Saar’s Marketplace

Ok… let’s get some things out of the way.
This store literally stinks… as in smells bad. It’s run-​down, has no high-​end brands and even the Western Family crap is over-​priced. For example, a 1 lb bag of pinto beans is $ 1.59 here and it’s $ 1.19 at QFC. The milk has very short expiration dates and it takes a long time to check out. They don’t take Amex.
Now…here is why they get five stars:
I can buy two big canvas grocery sacks of produce for $ 25 which would cost me $ 70 at QFC. I kid you not. Yes, you have to look very carefully at what you’re buying. This is not premium produce. Yes, most of it is «fine» but some of it is NOT. It either never ripens or it is over-​ripe or it’s bruised or been frozen… like I said, you have to be careful, but if you are, you can save a MINT.
And the meat department has prices from 20 years ago. None of it is «bad» but the chicken is southern grown (however it’s often $ 1.28/pound for boneless/​skinless chicken breast or thighs as opposed to $ 3.99-$ 7.99/pound elsewhere). The ground beef prices are great if you want the full-​fat beef. Sometimes they have the lean on sale but again, you have to know what a «good» price is. If you want a big slab of meat — like a pork butt — to toss in your smoker or slow cooker… this is the place. I won’t buy fish here. even the frozen. It looks freezer burnt and isn’t packaged appropriately. And I won’t buy beef steak even though you can get «New York steak» for $ 3.99/pound. It’s not trimmed properly and the quality just isn’t there.
My spouse runs a daycare and this store saves us thousands a year on basic fresh produce and meat staples. But you really do have to learn what you should and should not buy here.
Not sure why some reviews complain about the staff… they’ve all been great as far as I’m concerned. And I love the diversity too. I lived in Ballard for 20 years where rich liberal white people go on and on about diversity but wouldn’t dream of living in Renton or shopping in a store like Market Place.
This store really does add something different to the grocery arena. It’s a unique place that allows people to buy fresh, unprocessed raw food ingredients for a very, very low price. This store really does provide a valuable service to the community.

They prices are ridiculous for most of their stuff. Their freezers aren’t cold enough often resulting in moldy food when I open it 10 minutes after buying it.

My daughter has been telling me about this market for some time.
So we went here and to Viet Wah, which I just wrote a review for.
It is conveniently located up the block from Viet Wah, so I suggest killing two birds w/​one stone if you’re in the area for shopping.
The store is a bit cramped in some areas, but no biggie as the prices and selection make up for it… esp. if you’re looking for a wide variety of Latino goods.
Chilis, spices and herbs till the cows come home, all along the wall to your right as you walk in.
Fantastic variety for sure.
I thought I was in agua fresca heaven when I found the aisle w/​all of those wonderful Klass flavors.
Tamarindo, melon, sandia, horchata, jamaica, oh man… I was just about drooling and wishing I had a pitcher, cold water and a glass to drink from.
I think the man at the check out must have thought I was realllly thirsty or hoggin’ all the merchandise.
The 2 tiendas near me don’t even sell them anymore… hence, my major buy.
There’s nothing better on a hot summer day or anytime for that matter, than some agua fresca.
Now, lemme tell you about the pan dulce… the usual conchas, sponge cake, etc., are there.
My eyes spied a few doughnuts… and I’m thinking, I’ve been to plenty of tiendas in my time and I’ve nevah evah seen doughnuts in the case before.
I figured out why… they’re all bought up before I can ever see them to know they exist!
I’ve also had my share of doughnuts in my lifetime… however, I had a small piece of heaven the other day.
It was a yeast one w/​what looked like cinnamon sugar coating… it kinda was but much better.
The inside was the fluffiest, lightest, most delectable thing I think I’ve ever had when it comes to doughnuts… I didn’t want it to end.
Then I’m sitting here thinking…“Why da hell did I buy just one FFS!!!
I now know where to get my fix when it comes to Klass flavors and also for those crack doughnuts… I’m jonesin’ as I type this… must get doughnuts… aaarrrggghhhhh.
This is totally my daughter’s fault.

This has got to be one of the worst stores ever! They can’t be bothered to answer the phone, answer questions, have pleasant attitudes or a clean store. The staff have even called me names and insulted my son.
I don’t know why I try to go back. I won’t be making that mistake again.

I go there mostly for their deals on Torani syrup, but they have a great selection of other products at good rates. Employees are helpful and check-​out lines are reasonably short. They have a great Mexian cuisine selection if you’re looking for an item that you can’t find in other grocery stores.

My go-​to local grocery store. They have a great produce selection although lacking organic produce. Great Asian and Mexican section. Very affordable. Staff is friendly and helpful.

Awesome for produce, great prices! I think everyone around here know that because the produce section is always crowded while the rest of the store is like a ghost town. :D

Amazing produce only reason I go there! Meat, eggs and dairy are always close to expiration date, needs to be cleaner!

Nasty… i went to buy some Lil Debbie snacks some were on sale for 99 cents, i asked why they showed me the expiration date, two months ago. NASTY… are they trying to make people sick. I needless to say contacted the Health Department and Little Debbie’s corporate office, don’t need them being sued because of this nasty stores doings.

Worst shopping experience ever!
The cashiers flip flop between 2 registers so no matter which line you are in, there is no quick one. And forget express! That line doesn’t exist either. I think they advertise low prices because of expired meat and produce. I will never shop here again!

I stop by here every time I am in the area. I mostly buy fruits and vegetables. They have a great produce section. I’m vegetarian, and also avoid processed food. The prices are very good, especially if you buy a large quantity. They often have a sale where the price is much lower for 5+ pounds.

This is a great place to go for some meats. I wouldn’t buy bacon or sausages from here, not the brand stuff anyways, as its usually more expensive than going to Fred Meyer. Their chicken, beef and pork though, is pretty inexpensive, which is great if you want to stock up, buy in bulk, then break it down later at home.
As for their other prices, I can’t say they are anything to really brag about. They are as expensive, or more expensive than surrounding stores. Ample parking though.

This is my go to grocery store for produce and Mexican products. Their produce prices can’t be beat. It may not always be the perfect shaped fruit or vegis but as I am cutting them up anyway, I don’t care! I can get red bell peppers alot of times for 2/​$ 1 or at least less then $ 1 each when Safeway and QFC are selling them for $ 1.99 each! Another example is they usually have smaller lemons and limes for 5/​$ 1 or 7/​$ 1. Smaller Hass avocados, 2/​$ 1. Yes, I have occasionally got a bad piece of fruit or a bad vegi but that has happened to me at Safeway and QFC also! Plus lots of fresh produce for Mexican food, all sorts of chilies, tomatillos, Mexican grey squash and even banana leaves for tamales. Their Mexican section can’t be beat and super cheap prices. They have fresh Mexican pastries, make their own corn tortillas on site (and fry them up for the best corn tortillas around!), fresh Mexican cheeses, flan and tres leche cake. Now they are also starting to carry the french baguettes and rolls that Vietnamese sandwiches are made on, $ 4 for $ 1.99. Great for sandwiches and garlic bread. Really fresh!
As another review said, they do usually have their checkers working both sides of the checkout so the wait can be longer but I have learned to shop at off hours whenever possible. The store is not fancy but I don’t care if the prices are good. I don’t usually buy my meat there, get most of it at Costco, but buy most everything else there.
One thing they don’t have is any whole wheat pastas. Hoping that will change one of these days.

As Texas transplant living in the Northwest, I have very special needs that must be addressed on a regular basis.
First of all, I need Mexican food. I need to be able to go to a grocery store and find copious amounts of fresh looking jalapenos. I need to be able to find reasonably priced ingredients for Mexican dishes (since I can’t find any decent Mexican or Tex-​Mex restaurants up here). Saar’s is my go-​to place for such things.
First of all, they offer great discounts for buying meat and produce in bulk — i.e. 5 lbs or more. When I want to buy a bunch of oranges to make fresh squeezed orange juice, this is the place I go. Their produce selection is always vast, and their jalapenos are the nicest looking ones I have seen compared to the ones in the major grocery chains. They always have LOTS of jalapenos in stock, so I get to pick through them to find the pretty ones to make jalapeño poppers. That has always been one of my biggest pet peeves about places like Fred Meyer since they only have a tiny little basket of jalapenos at any given point.
This place also sells one of my favorite things in the world: 16 oz glass bottle Mexican coke. Mmm. They sell a lot of different kinds of meat you’ll find at any carneceria, but I tend to shy away from those things. I’ve been meaning to check their prices of canned green chiles. I have to admit I had a bit of sticker shock and culture shock to find tiny cans of green chiles for $ 1.99 at Fred Meyer. Geez! I’ll update my review once I find out how much they charge.
They also have a wall of Mexican spices that I posted a picture of. Personally, I prefer to buy my spices at World Spice Merchants in Pike Place since they have such affordable and fresh offerings, but this place will work in a pinch.
The only down side I’ve encountered with this place is the checkout process. There are only 4 checkout lanes available, and they have cashiers running 2 of them at a time. So if you go to one side of the lane thinking your cashier isn’t tending to the opposite side, you might cost yourself some time there.
They also have a really affordable hot dog vendor outside the exit. It’s always better to stop by here so you don’t shop while hungry.

I came here yesterday for a couple things and the store has been reorganized since my last visit. It actually looks a lot better. I like how they switched the bread and chips around. It made it easier for me to find things. However they are still doing the weird checkout thing where they go back and forth on one check stand, helping two different costumers at once. It just take more time up than the owner realizes.

Great deals on produce, meats, dairy, other food and household items, and wine! Huge Mexican and Latin section. Many of the meats come in 5-​lb packs, but there’s some smaller sizes too.
You might have to pick through the produce and meats as not every single item might be top-​quality fresh, but just use your common sense. Make sure you look thoroughly as some sections are duplicated or not all in the same exact location.
Go there for the great prices, not the décor. Think Cash & Carry, not Safeway or QFC. Same items for less money! What more do you want? (Actually, they don’t have any organic items to speak of nor bulk foods, but hey, there’s Champion Grocery Outlet for that:
)
Both Saar’s and Viet Wah are very close to each other. Check out my other reviews!

I stopped by accident since I went to Plum Delicious for breakfast. This place rocks for meat and Latino spices. I found here all different cuts and organs from pork, beef, and chicken. The price is not bad either.

This is a great meat market/​supermarket. It is inexpensive and the variety is excellent. The place is not only a meat market, but also a supermarket that carries the standard supermarket items, except it only carries food related items. No over the counter medicines or misc. items. Only food items. The worker’s are friendly and helpful.

Woah! I’ve been traveling by this place for 4+ years on the way to honey bunny’s… erh… the gf’s house. (She is a slow starter so the uhaul joke doesn’t work for us.)
Anyway…
This is a cool place! They have BIG MEAT. I mean really really big roasts. I am not sure I could even lift one. Plus, of course, entrails and stuff like that. (not dissing it just sayin’) And lots of great tortillas and the best thing ever: fanta orange soda!
You have to wait in line a loooong time usually. And it is an old school store. Not fancy schmancy. But, that is what I like about it.
Ok, it doesn’t have the 6 bucks a jar spaghetti sauce I like… so, not perfect.
But, I’ll be shopping here more often for sure.
Good looking produce though the red pepper I got here was bitter. Like aspirin. So maybe not such a good bargain.
I know there are more treasures here. I’ll certainly be exploring them!