Best places to get quality produce in San Diego? (El Cajon: neighborhoods, to buy)

[scottfreez]

I was in Von's yesterday and was going to buy one medium-sized spaghetti squash. Could scarcely believe my eyes when it was rung up ... $7.50!! Ya know, it's not exactly exotic. It's a squash, dude.

Needless to say I passed on the Von's spaghetti squash.

I feel like I'm being taken as a fool shopping in overpriced grocery stores where one pays top dollar for things that have no redeeming value: pristine display, bi-hourly automatic misting, "organic" stickers, etc. I just want some good old-fashioned veggies. Since I eat a lot of them, I'd like to find a place with reasonable prices.

Any suggestions?

Farm shares? Farm Co-ops? Farmers markets? Grocery stores that have quality at good prices?

I don't mind washing off the dirt, even...


Edit: After posting I see a topic already started on the subject..

[illusion887]

I had the same the experience the other day..I was at Vons looking for bell peppers and they were 3 or 4 dollars each!! They were small and didn't look so great. I lived in Paris for two years and I could get large, quality ones for 80 cents. I've seen a few farmers markets around but I have yet to check them out

[bloom]

Farmer's Markets, pretty much one every day of the week in different SD neighborhoods

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Sprouts

[oddstray]

When looking at that other thread, you should know that Henry's = Sprouts.

We share a CSA box with friends of ours (even their small, bi-weekly box is too much veg for the two of us). That way we get really good-tasting stuff, and we get a prod to learn to cook with unfamiliar things. Be Wise Ranch - Certified Organic Produce - Home

[Clevelandgal]

I agree farm markets and Sprouts-they are not over all inexpensive but have great deals on seasonal items. If you are open to what veggies you get on any given day then they are great. If you are a pro at picking out veggies and are going to use them in a very timely manner, then the ethnic markets cannot be beat. Northgate Gonzalez and North Park Produce come to mind, but there are many others. I have gotten terrific quality, but you need to know your stuff. When I have sent my husband the outcome has not always been so good.

[moved]

Try the ethnic markets. Pancho Villa, North Park Produce are the more well known ones. There's also Pepe's Produce on El Cajon Blvd & Winona Ave, and LaEspecial Produce on 47th & University. I patronize North Park Produce more often, because it's a two minute walk from where I live.

[mricu]

I add my approval for Sprout's. Their produce and prices are farily reasonable and there are many around town.

I also recommend a smaller ethnic market called Vine Ripe off of Fletcher parkway in La Mesa. You can often get 6 green peppers for $1, containers of strawberries for $0.99 and other great deals on produce. They also have an awesome bakery which include freshly made Bhaklava's (different flavours) daring you not to buy them.

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Forgot. Try Gonzales Northgate markets. Def dome good bargains in there.

There is one that just opened recently on University Ave in City Heights. But there are quite a few around town.

I second Vine Ripe

[Clevelandgal]

In addition to NorthPark Produce and Northgate Gonzalez, Zion is great. It is a Korean/Asian modern grocery with great produce. Its about out of my typical flight path though, so I only go if I am up that way for some reason. That 7.50 for spaghetti squash at Von's is off the chain. I was at Trader joes today (where I do don't typically buy produce except Haas avocados, b/c they are always perfect and fairly priced) and they had Spg squash for 2.99 each and I laughed at that as too high. even though I wanted one, I passed. I am planning on going to North Park Produce tomorrow and if I do I will report back.