scoutOUT! - Rainbow Grocery

Rainbow Grocery
1745 Folsom Street
San Francisco CA, 94103
9am-9pm, every day

for years i heard people rave about Rainbow, so i guess it's no surprise that the place is like the best thing ever. but unlike places that are the best thing ever in new york - you actually feel like you have the space to browse. there wasn't even a line when we checked out! aaah, again, 1 million is way better than 8.

but the real bonus of Rainbow is the incredible bulk sections. now, i'm not just talking about granola bulk or fruit bulk. oh no. this is bulky bulk.

first you have the spices. sure, they are a bit pricey (we went to another spice bulk store down the street called San Francisco Herb Co. that was much cheaper) but the selection and the set up is what makes it exciting and home-like (it very much has the feel of Flower Power in ny...which i discovered way too late in my ny life to truly appreciate).

next you have the grains. lots and lots of grains. grains i wouldn't even know what to do with. and rice...lots and lots of nice varieties of rice. unlike the spices, the grains are a good deal.

but the real highlights of the bulk are the following sections (keep in mind like half the store - and it aint small - is just for bulk):
- shoyu, oils, vinegars, agave and nut butters
- shampoo, lotion, and detergent (i've been waiting to find a place where i could fill up my dr. bronner's bottles with soap - yay!)
- fresh tofu, raw sauerkraut, and pickles!
- pasta! - fresh and dried

of course there are the standard bulk items like yogurt covered whatever, legumes, granola, and what not. but it's still way better than the bulk at Whole Foods (or Sahadi's for that matter).

and while the bulk items (which i'm sure i'm forgetting half of) are the best thing about Rainbow, the selection of vegetarian geared options is amazing (there goes my savings). there are more fake meats (some are even grain-based if processed gluten makes you feel uneasy) and vegan-this-and-that type items than i've ever seen at any market. until today, i had no idea Tofurky made a pizza. or that you could buy a mini "ham" made from grains. or how scarily real fake bacon from taiwan looks (we bought it!)

on top of having everything i've ever wanted, Rainbow is an cooperative owned business. so, instead of supporting the generic grocers, your money is going to a local place and local people. Rainbow's got it right and alex and i are so excited it's just a short bike ride away!

picture via google