Encinal Market — Attraction in Alameda

This is a small store that manages to pack in quite a bit of variety, including fresh produce and locally produced items. While the prices are probably not the lowest available, part of what you are paying for is the convenient location and the knowledgeable staff. For example, in the produce department you can ask any question--and sample almost anything--to make sure you get exactly what you need.

Despite the small size, there is a decent amount of variety and high quality. Semifreddis delivers bread daily. I always find freshly made salsa, chips (the "gruesos" are my fave) and pupusas. The wine section is small, but includes both domestic and imports, and locals like Rock Wall winery; this is one of the few non-specialty shops I have been to that has both mass-market ciders (e.g. Woodchuck) and small batch ciders. Dairy includes both regular and organic in multiple sizes and varieties, including local dairies and specialty items such as egg nog when in season; non-dairy items include multiple brands and types of nut milk, coconut milk, etc. The selection of good coffee is also notable, with many different roasters represented. Nearby there are some imported items (just in case you miss Digestives or need a Flake bar).

While I don't eat meat, Scalise's meats is inside and provides counter service. In the summer, freshly grilled meats are available cooked outside on the grill.

Encinal Market is a good community member too. In the winter there is always a Girl Scout troop selling cookies. There are seasonal coloring contests for the kids. When one of the cashiers was diagnosed with a serious illness, the staff and customers rallied to help fund her treatment.

Insider tip: starting-to-expire produce is bagged and put on a clearance rack in the back corner near the dairy case. If you're making banana bread you probably don't mind that the 99 cent paper bag of bananas are mostly browning. I've also purchased a big sack of lemons that weren't super firm (but were not moldy or unusable in any way)...

i love this market. i live close enough to walk, for some exercise. all the staff at encinal market are polite and helpful. encinal market is the type of place that has its own atmosphere and feel of a local business. it’s like encinal market was put there just for us locals in the area. hey wait, it was built for the area locals and anyone that happens to to need food items for consumption. encinal market has a butcher shop that stocks a plethora of fresh meats, organic too, and the butchers behind the counter are the same as the market staff, friendly and knowledgeable about the meat products. i’ve been going to encinal market for over 20 years and most, if not all the staff are still employed there as the first day i walked in so it has to be a great place to work. encinal is a little pricey on some items and they also offer deals and discounts on other items. the fruit and produce section is quality, period. even better than major supermarkets carry, trust me on that. i visit all the food stores in the area and encinal market is up to par with the best. whatever your looking for encinal market has plenty of that to choose from and plenty of specialty items from local growers and specialty manufacturers. its all good. so when you need a little or a lot of whatever your brain desires, visit encinal...

Walking into Encinal Market is like walking back to a time when Alameda was a navy town and life was as a simple as buying a paper, getting a cup of coffee and a loaf of bread. At least that's what I was told.

Proudly serving its neighbors and those who live nearby, Encinal market caters to local residents who appreciate higher quality grocery items and are willing to pay more for them.

High quality bread, cheese, dairy products, produce and fruit stand out at Encinal Market. Their meat counter is well known and their deli counter has a wide selection, with some items that are hard to find anywhere else. Check out their ice cream selection (in the white cartons)...it's pricey but quite good.

Get a loaf of Semifreddi's bread, some salumi, some cheese, a bottle of wine and head to Crown beach or Shoreline park and watch the sunset. The worries of the world slip away briefly with each...