Victoria Liquor & Grocery

One of the most depressing corner bodegas I’ve been in in a while; it felt like he was on the verge of going out of business, and the shelves had that half-​empty natural disaster is coming look to them.
However, the owner /​guy behind the counter was nice enough, and they had the basics I was looking for — snacks before a concert at Rickshaw Stop.
Best advantage: Open late.

I absolutely love this place. Living in the sedate Hayes Valley, a place like this is a lifesaver to have because of the awesome hours. Everything around here closes EARLY. Walgreens closes at 9! I asked the owner one night what time he closes, and he shrugged and said, 1? It’s more like 1:30. Every night.
So this little store is my go to, day in and day out. Whether I’m having a 12am Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream craving… or a sudden need at 11pm for a mini bottle of merlot… or perhaps I’ve decided I’m depressed and a box of CheezIt’s are the only thing that can get me by; this store has me covered.
What this store lacks in class, it more than makes up for in extreme friendliness. I like the owner; he’s nice and not a shred of creepy. He doesn’t check out my butt and doesn’t make forced awkward conversation with me.
And one time, one a particularly trying night, I ran down for two bottles of wine. (Side note, I love Cupcake Merlot.) I realized I had forgot my money and he let me take the wine and come back and pay him later.
All in all, a great little store. And if you don’t see something you want, he’ll special order it for you.