Here’s what I love about the Berkeley Bowl: it turns produce shopping into a sport. I think that’s why they call it the bowl, like a football game or something. You’re standing there, looking over... More

Here’s what I love about the Berkeley Bowl: it turns produce shopping into a sport. I think that’s why they call it the bowl, like a football game or something. You’re standing there, looking over the 4 different size avacado bins and you know that the perfect ones are in there somewhere. And so do 20 other produce maniacs. The battle is on. I swear, I’ve been pushed, elbowed, mowed down. This makes me happy because I like to know that I shop where people who are serious about food shop. If you think you’re really hot stuff, come on the Friday before memorial day weekend, or July 3rd and try to buy some tomatoes. If it's your first time, I might suggest a helmet...
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So I'm not a health food nut, but living in Berkeley it kind of grows on you. And if you're trying to eat healthy, barring growing a massive garden, you're going to Berkeley Bowl. The prices are... More

So I'm not a health food nut, but living in Berkeley it kind of grows on you. And if you're trying to eat healthy, barring growing a massive garden, you're going to Berkeley Bowl. The prices are steep, but that's what you're paying for: better quality food. Most people will never know, or ever need to know the difference, the crowd there is pretty select. They do have an impressive array of cheeses, which always gets me, but if you shop there plan on being there for a long stay, the lines can get hefty and wrap around the entire store.
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What it has in ample cheap produce, it makes up for in crowds, faux-hippies, and ridiculously high prices. If I wanted to be paying out of the nose for dry goods, I would just shop at the corner... More

What it has in ample cheap produce, it makes up for in crowds, faux-hippies, and ridiculously high prices. If I wanted to be paying out of the nose for dry goods, I would just shop at the corner liquor stores in my neighborhood where even with the mark-ups, I'd be getting a relatively good deal. I'm not going to lie--the pies are pretty good. But price and hassle are working against the desires of my tongue on this issue. It isn't worth it.
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Berkeley Bowl has EVERYTHING! It is more on the pricey side, but where else can you find like 10 different varieties of eggplant or 20 types of apples in one place? They have all sorts of ethnic... More

Berkeley Bowl has EVERYTHING! It is more on the pricey side, but where else can you find like 10 different varieties of eggplant or 20 types of apples in one place? They have all sorts of ethnic foods and materials like curry powder, hummus, miso and all sorts of other things I have no idea how to use...but I love to cook and this place gives me so much inspiration. You can even find junk food from all over the world. Most everything here is organic, or whole wheat, or 0 trans fats. The only downside is that parking is tough...especially during peak hours (after work hrs)
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I simply love the Berkeley Bowl supermarket. They have the best selection of the freshest fruit and vegetables I have ever seen and at substantially lower prices than their closest competition. ... More

I simply love the Berkeley Bowl supermarket. They have the best selection of the freshest fruit and vegetables I have ever seen and at substantially lower prices than their closest competition. You can buy all of your groceries here too. They specialize in organic yet do not charge a fortune. Their bulk section is huge too, you can buy as much or as little as you want. You must go!
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I'll echo all the other great comments about selection and price. Even if the lines were short, it'd always be a struggle to get in and out of that place in less than an hour because the rows of... More

I'll echo all the other great comments about selection and price. Even if the lines were short, it'd always be a struggle to get in and out of that place in less than an hour because the rows of produce are just so inviting. Hopefully things will become a bit more manageable once the new store in West Berkeley opens, but until that happens, I've learned to go outside of the peak times to avoid long lines. These times, according to my experience, are: Any weeknight, except Friday. Mondays are particularly bad, and the half hour before closing time (8 pm) can be atrocious. If you must go on a weeknight, I've had pretty good luck between the hours of 6 and 7 pm. Around lunchtime. Most of the weekends, except for some of the shoulder periods (near opening and closing). I remember the Whole Foods in NY (when there was only one) used to have a sign advising people when the lines tended to be shorter. Perhaps BB should do the same.
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Berkeley Bowl rocks!! It's the best grocery store in the entire bay area.

Berkeley Bowl rocks!! It's the best grocery store in the entire bay area.
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The Berkeley Bowl has everything you ever wanted. The prices are good, The selection is massive. The produce is dynamite! There are vegetables I’ve never heard of, and I’ve been a vegetarian for 7... More

The Berkeley Bowl has everything you ever wanted. The prices are good, The selection is massive. The produce is dynamite! There are vegetables I’ve never heard of, and I’ve been a vegetarian for 7 years now. Also, they have probably 40 varieties of granola. My favorite so far has been pumpkin flax. I bought spring water there and it’s everyday price was the same as Albertson’s super special price. But parking is a pain and never ever go on a weekend.
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Berkeley Bowl is probably the most popular grocery store in Berkeley. It has expanded quite a bit from it's old store location. The selection has increased while the quality of the food as... More

Berkeley Bowl is probably the most popular grocery store in Berkeley. It has expanded quite a bit from it's old store location. The selection has increased while the quality of the food as maintained consistently great. They have added more baked goods and still have a great selection of bulk grains. Things can be a bit pricey here though but that's what you pay for organic food.
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Berkeley bowl is awesome! when you first hear of it, you make think it's a bowling alley, and it used to be, but it has since been converted to a grocery store with an emphasis on produce. their... More

Berkeley bowl is awesome! when you first hear of it, you make think it's a bowling alley, and it used to be, but it has since been converted to a grocery store with an emphasis on produce. their selection is AMAZING and their prices are great too. you will find a huge selection of whatever is in season, and probably see more varieties of a certain type of produce that you've ever seen before (think a whole aisle of heirloom tomatoes when they're in season). it's like a huge farmer's market available all the time.
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