Kalinka

After tonight experience it should be zero stars but unfortunately there is no such option!! I have been a customer for this business for 10 years and I am very disappointed to see it going in the wrong direction... They changed staff over time, I do not see the same faces as a few years ago. They have a new staff, extremely arrogant, to the point of talking back to customers with attitude; I did a purchase for over $250 today and I requested them to slice some meat but to use a new, fresh piece as the one on display was looking bad; they brought a new piece of meat from the back but they started to cut from the old one, trying to mask it, so I do not see..., I saw it and told them again I specifically requested a new piece because the one on display was bad and should have not even being there. The manager backed up his staff, with the same attitude even when I mentioned that he might lose a customer - they both said "It's fine!" They explained to me "it is bad for the business to sell from the new piece before the old one is sold..." Oh, but it is good for the customer to buy bad meat? It is very concerning if they do not care for their customers, therefore I will spread the word to everybody I know they might be shopping in this store, about their practices and bad customer service! There are other stores in the area with the same merchandise that will be happy to have the business. Have at it!

Excellent freshly baked bread and authentic Russian piroshki (meat, cabbage, potato). Hostile and/​or bored young kid working the counter, oblivious to customer service concepts.

I just stopped in here because Unilocal listed them as a grocery and I was looking for some fresh produce. They had a small selection and I bought what I needed and was on my way. This store is small, with narrow aisles, but has a nice selection of Russian foods. The breads looked especially interesting but I was running late so I couldn’t stay to browse. The young man behind the counter spoke both English and Russian and was very polite and professional. I would like to stop here again when I have more time to look around!

Very nice selection compared to other Eastern European and Russian grocery stores in the area. Unbeatable service. Everyone is always helpful and the owners are very nice people. The only suggestion or warning I have is — don’t come in to this store while hungry. Eat first! Otherwise you are at risk of buying everything within your reach :)

I love this place. You can pick up piroshka from their deli, then reheat them in the oven to keep them crispy. The potato piroshka are amazing. They have a selection of European import beers sold by the bottle, all at VERY reasonable prices. Best of all, it’s dark and quiet inside. I think it’s awesome.

I like this store, they have healthy food, wonderful bakery and all my favorite staff. The customer Servise absolutely awesome. Thank you for you Servise.

This eastern Europe grocery store s located like 5 minutes walk from my place.
I never knew it was there until yesterday!
Being European, I was more than happy to find this place. They’ve got delicious canned Russian sprats, Bulgarian feta, sausages, dumplings, excellent spicy salami and best of all: freshly baked German bread (they carry black bread as well).
They have a small wine and fresh veggies section.
Their imported chocolates look great.
They are very fairly priced for imported food.
Very nice and helpful staff.

I got in at 9:03 pm last night for a salami run (they close at 9 exactly) and they took me in because they hadnt cleaned their slicing machine yet. All is right with the world This deli is an eastern european style shop with huge varieties and assortments of candies, salamis, and sausages.

My family was recommended to Kalinka by our first-​generation Russian friends. We have been twice now, mainly for the salmon caviar that our daughter loves, and way better than I expected Russian beer. It is inviting to leisurely browse for nothing in particular and the staff are quick to help answer questions. They even let my wife sample one of their caviars! We will likely be repeat customers for the foreseeable future.
The prices are very reasonable compared to the also excellent Samovar in Mountain View so I’d recommend coming here first. The downsides are tiny aisles to maneuver in, and the location being near shake-​a-​fist kind of crazy shopping at Walmart and Costco.

This is, indeed, the best store in the area. I have been going shopping here for the last 8 years, and with the new owners I could not get enough of their excellent customer service, deli products, and breads. Even if you are not familiar with European foods, try it, and you will be coming back for more.

Does not have a lot of variety compare to other stores

Few weeks ago I got a cake and had to return because it was not fresh and had blue mold on it. The owner returned the money for the cake. Yesterday I bought the bread baked at Cinderella bakery and the bread has blue molds. I guess it’s my fault that I have not inspect the bread for freshness and expiration day… Yesterday was January 10 and expiration on bread is dated January 6. Looks like owners are not taking seriously the product handling and just lost a customer. i hopethinks get better

Cool treats from other countries! I was excited and bought a bunch of stuff but… everything tasted old and spoiled :(
But the fresh baked bread from this place was amazing!
Mixed feelings. Go for the bread only.

Every week stop there to get done Russian food and especially fresh bakery. Love the pocket pie and cake!
It tasty! I go not have a time to cook at home, I’m do happy to have the place where I can buy everything I need for lunch.
They have my favorite candy and it’s always fresh.

Be careful and watch expiration dates on products! I bought raspberry preserve and condensed milk far out of dates. I know it’s also my fault but they keep these products and try to sell them to get extra money instead of just throw away :(didn’t return products cause live far from the area.

Walked by this place a few times. I knew it was Eastern European.
They have chocolates, cookies, jams, wines and deli meats: from all over Eastern Europe. Products from Uzbekistan, Russia, Romania, Crimea and other places.
I saw Romanian Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir wines under ten bucks.
Picked up some tastey Russian Chocolates by Bgoxhobehue. Semi sweet dark chocolate, individually wrapped.
I noticed some a variety of imported deli meats and piroshki’s too!
Customer service: very good.
Parking: can be tight.

I used to be a frequent buyer in this strore for 10+ yrs since moving to Almaden area. Unfortunately, they are deteriorating. This was never a high end place :-) but now you must really watch out what you are buying. First, check expiration date on every packed or canned item. Second, do NOT buy anything from «deli» department. It looks like they are too greedy to throw away anything — they will try to sell it to you instead. Third, you may be charged twice — check the receipt carefully. So, I warned you, but why as many as 3 stars, not less? That’s because they sell something unique that you can’t get in ordinary stores, food for Russian parties, etc. Go there twice per year — March 8 and Dec 31 — when you have too, and don’t take more risks.

Love this place, really takes me back to all the yummy dishes I used to eat when I was little. Lots of choices, both in the fresh section and jarred/​canned. They have many selections for cheeses, meats, and smoked meats. The malosolnii pickles are one of my favorites. Haven’t tried their frozen stuff yet, but all the fresh choices (shuba, sirniki, etc) are delicious.

A quick stop at this small Eastern European grocery/​deli resulted in a purchase of what was possibly the best rye bread that I have ever eaten. Trust me, I’m old; I’ve eaten a lot of the stuff over the years, and this bread was insanely good: dense and spongy inside with a deep cracking crust, with a fragrance that’s impossible to resist. The sausage and cured meat selection is varied and reasonably priced too.
The two young gents and lady behind the counter are delightful. They are engaging, helpful, and make the shopping experience even better.

A little pricey but where else can you get authentic European chocolates & candies — from imported dark cacao to kinder bars!
Great variety of Afghan food.

What a great little Central/​Eastern European market.
The first time I visited this place, I came with my Filipina mom. I was looking for Vegeta and Hungarian Paprika to make Goulash for the Hungarian. I wanted to make it as authentic as an Asian girl can make it. It’s quite daunting to cook a cuisine you’re not familiar with to a person who is native to that cuisine.
I found Kalinka through my Unilocal app and I knew exactly where the location was. It’s right in between Britannia Arms and La Vics on Almaden in South San Jose.
When I stepped into the tiny store, I was quite overwhelmed. I couldn’t really read or understand any of the items; I didn’t know where to start.
Fortunately enough the young man behind the counter was super friendly and helpful. He pointed me to the Hungarian ingredients I needed and even assisted with recommending some candies. He also explained the freshly made goods they had behind the counter. They were selling a meat pie of sorts, which sounded delicious. I would have ordered it if I didn’t just inhale a breakfast burrito next door.
My second visit was even better. I actually took the Hungarian with me and he helped me sort through all the things. I tried this one dessert they had which only consisted of crushed Sunflower seeds and oil. It was remarkable sweet and tasty. The texture though was a little bit different but palatable. He stated that their selection was limited but then again he found some of the items he was craving.
The woman behind the counter was amazingly helpful, she showed him all the Hungarian sausages they carried (okay I had to giggle because according to
— that Hungarians put the HUNG in penis size). Two visits to Kalinka and both times their service was excellent; I was pleasantly surprised.
He was a happy camper with his artisan bread and Hungarian delectable foods.