El Chico Produce

Update: it appears that El Chico Produce didn't like my review, since I got a note from Yelp saying that, "We're writing to let you know about one or more complaints we've heard about your review of El Chico Produce. We recommend that you ensure that your review complies with our Content Guidelines (http://www.yelp.com/guidelines) and Terms of Service (http://www.yelp.com/static?p=tos). Steer clear of exaggeration and embellishment, and don't draw conclusions about the broader business practices of the business you reviewed based on your own experience."Read my review. I didn't exaggerate. I only reported on what I saw. El Chico has two options here: 1) attack the messenger (me), or 2) take this as a learning experience and ensure that all staff have good hygiene. It appears that they've taken the first approach -- attack the messenger. It's unclear what steps, if any, they are taking to ensure good hygiene.Given that, where would you like to get your produce?

A very cool old school produce market that opens early, with all kinds of fresh local fruits and veggies as well as a good selection of mexican food sundries. All kinds of dry goods, baked goods and kitchen staples are here at reasonable to inexpensive prices.A really good selection of fresh seasonal produce can be found every morning at this little market, and if you look you can always find a decent amount of fresh veggies and fruits for not a lot of money by comparison to the chain grocery stores. $10 bucks goes a long way here.Friendly and kind staff and the service is always good, this little market can be busy in the early mornings and parking can be tough as the street is always busy. Definitely worth a visit and stop, and if you're looking for good deals on fruits and veggies check them out.3.5 Stars - rounded up for the friendly staff00595

I loved coming to this market when I lived in the Richmond District of San Francisco. Plenty of fresh veggies--heirloom tomatoes, mangoes, peaches, apples, mandarins, cilantro, onions, garlic, eggplant, potatoes, kale, lettuce. When produce has been sitting around for too long, they do offer discounted prices which is fair. They also have dry goods such as pasta, beans, etc.

I didn't know places like this existed outside of the Mission District. So it was quite a surprise to step into El Chico Produce. If you've ever been to a Latin Produce market/stand you won't find anything that surprises you here. Great value and selection , yes it's not gonna be a pristine as your Whole Foods/Safeway but that's not why you come here. Great to see a venue like this... Like your mom/grandma/abuelita always told you "veggies and fruits are good for you mijo".

These are the reasons they give for putting their produce in the front doorway of their next door neighbors' apartment: "We pay more rent for our retail space" (than the lowly apartment dwellers). "We are only using part of the doorway" (there's still space enough to get by)."We don't do it everyday" (just sometimes). "We are going to buy the building." Added to the injury of blocking their neighbors' front doorway are multiple insults and accusations-- that their neighbors are evil and crazy (Malo e loco) and overly sensitive to be upset about such a "small" space. Worse still is a threat that they actually made: that after they buy the building they will evict their residential neighbors if their neighbors "make trouble." Trouble = insisting on having full access to the front entrance of one's own apartment. Every produce market nearby (on Clement and Geary ) is cleaner and friendlier and has better produce.

Decided to stop here after eating at Hard Knox Cafe... the produce look so fresh so picked up some manila mangos and bell peppers. Wonderful variety of produce like guavas, papayas, plantains, greens along with Mexican groceries and a few asian and mediterranean items. Relatively clean, organized and reasonably priced for mom and pop

If you know me, then you'd know that everytime I see fruits and veggies, I get really happy because I'm your fruit-and-veggie type of gal. So when I moved to the neighborhood 1.5 years ago, I was stoked when I realized I live literally 30 steps from this place. I spend a good chunk of my money here, and I have no problem with that because most of the time I don't even have to spend all that much, yet I still get plenty of fruits and veggies. I love the convenience of it...they're open early and close late. I love that they carry a variety of produce and even other grocery items. I don't know what I would do without this place!!

Barely any Latino products here. They seem to be under new ownership. They are extremely kind, however the store is in shambles. There are moldy products on the check out counter.

Picked up 2 pork tamales... really good! It's a little spicy. They ran out of chicken, so I'll definitely come back. 2 tamales for $5.

Do they carry the most fresh, organic produce? No. Do they have consistently decent and very well priced produce? Absolutely. Whenever I'm short an ingredient for a recipe I drop by and grab what's needed, and am always shocked by how low the price total is. 5$ minimum for cards. Not the highest quality but not bad either, you get what you pay for. Rare find in SF!