PCC Community Markets - Ballard

Major points for the bulk section, though not as comprehensive as some other PCC. Being able to bring your container is another win. It allows you to reduce the burden on the environment. I bring reusable vegetable bags with me whenever I shop.A very good selection of better quality produce; don't skip the cheese section! and lots of niche products that will keep you coming back.Prices... Are high, it's Ballard, and you are paying for what is supposed to be better-sourced food products. That's the price we pay in today's society for better food. The down-side. I run an errand near this PCC regularly. Sometimes early in the morning and twice I've bought a meal. The first time was from the hot bar. As a vegetarian, I appreciate the options. I had the frittata, which was dry, tasteless, and unappealing, even with hot sauce. I ate about half and gave up. The cheddar biscuit was similarly tasteless. Today I bought a bagel, cream cheese, and coffee. As a lifelong bagel enthusiast from NY, this one rated below the lowest mass-produced store-bought. It was tough and chewy to the point I needed to dip it in my coffee to make it edible.

I can't believe their produce is always rotting! I usually shop for fruits and veggies at Top Banana (shameless plug) but the few times I forget to grab a few things and I'm at PCC I make the mistake of buying their terrible products. I have gotten their ready to eat fruit containers and they've gone bad within a day of purchasing. Most recently I bought 4 organic oranges and they had a bunch of mold within 2 days! I like their desserts but I don't think their prices reflect the quality for just about everything else.

What is best than freshly made food from PCC? I don't have an answer for that We always go to PCC after a workout because we suck at meal prep and honestly I LOVE that you see all of the ingredients that were used to cooked each thing! If you haven't been there... ooo boy you are missing!

Very nice friendly staff. Great place to shop, get lunch or stop by for tea. Quality food but maybe a little pricey.

Confusing layout, stressful parking, and a $15 head of cauliflower. FIFTEEN! For a normal sized head that I didn't think twice about until it rang up for $15. Never again.

Parking is terrible. Nice, expensive store. But we've lost a lot of money at the body shop because of their pos parking. Fix your signs. Repaint the lines. We wont be back. Go to store that makes it easy to park.

The PCC Ballard location is new and a beautiful space. There's a large premade food section including pizza, salad bar, sandwiches, and ready to made meals, My favorite item found at PCC is the Whidbey Island brand ice cream in the cherry chocotopus flavor - so good. If I could request one item it would be lactose free Greek yogurt for my wife. PCC has siggis lactose free yogurt but it's not Greek Yogurt. Fage has a lactose free version that's great. Note, there's a parking lot that gets a little busy and the spaces are tight but generally parking isn't too difficult.

It's sorta like a Whole Foods. Food looks fresh. We came here to charge our electric car -- did a little shopping, got some sushi and the manager told us that all kids get a free piece of fruit--- which was awesome!!

Price wise, not my first choice for shopping but sometimes I am tasked with coming to PCC for a particular item, deal or otherwise offer.The store is nicely laid out, very similar to a Whole Foods. The produce is where the entrance is and I like how each time I've come the produce is being looked over, stocked and someone is on standby for questions about the availability of things in that area. There is a seafood counter that is usually attended by a couple of people then the aisles are horizontal with the registers. There is self-checkout with someone managing that and a few manned registers. The staff in this area always nice and helpful. Which as a given is really nice. The store seems to be well staffed overall, but you'll likely have to have to go toward the front end if any help is needed seeing as how the store is so neatly and well stocked. I don't really see staff stocking in the middle of the day.Again, PCC is not my first choice but if your income supports it, this is a nice store, with friendly staff and within the Ballard Blocks so you can make more than one stop without even having to leave the parking lot.

Beware of the hot bar. Called and tried to get a refund but was told had to go into store with receipt. No way I'm going all the way across town again.