Market of Choice

This is a late review but a special thanks to the employee who helped me pick out the right flowers to convey my feelings of regret and wrongdoing to my significant other.

Not nearly as nice as the one up north on Lost Springs. Went there for breakfast — and they were out of just about everything! So lesson learned — go there early! (was there around 8:30am). The eggs were very «powdery» — reminded me of the old shool café eggs — you weren’t sure if it was real or not. Sausages looked like the pre-​packaged kind you buy in the frozen section heated. Counter person was nice enough — but the selection was a little disappointing. Will still shop here — but I miss the New Seasons that used to be right next to our old house.

It’s not bad. It’s like a new seasons for the haughty upper middle and high classes. The store itself is good, nice higher end specialty store with interesting things and high quality groceries. The employees could take some advice from new seasons. New seasons, while expensive, really is one of the friendliest grocery stores in town. At market of choice, the employees don’t really smile. At the food counter, where you can order sandwiches, burritos, stir fry and other hot and cold folds, I am always confused and uncertain about where to put the slips you fill out. There isn’t a basket or some other receptacle for them. There are always a lot of employees back there, but no one really mans the counter. No one says, «hey, I’ll take that!» Sometimes you stand there waiting while the unsmiling employees go about there business, saying nothing. Plus, there is one narrow slot from which ever everyone stands in line to order food and from which everyone take their food. You can imagine how well that works when it’s busy.
I got a wet burrito from the hot food bar. It’s not bad. It doesn’t have a lot of flavor. The individual elements of the burrito seriously lack seasoning. While I appreciate a vegan option, this burrito suffers from the same lack of flavor that many restaurants vegan options suffer from, because they rely on the meat and cheese as the primary flavor. Remove them, and it’s pretty bland. Taco del Mar makes a better burrito, with less stuff inside.
Second annoyanve with the burrito. They use a paper plate to make the burrito, then if you get the wet burrito option, they transfer it to another container. 2 containers that get thrown away, with plastic silverware to top it off. The container you are supposed to eat out of was apparently designed by someone who doesn’t eat. I had to whip out my knife and cut the sides off just to eat my burrito.
Real plates and metal silverware would really step things up a bit.
Overall, it’s okay. No one goes out of their way to make you feel welcome, but they aren’t rude or mean either. And if you aren’t from West linn, you definitely feel out of place.
If anyone from market of choice is reading this, take your employees on a field trip to new seasons and take lots of notes.

We love the fresh wok bowls that you can make here, but as of late, the service hasn’t been that great. Often, many of the containers are empty. Some of the deli workers have been fabulous at being helpful and I wish I had gotten their names to send a shout out to them now. But others have stood around talking to each other and ignoring customers. Also, in the many times we have made orders there, not once have the pencils for filling out the order forms been sharpened and it’s hard to find one that will even write.
But the freshness of the wok bowl, along with great sauces at a great price keeps us coming back. We just know not to go when we are in a hurry.
Also, the cakes in the bakery are very good.
We don’t shop for much else there as their prices are quite a bit higher for the same brands as other nearby stores carry.

We love this store. They offer specialty items not found in basic chain stores (pastured chicken, pastured eggs, preservative-​free beef sticks, Bubbies Pickles, Gluten-​free granola, huge selection of organic chocolate…). They have a wonderful selection of unique cheeses with experts available to make recommendations and suggested wine pairings. I like that they are a small company with locally sourced foods. I support local and unique. Yes, the prices are more than Winco, but this is a feel-​good store. I know I’m making better choices here and I like the atmosphere. On occasion, my husband and I eat lunch in the deli or on the patio if it’s nice. Great options.

Was craving a deli sandwich today and was told that there was a deli/​sandwich bar at the store. I went in, saw the sandwich order form, I began to get excited… Then to be instantly let down by the grumpy staff as I was quickly informed that I placed my order form on the wrong part of the counter. I can easily get passed someone having a bad day, we all have them. But you can’t get passed a deli that serves sandwiches on rock hard bread. My craving was quickly put to rest as I had to toss the bread and just eat what was left. The only reason for the two stars was the front checker was happy and very pleasant.

I have gone to Market of Choice many times. Every time the prices are way higher than at other comparable stores such as Palisades on McVey or New Seasons on Boones Ferry. That is disappointing. I will continue to shop at Palisades and New Seasons, and will only come into Market of Choice when I am in a rush.
Today I was very disappointed: I wanted some breakfast so I chose a vegetarian breakfast burrito. The sign was up but the clerk explained that did not have any left. That seemed peculiar since it was only 8 30 in the morning and there were a few hours of burrito eating time left so they could have made more, it seems!
So, I tried a sausage burrito. I rarely eat sausages, but I thought it would be a fun splurge! The burrito lacked flavor! I am used to not using salt on my food so it was not the lack of salt, though it was peculiarly lacking in salt. It all just tasted mild and nearly flavorless. I expected nice toasty nutty potato, but there was no potato flavor. There was flavorless cheese! The egg did not taste sweet the way eggs sometimes do.. The sausage also had almost no flavor. It has no spice and none of the fried in oil tasts. I was expecting to enjoy especially enjoy that sausage since I so rarely eat it. It did not taste meaty and it had melted so there was no meaty texture. The whole burrito was flavorless and boring. The tortilla was slightly soft, probably due to being made some time earlier, but it was about 8 30 AM when I got to the store so one would expect freshness! I also did not understand this: I asked for hot sauce. I said, «Please give me a couple». The server did just that. I got 2. I have asked for «a couple» sauces in other places and been given a few. Anyway, when I discovered I had gotten only 2, I was already out in my car and did not go back in, but 2 packages of salsa was not enough. It is a minor thing, but the burrito was over priced and to not be generous with salsa was just peculiar.
The people who work there are always friendly and helpful. I observed the clerk who sells the coffee has many loyal customers she knows by name and chats with and helps in a particularly warm way. I liked that.

I can’t believe the unhygenic conditions in this store.
Recently, I went to the meat counter and purchased a pound of chicken. The man behind the counter was wearing rubber gloves, which was good. He picked up the meat with the rubber gloves and put it on some paper. Then, with his wet and icky gloves still on, he wrapped the meat in its outer packaging, printed up the label and handed me the package – all with the damp rubber gloves still on! I took it gingerly and quickly put it inside a plastic bag.
This has happened before. I’m not sure if MOC is too cheap have its employees discard their rubber gloves, or if no one has instructed their employees on the proper way to handle meat.
Clearly, he should have handled the meat, removed the gloves, printed the label and packaged it up. The way he did it, there was raw meat and possibly salmonella all over the outside of the packaging.
If you look behind the counter in the prepared food area or the bakery area, you can see how unclean it is for yourself.
I also find them to be a bit stingy. One time, I need a few empty pizza boxes. I can usually get a couple for free or for 50 cents from any pizza parlor. However, I happened to be in Market of Choice, so I asked them. The manager charged me $ 4 for two empty cardboard boxes. I found that a bit surprising. They like to market themselves as upscale, but a really upscale market would never have done that.

Market of Choice is expensive. Now that we have that out of the way, here is what I love, prices aside.
They have a good selection of produce, and a good selection of dry grocery. I must admit, I don’t care. My heart will always belong to the specialty cheese department, meat department, and the deli. Mary is the head of the cheese department. You will see her dressed the part, packed with information and a generous smile. I adore her. She reminds me of my old days working at Natures in Lake Oswego. She has passion for cheese, and it shows. I just want to hug her every time I see her. She also gives me a discount on bulk ricotta, and she will to you too if you ask.
The guys who work behind the deli counter are sweet. One of them always remembers me from when I worked at The Green Grocer in OC. I am flattered. The new manager has really beefed up their selection, and that means more Diestel products, yay! I wish they carried Applegate Farms, maybe in the future? (hint, hint)
The meat department is just as friendly, and packed with Painted Hills products (one of the better meat distributors). I am pleased that they stay local when they can. I like to see sustainably raised animals, and humane treatment is a must in my book. They have a great variety of house made pork and chicken sausages, all tasting great and often on sale.
The bakery is packed with treats for any and all cravings. Their croissants are delicious, they sell out quickly. I always have friendly service while shopping, though not always at check out. I prefer New Seasons, but MoC more than works when I cannot make the drive to Happy Valley.
It is a very fun place to shop, price aside. They have a very good selection of bulk spices too.

They are so friendly. If they don’t have what you want, they get it for you. It is a great store and the managers and staff are magnificent and very helpful
Diane K
West Linn

In General the store is great. They have a great selection, the prices are a bit high but that is to be expected at this kind of market. The produce is always great. I shop here for my groceries and will continue to do so.
I have noticed, however, on several occasions i’ve been in to grab some food for a late dinner (7:30−8:00) and they’ve pulled the rotisserie chickens and the soups. They close at 11 PM. Its a little irritating when you go in to get something hot and your only choices are the items in the cold case. If it was 10 pm, even 9:30 that I went in id be a little more understanding, but really guys? And you cant tell me you ran out of all of those chickens and all of that soup before 7:30.
This summer we ordered a cake for my brothers birthday, a beautiful cake with camo frosting design. The thing cost $ 60. It looked well worth it. We got it home and after dinner we cut into it. The knife hit something hard. there was a pair of sewing scissors in the cake. We had no idea what they had been used for, at first they looked like nose hair trimmers! We were so grossed out. For that price you’d think the bakery would be a little more organized. Or clean… They did give us a gift card for the amount of the cake, but I still don’t think ill be ordering one from here again.
So to summarize, yes they’ve had their problems, but im not holding it against them. For the selection here Ill continue to come back. This place is A-​ok.

What a cool market!
They have a café which is why I wandered in here in the first place, I wanted hot chocolate after Maddox Woods. It has an upstairs terrace (indoors)to hang out and drink your selection.
Also the first place I’ve seen Stumptown cold brew in the cardboard milk boxes.
They have a $ 150 hot sauce. A pretty snazzy looking bakery, a great beer selection. Market of Choice is decidedly upscale.
I dig it.

Pros: i love some of their products. Some things, like their pastry section are overpriced and their hot counter isn’t always looking the freshest, but it’s almost always yummy. I come here for the items I can’t find elsewhere. They are close to my house and have a decent homeopathic supplement section. 4 stars for the products.
Cons: Some of the employees have major attitude. I’ve been snubbed at the counters quite a few times already and tonight the guy checking me out chatted up the people in front and behind me and said not a word to me, except to ask if I wanted my apples bagged. Is it the slobby clothes or the fact that I’m a minority? I don’t know. I’m always cordial and I get treated great at every other place I shop, but some (not all) the employees here make me never want to come back. –3 stars for the horrible employees

Every time I go here I dread it… the customer service is never what it is like at Whole Foods or New Seasons. I went their for soup today and they all were soups that just didn’t look good. Didn’t see any organic ones either or any mention of «natural» or anything like that. Overall just still find the quality of their stuff not as good. So, I continue to go there only if I have to out of convenience. Bummer.

West linns best attempt at a new seasons or whole foods equivalent with an Albertsons mindset, with employees in uniform and a lopsided «natural» food store vibe. High prices, wasteful practices.
One scoop of pinto beans is $ 1.55? Two scoops of rice $ 2? Same purchases at new seasons would cost under a dollar from their hot food bar and would taste better too. Please consider utensils not individually wrapped in plastic if you’re trying to be environmentally friendly. Bulk soap isn’t going to cut it.

I’m obsessed with these kinds of stores!
I love the fresh food, the variety of produce and the tons of healthy options available for those trying to get a quick lunch. My only (tiny) issue is that the salad bar has been kind of sad looking recently. The same 4 or 5 condiments are always there, making a really boring and bland option for salad fans. I’d love for more variety or even swapping a few of the condiments every now and then.

I came up to Portland last Friday to attend my Son’s Parent-​Teacher Conference and then spend the weekend with him. We had a great time exploring around, but I also know that the Kid often just wants to kick back at a home base with his cards, his smart device, and/​or the TV. I love hanging out with him, as he does look up and tells me some really interesting things. It’s also a good idea to have refreshments handy, as it adds nicely to our time together while we’re at the Hotel.
As I was driving up Highway 43 towards Lake Oswego, I noticed Market of Choice and decided to stop in. I had plenty of time, so at the least I figured this would be good filler time if I didn’t otherwise fine something for later. This experience turned out to be a bit more as I perused a fairly impressive wine section, admired the various «meal to go» options, and otherwise wandered through entire market. It’s a very nice store, with nice people, and with that casual «yuppie earth mother» quality vibe that I’ve learned to enjoy in these parts. I left with a nice bottle of Portuguese Rose, some cheese, bread, and other weekend munchies. I was happy with my selection and pleasantly surprised at the fairly reasonable prices. I’ll make sure to stock up again the next time I pass this way again (which I hope will be soon).

GIANT HUGE BEER SELECTION!!! My Lady of Choice and I came here after Sushi one night for some more Japanese beer. After wandering around the store for a bit and almost getting lost a few times, we found the beer corner and our jaws dropped. They have three-​15+ foot long reach-​ins STUFFED with single bottles, 6-​packs, and larger cases, respectively. No 30 packs of MGD here, just the finest the world has to offer. If you’re a local beer snob, or just a person who likes a sip of Abbey every now and again, this is the place to go.
Massive star reduction for the employees’ dirty looks every time we buy only beer here. Sorry, we live across the river dude, and I don’t need any organic bananas right now, treat me with a little respect, please. Happens every time. Maybe after the arch bridge opens back up we’ll come out here more often, but the people that work here make me not want to make the effort to stoke the coals over the freeway bridge.

Laugh at me or not but this is one of my most favorite hang out places!!! lol
They have the best staff, great customer service, location, goods & BAKERY. I have been to Oregon for almost 2 years now & I don’t think, I want to be far away from MY MARKET OF CHOICE IN WEST LINN!!! :)
Oh, and don’t forget to try the Mango Gelato… Yummmmm! :)

«Look to the cookie.» You know it is amazing how often I think of Seinfeld episodes in my every day life.
People have given raves to other Market of Choice locations for their focus on local, organic, high quality food and service. I would agree, but I personally prefer to shop at Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. This location has easy parking, wide aisles, and all the special MOC bells and whistles (stone pizza oven, Mongolian grill and hot-​meat carving station). The have a great selection of local and specialty beers and their berry scones are so good they make me want to cry.
What is particularly good about this new store, located in the heart of West Linn, is that they have a community meeting room that they rent out for free to local organizations. We’ve used it several times for different club activities and it is a great place to meet. After the meeting we always let the kids pick up a treat from the bakery and last time it was the black-​and-​white cookie.
I have to dock them at least one star for not stocking naan. In fact, the guy in the bakery didn’t even know what it was?!? I have gotten some wonderful items from their prepared foods section and bakery, and love their soups, but for the cost it is a special occasion store, rather than a place I’d do my regular shopping.