The Market By Buon Appetito

The most confusing grocery store to shop at; and it’s a shame because it’s so local. They don’t price their refrigerated and back wall drinks, etc., at all and/​or properly, and it’s really a test of intelligence to figure the price for an actual item is. I’ve had this experience twice now, and I just won’t return. It’s not worth it. The first time, the shop assistant tried to be helpful but she had no clue what was going on. I phoned the manager the next day, but she wasn’t even interested in being help and had an attitude like I was bothering her. Yesterday, same sceanario, except the shop assistant was cold and unhelpful — like I was bothering her asking what item prices were. I don’t know about you, but I like to know what an item costs before I buy it. Will give my hard earned money to other stores (luckily for local Little Italy residents there are two new custom grocery stores opening up in our area) that seem interested in selling to me and appreciate my business.

Ridiculously overpriced, I can’t believe what I read in my receipts every single time I have to go there for my emergency groceries. Yesterday I got charged $ 5.70 for a small plum and 2 small peaches which had almost gone bad! My son really wanted them and as they don’t even write the price on some items I didn’t even think would be that expensive! $ 2 a small avocado.
The fridge in the back doesn’t even work properly and the meats and fish get bad, 2 weeks ago I had to throw away almost an entire pack of sliced chicken breast and a pack of smoked salmon, which obviously weren’t cheap either.
I’ve also had bad experiences with a staff member, which has a lack of customer service, never says hi or asks if I need help, acts like we’re bothering, and never says thanks or have a good evening.
I don’t like to give bad reviews but after yesterday’s experience I got to my limit. Can’t wait for a new grocery shop to open in Little Italy.

Widest array of wines and chocolates. They import it directly from italy. Souvenirs are just t-​shirts. Their pasta selection is entertaining. Any pasta lover would love to dive in here. Must see if you like some good wine. Impressive selection.

How did I not go here earlier? After living in Little Italy for a year I finally stopped in to get some ingredients for dinner. What a great little place to get things you need for the nights homemade culinary needs. With a little place like this, I won’t be eating out so much. Buon Appetito!

Very expensive and the employees lack customer service skills. I live nearby and shop there for a few basic items three to four times a week. I am never greeted upon entering nor asked if I need help. Forget about hearing a «thank you» or «have a nice day» after paying for your overpriced items. The staff shouldn’t be working in a retail environment if they don’t have basic customer service skills or have an attitude with patrons of their business.
Also, their back cooler/​fridge doesn’t work so the meats, cheeses and perishable items are actually warm to the touch. I wouldn’t eat anything from that case.
I shop there out of convenience but once one of the nearby grocery stores under construction opens I will be taking my business elsewhere.

We were walking in Little Italy and came across this little market. Selection is very small but you can find cool things in here that you would not find in your local grocery store. Items in here are very pricy but high quality. I would go back if I was looking for a specialty item.

As you walk down the main drive of Little Italy you can easily become overwhelmed with the sites and smells of the amazing restaurants, the old men sitting on the sidewalks, or the cars cruising the strip. But if you take a moment to slow down and look in between the restaurants, the people… you will find cozy little shops. Or in this instance, a market. With unique hard to find Italian foods tightly tucked into this small shop, you can have truly Italian style dinner party for you, your friends, or whomever with all of the amazing finds here.

Considering the other grocers in the area, I was pleasantly surprised that the prices weren’t ridiculous. Fair pricing, a bit on the high end for some of the olive oil and vinegars but everything else seems fair. Quite, cute little place and the only place within walking distance of Little Italy’s India street where I could find fresh produce.

Funny little European style market. Although it’s smaller than a 7 – 11 it carries all the high end basics like Horizon milk. They frequently run out of things though and sometimes save the bakery bread a few days until it is quite stale – so check your bread carefully and if it seems old and tough it probably is. Caveat emptor. (Bread and Cie bread is wonderful when it’s fresh). They only sell Cadia brand pizza sauce from downtown Los Angeles. To me it seems dilute and flavorless. Some people really buy into that organic meme but at least offer one that tastes good and isn’t all watered down. Maybe Newman’s Own? The produce, cheese and meats are pretty good. Nice staff.

Can you believe it… Lived in San Diego all my life and never knowing where Little Italy is. On this bright and early morning I woke up at the crack of dawn starving! I had some business to handle downtown and it just so happened that my parking spot landed in front of this little shop.
Lets start off by sending good karma to the deservant people of the world… I parked in a metered parking because that’s basically all that exists around there. I proceeded to go to the «fancy» machines they now have and it read «card error… try again»…times about 6 times. Sigh, at this poing a nice young man had walked over to pay for his parking and I was only holding him up from whatever he needed to do. «Go ahead» I said as I searched my purse for my alternate form of payment. As I’m digging into my purse he hands me a ticket…“here you go.” ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! THE FELLA PAID FOR MY PARKING! SWOOON. I only read about things like that happening. The dapper young man was whisked away by the magical winds of faith in humanity land. I wish him all the kindness in the world, I won’t get to pay it forward with him, but will look for a way to make a strangers day, too.
Or he felt sorry for the fatty who probably maxed out her card on food and paid for my parking cuz he couldn’t stand the sight of my lard a$$ anymore, and the sound of my hard breathing… Is what self conscious me could miscontrue it as.
Anywho…right…the shop.
It was cool beans. Tons of variety within a small space. I found the anchovie paste I’ve been looking for! They had Chuao Chocolate which was exciting, except a lot of things I was interested in weren’t priced. That was the only reason it didn’t quite reach five stars with me.
I was most interested in the jams and honey variety… oh and the ice cream.
One of my favorite pastimes is browsing things I can’t afford. When that rich husband of mine finally comes along, we’ll go to little shops like this and buy yummy sounding goodies. Yeah, one day.
So what did we learn today kids?
There are still kind people in the world and visit this little shop for anything from achovie paste to avocado honey!

Very cute little market. I give only 3 stars because of being so overpriced in items like olive oils and vinegars (more expensive than Ralphs, and these days you can find the same brands). But for the cute factor, those boxes with fruits and veggies at the door and the recreation of a little European store of any given neighborhood deserves more.
It is a very petite store, but they carry numerous brands and the best pasta. You can also get specialty chocolates and now also they carry Chuao chocolate (one of my favorites!). Every time that I am in Little Italy I end up buying the cookies con Amore brand (I think they are local and awesome) as they are not easy to find elsewhere (sometimes at Barons). But not a place to do my normal grocery shopping.

They have some pretty good ingredients and wines-​nice little corner store all around.

I have been here a few times now. Every time I have ever come in it has been wonderful. This time as well.
It is another reason I would love to live in this wonderful neighborhood.
It is a lovely little shop in the middle of it all. Always clean and inviting.
They have fantastic meats and fish that look so fresh. Wonderful salads that are really good with dark leafs and fresh toppings. You can find a lot of the items that are direct from Italy.
That is another thing I love about it. Lots of organic and local veg and fruit as well.
It seems to be family run. If I lived here this would be my go to hood shop. I love it.
They even have a program that if you buy $ 500.00 worth of items you get a $ 25.00 gift card. So that is an added bonus as well.
I have to clarify, it is not a one time purchase of $ 500.00 it is over time, like a year.
Much like Sephora, or Fresh and Easy, Nordstroms, and other reward programs.

There are not many places to go to for groceries in the Little Italy area. This being one of the very, very, very, few joints that I can get fresh groceries is worth the 5 stars. Fresh basil, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions as well as some meat products are available into the late night hours. If you want to cook Italian for the evening and don’t want to source too far for ingredients, then this place is your go to spot… Buon Appetito!

Wow, i cannot believe i have missed this place on all my visits to Little Italy.
It is a great little store, filled with anything you could want for a great Italian Dinner. Fruit, vegatables, cheese, bread. You name it it is here. THe meat is very fresh!
Fresh and fabulous ingredients all around.
Lots of fun little Italian items all around as well.
It is a very small store, but, also very clean and they carry all you could want or need.
I will be back!

Just because it is small, it does not mean it is good. In fact, this little place is awesome.
Located in the heart of Little Italy, this place carries a variety of Italian products even for it small size. I was impressed the quality and variety of balsamic vinegars and olive oils they carried. They had some nice organic dried pasta, some great cheeses, and dried Italian soups. They also carry an array of Italian chocolates and candies. In the front of the store, the carry fresh produce.
I picked up a container of Italian cookies that I can dunk in my coffee later. The cookies cost $ 6.99. (
) The prices are higher than local supermarkets, but they carry specialized products. Also, on needs to consider their location and size of the store. The employees were nice, and the girl at the cashier was very friendly and helpful.
I like cookies…

This place is so charming — there’s rainbow striped pastas, squid ink pastas, olive oil in large tin cans (so vintage looking!), some fresh produce, Euro candies, and various other Italian/​American groceries.
I don’t know why I keep doing this — I didn’t buy anything the last time I was here. I didn’t buy anything this time either… OK NEXT TIME, I’m bringing extra monies, haha…
The other market that’s down the street from here (the one connected to the popular pizzeria) feels more «authentic» if you will, but this place feels cleaner and the prices are the same. Regardless, I like both markets and this one is certainly worth a visit :)

My neighborhood market. My source for anything I need that I forgot, at the other 101 markets I shop at.
I walk here 1 – 2 a day for the goods that I snap together for my meals, cheese, meat, wine, oils, herbs, vinegars, bread… on and on it’s a great place to grab a steak or duck breast for the grill.

I love this market. It is a cute, charming fixture in the Little Italy neighborhood.
My main purpose for coming here was to buy some Italian sweets for my part-​Italian sweetie. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, y’all! :)
This delightful market carries produce, meat, seafood, dairy products, as well as chips and other snacky snacks. In addition, Buon Appetito’s market showcases Italian brands of bread, pasta, sauce, cookies and candy.
I shall return!
Notes: Friendly service. Reasonable prices. Pet treats!

oh wow! What a cute little market in Little Italy. I want one near my home!
While we were waiting for a table at Buon Appetito restaurant
, we popped in here to browse and see what they had in stock. I didn’t get far into the store before I had several items in hand. Between the large selection of olive oil, lady fingers, assorted italian cookies, I was in hog heaven. I picked up all the items I could use to make dessert for a small dinner party I’m having with friends this weekend so mission complete. Even better when it wasn’t even planned.
I wish I could’ve picked up some of their fresh ingredients but I knew it wouldn’t survive our night out on the town. This is going to be a market I’m going to hit it more often when i’m in the area.