only go a couple times a year. Ok, three times. Or four. Five? Well, alright then, five.
Pelmeni is a must. Even when I swear my pants off that I’m on a diet and just want some innocent weight friendly foods from this store (haha yeah right), I do end up buying pelmeni, which in this store is a bulk, «Load-​Your-​Truck» type of an item.
Some things I liked more than others were: salami (moscow, evreyskaya, krakovskaya), some Doktorskaya bologna is good. This brand Alef meats, does a good job making kolbasa taste at least similar to what we were used to back home. At least, it’s the closest. Other imitator brands are just not too great at that.
Candyland. There is whole big room filled with candy. If you want to find some candy for yourself or kids to put under the Xmas tree — this is where you should go. They have a sugar free shelf! I mean, the shelf is not that yummy — it’s the candy on it. The selection is not the greatest for those who watch their blood sugar, but it never is, regardless the seller. Just the fact they have it is nice. They have a big variety of «Russian-​like» ice-​cream. Some of it is really Russian. Cakes… Their pastry section is conveniently located at the cashiers and you can’t miss it, even if you try your hardest to do so. «Kartoshka» pastry… Remember that one? Made of cookie crumbs, butter, condensed milk and cocoa powder? They have it and it’s good. Bread is awesome. Kvas, milk and even soft soda drinks from Chernogolovka around Moscow — they have it! How about birch tree juice? Last time I had it was in around 1985 in Russia. Yeah, Russians are so tough, they squeeze juice out of their trees for breakfast haha. Lots and lots of canned food, grains (grechka/​buckwheat, pshenka/​millet, etc.), a wide variety of teas, cookies… Smoked salmon, sturgeon, herring, and what not. A raised and born Far-​Easterner in me highly appreciates that! Especially the selection of caviar. A little tip, again, as a Far Easterner: don’t buy caviar in tin cans. Try to buy the jars or boxes where you can see caviar in it. The canned ones have known better days, according to the smell. But it doesn’t mean bad or expired, it just means that the manufactures usually hide a less attractive quality type of caviar in cans where you can’t evaluate the quality just by looking at it. That is why canned caviar is always cheaper.
The staff is nice. Unlike many Russian stores in the US, where the staff brought their typical USSR «torgash» attitude with them, these people are a lot nicer. Oh my, the bathroom in this place… I forgot to mention that. But I don’t go there for bathrooms, I rather not talk about that bathroom or I’ll have to take a few stars out of this review.
Oh, yet another tip — I learnt it the hard way: If you want some special «nostalgic» type of cake, like Prague, Ptichye Moloko, Kievsky, etc, they have them in their freezer. BUT! Do not buy it until you make sure they don’t have the same type, made right there in their pastry section in the front. A lot fresher and locally made! If they don’t have them locally made, then you can go for the imported ones.

It looks a little shady when you pull up, but this place is pretty great if you’re a fan of those little European shops that are scattered along Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. You can find a great selection of pantry items (sushki, kasha, krupa, etc.), traditional Russian candy (grilyazh, bird’s milk, korova, dushes, etc.), Le Balcon cakes (fresh and frozen), smoked fish, deli meat, assorted smoked/​roasted/​prepared pork/​beef cuts, pelmeni by the pound, henkali (yum!), a butcher, fresh produce, etc. It’s a great place to find things you normally wouldn’t find in a traditional American supermarket. This is Russian Costco. Prepare to get a little ethnic.
They have some prepared stuffs of popular Russian/​Ukrainian foods (e.g. oliv’ye salad, peroshki, kotlety, etc.). I shared two meat pies with my mama the other day and they were 90% dough. For a quick snack that costs $ 2, that’s alright. But this isn’t even close to what grandma makes. I did find it rad that they have made to order Armenian barbecue outside that only takes 20 – 30 minutes depending on how busy it is. You’ll notice this right away because you can smell it from the parking lot. Mmmmmmmmm. So… freaking… tempting…
They have a type of membership program going on that runs based on your phone number; every time you purchase, you rack up some kind of points that result in varying discounts for the next time you’ll show up. I haven’t figured out how it works since I’m not there very often, but it’s cool that I’ll get to save a few bucks when I go back. WOO!

I thought about giving this place five starts, but just can’t do it… yet.
First the good: This place has a great selection of canned goods, a small (but very fresh) selection of fruits and vegetables, a large room devoted to sweets, a small (but excellent) bakery, a huge cheese and deli type meat section, and another room devoted to the meat/​fish and prepared deli items. They appear to cater to Russians, Armenians and certain Middle Eastern types. They sell variations of Popkoff”s Pelmeni for $ 3.99 a pound — I usually buy 3 – 4 pounds at a time. And if you ask at the cash register, they’ll give you a big bag of ice to keep your cold items intact for the drive home. Speaking Russian helps — I’ve had to translate for a couple of people. They also give senior’s a discount on certain days. Yes, they gave me a senior ID without asking to see my Driver’s License… oh well…
But… Having grown up in a completely Russian/​Ukrainian home, with mother, grandmother and many others cooking Russian type food almost exclusively, I know what I like. I am not a big fan of their prepared foods. We’ve tried the Pirozhki, Kotlety, Golubtsy and several other items. I find them a bit on the salty side and a different flavor than I am used to. This could just be me — someone else may like this flavor. Doesn’t mean that I won’t eat their food, but I prefer the items prepared at the Bazaar Market on Reseda Blvd. in the valley.
Their prices are, overall, very reasonable with the exception of the fresh meat, fish, and prepared deli stuff — I think that those are a bit on the higher side. However, just having all this stuff available and all in one place is great. If my mother were still around, I think that she would have moved into their candy/​cookie room!!!
I will continue to patronize this place this place. I am hoping that they get another cook whose taste buds are closer to mine. I just hope that they don’t get into to much trouble for the «Cost​.co»…
(Being 1 ½ hours away is very helpful for my weight.)