Olive Crush

Half Moon Bay, CA
On Main St.
— Olive oil — really nice selection.
— Balsamic Vinegar — some amazing flavors.
— Pasta — several flavors that look like they are worth a try. Forgot to pick some up as I was too excited and consumed with the BV and olive oil.
— Plenty of cups for tasting.
— Staff, young ladies behind the register. Not necessarily forthcoming but Hali g to answer questions when asked.
— Feedback It would be nice to engage patrons and explain goods available for purchase.

Joe was especially helpful and knowledgeable. He really knew his stuff and treated customers with respect. He was able to handle the crowd efficiently, never letting anyone wait around while helping someone else. He made you feel so welcomed and offered samples while browsing, all the while helping others. This gave each customer the time needed to savor each sample and make decisions. REALLY GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE! To top that off, there are so many wonderful balsamic and olive oil choices! So many choices to combine or not. Joe is right there to «mix’ some up for you and he also starts combining them at random giving you such an idea of what you can really do with all the great flavors there. They also have flavored pastas, spices, mustards, coffee and biscotti. The price is so reasonable for the quality of ingredients that you get. I’ll be back that’s for sure!

Granted I’m the 3% local sales but this is the best place in town to buy special quality olive oil and vinegar. The various mix, flavors and scent… just exquisite! Not to mention, Mike is truly a great host and «mixologist». Let him make a mix for you and you will be addicted. Now I want some…

I love the San Carlos Olive Crush store, where the friendly business owner always greets you and offers samples and descriptions, catering to your interests and tastes. All the flavors of oil and balsamic vinegar, the pastas and gourmet seasonings make me want to rush home to make dinner! I usually find several items that are perfect for holiday, birthday or hostess gifts. For my daughter’s bridesmaids I made decorative gift bags full of a selection of their tempting products. The Half Moon Bay location is very similar, and while they’ve recently had a turnover in employees, don’t let that deter you from sampling and indulging in the variety of healthy tastes and smells! Have you tried the white balsamic pear infused vinegar yet? Makes a salad iresistable!

well, walked in while adventuring around town with my son on a trip. sales guy was helping another customer and never welcomed us or said he would be right with us. however, I knew what to do being a chef and knowing of the olive tasting business, I found what I wanted as the guy who was working tried to sell olive oil to someone else and then completely ingnored me after they left. I, on the other hand, was spending thirty bucks on olive oil (that he didn’t have to sell me) and he was rude and unengaging to me as I paid. I guess that’s all I am upset about. I told my son as we left «I hate being a tourist» and I called my daughter back home and told her that. I was so mad. Here I purchased without any of his personal energy thirty bucks worth of olive oil and he was rude to me when I paid! I was joking around about cooking and he just kept looking at his computer screen and didn’t even signal that he heard what I said. I was appalled. This retail sales clerk was aweful!!! I wish I never bought anything from him!!!

The manager, Joe, was so knowledgable about the product, offered recommendations on recipes, and provided us with good blends of the olive oil and balsamic vinegar together! The prices for quality are beyond amazing (you get a deal if you buy 4). I will definitely be coming back for more.

The honey was really looking forward to this store… and sadly it was quite a let down.
The biggest transgressor was there were no tasting cups or bread supplied. We’d just come from the Wine and Cheese store down the way and purchased about $ 50 in fare we’d gotten to try first due to the way their tastings are set up.
We even bought some olive paste because it was so fantastic with the bread they’d provided.
But at Olive Crush, it was a sea of empty. One shopgirl in the corner, who greeted us, and a bunch of oil spigots. No bread, no different types of olive items, no small cups to fall in love with any of the different styles of oil.
The only other item they seem to carry is pasta… and the one thing I never cook at home? Is pasta.
This space should be no different than We Olive in Walnut Creek, except We Olive offers a wine bar, small bites and the ambiance is warmer and more comfortable.
Frankly, I doubt I’d come back. The entire shop just seemed like a lost opportunity to encourage us to buy something.

Definitely FAN of the store and its wide offerings of infused olive oils, vinegars and Whole Spice brand spices. My friend and I sampled a bunch of vinegars and olive oils which reminded me of a wonderful store in Seattle called Quintessential Gourmet.
Sadly, the only difference between the place was the customer service or lack of. We must’ve came in at the wrong time (before 12:30pm) as there was a young woman and gentleman chatting away with one another at the register. No acknowledgement, no looking up or offer of assistance and even when we got close to the register, they kept talking about ‘so and so is that… and this person is that’… Gawd!
So basically, navigated throughout the store on our own. At the place in Seattle, there was someone offering a background of each item (infused vs. flavored) along with samples, providing olive oil and vinegar pairings and info on which flavors would compliment which foods.
So NO SALE for them today as I’m a big fan of gourmet vinegars and olive oil… maybe next time, when someone actually takes the time to assist or takes the time to say hello