Bob's Market

Bob's Market is not huge and it is not some giant chain. There are more than one but not many. This one is the best. Parking is free and easy. It is in a great location. The place is always spotless and well stocked. They have everything you need. We love the service. They are fast and ever so nice. They will help you find what you need and if you are disabled they will help you with your bags to the car. We love their selection of bread. They also have wonderful seafood and good meats. They have a great selection of wine and beer. Their produce is always fresh. Their prices are fair and they have a vegetarian and vegan section. They also have a few things you might not find elsewhere. They have a great deli and I love getting a sandwich there. Try them.

This is not a friendly market. I bought $33 worth of goods then put them in my car and headed down the sidewalk to tell my husband, who was taking a very slow walk with his walker, I was done. The parking attendant warned me that even though she knew I had shopped there, if I set foot out of the parking lot, and was not back within 15 minutes "They Will Tow You." When I went back inside to discuss this with the manager, he explained that sometimes they lost legitimate customers because the spaces were full. Well, you just lost a legitimate customer. I wonder how much the market is willing to pay a parking sherrif to police shoppers. Maybe they get a cut from the tow company? I understand that they towed two cars the day before. Perhaps this has become Bob's bete noir and no cost is too much for the pleasure of asserting his power over his domain?

Update to my initial review: the freezer aisle is back to being ADA compatible, with enough space for a wheelchair or walker to mostly get through now. Unfortunately, I suggest avoiding this wonderful store from 3-4 pm during the school week. Elementary school students from across the street gang up in droves and roam around the store, yelling loudly and tearing into junk food like piranhas. I feel terrible for the staff who now have to police students, directing them to take off their backpacks and leave them at the front of the store, and having to ask students who are being rude and disruptive to leave the premises. The store would be best served developing a policy that children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult upon entering. I often see kids who look around 11 years old traipsing around unchaperoned. This lovely, eclectic neighborhood store should not have to contend with becoming a chaotic zoo teeming with children every school day. Fabulous market with kind staff, a highly knowledgeable wine expert, a wonderful deli, and a large selection of international foods, but the frozen section has been comically overtaken by boxes, cards, and chip stands. Two people (even without their carts) can no longer pass each other in the aisle, and doors to the frozen section cannot be fully opened. This practice is not up to fire code or compliant with ADA law since people with wheelchairs cannot navigate these small spaces while opening the freezer doors, and there is a risk of the stands toppling over on folks in wheelchairs who are trying to fit through.

Huge fan of the sandwich combos they serve at the deli counter. This place is great and they have a lot of different items you won't see in the big brand stores. Prices are reasonable. They don't skimp out on anything and I dig the oversized sliced pickles they serve with the sandwiches. Friendly atmosphere. I've tried a few different meats and that's up to personal preference but, I definitely recommend the sourdough for the bread. It's always fresh and it tastes great.

I used to come here every single morning and not once has anyone remembered me or even been remotely friendly, in fact I’ve had quite rude interactions on multiple occasions. For a local grocery option, that is much more expensive than any other grocer in town, you’d hope at least the people would be nice. Bob would be disappointed.

Very expensive. Also the sandwiches are good but this was my 3rd time getting one and I mentioned 3 times heavy on the o&v. Well yet again it was the driest sandwich i have ever had. Have they never heard of o&v or do they just not know what heavy means? Like for real it’s like eating cardboard. Every single time! I complained to a friend and they said they had to stop getting sandwiches from there cause they are almost 20 dollars and the bread is stale and they are dry as heck! Now they just go to bay city's for a sandwich cause they understand what heavy means.

I’ve been a customer of Bob’s Market in Santa Monica since 2009, when I attended John Adams Middle School across the street. For years it was a reliable neighborhood stop and a place many students and locals supported. Unfortunately, my recent experience was extremely disappointing. An employee named Evelyn refused to let me use the restroom, saying it was “for customers only.” The way it was handled felt dismissive and discriminatory. Being treated like that after supporting the store for well over a decade is unacceptable. Small neighborhood businesses rely on their communities, and long-time customers deserve basic respect. I hope management takes this seriously and improves how customers are treated.

Ah, Bob’s Market — the place that time forgot, and honestly, I’m glad it did. Tucked away on Ocean Park Blvd, this family-run grocery store has been serving the Santa Monica community since 1965. It’s the kind of spot where the butcher knows your name, the produce is fresh, and the wine selection is surprisingly extensive.   The deli is a standout, offering a variety of hearty, made-to-order sandwiches, wraps, and hot dishes. On weekends, they fire up the outdoor BBQ, serving up burgers and ribs that draw a loyal crowd.  Sure, the prices might be a tad higher than the big chains, but you’re paying for quality and that irreplaceable neighborhood charm. It’s the kind of place where you can grab a sandwich, pick up a bottle of wine, and be on a first-name basis with the staff.  In a world of sterile, impersonal supermarkets, Bob’s Market is a refreshing throwback. It’s not just a grocery store; it’s a community hub. If you’re in the area, it’s definitely worth a visit.