Bazaar — Local services in Vallejo

We'd passed by many a time, and didn't think to look in until we stopped at a nearby mom-and-pop fast Indian food place and had some time to kill. I was surprised to find that this shop has been around for 13-14 years. I guess this is typical of many small, ethnic stores that barely make their money off the community living around there. Bazaar is obviously providing a lot of products to the Indians living in the area but they're located in such a community backwater that they never really expect non-Indians to come. They carry a huge inventory (and end up freaking out over paying the merchant costs for customers' credit cards).

Don't be put off by what appears to be rudeness -- all Indian waiters and shopkeepers are like that, even in India. We spent a half hour just walking up and down the aisles--spices, pulses, canned and packaged goods of dishes I can't make at home, even produce -- a huge selection that now we don't have to go all the way to Berkeley for! The bittermelon they sell is not the kind my mom grew in our garden from the ones she bought in Chinatown. The Indian bittermelon looks more like an alligator, with a sharp ridge.

They have a whole refrigerated box of commercial brand kulfi, the Indian ice cream! If you're new to this ancient yum of a dairy dessert, it starts out like gelato--made from milk, not cream--but it's caramelized and naturally sweet, so it has a naturally high melting point and the flavors they use are spices, nuts and fruit extracts. Lovely stuff.

Not even the stores in Berkeley seem to carry so many Ayurvedic formulas for skin, teeth, general health. You do have to watch out for expiration dates, but that's a caveat for any store, Indian or not. If the store has what you can't get elsewhere otherwise, and you huff off and don't tell them you'll come back to give them more business, then they don't learn and you have to travel all over to find...

I have been to Bazaar in Vallejo about a year ago to pick up whole ratanjot for making authentic Kashmiri Rogan Josh.

I've included a snap of my sales receipt dated September 30, 2023 as proof and authenticity of my review.

Because Vallejo is far from my home here in Vacaville, I don't normally go there regularly to replenish my Indian grocery and masale needs.

This changed, when my goto Indian grocery in Fairfield, CA no longer stocks Karnataka Byadagi red chillies (whole and dried). I needed these chillies (and along with Kashmiri red chillies) for blending masale mixes for use in Marathi (Konkani and Malvani) cooking.

Long story short—I reached out to Bazaar and I asked Daman-ji to consider stocking these chilies (they don't normally stock them). I received a happy news after about a week or so that Bazaar now stock Karnataka Byadagi red chillies.

I've picked up (2) 200-gram bags for 3.99 USD each! That was competitively priced! The Deep-brand is a trust and quality Indian brand.

I highly recommend Bazaar. They store is wonderful, clean, and wonderful customer service.

Anyone complaining should ask yourself, "Did I follow the Golden Rule of treating others the way I expected to be treated?"

Bazaar is a grocery store (you're not shopping luxury on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills); they are not going to throw dried rose petals on the pathway for you and hand you chilled champagne, when you enter the grocery store.

Be kind, polite, and respectful towards the store staff and they will bend over backwards to help you find anything you're looking for in their Indian...

Indian Bazaar.

What a hidden gem of a market. Located @ HWY 37 & Sonoma BLVD. , Vallejo. Situated in the same plaza as Popeye’s Chicken. What, I, appreciate besides that vast array of unique and exotic spices. Is the value and quantity of other products such as dry goods. Beans, legumes, various rice’s available in bulk or small quantities. Recently, I, purchased Tilda Pure Basmati rice brand and it is the best quality rice that I have ever cooked with. There are many other goods such as fresh produce, dairy, prepared frozen foods, personal care items. While, I, drive from Napa to shop here, it is worth it for the savings. In the past I’d order curries, Tikka spice blends from Amazon. There is still something to be said about shopping in person and have expert customer service at hand. Whether you are a novice such as myself learning about the various cuisines of India. They offer many other items that will translate into different styles and regions of cooking. Now more than ever it is important to support local, independent, family owned markets. It is worth stopping here and better than driving into...