Crossroads Specialty Foods

Crossroads Specialty Foods is truly a gem for anyone who loves to explore unique ingredients from around the world. Upon entering, I was immediately impressed by the store's cleanliness and organization, which made it easy to find everything I needed--and then some!The selection is remarkable, featuring a variety of packaged goods, fresh ingredients, and even made items that you won't find in your local grocery store. Whether you're on the hunt for rare spices or international snacks, this store has it all.What truly sets Crossroads apart, however, is the staff. They are not only knowledgeable but also incredibly attentive, ensuring that every customer feels welcomed and supported in their shopping experience.I highly recommend Crossroads Specialty Foods to anyone seeking specific ingredients or simply wanting to discover something new. It's the perfect place to elevate your culinary adventures!

I was looking for cold smoked mackerel as my friend suggested I try it (as I am a fan of sashimi to tinned fish). This market came up on my search and I am pleasantly surprised of the amount of items offered here. Coming here on a Friday afternoon, parking was plentiful and the market wasn't all too busy. I was able to take my time to wander around the store to see the vast amount of varieties offered. Everything was very nicely organized and clean despite being a bit compacted with so many products, I love it! It was probably about 15minutes before I had my fill of light browsing and went to grab a mackerel. While I was checking out, I think it was the owner that I chatted up told me about the popularity of pistachio butter and the chocolate trend online. It's very nice to see that a shop still care about their local customers and he stopped allowing bulk purchases (probably a reseller?) so that everyone can have access to some. By the counter, there's a bunch of desserts that I could not resist. I do have a weird tree nut allergy and I appreciated the owner looking for nutrition facts to see the allergens. I was able try 2 kinds of turkish delights, kiwi and orange - it was a very delightful treat... a little on the heavier end, but definitely something I'd want to get again to share with others. Final Thoughts: I'll definitely be back to check out more of the jams, teas/coffees as well as other goods here! Another stop to add to my list of favorite markets now!

This is my 3rd time here within 1 year i think. I have family members who are visited from Ireland and Philippines and we(husband and I) hosted a dinner for 12 people. I have planned a greek menu. First I have prepared a small appetizer tray that consisted of hummus, pita bread, greek cheeses, olives and artichokes. Then main entree includes greek salad, Pork souklavi, chicken Gyro, and beef estifado. Some of the items and ingredients and wine too are bought from this store for my meal preparation. I love this store since they almost have everything for my Europian and Mediterranean dish needs. The place is clean and pretty small but still have huge variety of collections and stocks. Highly recommend it!

I absolutely LOVE this place! I have an unnatural love for all things pickled. They have EVERYTHING under the sun! Lots of European sweet and savory treats. A variety of legumes, pastas, foods both frozen and jarred. They have a HUGE variety of beverages, teas, syrups, alcohol, juices - something for everyone! I love that everytime I visit its not bombarded with people. Yes, there are people but it doesn't feel hurried or rushed. The noise level with the music is just perfect. They have LOTS of stuff for anyone's sweet tooth! I love that they have soooo much biscotti, crackers and biscuits to choose from!This is my new favorite place to just treat myself!

Newly reopened and has everything and more just like it used to have back in the old location in Hayward. Exceptionally clean and organized - a very pleasant shopping experience. Beer, wine, Christmas cookies and candies from Europe, German saurkraut and some great cold cuts from the refrigerated section filled my basket. There are so many options and it is so well stocked - set aside a little time to look it all over during your visit. Its in a smaller shopping center and parking was easy as could be. From the main roads it is visible on the corner but somehow easy to miss unless you are looking for it. During the pandemic I enjoyed going to the old location so much. I avoided all the crazy that was in regular grocery stores at the time with the cleared out shelves. For the most part most every food need you have can be bought here. Been waiting for a couple years for this to reopen. So thrilled its only a mile away from home now.

One word: FABULOUS! Anything you need from spices to sweets for all cultures. Specifically lots of Mediterranean delights

I'm a huge fan of Crossroads Specialty Foods and used to frequent the previous location on Jackson/CA-92 thru Hayward for items such as Middle Eastern spices, Mediterranean ingredients phyllo, various cheeses, sausages, Italian sauces and pastas, baklava and European items.First visit to this new location in Castro Valley and place is brighter, spacious, well organized with a variety of sweets, spices, snacks, refrigerated and frozen items along with a display of Turkish delights. No produce or fresh meat counter offered. Staff is helpful directing to locate items but not well versed on type of ingredients used for specific region. Not an issue and will check online and see if they carry it. I found items that I was looking for: kataifi (shredded phyllo), sweet cheese, ghee, orange blossom water, (to make knafeh) pomegranate molasses (to glaze Cornish hens) and Middle Eastern spices to make beef kefta ...they also had kunafa pastry coloring but decided to pass on that.I'll definitely return to buy ingredients to make my own dishes as it's expensive dining out these days! :) It would be great if the store had a small cafe or had a day to offer samples of their products and how to use ingredients. Regardless, I managed to be a little overzealous in buying items to try: Schaller & Weber pate, Davidoff instant coffee, frozen warbat with qishta, Diamond brand baklava...smh Plenty of free lot parking in a small strip mall right off the freeway along E Castro Valley Blvd. Credit cards accepted

We bought figs yesterday. waighted the package. here is a result: 350 g instead of 397g.

Great Selection of International Foods! Always go to get the best ingredients for my bakes, super authentic food!

Great store! I love how everything is arranged. As soon as you walk in, you see the candies and sweets. Everything is perfectly arranged neatly and the little isles are clean. There's so much international food that I'd love to try. The guy at the register is friendly. They also have a section where you can buy fresh goodies like baklava.