5 Markets to Shop Near North Hills, CA

I am privileged to be living in an area with access to a lot of cool markets. Here are my fave five:

1. Seafood City (North Hills)

This nice little Filipino market has a few pleasant surprises. First of all, their stuff is fresh, the produce is inexpensive, and the aisles are clean. Then you start to notice the freshly grilled squid and fish in the seafood section, as well as at the Grill City counter, which serves ready-to-go food. There is also a couple of Filipino-themed bakeries and the Chow King restaurant. (After all, the Chinese control 60% of the commerce in the Phillipines.) You can find a good selection of Asian groceries here.

2. Trader Joe's (Granada Hills)

Who doesn't loves Trader Joe's? Who does not like great products at reasonable prices? It is like Jimmy Fallon asking the baby, "do you like cash rewards?" The closest one around though, if you live in North Hills, would be a little bit up north, but it's worth the short drive. Everything on the shelves are fresh and the offer quality products under their house brands: Trader Joe's, Trader Jose's, Trader Ming's, Trader Darwin's, Baker Josef's, and so on. The first Trader Joe's opened up in Pasadena in 1967.

3. Vallarta (North Hills)

Do you ever wonder why the grocery prices are so good at Latino-themed supermarkets? Is it because they are messier than regular American supermarkets? No... not really. Vallarta, an American-based, Latino-themed supermarket, is generally clean and offers better prices. In fact, the first Vallarta opened up in San Fernando. They might have stuff geared towards Latinos but these are generally things beloved by people of all races as well. Marinated meats for grilling comes to mind. There is usually a couple of killer deals each week, such as 5 ears of corn for $1 or 5 naval oranges for $1.

4. Sprouts (Granada Hills)

The Arizona-based chain is soon becoming my personal favorite, out of all the places. I've been looking for a market that reminds me of suburban America. Sprouts is it. In the Valley there is no Stater Brothers. You'd have to go up to Santa Clarita for that. There's just something special as you step inside Sprouts each time. There's nothing like it. At first, you will notice the bulk foods section, which carries everything from adzuki beans to jelly beans, not to mention a large variety of nuts. Their bakery is a treat, their produce section offers good deals every week, and their vitamin section is impressive. It is very tough to remember that you are in the valley when you are at this location of Sprouts.

5. Galleria (Northridge)

Asian markets are known for having good food courts, and the one in Galleria does not disappoint. Sure, for native Koreans it might disappoint a slight bit, but where else in the valley can you grab a tasty and affordable lunch with friends after church and immediately take care of your shopping needs? Not to mention that they also got the Tous les Jours bakery in there. The Galleria is clean and provides plenty of the usual Korean and Japanese groceries and snacks. That is all that matters.