Shop on the Cheap at Super Discount Food Convenient Store in Downtown San Diego, California

Living in downtown San Diego is really rather hideously expensive There are two full-size grocery stores in downtown area (Ralph's on G St between 1st and 2nd and Albertson's on 14th between Market and G), and the price on items that aren't on sale there will really make an amateur CPA out of anyone living on a tight budget here.

For those of us who are willing to compromise a little quality to save a lot of bucks and don't mind shopping among the obviously-not-so-affluent, though, there is Super Discount Food Store at the northeast corner of 7th Avenue at Broadway that sells almost everything imaginable at a significantly lower price.

The store is sort of divided into 2 sections: the front store is where the cold cut, frozen food, sodas, and cookies are. I would avoid buying deli meat (ham, bacon, etc) there since the cooling counter they are stored in doesn't seem to be even cool (let alone cold) most of the time. The liter sodas here really don't offer you any better deal than you can get at Ralph's or Albertson's (actually, the Alberson's brand soda, Big Chill, can be had for cheaper), and neither do the chips. Though there are some really great deals to be had for the crackers, cookies, and candies near the store's display window and the cashier (and 5 large postcards for $1). If you are a beef jerky junkie, keep an eye out for good deal on bags of jerky near the check out, too).

The back store carries non-perishable dry food items (canned food, instant noodles, sauces, baking mixes, oils, etc), household cleaners, personal hygiene items (soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, etc), stationary, toiletries, kitchen wares, all sort of cheap gadgets (including computer USB cables, hammer, door stoppers, etc), small electronics (television, radio, fan) and even some cheap clothing, toys, and little electronic cookers (rice cooker, hot plate, toaster). There are some name brand stuff that have Spanish label on them rather than English - like Downey fabric softener (it works OK to me), and much of the merchandise are discontinued items sold as is.

Super Discount Food Store operates on cash only basis (no credit or debit card or checks. There's a 24 hrs ATM machine on the Broadway front of the store.

In a nutshell:

The Good: Most items found here are cheaper than their counterparts at Ralph's or Albertson's or CVS Pharmacy. The front store cashier is always very friendly. Killer location right at a major bus stop on Broadway in downtown.

The Bad: Cash only. Store is cluttered and there isn't enough space to form proper check out line much of the time. Lots of homeless in area and some station themselves by store front and ask for changes.

Super Discount Food Convenient Store:702 Broadway (between 2nd Ave & 7th Ave), San Diego, CA 92101. Hours: 7AM-9PM daily. Cash only.