Gelson’s Market

It sure bums me out to sit here and spend the time writing a review like this for a place my family has grown to love. This situation happened yesterday, Wednesday afternoon, at about 4pm. I have been going to Gelson’s very very frequently since I’ve started receiving coupons for $ 5 off on $ 25 dollar purchases. I usually bring a person and we go straight to the deli to get 9.99 sandwich deal with 2 sides. EVERY SINGLE TIME I’ve gone, I have eaten there as the upstairs patio is incredibly nice and usually empty. So here we are, I order my usual turkey sandwhich with jessicas crunchy salad and the Chinese coleslaw as my sides. I get the food and walk to the upstairs patio like I have done every single time I am there. Not once have I ever done anything else. I usually eat half my sandwich as they give you too much food to eat in one sitting, then i go back downstairs and do some shopping. So I walk up to the patio, and half way through eating my food, a gentleman who is a store manager walks up to me, doesn’t introduce himself, doesn’t look me in the eye at ALL, and all he says is «Are you going to pay for that». It was so brutal. Luckily I wasn’t with anyone else like I usually am. I tell him of course I am going to pay, and showed him the barcode that I stickered back on my container. He still doesn’t look at me in the eye and he says, «well, thats not how it works around here. Im going to need you to pay for this right now». I literally pull out my wallet as I’m supposed to be enjoying my food, and give him $ 10 dollars for the sandwich. He says I’ll be back with your receipt and since i was so upset, i told him to not worry about it and just keep it. He leaves, and I sit there contemplating what just happened. I was very offended. I started naturally thinking was I just profiled??? Im a dark man, with a beard, and It made me wonder so much if they were watching me to see if I was stealing. He then comes back, even thought I asked him not to, and comes up to me and STILL CANT LOOK AT ME IN THE EYE, and says my manager is freaking out, puts the receipt on the table and the penny in change. I then remind him once again, that I have been here many times and have never had an issue. He says again, «thats not how it works around here»
I am completely flustered, wondering if I’ll ever come back, and just couldn’t even eat more of my food. I walk downstairs to exit since I decided I wasn’t going to shop there, and I see 3 different employees look at me as I was exiting. It was such a brutal embarrassing experience and I’m just thinking to myself I’m so glad I came alone this time. When walking downstairs i look EVERYWHERE to see if there is any kind of sign that says please pay for items before walking upstairs. Stop telling your employees to promote that you can eat anywhere you want, including the wine bar. Its the same building. Its not an exit. Being upstairs is still very much being in the store.
Every other time I’ve eaten upstairs before I shopped, I always end up in line, with an open box that has half of a sandwich in it and nobody has ever mentioned that I cant eat the sandwich before. Everyone has always been friendly and even asked me what kind of sandwich I got. I know a handful of employees there, as I go in on the same times, and nobody has ever had a problem with it. I refuse to mention any names in effort to not get anybody in trouble. I run restaurants in Newport beach and we pay very close attention to our Unilocal and it always hurts employees so much when names are mentioned. I didn’t want to do that. But this manager that came after me had such a horrible vibe and I still can’t get over the fact he couldn’t look at me in the eye. He knew he was being way out of line, but he was just following orders from someone else. It was so clear.
I have spend easily a few thousands of dollars at this store and have brought in so many people for the $ 9.99 special. Its a running joke between my friends and family that Im obsessed with Gelson’s. I reached out to my family, who shops at Gelson’s and a few of my friends and all they had to say was that they were completely disgusted and that they have never had an issue with eating upstairs. They convinced me to speak out and write this review. Its unfortunate. Gelson’s won me over from their competitor Whole Foods and now I’m contemplating going back to whole foods. I feel completely mistreated as I have been an advocate for Gelsons since the day they opened. The amount of business I’ve brought in through family and friends may not be the difference between their success and failure, but here in the Naples Island community, people talk, and word gets around. Word of Mouth is what businesses thrive on. I sure hope this has nothing to do with how I look. Very disappointed.

Shopping for dinner tonight with my mom
Great produce, inventory and such, bakery employees were on point. Everything was enjoyable until getting up to the cashier, her name was Carol by the way and she didn’t say hello or anything. Purchasing 10 – 15 groceries and a bottle of wine. I was behind my mother when she asked for an ID and not your basic «ID PLEASE» it was more like «ID» the only words to come out of her mouth and she asked for my ID not my moms when it was obvious my mother was paying for groceries etc. I wasn’t even in the picture when rolling up to the check out. It was obvious as well that she just wanted to make a point… With her sturdy duty as a cashier in a supermarket
Anyways my mother said No I am paying for it its my wine, I proceeded to be like No let me get my ID so we can go home.
I am 21 exactly and left my wallet outside all the way in the back parking and she wouldn’t keep going meaning keep ringing the items while I agreed on going to get my ID. I come back and he lady didn’t even ring the items in our basket.. . When she could of kept ringing she stood there like a BEE. My point is don’t get ur panties in a wad your a freaking cashier at a super market CAROL.

Gelson’s deli manager Milo on Saturday (⁶⁄₁₁) saved my party. When the party trays I ordered 1 week ago from Porto’s were no show, I ran down to Gelson’s and was able to walk out with 24 mini sandwiches cut perfectly arranged beautifully within 15 minutes. As I ran to the check out stand, the cashier ran up my order quickly. I am so impressed with their service. The sandwiches of course were very tasty. I will definitely consider Gelson’s for my next party catering solution.

Beautiful, very expensive ($$$) bougie market! I took my grandpa here for pastries and coffee and he really enjoyed it.
PARKING: super ample and very easy
SERVICE: the staff was friendly and very accommodating, they met my request of heating up our pastries for us!
FOOD: my grandpa got a coffee and I got a cappuccino. Both were good but nothing to necessarily write home over. I got the golden raisin scone and my grandpa got a pain aux raisin (raisin pinwheel croissant basically). Heated up the pastries were fragrant and bright and delicious :) really enjoyed them! They’re not cheap at $ 3-​$ 4 each but really good so it’s a nice treat. My grandpa was really happy.

I love beer, especially craft beer. If you’re lucky enough to visit Gelsons on a day Rudy is working, make sure you say hi and ask him about the craft beer. You won’t be disappointed. On a side note this was the friendliest store I’ve ever visited.

I love this store they always have fresh products and the staff is always so cheerful and friendly. Venus helps me with my coffee also she’s great and John is the best at the check out stand. Love this store and location perfect for Long Beach shopping.

I’ve gone in to use this market on several occasions since they’ve finally come to Long Beach.
I used to use Whole Foods exclusively and once I started using Gelson’s, I realized just the quality of the service in the store was of excellence and it really comes down to ownership and management and how they care and then follows through to the people in the store.
I will say with total clarity here that this is an awesome place to shop. They’re very helpful. Very caring, and go out of their way for you. Even better, the quality of the products they carry and their willingness to get you what you need for your dietary needs or otherwise, they’re always in tune with.
I highly recommend that you go to Gelson’s and use them for your food shopping needs. They’re awesome.

Gelsons has gone above and beyond my grocery store experience. They let me try popcorn and don’t mind when I accidentally drop it all on the floor. They tell me when appliances are on sale. Don’t even get me started on their sandwiches. I eat them on the reg. They’re so on point. The orzo salad, are you kidding me? So. Good. Stop by Wolfgang Puck in the morning for their delicious and well priced breakfast sandwich. Did I mention that their meat department makes Harris ranch look like a McDonalds? Don’t forget to check on Fridays for their shipment of the best black and white cookies in Belmont shore. I can’t say enough good things so I’ll stop here. Gelsies, you rock!

Excellent market, always very clean, always have wonderful new items to try. The hot food section is always good, the salad bar is always fresh and has a ton of toppings. The lunch special is a good deal for a huge sandwich and your choice of side from the case, and the sides are always amazing it’s not just a run-​of-​the-​mill potato salad or macaroni salad it’s a lemon artichoke salad amazing! The best thing about this Gelson’s is the Renauds– you don’t have to drive to Santa Barbara for the most amazing macaroons and almond croissants they have them right here at this Gelson’s!

Gelson’s is not branded as a bargain priced place to shop. Their prices allow for fresh, well made sandwiches. Some people might say you get what you for but, not at Gelson’s Belmont shore location. The premade roast beef and cheese sandwich was meager on the portion, and the wheat bread was not up to par. The Ham and Cheese sandwich we purchased did not meet up to standards, my grand daughter rejected her turkey sandwich on the first bite. Sad to say this was not the end of our visit. We left the parking lot using the rear entrance. We found a Gelson’s truck blocking the exit. Truck number 39 194.
White tractor, towing a enclosed trailer. The driver blocked traffic from entering and exiting.
We waited patiently for 10 minutes, a passer by walked by and said, «that truck has been sitting there for over a hour». A very friendly manager in a blue shirt came out from the warehouse and apologized, said he was the Manager. We waited another 5 minutes, by this time cars were honking, however no movement. A bearded man emerged from the rear of the truck, he was wearing a blue pin stipe golf shirt, had a beard, sun glasses, over weight and hands in his pockets. He got in the drivers seat and moved the rig backwards, leaving just enough room for us to get by. We have pictures of the truck, the driver and the manager.
It is our hope that Gelson’s figures out how their truck drivers can be more like the super friendly employees in the store, including the manager in the blue shirt. Until Gelson’s figures out how to sell fresh made sandwiches. Disappointed

I recently started coming to Gelson’s. Not your ordinary supermarket that’s for sure. I like that everything’s in order, super clean, eatery, French bakery, & the fact they have a top deck to have some wine, grub, & just chill out with friends. I still have yet to hang out & try their wines.
FYI, milk Always tastes better in a glass bottle! Love that they have Broguiere’s. Gelson’s a bit expensive so keep that in mind. Though I wish Gelson’s Market had more variety. Also the employees keep to themselves rather than greet you…

This review is for the deli counter.
I come here for lunch expecting it to be better for some reason, but it never is. I sometimes have a craving for a chicken salad sandwich or wrap, and this is the first place that I can think of that offers that. However, each time I go, I am disappointed with how little chicken salad they put on my sandwich — just enough to be like a thin layer of mayo. They often get my order wrong, they forget the cheese, they don’t add salt (which their chicken salad always needs lots of), they put the wrong vegetables. You can get a combo with two salads as well, and the salads aren’t usually very good either.

Love this market. Everything is clean and neatly organized. Perfect for picking up items after a trip from the farmers market down the street.
The deli is wonderful. I always see a new salad or snack to try!
5 stars.

This review has been long overdue. My coworker first told me about this place over a year ago when I mentioned to him that I was looking seeking for delicious poke (tuna ahi poke). Tried my luck there and boy was I glad that I did. Wife and I purchased the Spicy Ahi tuna poke. The tastiest and freshest poke I have ever eaten. You won’t be disappointed. One pound for me and half a pound for the lady. Took it home and had brown rice on the side and I was in heaven. The tuna just melts in your mouth fresh.
While we were at it we saw something thru the window which read «Smoked Alaskan candy» and asked the worker what is was. It turned out to be smoke Alaskan Salmon and boy was it also delicious. Expensive but worth the try. Thank me later.

LOBSTER ROLL with a glass of Chardonnay? Forizzle? Yes foshezzy. That’s what satisfied my belly this evening here at Gelson’s. Usually I pass right by THE WINE BAR, but not this time. This little bar has a TAPAS MENU with a selection of wines and beers. They have a small selection of ready pour wines as well as beer on tap… one being, HEY STELLA! Which is one of my favorite beers, also reminds me of one of my favorite quotes from «A Street Car Named Desire» Marlon Brando. Along with their adult beverages, they also have tapas. Enters the mini Lobsta roll, which was very tasty… wouldn’t change a thing. The Chardonnay was complex, yet light and refreshing, with notes of vanilla and cedar accompanied by a basket of fruit hitting you throughout, also with a very long finish… Perfect combo. Tossing in a good cigar after would seal the deal… hmm.
Gelson’s is one of the leading upscale markets around. Opening its first store in Burbank 1951. From the FRESH HIGH QUALITY PRODUCE to the awesome HOT/​COLD FOOD BAR, Gelson’s has it all. But too pricy. Instead of shoving those coupons in my mailbox every frickin week, why not just lower your prices to begin with? STOP SPENDING money on those ads, and wasting paper that just gets tossed in the small (recycle)trash can next to my mailbox, and return those savings to me, your customer? On a good note, they do have a friendly staff here that are eager to serve you. Everywhere I turned a staff member would be asking me if I would like assistance… kudos for that.
In my opinion, they have one of the best bakeries around. Ranaud’s is sitting in the front of the store just as you are exiting the cashiers. They originated in Santa Barbara 2008, and a perfect addition to Gelson’s. Don’t forget to try their macaroons. They are one of the best I’ve had. Sometimes I’ll grab an espresso and a pastry, and chill upstairs on the spacious Terrance overlooking the Marina area.
I do like going to this store, however due to the high pricing, which is why I gave 4 stars, I don’t come here much as I’d like to, there are more reasonable alternatives nearby.

Okay so …“he” tends to frequent this place twice a week or so because like Wendy Williams, he «likes the sense of community», whatever the heck that’s supposed to mean.
«I’ll pass…» is my response to him when asked to accompany him while grocery shopping… Who needs a sense of community??? Unilocal… IS MY SENSE OF COMMUNITY!!!
Be this as it may, this review has been a long time in the making simply because those that «know me-​know me» are quick to attest to just how I am NOT the type to grocery shop by any means. It just doesn’t happen. NOPE! UNH UNGH!!! I don’t like cooking, I despise grocery shopping and I could honestly give 2 peas in a barrel about the free samples these places tend to offer just to further lure you in!
There, …I said it.
So having been dragged to Gelsen’s and after sitting in the car with the top down long enough for my hair pomade to begin melting, I thought it’d be useful, funny and cool if I sauntered on in, to prevent my eyebrows from generating finger waves.
The doors opened and I thought I’d entered the gates of Heaven. Jesus Christ!!! Is this what I’d been missing out on??? This ain’t grocery shopping! This is a damn EXPERIENCE!
Promenading up and down each aisle I felt as if I were frolicking on streets paved of gold and baby, I almost got my life when I saw that they have a «wine bar» that provides custom tastings. To be honest, I thought I’d see Jennifer Anniston or Ben Afleck pushing a cart in a joint like is!
Hmm (ponders to self). Wonder if I could draw up a case from either of them bumping into my shopping cart whole uninsured. (…anyway…back to my experience…)
When push comes to shove, this place is stellar! Marginally overpriced yet I see why they inundate your mailbox with coupons; no doubt to bring prices down to a more realistic level comparable to that of Ralph’s or Trader’s.
Yea… I do believe I’ll be providing this place 5 stars. Exceptional customer service, a bakery, a deli fit with PREMIUM meats and cheeses (perfect for charcuterie platters), the endless selection of wines and (Lord have mercy)…there’s even an outdoor patio and rooftop terrace for sitting and overlooking Alamitos Bay!
Yazzzzzzz!!! Okay… Okay… Calm yourself Ken. Calm yourself! (…pause to locate inhaler…) You’re around white people who don’t know you like that just yet.
Okay … okay… so perhaps «he’s» onto something here. This place is the sh*t! I’ll bite my tongue, …appear to be unimpressed, act apathetic and he’ll never suspect what I’m suppressing. Truthfully, I’m blown the hell away and have already arranged to come back tomorrow while he’s asleep…
That’s our little secret.
Side note: Do you think he saw me take that 2^nd free sample???

What a great market. J e driven by this thing many times and never set foot in. Always wonder about the patio area which is similar to what Whole Foods seems to be focusing on lately. Al, sorts of good groceries, deli, baked goods, and lots of interesting soft drinks and snacks. Got some Gelson’s own beef jerky and this crazy Italian sparkling espresso. Had a chat with the lady working the register about my fondness for weird food items and she was in the same mindset. Awesome. 4.25 stars

Honestly, this was the NICEST Gelson’s, and I’ve been to a good handful of them. I didn’t realize that they have different bakeries… at least, this one does. We have Viktor Benes up in the Los Angeles area. Renaud’s Bakery is completely foreign to me, yet it is this Gelson’s signature bakery. The prepared foods section is much more elaborate… larger and more food offered all the way around. They even have a wine bar !! They also have an outdoor patio area upstairs, which offers a very nice view. The store itself offers the same gourmet quality food… fabulous produce, top quality meats and fish, higher end food brands than you’d find elsewhere (plus the regular brands)… but with prices to match. I love Gelson’s, but it’s a bit steep for everyday shopping… once in awhile, and when I want to impress, but not a daily dose of this.

I thoroughly enjoyed exploring this market. Entering, I immediately noticed how clean and bright everything is. It’s easy to see why Gelson’s is recognized as one of the premier supermarkets.
The produce section is absolutely grade A. You won’t need to pick anything out, every fruit and vegetable looks perfect. The meat and seafood selections are of the highest quality and they look it and cost it too. No cart traffic here… the aisles are wide and kept clear. The deli, salad, soup and hot food bar looks fresh and appetizing. I’m not a huge salad eater, but the long salad bar is amazing. The prime rib, tri-​tip and turkey sandwich carving station along with a Wolfgang Puck Express pizza will certainly entice your appetite.
Instead of just offering a wine aisle, Gelson’s has a high-​end wine bar called the Gateway. A roof top patio lounge with a fireplace and views of the marina is a great place to sit, sip your wine and relax. Gelson’s is more expensive than other markets, but as they say, you get what you pay for.

Met up with my boss here on a casual Tuesday afternoon. Nothing too busy or packed, just a few people either taking a day off or having a casual lunch meeting.
Ambiance:
Parking: On a Tuesday afternoon, I had no trouble finding parking. The place can probably house 50 cars and if it’s packed, you can park yourself in the plaza next door!
Seating: Pair seating inside. Downstairs AND upstairs seating. Upstairs has an awesome view of the water and boats.
Feels: At an extent it feels very high end but it’s nothing formal. A good place to have a casual meeting or study.
Food:
This part of the review is to be completed as I have yet to try everything. The only thing I tried was Pete’s Coffee which was standard as usual. I look forward to their hot foods and the wine bar.
Customer Service:
Passed by a worker 3 times. Usually it’s awkward but he provided a kind greeting each time. Cheers to him!
Overall:
4 stars. My only complain may be the price but everything else is great! From the food to the seating. I definitely can see myself studying here if I needed and in need of some inspiration, the view is quite refreshing.
Tips:
* Free Wi-​Fi!
* Great place to study