It’s no surprise that at Wise Goat, we love finding niche, high quality supermarkets all the way down the CA coast who want to sell our goods. One of these top-of-the-line grocery stores is El Roys Fine Foods in Monterey. Displayed in countless rows and bountiful isles are El Roy’s hand selected, environmentally sustainable, free from chemicals, always organic products (wow, that was a mouth-full!) This family owned grocer is, of course, special in our hearts but also holds some unique roles in the Monterey community. Here’s what makes them stand out:
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- A Community Gathering Place
El Roy’s provides an area to do more than just buy your weekly groceries. It curates a space to meet together, eat together, drink together, and laugh together (LOTS of together-time). Inside the supermarket is both a bar and cafeteria style restaurant. “Home cooked” food without having to go home-can it get any better? With seating both indoors and outdoors, their market is, unsurprisingly, bustling at all hours of the day. Not a wine or beer drinker? Their bar has smoothies, tea, juices and espresso too! Not interested in a fancy sit-down restaurant but still want high quality prepared meals? Check out their cafeteria!
- Monthly “heatable eatables” program
The name says it all. Whether it’s a date night, a family dinner, or an ‘I’m too lazy to cook’ night, this creative monthly program encourages customers to get out of their ordinary cooking routine and try something new. From Japanese food to Jewish Deli classics, the meals are ever-changing but constantly delicious.
- Banned from the store
Lucky for us, we can take a break from reading labels when shopping at El Roy’s. The staff is committed to only allowing certain products to be sold on their shelves. All of these products are, without fail, free from the following toxins: artificial sweeteners, food additives like preservatives, artificial food coloring, and sodium nitrate.
- Natural Wines
One of El Roy’s claims to fame is that they are home to the peninsula’s largest cellar of natural wines. Many customers love to join their “Wine Trust” to receive new wines each month or chat with their Wines Manager about flavors, history, and origin of the wines. To learn more about what distinguishes a natural wine from a conventional wine, visit their site here.
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Each company who gets a spot on the El Roy’s shelf is proud to be represented and supported by such a community-centered, sustainably focused, local market. Next time you’re at the beach, there should be no question where to stop for lunch!
