Sheridan Fruit Company

Reviews 4

AL

Aloysius Wilderburr

Ive been to Sheridans many times and the previous reviewers complaints seem totally off-base to me. The atmosphere at Sheridans is relaxed, inviting, and friendly-- staff chat with one another, AND their customers, in a way that makes you feel at home. Ive never dealt with anyone at Sheridans who was anything less than friendly and helpful. The complaint of high prices or low quality is just plain wrong. Sheridans has better quality food than your average grocery store for less than Ive found elsewhere. For example, they commonly have red bell peppers priced at a little over $2 a pound-- meaning, when you weigh them out, peppers are a little over $1 each. At other grocery stores, (whole foods, QFC, fred meyer, safeway) I often see them for $2 each. Sheridans has an outstanding bulk food section-- all your whole grains, dried beans, baking supplies, cooking oil, canned tomatoes, dried fruit and nuts, etc.-- at prices competitive with or better than other stores. And Sheridans is THE place to buy oil, cooking spices, and so on-- you can get a whole pound of cumin or paprika for the price of a few ounces at most stores, or a large container of good quality peanut or olive oil for 1/3rd less than many places. Sheridans doesnt have the selection of a supermarket, nor do they have the corporate attitude, and the mass quantity of low-quality food. Theres nothing on the shelf I wouldnt be willing to buy, whereas most grocery stores are stocked largely with cheap junk. Their deli is amazing, and they have a great beer and wine selection. They dont have a cooler with 20 different kinds of eggs-- they have a small cooler with about 6 selections, local, organic, cruelty-free, and the same is true for every section of the store. Smaller selection, higher quality. Do yourself a favor and support a great, small, local grocery, eat better, and be glad you did. Its easy to be an internet cry baby-- in my own business experience, the people who complain the loudest online have done *nothing* to address their concerns in person, and they want to make a big public stink on the internet, where they dont have to communicate with real human beings. To me that seems cowardly and pathetic, and I cant believe so many thoughtless people are willing to post negative reviews of great local businesses with character and charm. If you want homogenization, self-check out, name tags, uniforms, and a completely impersonal experience in every facet of your life, stay in the suburbs shopping at walmart and watch the uniqueness of family businesses disappear. Complaining about the speed of a credit card machine or the age of the cash registers says to me that youre completely missing the point.

KY

Kyle Downer

There selection is nice. The only things I found at a price I agree with as far as freshly made food. Is there items that are found from other retailers (Bakerys etc.) that are at a much fairer price for some reason. As for the items you can find in other stores, much was priced a dollar or more over lets say like Fred Meyer. They do have items that are more select that are all found there. My biggest issue is the customer service. I dealt with a lady there that after using their store I was upset with the comment from her. I had returned some cans because Im local and needed some extra cash. This being said Im not sure if its because they shun people that cant afford to fill there grocery cart there. But regardless I had made a mistake on my math after the cans were counted. That being said I didnt realize this so I had politely asked if she made a mistake. She said no. Then she popped off at me saying and I quote "Look Im not retarded I know how much was there." end quote. I found this insulting because I had made the mistake, so I was unclear afterwards if I was unsure how to take that comment. But I felt this not to par with a store that you would think would want returning customers given the location and prices. So after calling the manager once I was home she replied shes one of are best employees. She must have been having an off day. That being said. If thats the best they have to offer certainly not my first choice. Kinda sad because a lot of decent people could have been easily offended by that comment and not at all sensitive to a society that the store is dependent to survive off of. I certainly wouldnt have used offensive language towards any of the employees there. Kinda funny when I ask around people tell me they just often seem very bitter and they are vibed out by the atmosphere the help gives off if you want to even call them helpful. Its just a sad state of affairs. Might go the extra effort to return my cans or shop from or at other stores. I would have never thought I would say this but Ive never been so wigged out from any big grocery stores as much as this little spot. Guess they have higher standards. At least I wont have offensive words used towards me because some stores understand customers are there bread and butter. Unlike Sheridan.

A

A Private User

For years I had driven by the Sheridan Fruit Co with curiosity, but just this year I decided to stop by on my way home to pick up some things for dinner. Sheridan is a Portland gem that may be one of the Citys best kept secrets. They have an awesome deli section that does great business during the lunch time rush. One thing I would highlight is their meat department. The meat department always provides me excellent customer service and recommendations. A few months ago, the gentleman behind the counter recommended I try their marinaded steaks and now Im hooked! They are the BEST in town. Seriously, these steaks are amazingly tender and the marinade is homemade. My wife isnt really into red meat and after one bite was asking for a big piece of my steak. Their small frozen meat section has just about any type of meat youre looking for including Elk, Buffalo, and Venison. True to their namesake, they have an excellent selection of fruits and vegetables from local farms. Their bulk food section is overwhelming for such a not-so-small place, if youre looking for ingredients, youll find it back there. Another thing I like is that I always seem to find interesting things there like Kambucha in the cooler, imported chocolate in candy section, local breads made fresh from Grand Central Baking, and bags of gigantic cookies made in nearby Gresham. My only comment for improvement (and reason they havent earned a full 5 stars) relates to their checkout clerks. The checkout clerks are generally friendly, but often preoccupied while they check you out. This is not unique to Sheridan Fruit Co, in fact its common just about anywhere you go except New Seasons. After going to New Seasons a few times, I quickly grew accustomed and appreciate grocery shopping where literally everyone is friendly, attentive, chatty (especially during check out). Now that New Seasons has raised the bar, its an opportunity for other groceries like Sheridan to step up to the challenge and decide "Is this something we also want to be known for?" IN SUMMARY, SHERIDAN FRUIT IS A LOCAL GEM, PERFECT FOR PICKING UP EVERYTHING A COOK, OR TAKEOUT PERSON NEEDS ON THE WAY HOME FOR DINNER!!!

B

b j woodworth

Retro style family owned grocery very heavy on specialty foods, produce, and meats. Fact that they have a high volume wholesale operation supplying restaurants means the wares are generally fresh and unusual ingredients readily available. I once needed 6 sprigs of Chervil for some dumb recipe I never repeated--NO ONE in town had it, but SFCs Wholesale produce manager busted open a case of the stuff and compd me a big fat handful! The bulk aisle is legendary to regulars, so many products, bulk falafel mix? Check. The meat department is just cool. Call ahead for any special cut or order, or to have your whole chicken cut up for you any way you want: 4 pieces for oven roasting; 6 for even deep frying; split in half for grilling, you get the idea. They sell Carlton Farms Pork, da bomb, and make an in-house specialty: Porchetta. STAFF ATTITUDE EDIT: the store is in a very urban location and close to numerous social agencies serving the homeless and hungry. The staff is quick and accurate, accommodating, too, in cashing in cans and bottles. I suspect KYLE DOWNER was served by "Big Mamma", as I fondly think of the senior checker who can occasionally be a little direct. Ive never heard her use inappropriate language as reported, but believe it for sure. I have my own issue with a manager/prick who thinks his feces are rose scented or some damn thing, cuz all he has is attitude, lots of it, and all crappy, when he is a checker. But Im just not letting 1 jerk keep me away from the best small specialty grocery around. Enjoy this local gem.