Gelson's skirts the line between the local fancy grocery stores (Whole Foods, Bristol Farms), and the traditional bulwarks in town (Vons, Ralph's, Albertson's). This results in a very clean store, with all the quality goods you are looking for, and prices that are a bit high. They have an excellent bakery, tied to the Renaud's next door, great cheeses and meats, and a fantastic wine selection. It's also easy to get in and out once you find a parking spot and the self check out is always open because of the excellent booze selection and older people's inherent fear of technology. I don't shop here much, but if Trader Joe's doesn't have something it's on my way home and this parking lot is actually navigable, so I'll come through. I also come here if I'm trying to impress my friends with a fancy dessert or cut of meat. read more

Gelson's Santa Barbara - Wine selection is on hit. - Grocery Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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I took it for granted and didn't know any better lol but when I was a kid in LA we would go to GELSONS Love love love it here and regret that we don't have one in our town of Upland or near vicinity. Prices are a bit higher than usual grocery store. But then again GELSON's is not your regular grocery store. This Santa Barbara location is impeccablely clean, great courteous customer service and just WOW. Didn't have time to peruse and just came in for cake but I know I would have been in there at least 30min to explore n shop Cake was delicious! We got the round raspberry one with madelines on the sides, 8 of us annihilated it with sparkling white wine Mom loved it and it was a success! Thanks GELSON's :) read more

Gelson's Santa Barbara - Grocery Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The only thing worth eating is their broasted fried chicken everything else is premade corporate slop mass produced with unnecessary chemicals and preservatives. read more

Please teach Alfredo from the food court where they make pizza to be a bit more friendly. I've been a regular Gelson's customer for over a year. Today, when I tried to buy a pizza, I was refused -- the employee rudely said that they open at 11. Before that, he spent about five minutes pretending not to notice me, acting like a very busy businessman. This happened before 11 a.m., but there were two ready pizzas on display. Giving a slice of pizza takes one minute. I don't think that's good customer service. Please explain this to your staff. read more

This is the closest grocery to where I live. The store itself is nice, good selection, aesthetically pleasing etc. They have a few pleasant employees. Everyone in the bakery section has always been pleasant enough, a young woman in the deli and some guy with a grey beard is always super professional. Everyone else is miserable. If chic fil e down the street can find good employees, this store can too. I'm going to make an effort to not go here anymore. read more

Attended another culinary event at Gelson's Santa Barbara. This was making sushi rolls with Executive Chef Keizer Fujimaki from Redshell Sushi. Redshell does all the sushi for all the Gelsons. This was so much fun with clear demonstration and instructions with quality ingredients. I actually was able to make some great fresh sushi rolls which I never thought I could do. I can't say enough nice things about Gelson's staff; they are so friendly and helpful no matter what you need or ask them. The staff goes out of the way to help. Thanks Gelson's for a great experience. read more

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A dismal poke bar experience on my most recent visit (5 PM on a weekday after work). I'm guessing they just don't get enough foot traffic here to replenish ingredients throughout the day unfortunately. The selection was limited and the counter was super messy. The white rice was charred and inedible, so I got the brown rice. It was dry, but chewable. The added sauces helped somewhat. Hawaiian-style ahi tuna was not salty enough but was fine. Imitation crab, avocado, and shrimp tasted like all were sitting out for a couple of hours. Either come during lunch or visit the poke bar at Bristol Farms instead. The sushi and prepared foods sections were in better shape, with plenty available to choose from. I picked up a miso salmon with mixed vegetables and pickled dressing. The fish was a little light on the marinade, but decently flakey. Shredded cabbage and green beans were bland. On the upside, the parking is easy and the baked goods at Renaud's Patisserie and Cafe are excellent. The floral department is also very nice. Not really the place I go for grocery shopping. Everything else I've purchased here (produce, dairy, dry goods, meat, frozen treats) was just about the same as Whole Foods quality-wise. The only difference was the higher price tag. read more

Gelson's Santa Barbara - Poke & Miso Salmon ⋅ Santa Barbara, California - Grocery Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Unable to get any service at deli counter today , servers stuck making elaborate individual sandwiches and looking for lids ??? Finally walked out . read more

When ripe, delicious fruit and vegetables are needed, it's a more flavorful, better value to buy them from Gelson's because they taste usually a lot better. Help is cheerful, Gabriella is hospitable check out clerk, if there's a Gelson's smile, she has it. Don't forget in the freezer section are Brooklyn Bagels, especially the everything seasonings - the best in town by far; other can't match the flavor. Floral department always has interesting, quality offerings with friendly service. Unlike the other higher end grocery store up the street, at Gelson's your items are unpacked from the car for you - a nice touch. Also Gelson's shelves aren't so packed that removing an item is easy, adjoining products will not fall out. Of course the bakery by Renaud's is special - over all buying selectively Gelson's is good when you value quality food and service. read more

I bought some package sliced chicken at the deli, when I came home to make a sandwich. It was like salt shaker had been emptied in the chicken. Anyway , I ended up throwing the sandwich and the rest of the packaged chicken . read more

I was Gelson's ready to go food #1 fan! I get off of work late afternoon and am always interested in ready to go hot food. I burnt out on the camp style food at Lazy Acres and the incestuous orange chicken and fried rice at Bristol Farms but do love their fresh hot turkey occasionally. I got sold on Gelsons because they served barbequed chicken legs in hot case and fresh sides. I was going several times a week and then it stopped. They started serving the orange chicken that looks like its been there for days, rice is awful looking. I asked the cook and he said they do not get to make choices anymore of fresh food items. I stopped going. read more

Always a great store with the best selection! Quick, courteous help always! Dependable! Thank you!

We really enjoyed shopping in this market as the variety was good and it was well laid out. I'm not going to comment on the food products , obviously, as most of them are pretty standard, but I will say that we bought a stunning orchid at an very reasonable price. For that alone, I would go back! read more

Gelson's Santa Barbara - My orchid. - Grocery Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The deli at this location offers delicious salads and sandwiches.. The plentiful selection of fresh menu items at the deli is Perfect for picnicking in beautiful Santa Barbara! The service is quick. The store also offers an ample selection of drinks, fresh snacks and desserts. The store is clean and well stocked, We enjoy getting our picnic items Gelson's! In Santa Barbara! read more

This is the update for Easter meal review. I ate a piece of the Brooklyn brisket and it was well-marinated but on the dry side. It did not come with any gravy, sauce, or au jus. Imagine my disappointment when I visited the store a few days later and saw their brisket slathered with sauce! I'm including a picture of how it was SUPPOSED to be given to me but wasn't. The only good thing about what I ordered for the special day was that I didn't have company so I didn't have to be embarrassed, just disappointed at the $50 I spent for almost an edible food. Now, all of that being said, EVERYTHING else I buy on a weekly basis from their prepared foods is absolutely delicious: I will do a separate review on some of their offerings. But I will never order catered again. I'll go to Lazy Acres for that! read more

Gelson's Santa Barbara - Brooklyn brisket - Grocery Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Their bakery is amazing try the raspberry mousse cake is wowed . Service is friendly and welcoming. The place is always clean and pleasant with high quality products. read more

I don't go to Gelson's often, because I live near Lazy Acres (Bristol Farms), which stocks similar items. Occasionally, I'll pop in for a fresh warm baguette, if I'm in the neighborhood. (I think Gelson's has the best baguettes in town.) I only get to Gelson's around 4 times a year. However, I recently found that Gelson's is the only place in town that carries Beyond Burgers Cookout Classic, which is a great-tasting veggie burger, so in the last month, I've gone by Gelson's to buy those burgers. And while I'm there, I tend to fill up the cart with whatever looks good. Baguettes, French butter, a Renaud's pecan pie, Broguiere's egg nog, Pascucci salad dressing, local pinots, and organic produce. I usually hit up the deli pretty hard too for sliced meats, prepared salmon, specialty cheeses, and fancy crackers. Today, however, was a total bummer. I popped in at 3:00 on a Monday, hoping there wouldn't be a line and I could get in and out quickly and minimize the risk of covid exposure. Getting in was a breeze - no wait. And getting out was easy - all checkout stands had cashiers to keep them moving. But the part in between sucked. I was looking for a certain cheese I got at Lazy or Whole Foods and wanted to ask about it at the cheese counter. No one was there, and of course, the guy in the pizza area didn't know. I figured I'd get some sliced ham and maybe when I was done, someone would be at the cheese counter. So, I went over to the sliced meats and waited with about 5 other people for help. There was one person helping the line and it wasn't moving, as more people queued up. The deli was turning into a cage fight, with one employee filling orders, so after waiting 5 minutes and the line not moving, I went back to the speciality cheeses. Still no one there, but I asked an employee walking by and he called over a manager to help me. The manager said he would call the cheese lady and left, so I waited another few minutes and looked around at the Xmas display nearby. When I looked up, there was a woman in the cheese area, so as I walked over, I said "Hi!" She had her back to me, writing in a notebook and I figured she didn't hear me, so when I got to the counter, I said "Hi" again. Nothing. "Hello" again. No response; she just kept writing and flipping through her binder. I stood there, looking at her back, watching her work, and waited 3-4 minutes. Another staff person walked through the cheese area to the back and looked at me, but didn't say anything. After 5 minutes of staring at the cheese lady's back and watching her work, I gave up and left. Total today came to just over $250. I'm sure I'll be back for the veggie burgers, but I'm done with shopping at the deli and cheese counters. It's a very busy section of the store, and it feels like they're doing nothing to distance customers from each other or staff appropriately to get people in and out of that area quickly. Furthermore, the customer service was nonexistent in that whole area, lending to the cage fight feel of it, with customers jockeying for position at the painfully slow-moving stations. The store expansion is beautiful with the gift basket area, produce, and expanded wine offerings. However, the customer service and staffing in the left side of the store from the speciality cheeses to the deli meats seems to have really slipped to the point where I'm over it. read more

Gelson's Santa Barbara - Find in frozen foods. Excellent veggie burgers to throw on grill from frozen. 18g protein. I've only found them at Gelson's. - Grocery Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

okay, i always thought this place has good quality. i mean you spend an arm and a leg to buy anything. i usually get the hot bar stuff. never actual groceries. anyways today i got brisket. i always get it but never read the ingredients list. today i did. cola syrup, high fructose corn syrup, maltodextrin, sugar. not only that but has canola oil( expected) the big thing for me was the soybean and cotton seed oil. really? for 25$ a LB there's all this in their meat? this is crazy. i never thought to check the ingredients because i assumed this is a healthy store with good quality ingredients but no they make their food with the cheapest quality ingredients and sell it to us for the highest price possible. the only reason im giving them two star is because they refunded me when i complained. but other than that this was my last time here. what a rip off read more

Need some food this coronavirus season? Buy a couple things from the ready made deli. The food items include a wide variety. I ordered crab cakes (so delish - found a crab claw meat in the middle intact so chunky good). I had the chicken Parmesan and spinach and artichoke quiche. The chicken Parm was good I just mixed it in with pasta at home. The quiche kinda tasted a little strong- couldn't place my finger on it, but something tasted a little strong (and it wasn't artichoke/spinach/egg). The reason for the 1 star off was the server scooped lemon artichoke salad into a cup, but it fell off to the side. I saw it fall off on the side and the server tried to sneak it into my container. She didn't even clean the shelf. That was a fave dish, but I didn't take it bc it fell off to the side and I don't know what else to say. If food fell off the pan or onto the table would you expect a serve to still put it back on your plate and expect you to eat it? In this day of being careful of dirty and infected surfaces, I wouldn't take my chances. Also, would it benefit consumers if the staff working in food services could wear a mouth guard or mask? Help prevent spread of coronavirus and from (just thinking from a medical practitioner perspective). read more

Fabulous fresh produce and the bakery is to die for.. I always window shop the treats! Lots of good choices of hard to find boxed cereals

Went in yesterday and gathered about 6 items in my hands - no basket, went up to the checkout and both lines were backed up. I stood and waited for 4-5 minutes, but the cashier was so busy chitchatting with the customer nothing was moving. I was looking at the shopping carts, full of items both lines and asked the manager, who is behind me if there was another line that was for small purchases and he snapped at me and said "No this is it" and walked away. WOW! I was ready to put my items down and walk out, but a sweet woman standing by the self check out, saw me and asked me if I needed a basket and I said actually I'm leaving. I don't want to be waiting in those long lines and she said "oh we can do self checkout" which I have never done. This was my first visit to Gelson's ever. She proceeded to scan my items with a smile, put them in a bag. I put my credit card in - wham Bam. I was done. The manager was not interested at all, whereas he could've easily suggested the self check out rather than being a nasty curmudgeon. I will only be back because of the wonderful woman who helped me, but otherwise I would never have come back there. I don't wanna support an establishment with such a jerk as a manager. read more

I shop at this Santa Barbara Gelsons regularly and have never been disappointed with anything! Thus, I was surprised to read poor reviews about Passover dishes and brisket. On the opposite realm, I can attest that the service deli products have been great, the produce is some of the best in this County (and I also shop at Lazy Acres and Mesa Produce - both close to my home), and the service I have found to be consistently helpful, attentive and friendly - so, so much better than regular chain grocery stores! The fresh fish and meats are also excellent - slightly higher in price but we get what we pay for! I recommend this store 100%. read more

I remember when this was a dump of a Lucky. When the conversion happened, it wasn't a real Gelson's, more like a Gelson's Express or a Gelson's Lite. I went to high school with the daughter of founder Bernard Gelson. Jessica was a senior when I was in 7th grade. The Pacific Palisades remains the best in my view (much better than Century City or Marina Del Rey). There's one in SD now too, but it's sorta where SB Gelson's was a decade or so ago. The bakery is really tremendous (Renaud's I think, complete with terrific lower calorie ganaches). The deli case has things Bristol and Lazy don't. It's not better or worse, just different. SB is lucky to have four high-end grocery stores. Whole Foods isn't what it was since the Amazon merger. Bristol hot bar is fantastic and it is so breathtaking. But I still love Gelson's and their salad bar is the best in town. P.S. They have those low cal/low sugar cookies from the 1980s (Rocks and Rolls), which I love. read more

This is a grocery store known for their great (&somewhat expensive) selection of goods. However, that does not give any right to racially profile a customer. According to the manager there were "many complaints" of a customer that was "stealing" a Hydroflask when in fact the item belonged to them... and they were putting it away in their backpack. Didn't the customer pay for their items & have a receipt for it? ... Yes, they did. And yet, still stopped for "stealing" and just "needed to check" the young Mexican lady with all her bags walking quickly to catch a bus home. read more

The deli is very underwhelming. Sandwich options are limited and the bread stale. The rest of the store seems fine, albeit overpriced.

Horrible, deli food! Have been disappointed several times with food that was not edible. Hot turkey dinner was extremely dry. Corned beef dinner was so rubbery I could have been eating plastic. BBQ ribs had no flavor. Will not go back again. read more

Cut up watermelon from Mexico that costs $6 at Vons will run you $22 here. Pineapple that is $6 at Vons is $27 here. I wish I were kidding. I laughed out loud. Then I left. read more

Gelson's Santa Barbara - $6 worth of watermelon for $22 + - Grocery Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

I love Gelson's food and selection of products, and I've been a lifetime customer. I'm not sure if it's a change due to the uncertain times, or this particular stores management, but I've found the customer service extremely lacking. Deli counter's numbered tickets were stuck, and rather than helping the waiting customers, they insisted on finding the 81(it was stuck in the container). Was waiting in line, and the facilitator closed it, rerouted the person in front of me, and left the rest of us to go find our own lines(not a problem except that i went from the front to the very back instantly and was on a lunch break). I know things are weird and in between, but I pay the premium for Gelson's in order to have a better experience than that. read more

The grocery store that makes going to any others, suck. Gelson's is our closest market, and gladly so. Not trust-fund crunchy like Lazy Acres, Whole Foods funky nor Trader Joe's hipster, Gelson's fills the perfect niche. Here you find good quality, WHOLESOME food with an international, gourmet flare. Both the exotic and the staples happily co-exist. Need Swiss appenzeller or raclette for a party or that perfect grilled cheese? They got it. Want to know what wine to pair with it? Ask the cheese lady behind the counter and browse their excellent wine selection. Wonderful flower department too, to surprise the wife. Avoid lines at the deli counter by phoning your sliced-to-order cold cuts ahead. Need a special cake or pastry? The in-store Renaud's has you covered...AND they have the everyday nasty stuff you crave: Lay's potato chips, Coke Zero, Kraft mac 'n Cheese, etc. If the watchful manager sees any checkout line more than a couple people long, another opens. You genuinely feel spoiled. Sure, everyday prices are a bit more than other stores, but it's so enjoyable to shop at Gelson's - and worth every penny! read more

I've always shopped Gelson's, however the remodel was the best thing to ever happen here! I believe they expanded into what used to be a bank next door and also Warehouse Music and Video, gosh some 20 years ago, 1999 early 2000's, I shouldn't date myself, whoops, too late! Great pre made salads, pre made sushi, sandwiches, pizza slices, salad bar, poke bar, Renauld's deserts and specialty vegan items I can't find anywhere else. The remodel and expansion widened isles, brightened up a dreary space and breathed new life into these walls. Something every business should do every 5-10 years, a refresh, put some of the profits back in and make the place enjoyable to shop or eat in, common sense. Thanks Gelson's! read more

Gelson's Santa Barbara - Beautiful orchids and plants! - Grocery Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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I purchased food from their prepared food counter. 2 small one medium salads and one piece of salmon. Cost $53. Took salads home within 10 minutes and put in fridge immediately. The salads tasted awful and we only ate a few bites. Good thing as food poisoning resulted, vomiting etc. we threw away the salmon as I have zero confidence in their food. Save yourself and your money. read more

While it is clean, modern, well-stocked grocery store, customer service has a ways to go. There are never enough cashiers (think one or two), the self-checkout has limited hours and the employee stationed at the front, supposedly to help customers, is usually of no help whatsoever. If you ask where an item can be found they wave so vaguely they are of no actual help. This is not an inexpensive grocery store, but it is not the prices that keep me away, it is the disappointing shopping experience I have had just about every time I have decided "to give it another chance". read more

This store looks great but the person directing the lines for check out is a jerk. I was patiently in line waiting and he directed a woman with half a cart full to a checkout in front of me. I had 3 items. Also while I was there a man walked right up to the check stand and cut in front of me... not knowing we were all waiting in line and Adam said nothing to him. Horrible employee when I suggested he should be fair he got crabby with me and told me to stop being rude. I've been in business for 46 years, I was not being rude... I would NEVER SPEAK TO A CUSTOMER LIKE THAT! I'm fine but I won't be back to that store. Everyone else was great. Checkers and bag girl. read more

Such a pretty supermarket! Food is fresh and quality is good. I got their prepared sushi from their refrigerated section- it was delicious and so fresh. Some items are a little overpriced but worth it for the quality of food. I did however have a little bit of an issue with the cashier who in a way was being a little paranoid about my birthday being only 2 days away from the time he checked my ID. He somehow thought I was turning 21 in two days and not 24. Here's a thought, look at the YEAR instead. Maybe cashiers should be properly trained in checking IDs. read more

Gelson's Santa Barbara - Grocery Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

We had rented a place on AirBnB that came with a cute little kitchen, so we popped by here to stock up on 5 days worth of breakfasts and snackalicious things. Lots of familiar items, but one item I fell in love with was Western brand of NY style sesame bagels. It caught my eye because it said STEAMED and KETTLE BOILED, or something to that effect. I'm originally from NJ and one of my friends on this trip is from Lawng Eyeland, so I grabbed those. Okay, they were hands down the best store-bought packaged bagels I've ever tasted! So good toasted and buttered. The deli offered some delicious salads. We opted for a Thai one that we enjoyed very much. And they had sumo oranges on hand - those giant citrus oranges that look like they have a prolapsed butthole? So ugly, yet so good. read more

Came here my first time in town in a while for the holidays (my fiancé is stationed in Virginia in the Navy). Everyone was super sweet and told me to thank him for his service and congrats on our upcoming wedding! read more

The workers, most of the cashiers and managers of the store are very unfriendly and some of them are rude. How's that possible that upper class store, where all the items costs higher then usual so unfriendly staff except few people. Also the only store where you need to take cart back to the store as there is no cart parking spots. That is ridiculous. All older gen people have to drag carts back to to the entrance. read more

Dear Gelson's -- If you want to charge premium prices and you say you honor and respect this community and people than clean up your store appearance so that the community doesn't have to continually look at UGLY, DEAD, UNKEPT, UNCLEAN, MESSY planters, seating area, walkways and parking area. It's easy to buy plants and water. You have a nursery in walking distance, go get some plants, fertilizer and water. Welcome people into your store with pride, love, cleanliness, respect and beauty. read more

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I don't want to write bad reviews, but few cashiers were not happy, not friendly every morning. I know his/her name, because I have receipts with cashier's name on it. But I won't write it down. They don't even say thank you! Or have a nice day. I usually go there Monday and Tuesday some Friday early morning. Other workers were always greeting and very helpful, knowledgeable. Food selection is always good and fresh flowers and vegetable, good quality of meat and fish. Please do not give them shift, if they don't want to work. Otherwise I need go somewhere else. read more

The $5.00 off $25.00 coupon is amazing. I love to shop Gelson's for that reason and for many other reasons: *Parking is easy. *Covid (writing this 12/19/20) is taken very seriously, with carts sanitized and line etiquette strictly observed, inside and out. *Always fun to try new things. I love the organic tortilla section and the terrific selection of kombucha. Great place to buy chips, too------SO much variety. *The produce is unfailingly good. Some things are out of my price range (only organic will do for me), but whenever I get bananas, apples, other fruit, lettuce, kale, broccolini------it's always super fresh and tasty, high quality produce. *Occasionally there's a free tasting of local wines and such. I'm not a drinker, but it's still fun every great once in a while to try fine wines/tequila. *The cashiers are THE BEST. Five Star Staff all the way. In my many years of shopping at Gelson's I only ever came across one semi-surly cashier. "She won't be here long," I thought to myself. Never saw her there again. Gelson's appears to pride itself on happy, friendly employees. Truly great people. *You can sometimes find things at Gelson's that you can't find anywhere else. I love to browse the ice cream freezer, just to see what's new. *Best Part Is: The store got some new plastic carts-----I always hated bumping along on those tiles, with my metal cart banging away. Too noisy. The new carts are much quieter and glide like limo-quality shopping carts. read more