Kowalski’s

Love this grocery store! If you are new to Uptown check this store out! Kowalski’s has a fabulous selection of produce. They’re meat department is outstanding and so helpful. However, their deli department is like no other. Sushi, hot, cold and fresh selections. You name it they have it. And I cannot leave without discussing their bakery!!! Scones, donuts, muffins and breads. Oh my! And service is outstanding. They pack your bags and take to your car. And even have a liquor store next door. All I can say is: Enjoy!

Love the Meat and Seafood Department there! Great, knowledgeable staff always goes a long way with me!

Take about options, wow. They totally have it going on here, such a diverse amount of products here. The baked goods are pretty much to die for. Things are so damn tasty, wish I had something similar in the Boston area.

The bakery items at Kowalski’s are amazing! Excellent selection of cheese, and great place to grocery shop, as well as have a quick meal from the ready-​to-​eat selections. Great sandwiches and sushi Nice wine shop too.

I have been to this place many times for some of their food products. I most go there for their upscale cheeses. It is a convenient place to go when I am in the area and in need of their particular foods.
This place appears to appeal more to the upscale population. This is judging according to their prices, advertisements, food selection, and some of the quality.
I feel comfortable when I am walking around there. The employees appear to keep this place clean and organized. I have not had much trouble finding what I was looking for. They have their sections labeled so I can see them easily. Other than minor dirt by the entrance, which I expect in any place, I have not had any issues with anything disorderly or unclean.
The food products appear to be fresh. The employees appear to do a fantastic job at keeping an eye on the freshness to assure that the food stays that way. I go for mostly the cheeses. They have a better selection, and their quality is better than a lot of cheeseries that I have shopped at in the past. Before shopping at Kowalski’s, I never would have expected that.
My only complaint about this place is the prices of most of their food products. The prices are why I do not buy much else other than cheese. I do not find the food quality much better than Cub Foods or Rainbow Foods (also fantastic). If they lowered the prices, that would make me want to shop here more and would make my buy products other than cheese.
As long as this place continues to do a great job at running everything, I will continue shopping here for their cheese. I feel like I can count on them to have a outstanding quality and selection.

Love their deli! Quick lunch if your in the north loop! They have turkey bacon avocado lettuce wraps that are enormous and only 4.99 for 2 wraps! Also full salad and soup bar and hot menu items that change daily.

its open 24 hours woot woot oh yea 24 hours oh ya 24 hours
I love it because Walgreen right next to it is open what 24 hours oh yea 24 hours!
anyways I love this grocery store its kinda like whole foods but better in my opinion its all fresh and got organic products and vegan products
I personally go for the bakery goods they have cookie dough chunks with no egg in there so you wont die and there big chunks for 5.95 that’s why I go

Geeze. I went to Kawalski’s on L: yndale. I needed fresh sliced baked turkey and cheese to make sandwiches for my ailing sister. The deli person insisted that I’d be better off with sandwiches they made earlier that day. I again asked for fresh turkey and she again said «I’ll slice it for you, but there’s already sandwiches made over there (opposite counter). At this point I decided to leave because I don’t believe in confrontation with the help. Went to Byerlies instead. Geeze.

Notables:
— Open 24 hours
— Have I also come here to grab sushi past midnight thinking it’s substantial after bar food similar to Annie D. Yes. Is it? No.
— Within walking distance of the Lowry Hill neighborhood.
— Cheese and lots of it.
— Salad & Hot Food Bar.
I am like a moth to the flame that is the hot food bar. I cannot go in this store without getting mashed potatoes or mac & cheese. Seriously, if someone’s life depended on me not purchase those items they would be dead, sorry… but not really. It’s amazing.
My gripe with Kowalski’s is that I’ve gone on multiple occasions looking for an item and they don’t have it. Sadly the selection of items, including the produce, can be limited even for what I feel is essential grocery store stuff. For most cases it does the trick but on those more often than rare times it’s a pain… but then I just eat my feelings with a cup of mac & cheese and head to the next grocery store.

Kowalski’s is a good store, love the meat and love the tuscan desigm of the store and love the service!

This locally owned chain is not over priced and often offers good sales with a nice variety. Where they shine above and beyond very good service is kindness. THIS sets them above others.
On one occasion I was purchasing many Fashion and a few Gossip mags. The cashier quipped «Catching up on your reading?» I told her my Girlfriend was home sick. The Mgr. whispered something to her and she grabbed me a bouquet for her
Today the liquor store Mgr gave me a large, limited edition bottle of a beer to try gratis!
Well done Kowalski’s!

I can’t believe the reviews here. I live right next to this place and only go in when I absolutely NEED something or Walgreens next door doesn’t carry it.
My biggest complaints of this place are:
1. HORRIBLE costumer service. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve checked out of Kowalski’s and their staff mumbles some greeting and acts like I don’t exist as they scan my items. It’s gotten better since I’ve started going there (I hope other people were complaining), but I still get service where I get minimal interaction or just plain rude. I’ve even had bad treatment from those who look like mangers or at least higher ups. One time two women (who appeared to be high ups) were just blocking this main path down an aisle and having a conversation. They saw me, but kept talking anyway. Seriously, my boyfriend and I joke that they lock up their employees in the back every night because everyone is so ridiculously unpleasant that they must be held their against their will.
2. This also deals with costumer service, but I’ll have a separate point. I once went up to someone stocking shelves and asked them if they knew where an item was. He told me he «didn’t work here» and that he just stocked the shelves. Um, what? If they hire people to stock the shelves, I doubt the staff has a good idea where anything is.
3. This grocery store is expensive. If you have the extra cash, then who cares. But, most stuff I noticed has a $ 2 – 3 mark-​up compared to Target. So unless you just want throw your money away, I suggest going somewhere else. At least go to Lund’s, they’re more expensive too but at least you get a staff that treats you friendly.

I hate children and not in an ironic, trendy sort of way. Children irritate me by merely existing if they are within 50 feet of me. And they really annoy me in a grocery store setting. «I want this!» «But mooooooooooooom, cheesy Chex Mix is better than boring old regular Chex Mix because reasons.»
Don’t even get me started about children under 10 at restaurants, I end up sounding like some sort of Fox News analyst discussing Obamacare — my face contorts into overwhelming displeasure and I start rattling off nonsensical facts about why children suck. I’m anti-​kid. The end.
So that brings me to Kowalski’s…a semi upscale grocery store with lots of fresh produce, a lovely meat counter, a great selection of soy/​organic dairy products, and NO FUCKING CHILDREN. Out of all the times I’ve been to Kowalski’s, I’ve seen 5 kids there and only 2 under the approximate age of 8. The lack of children and children like noises while I grocery shop is enough for 4 stars in my opinion, but I also have to gave them props for their «higher end» products.
The store is always clean, the cashiers are extremely friendly, they help you carry your groceries… plus there’s a liquor store attached to the store. What more can you ask for?
The parking lot reminds me of the Wedge… a death trap for cars and pedestrians alike.
But seriously, folks… no children. It’s the porn of grocery stores… under 18, not allowed. Thank you for that, Kowalski’s.

At a higher end grocery store like this, you pay a little extra for the pleasant décor, cashiers who bag your groceries, clean aisles and high quality local and store brand products. On my budget, I’m more likely to dodge blood spatter in the aisles of Rainbow as I pick up some Roundy’s brand spaghetti. I do go to Kowalski’s from time to time because it’s close to my place and 24 hours is convenient.
However, there is one thing that is undeniably awesome about Kowalski’s: sample day. On Saturdays and maybe Sundays until 2 PM you can get delicious samples of cheeses, meats, spreads, breads, fresh-​baked desserts and more! Sometimes they’ve made a neat little recipe in a crock pot and give you a recipe card hoping you’ll love it so much you’ll buy all the ingredients, which I never do because cheapness. There have been times that sample day was so plentiful that I actually made it my lunch. I must warn you, not all sample days are created equal and sometimes they have little more than some cubes of cheese and tortilla chips. But when they turn it out, they really turn it out.
In parting, please, don’t be a hobo and do at least buy something if you chow down on all the samples.

I feel like I need to write an updated review, since my previous one is a crappy poem.
*****
Ever since I’ve moved to Uptown, I continually find this Kowalski’s location to be solid. Sure, the prices for produce, meats, and seafood are slightly more expensive than your average grocery store, but I’m willing to pay the premium for quality goods any day.
Delicious things that I regularly buy:
–Large bin of spring mix.
–Green kale, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
–French dressing.
–Rotisserie chicken (so good!).
–Coffee beans.
–Deli meats.
–Champagne and beer.
I also purchase a fresh flower bouquet for my girlfriend every time I’m really trouble, which seems to occur every three months or so.
The staff is professional and friendly!

I go to shop here quite often because they sell two of my favorite things: Jeni’s ice cream and Taste Nirvana coconut water. Let’s face it, the store is also gorgeous and have cool stuff and they’re not just food. I bought a jelly cat super soft stuffed animal for my niece there too.
Buying the pretty produce over there makes you feel like you were somewhere in France. It was fun and you feel better just because you were able to shop there.
Bakery shelf is pretty cool. Lots of tantalizing sweets! Breads are abundant in the open. It has to get hard quick I think to myself but it sure looked good.
The salad bar. Wedge salad! Never seen wedge salad at a salad bar!!! Awesome!
One thing though. The meat case, I didn’t think it looked appetizing. The chicken and meat, even salmon looked dried up like they have been there too long. Wondering why.
But I make my way up here every so often for my favorite things that can’t be found anywhere else in the Twin Cities. I tried to look everywhere, but Kowalski has been a sure bet.

Oh you fancy, huh?
Nails done, hair done
Everything did
The last time I was there, I realized that Kowalski’s is the Drake of grocery stores. Flashy in its own weird kinda way, over-​hyped, a mix of substantial and trashy, and marketed almost exclusively to the ladies.
On the whole, I don’t like to shop at carpeted grocery stores. But, much like Drake, I hold a special teeny tiny secret place in my heart for this Kowalski’s. It’s an expensive guilty pleasure that I partake in sometimes like listening to Marvin’s Room, anything f. DJ Khalid and my favorite Drake single, Take a Shot for Me.
Please start doin’ you
I’ve been doin’ me
And I’m a staple in my city
you can never ruin me
While a staple in my life you are not, you’ll do, Kowalski’s.

I only go to Kowalski’s when I want to treat myself because it is spendy; like, seriously spendy. I like to ogle the deli cases — and I love the fact that you can buy tater tot hot dish! A lot of their dips and pasta salads are seriously tasty — not at all like the bland monstrosities you find at subpar grocery stores like Rainbow.
I also like the fact that they have a spirit shop attached; very convenient if you need to pick up some adult beverages in addition to your grocery goods.
If you find yourself with some extra cash, go to Kowalski’s and treat ‘yo self!

They are nice. As Borat would say, very nice, I liiiiike. How much?
Its pricey. The deli, sandwiches, sushi, THE cheese department will set you back a few Jackson’s, however a few times, Ive been known to leave a Franklin there. It is that yummy.
Its convenient, yummy, friendly, stocked up with fresh produce, both organic and conventional. Great for grabbing lunch or some snacks salad bar or dinner or that rotisserie chicken for the nights you don’t want to cook. The staff is mostly very friendly and helpful. Plus, the convenience of it, makes it perfect. If you can afford to make it your grocery, go for it, for the rest of us its a splurge for those time when we dont want to cook or want to pick up a few yummy things.
That rainbow cant even come close.

It’s a good thing I keep a tight budget, because I’d totally spend all of my money here if given the opportunity. A great produce section, outstanding cheese selection, reasonable prices (if you’re a smart shopper), and friendly staff make for a pretty swell shopping experience.
Kowalski’s is the nearest grocery store to my apartment (excluding that yellow-​tinged, horrible-​but-​necessary shopping experience known as the Uptown Rainbow), so I tend to come here pretty often. Their produce is very reasonably priced — if it’s in season, chances are that it’s comparable to Rainbow or Cub, but of much better quality. They have a great meat and seafood department and usually have really good sales in this section. Packaged goods typically run much more expensive than your average grocery store or Target ($ 6 for a box of cereal is a crime in my book), but they also carry a lot of specialty and house-​made items not available at other nearby stores. They have basically an entire aisle devoted to any kind of cheese you could really ever need — my only gripe with this section is that there’s always someone slicing and prepping cheese right there at the counter. Why is this a problem, you ask? Because sometimes all I want to do is take TWO free cheese samples, and I don’t want their judging eyes to see me do it, okay?!
The space is fairly tight, and it can get congested in the store at peak times (after 5:00 on weekdays and on weekends). If you’re interested in consuming your food and/​or beverage on site, there’s seating upstairs (and free wi-​fi!) and a few tables outside.
This location also has a Wine Shop attached to it, which is really convenient if you need to grab a quick six-​pack and Malbec on your way home. They carry a small but well-​represented selection of local beers along with some national brands.