Crystal Springs Produce - San Mateo, California

Brandon Colbert

Fabulous produce. Much better than what you can get at the farmers market at CSM. They have the midnight watermelons right now...OMG SOOOOOOO GOOD! They are incredibly sweet and juicy, and it's difficult to get a bad one. I'm not sure I ever have before. My folks live them, too. I've seen them at other produce stores and they have been more expensive. I usually buy 2 at a time because I'm afraid they're going to sell out for the season. I also buy yellow nectarine when they are in season. The ones I bought a couple days ago were so favorable and juicy, I almost couldn't handle it. I mean, just feel rich flavor, juicy, not pithy at all. Just superior quality. I don't mind spending more $ for good fruit because a lot of times what you get at the supermarket is crap. They've been picked too early and shipped in trucks that are too cold, and what you end up with is tasteless, poor textured fruit that refuse to fully ripen before it expires. I find that's even the case at the farmers market. Not here though. And even though I don't mind spending more $ for higher quality fruit, here, I don't really have to. The owner is also fun to chat with and is incredibly generous with sample requests. I've never heard him refuse a sample to a customer before. And I take advantage of it because it's reassuring to know what you're getting before you might get all the way home and are disappointed. That kind of customer service is severely lacking at grocery store produce departments.

One last thing... if you are lucky enough to find yourself here during Muskat Grape season...holy sh*t balls...BUY THEM. At least get a sample. They will change your life. Not too many places have them - Piazza's does, but not too many other places - but they are simply incredible. I'm really not a grape person. I never buy any of the regular types, but these are on a while different level than those. They are seriously addictive. I would probably allow myself to get sick eating too many at a time, so I strictly manage the amount I let myself consume in a sitting. Oh they're so good. It's not their season right now but I'm just imagining them and I can almost taste them. Soooo Good!

Bear Dog

Meh. This is just a tiny shop with a small selection of usual items like cereal, jarred pickles, applesauce, etc. including some produce that doesn’t look or cost any differently than in the supermarket. And it’s across from Safeway.

Disappointed they didn’t have more local items nor prepared items like hummus. Prices were high like most places nowadays, no one wore a mask while I was there but that’s San Carlos for you unlike areas such as Berkeley, Mountain View or Cupertino, and it’s tiny, tiny, tiny but they did have the front door open. Would’ve liked to have seen items like cut-up melon.

Really not sure what the fuss is about but people support local business which is good. Prefer other smaller local grocers personally such as Sigona’s.

Nathan Majeski

Absolutely love this grocery store and the folks who run it. Best produce around. Love the folks who own and run it too! It's the size of a large minute market yet still has everything you need. It's such a refreshing place to go, all the quality food you should eat without all the garbage that shouldn't be called food in the first place.

Melissa VanArsdel

A wonderful jewel in Belmont! Fantastic variety of produce and great prices. Wide variety of many types of apples, citrus, tomatoes and whatever is in season. Both organic and regular fresh produce. Fresh herbs cheaper (and better) than Safeway. Plus their selection of many specialty grocery items, from Greek, French and Bulgarian feta options to selected European brands of meats, olives, as well as shelf goods (pastas, jarred spreads, sauces, unusual fruit juices) makes this a favorite spot. I always find something new and delicious!!! Turkish delight anyone? Gooseberries? I most highly recommend.

Caron Shahrestani

Locally owned, locally grown, great spot for rare finds like watermelon radishes and raw unfiltered honey. They also have peeled garlic, destemmed Brussel sprouts and packages of various nuts, which are great for snacking and picnics.

Jakub Kociński

Mustafa who owns the store is a very sympathetic person. Great produce selection, lots of eastern European goodies like halva, kabanosy, ogórki kiszone. Great fruits and veggies as well. And a decent fresh bread. This is a shop that as a 0olish person in Belmont i really missed.

Shirish Joshi

Hidden gem.
Best, freshest produce short of an actual farm.
Couple days before Thanksgiving, and they have fresh stocks of all the traditional produce needed for the Thanksgiving table.

Tracy Vanderwoert

I used to live near the store but I am now about 15 miles away and I visit the store when I am anywhere near. Customer service is top notch and produce is beautiful. I stop in for cheese and salami and the friendly service. They have a ton of items in a small space and the prices are comparible to chain stores but the quality is so much better. Give them a try and you will be a customer like I am, even driving 15 miles to go to their store. 🙂