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19 reviews for Donald's Market
Review Highlights
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"They have gluten free items and baking supplies." In 4 reviews -
"Fresh produce great prices for them too." In 7 reviews -
"My favourite grocery store along the Drive." In 6 reviews
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19 reviews in English
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Review from Jhuri L.
Vancouver, BC
1/28/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've been noticing a lot of people walking around with a forest green grocery bag for a while now and finally managed to get a glimpse of what that logo was on that bag. Having finally identified the name of this market, I did what everyone did - check it out on Yelp!
I don't live near any of the three Donald's Market, however, I now realize why these green grocery bags are making their way around the city!
First off, the variety of items they have in their store is amazing! They have brands you cannot get any where else in that area! Their prices are amazing compared to Safeway (just a few blocks up)!
Although the isles are a little cramped at times, the people there are friendly and other consumers don't seem to mind - how could they since they're saving so much more money compared to the other big chain stores?
It appears that most of the items in the store consists of fresh organic, gluten-free and lots and lots of products locally grown or made - which is a huge plus as I am a huge supporter of local businesses who supports other local businesses!!!
It is also very good to learn that Donald's Market is huge on giving back to the community!
Chatting with the lady at my check-out lane, they say the other stores are not 100% identical and caters to the taste of their community - which is very intriguing to me and makes me want to visit the Hastings & New West location! -
Review from Kendra N.
Vancouver, BC
2/28/2012 16 Check-ins Here
Donald's and I met about 6 years ago when I moved into the area, and refused to have a long-term relationship with that seedy Safeway.
I immediately fell in love. I think it was a combination of the personality, the low prices, the efficiency and the fact that he had so much to offer that won me over. And I've been seeing him regularly (sometimes several times a week) since then.
Donald's Commercial Drive is deceiving. From the outside, it looks like one of those little neighbourhood grocers that are still sprinkled throughout the west side of Vancouver. But you get to know him and, WHAM!, you are blown away by everything he has stored inside. From a good selection of quality produce (some organic), to green household cleaning supplies and an incredible range of specialty items, Donald's usually has it - at a lower price.
Local, Green, Organic, Vegan, Gluten-free, Dairy-free is all available here. At first I cheated a bit by still seeing my old friends Capers/Whole Foods and Choices for specific items, but now Donald's is always my go-to.
Another thing I love: he's quick. There's no messing around, getting lost while trying to find things. Even when lots of other people are visiting, the cashiers are efficient and lines move quickly.
It's true he does bug me at times. All that stock in small quarters means you relinquish your personal space, can't use a buggy to shop with (he only has baskets) and have to maneuver around staff stocking shelves - often at peak times. [Tip to new moms: don't even think about bringing your BOB stroller for a visit in right before dinner. It's an exercise in frustration that your hormones won't handle very well.]
But everyone has their quirks, and his benefits outweigh them.Listed in: Spots on the Drive
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Review from Isabelle G.
Vancouver, BC
5/8/2012
I really wanted to like Donald's. I liked it, however, I had extremely high expectations 'cause it was so talked up. They have gluten free bread, however, as for the other gluten free products, they didn't have what I was looking for. This is not to say that they're not awesome as a stand alone grocery store, just slightly disappointed that I couldn't find specifically what I was looking for. They do, however, have an awesome selection of reasonably priced produce. They have an almost entire aisle of gluten free foods and baking items, however, as mentioned, what I was specifically looking for, they didn't have. I will give them props for having the best selection of gluten free items over all on the Drive that I have seen thus far. Since I couldn't find what I was looking for, I treated the rest of my time there like a museum and looked at the other selections. Was a little uncomfortable with the security guard specifically following me on a busy day, however, that didn't ruin my fun.
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Review from Rheanna F.
Vancouver, BC
7/12/2011 ROTD 1/11/2012
I had heard of how cheap the grocery stores on Commercial were before moving to the area, but i always assumed they would be stores along the lines of Buy Low Foods, where half the veggies are rotten and everything contains ingredients with names like dextomorphetrinolinfructolaxativeclose. Turns out i was mistaken, because Donald's carries all the same high quality, healthier foods that my old grocery store Choices does.... but CHEAPER! Way cheaper. Like, wtf-Choices-why-did-you-rip me-off cheaper.
The produce has always been Safeway quality with Dollar Grocer prices, and their packaged foods are way below Safeway's prices. Take for example my favorite flax seed bread by the brand Mack's. It is about $5.50 at Safeway is only $3.50 at Donald's. THAT IS A BIG ASS DIFFERENCE. If i bought candy with every single 2 bucks i saved not buying bread at Safeway, i would be as big assed as the savings. (See that clever word play there?)
It is a pretty cramped store, but i'd way rather shop here than a big supermarket, especially since i've never left here and had to go to another grocery store to pick up items i couldn't find at Donald's. They don't have a deli counter, but who needs one on Commercial anyway?! -
Review from Sarah D.
6/25/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Donald's Market is probably the best one-stop shop for groceries on Commercial Drive. Being right near the skytrain station, it's uber convenient to stop by and pick up a few things on the way home from work. The freshness of their produce is probably one of the best on the Drive, and you can buy free-run chicken for the same price as you would for caged/farmed chicken at a major grocery store.
As with many Commercial Drive shops, Donald's has a large section of vegetarian/vegan specialty items available at a reasonable price. They also have a nice selection of enviro-friendly cleaning products, and a pretty decent bulk section. Unlike so many other places on the Drive, you can actually do a complete grocery shop here without getting majorly ripped off. Not too shabby, Donald's!Listed in: Commercial Drive Hot Spots
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Review from Shae B.
9/1/2011
I come here so often! They have organic and local produce (as well as regular) - and often very good prices. I've been buying lots of cherries here since they're cheaper.
They have gluten free items and baking supplies. Also they sometimes have really good deals on things that may be expensive elsewhere. For awhile they had sweet potato chips 2 bags for 2$. And they were the kind of chips you pay 5$ a bag at other places.
I usually buy my olive oil here since it's also cheaper. And it's just a fun store to look around since they have so much stuff. The service is always good but sometimes it's quite busy and there is a bit of a wait at the till. It all depends on your level of patience - I don't mind it but if you're in a rush it could be annoying. The line usually moves fast.
My only wish is that they had cheaper avocados. I buy them somewhere else for cheaper but it would be nice to have them be the same price so I didn't have to go to another store. Ah well - can't have everything right? -
Review from Sonya R.
Burnaby, BC
11/14/2009 1 photo
This is the place for fresh vegetables and fruits, super cheap and in season! Everything is plentiful and colourful here, but beware - I am not sure they should be trusted on things like dairy and breads. I bought a loaf of bread from there that tasted stale... and in a wierd way, I have heard flour can be stale, so that must've been it. Another time I bought milk only to find out once I left that it would expire in 2 days... this would never happen at the bigger chains. But vegetables are great and super cheap, and all the condiments (jams, mustards, honeys) are in good selection.
They are open 9-8 every day, and open at 930 on Sundays. -
Review from Geoff A.
Vancouver, BC
10/28/2010
Best selection on the Drive. Affordable prices. What's not to love?
Well, Sunday afternoon shopping with oblivious parents bringing their oversize strollers into already crowded tiny aisles, but besides that Donalds is the shiznit. -
Review from Jasmine O.
Vancouver, BC
9/1/2010
Awesomeness... I can't believe I live a minute away from this store! As a bonus I also work pretty close to their Hastings location... lucky me. I find their produce fresh and reliable, their selection much more healthy and organic and most of their prices (or sale prices) pretty decent.
The only downside is the space. So crowded and condensed. I get claustrophobic sometimes while shopping but I am always impressed by the product... Lucky, lucky me..Listed in: Alive on the Drive
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Review from Kate H.
Vancouver, BC
3/10/2011
the only thing not to love about donald's is the lack of room.
i go in really happy with the free-range meat and fresh veggies, but after a few minutes, i'm so annoyed by constantly being elbowed or having to turn to let someone pass. I'm not talking the polite "step aside" here; i'm talking about having to get intimate with the tomatoes to let someone by.
unfortunately, the time I am there is the after-work crowd, when everyone just wants to get the hell home after a long day. if you can go on an afternoon or morning, then it would be less crowded and probably happier all around.
They do need somewhere for parents to park strollers or something. The isles are already not big enough. I'm not mad at the parents; its not like kids are dogs you can tie to a parking meter (i don't have any, but I assume as much).
Acutally, what they need to do is buy out the sketchy cash-only 24 hour convience store that nobody is ever in. what is keeping that store afloat anyway? ... and then Donalds can expand, renovate, and both myself and the sextuplet mommies can get around to pick up our gluten-free this, free-range that, organic who-ha's, and etc etc. -
Review from Daniella F.
Vancouver, BC
3/26/2010
I was so surprised when I went into Donald's Market! There is just so much to please a sustainability-minded student like me. Annie's soups! Method cleaning products! Bakings stuff, loads of olive oils, teas, baked goods (don't miss the baked goods!). Basically, DM is a one-stop shop for getting everything except toilet paper. Come prepared with your own bag & some patience, though, because the shop is full All The Time.
The veggies seemed a bit expensive & I usually go to Dollar Grocer's across the street for them. -
Review from Emily-Anne P.
Vancouver, BC
6/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
I like Donald's Market. The prices are good, the produce is always fresh, the cashiers and staff are super friendly, they have a great selection of gluten free breads in the freezer and all sorts of dressings etc.
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Review from Jack S.
Vancouver, BC
10/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
Really amazing neighborhood grocer. Fantastic selection of foods with many health / organic / vegetarian / vegan / alternative food options. Massive fresh veggie selection and great meats as well.
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Review from Emma L.
1/11/2011
We come here frequently when we're making dinner at my boyfriend's house nearby. We stopped by last night to pick up some meat for a stir fry and I got to wander around for a bit while he waited in line to pay. I turned around and saw gluten-free cookies (wafer-style), then looked back and saw MORE gluten-free cookies (fake Oreos this time!). Then I turned around and saw my favourite brand of gluten-free pie crust mix and a whole bunch of other gluten-free cake/pancake/muffin mixes. Amazing! The price for the pie crust mix was the same as it was at Whole Foods when I got it there on sale. I'm going to bake so many gluten-free things at the boyfriend's house!
Listed in: Great eats, gluten-free
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Review from mike u.
Vancouver, BC
12/27/2010
Amazing little grocery store. Has a selection of almost everything you would need from a larger chain store, but without all the aisles of useless junk. Tons of organic stuff, excellent non-medicated meats, good coffee selection (including Illy). Staff is helpful, but no nonsense, no drama - the way I like it. Get in line, pay, and leave.
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Review from Jenn L.
Vancouver, BC
11/12/2010
Good Prices, nice produce! Donald's delivers the organic goods you need to stock your fridge.
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Review from Michael C.
Vancouver, BC
10/18/2010 22 Check-ins Here
Fresh produce great prices for them too. Other stuff can be pricey though. Danish raspberry jam was a good deal and really tasty. I am a regular here as their produce is better than Superstore and cheaper for the most part. I usually park on the side street just around the corner.
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Review from silver s.
Vancouver, BC
8/14/2010
My favourite grocery store along the Drive. Its small size has its pros (very quick to get a week's worth of groceries, easy to go back to the veggie section when I forget the garlic) and cons (usually pretty jam-packed with people in their narrow aisles) but the polite smiles and excuse-mes when you bump into people is part of its charm. Great selection of excellent products and brands for a small store, and amazingly affordable prices, and lots of local produce in season -- I don't know how they do it. Their prices are usually on par with or cheaper than Buy Low for most things.
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Review from Katy A.
Vancouver, BC
4/8/2011
Love this place! I live right around the corner, so I frequent Donald's, as well as the Dollar Grocers across the street. The prices are pretty comparable with some things being cheaper at one place and other things cheaper at the other place! Monthly sales are great for stocking up on whatever! Yeah, it's a bit cramped, especially in the early weekday evenings when it's crowded, but I'm lucky I can wait to walk over a bit later before they close. Excellent prices on fresh vegetable matter and meats.
