Grocery Store Review:
Eureka Natural Foods
In these tight economic times, I can’t afford to eat out nearly as often as I used to. On the other hand I have become a connoisseur of grocery stores. As your gourmet grocery guide, I guarantee that you will not find a more pleasurable grocery shopping experience anywhere in Humboldt County than Eureka Natural Foods, located in Eureka, on Broadway, between Adel’s restaurant and Walgreen’s.
They always have good prices on the good eggs, the good butter and the the good milk, plenty of organic produce and Eel River Organic Beef, wrapped in butcher’s paper instead of Styrofoam. They also have great prices on sale items that can stretch your food dollar.
They carry an impressive assortment of beers, which I hardly look at any more because they have Organic Eel River IPA at $28.98 a case. Can’t beat that. They have a wine section too. I’m sure they carry feminine hygiene products too, but I never look at those either.
At the deli you can find some very tempting prepared foods, and they’ll make you a sandwich in two shakes. The coffee bar has self-serve coffee, a barista, smoothies and an amazing assortment of teas. They have a nice dining area with free wifi. I really appreciate that. Today, as it is whenever I’m up North, its my office.
Whenever my partner and I have to drive to Eureka, we rarely spend less than three hours at Eureka Natural Foods. My partner chooses groceries carefully, because we probably won’t return to civilization for a week or so. At ENF she can make a preliminary run-through, get the things they are low on and survey the sales. Then we’ll sit together for a while and discuss our menu options for the coming week. They usually have cookies to sample, and plenty of free ice water with, or without, lemon slices.
Usually, we’ll have a sandwich and coffee, then she’ll do the majority of our shopping. When she’s done with that, she’ll get on line for a while, while I get beer and chips and kill some time talking to the help. Then we’ll both use the bathroom, without waiting for a key, before the long ride home to SoHum.
If that weren’t enough, I’ve saved the best part for last. You really must experience the staff at ENF. I don’t know where they find these people, but ENF has put together an exceptionally good looking and unbelievably friendly staff. I mean unbelievably friendly. We make sure to go through the checkout line at least three or four times, just to chat. Friendliness is a pretty rare commodity in SoHum, so we soak it up while we can at ENF.
Now, I’ve worked for a living. I know work sucks. If it was fun, they’d make you pay to do it. So, I don’t expect anything more than grim politeness from the working people I encounter in town. The staff at ENF seem to be having a great time. Something’s just not right about that. I can’t help but think that some diabolical stuff goes on in the back office, like brain-washing, or a “Stepford Staff”, but the people who work at ENF seem genuine, and they sure are nice to be around.
So, for the friendly staff, great selection, and free office space, I give Eureka Natural Foods 6 out of 6, bargain priced, Organic, Eel River IPAs.
