El Cortez Gourmet Mart

This small shop has all of the little things you never know you need until it’s too late. Everything from wine, champagne, and beer to the basics of groceries, El Cortez Gourmet Mart has what you forgot to pick up on the way home and definitely don’t feel like driving to get.
The prices aren’t bad, a little higher than the grocery stores, but worth the convenience!
The owner and his family run the place, and they always go above and beyond to fill any special needs. Want some garlic powder? A certain kind of beer? Just let them know, they’ll get it!
This place is a little cornerstone of our neighborhood, and it has my highest recommendation.

LOCATION: At the end of 163 next door to the El Cortez Hotel, Sole Luna Café, and the Little Yoga Studio. Across from the Red Roof Inn and down the street from Hampton Inn and Days Inn. This area is mostly residential with many condos.
WHAT: Yes, it’s overpriced like any convenience store and this small business has been a quick convenient lifesaver many times. No, it’s not gourmet either but has good stuff and serves an important role in the neighborhood. We go here when we run out of the essentials like beer, coffee creamer, etc. They also sell lotto tickets and they have an ATM.
SERVICE: Always friendly and willing to help. Neal, the owner, is a great, hard working guy. We always enjoy seeing the familiar faces here.
PARKING: Usually neighborhood folks or visitors walk here to get convenience items but there is metered parking and free parking for 2 hours anywhere in the Area F Cortez Hill residential area. Free after 1800, Sundays, holidays just like the metered spots.
CONCLUSION: I think it’s better than the convenience store down the street in AVA especially with the better service so we will be back!

Although small in size, this market packs a mighty punch. The cashiers are always friendly and helpful, which is a huge plus in my book. The store is always clean and well kept as well. While they lack liquor and fresh produce like their relative-​owned market around the corner on 9^th and A St, but they still have great selections of wine and craft beer. This place is a bit pricey, but I guess you pay for convenience. But still a good spot if you need something quick.

Two stars because it’s a convenient location. Disappointed to see that they charged me extra to use a credit card. It’s not just annoying, but also illegal in the state of California.

Local market near a friends place, perfect for morning champagne and evening wine :). Great owners, family owned, and relatively inexpensive prices. Perfect for when we dont want to drive all the way down to a larger market.
mini mart with a good selection of wine and beer (no liquor), juices, energy drinks, sodas, and some frozen food selection. Also has some condiments, chips, and deli meets/​cheeses.

Ok, so this place is far from «Gourmet», but as someone who has lived across the street from the mart for quite a while, let me tell you, this place is a life saver! There have been so many times I come home from the grocery store and begin cooking dinner, realize I forgot something, go over to this place, and they ALWAYS seem to have whatever it is I need. And to top it all off, they are the nicest people, all of them, all the time. One time I even needed some Theraflu, and the owner said «come by tomorrow, I’ll get you some.»
Living downtown is all about convenience and the ability to walk everywhere, but when you live up a super-​steep hill, it’s nice to have a place like this right across the street. And, bonus if they are really friendly.
I think my only gripe would be that they close a bit early, 9:30PM everyday except Sunday, 9PM. But, hey, I’m sure they have families to get home to.

… Gourmet Mart? Where the eff did that come from? A good place to get your milk for your late night cereal. That’s about it.

Yeah, it’s a bit overpriced, but the owner is an extremely nice man and when you need something whether it’s a tomato, lemon, candy fix or some alcohol in the form of wine and/​or beer, they have it for you.
El Cortez may not be «Gourmet», but they’ll probably have what you need it when you want it, so that’s a thumbs up in my book.

As reviewer Doug K. says, there’s «nothing gourmet» about El Cortez Gourmet Mart. However, I do have to get this place two stars, only because I went there almost everyday over the 13 nights I recently spent in San Diego.
If you’re staying at the Rodeway Inn across the street, or at the El Cortez (of which this place is in the basement), then you’ve found your liquor and beer store conveniently located to you. Also, for you Rodeway Inn guest who don’t get a proper breakfast, they sell yogurt and, if you ask, the clerk will give you a plastic spoon so you can eat it.