Large and well-stocked natural foods supermarket chain, acquired by Amazon.com in 2018. Offers selections in natural groceries and specialty foods, nutritional supplements and vitamins, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well home cleaning and natural body care products. Find vegan foods like tofu and soy products, plant milks, vegan ice cream, vegan cheese, frozen meals, vegan burger patties, cereals, nuts, and much more. Has deli and prepared foods department. Open Mon-Sun 7:00am-10:00pm.


Venue map for Whole Foods Market - University Ave
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17 Reviews

First Review by sharikha

LorraineGadsden

Points +6316

Vegan
26 May 2023

It’s fine (but I love the deli)

Whole Foods has a lot of vegan options especially in the deli and bakery. But, it’s very expensive and it’s owned my Amazon. Support local companies over Whole Foods like Mission Square Market or even XMarket. Many of the products found at Whole Foods can also be found at Ralph’s, Vons, Target, Lazy Acres (also expensive) or Sprouts.

Update: Okay, I still always recommend supporting local, and I am waiting for the vegan store to reopen (nevermind it closed permanently), but I have to admit I really like Whole Foods deli for vegan options. Vegan sandwiches, bowls, salads, cold and hot bar items, baked goods, the possibilities are endless. I really like the vegan jam cookies and fish-less salad. Maybe the deli is my guilty pleasure. If only a local store would have the same variety…

Updated from previous review on 2022-05-12

Pros: lots of vegan options , amazing deli

Cons: owned by amazon , expensive

LarissaK

Points +3145

Vegan
04 Nov 2022

Vegan pastries

They have so many vegan options here, but really pricey too. I bought some nice yogurts here and in their bakery sections they actually have so many vegan options. I bought the chocolate and canilla donut, but they were way too sugary, I felt weird after eating them! Isn't whole foods supposed to be healthier?

Pros: many vegan options, vegan pastries

Cons: donuts too sugary

mallow

Points +360

Vegan
14 Jan 2022

There are better options

Does Whole Foods have a lot of options for vegan/organic/allergen friendly food? Yes. Is it the best spot for it? No. Everything here is extremely overpriced. If you’re looking for obscure and varied vegan products in San Diego you are better off checking out Mission Square Market or Frazier Farms. Even Sprouts has many of the same options for cheaper (and Sprouts can be pricey but not this bad!). Albertsons is also a better option. Even Walmart and Target are starting to carry many of these options for cheaper.

Support local (Mission Square Market) instead or at least spare your wallet some heartache and go somewhere else.

Updated from previous review on 2021-09-18

Pros: Variety of options

Cons: Extremely overpriced , Owned by Amazon, Horrible parking situation

ForAnimalsJapan

Points +5038

Vegan
29 Dec 2018

Great deli and bakery

We fixed ourselves a delicious vegan dinner with a slice of pizza and some goodies from the deli and bakery. In the deli, try the “mac and yeeze”— wow!!!

jabari.akuffo

Points +51

Vegan
30 Jul 2018

Not the best Whole Foods

The Del Mar Whole Foods is the best in San Diego, followed by the La Jolla location. I have stopped into this one and found many staples like miso not in stock. In addition the deli staff is not always on point and I have to check and double check what is vegan sometimes they will not have signs up especially by the pizza (vegan, but it's not that good). Be warned, there are a lot of grazers at the self-serve food area (people sticking their fingers in the food, ewww). Very limited seating, which again is disappointing compared to La Jolla and Del Mar. They used to have a bar/restaurant, but now there are literally just three chairs to sit at; very inconvenient if you are on your lunch break and want to use wifi there is no where to sit. As we all now, they are overpriced, Sprouts and even Vonn's is cheaper on some products. A lot of the vegan stuff they sell is cheaper online fyi. Not my favorite location.

Pros: Amazing selection of vegan options, Convenient location, Cosmetics section

Cons: Expensive, almost luxury, Nowhere to sit at this location, Small and crowded, not as big as the other two

SulinneClark

Points +48

Vegan
04 May 2018

Great deli options

Although, this isn’t my preferred WFM location they do offer a variety of vegan friendly options in the deli for those searching for a quick bite and the abundance of vegan desserts is always a plus for those with a sweet tooth.

Pros: Good vegan cheese selection , Pre-made vegan meals (deli), Vegan desserts

Cons: Small selection of vegan deli options, Double check to make sure deli option is V

fastmarine

Points +146

Vegan
28 Feb 2018

Awesome Bakery

Not a huge fan of the store. It is one of my least favorite WFs throughout the country. However, I do love the bakery. There are an abundance of great tasting vegan brownies, cupcakes and cookies!

Pros: Loads of great vegan options in the bakery.

Cons: limited selection. Don't have the bar area as a lo

Adamsonsj

Points +113

Vegan
24 Feb 2018

best bakery

Love the bakery!!

Siup

Points +3173

Vegan
21 Sep 2016

Amazing vegan choice

This is the best WF I have visited in California. It has an impressive choice of vegan products: vegan meat, cheese, desserts, cookies, bars, meals, ice cream... And eating there is great. We had a vegan pizza (only 12 dollars and it was HUGE) and fresh veggies rolls. Everything is fresh, delicious and organic. I bought bread and tofurkey turkey for my road trip, plus cookies and yogurt as snacks. So good! I wish I had a WF like this one in my neighborhood! Oh, the desert offer is fantastic: lots of mouthwatering cupcakes and CAKES!

dorothyishappy

Points +20

Vegan
08 Aug 2016

The Best Vegan Whole Foods!

I feel blessed to have this be my neighboor hood Whole Foods. Has the most vegan options than any other Whole Foods I have been too. My friends who visit out of town agree and marvel at all the vegan selections that this particular store offers.

Updated from previous review on 2016-08-08

Pros: Vegan Selections, Vegan Deli/Salad Options , Friendly Staff

Cons: Small, Busy at times, Parking is tight, but hey what Whole Foods isn't.

ShantiPeace

Points +496

Vegan
16 Aug 2015

Nice WF

This is a good smallish WF that I've been to a few times. All the usual items, salad bar, prepared foods, grocery items and mostly organic fresh items, helpful and kind folks. Even though WF is pricey, it's good to have one around here and there. A few tables to eat at outside and inside. Parking is sometimes tricky. Tight location.

Abbey.Austin

Points +41

Vegan
30 Mar 2015

I CAN EAT IT!!!

I was really excited when I went into whole foods for the first time after I switched to a vegan diet. I was super duper impressed by their selection of vegan friendly foods; they offer daiya and earth balance foods!!!

Pros: daiya, earth balance, raw nuts

Cons: not a lot of sugar free grain products

Mikki76

Points +23

Vegetarian
04 Dec 2013

Lovin the WFM

As a former employee of this corp, I am very familiar with the policies at WFM... I love the one in Hilcrest! I can walk there from my house and they always have the best selections of everything! For all those who complain about the price... just think about what you are saving in the long run...its called your life!!!

Pros: Great Food, Selections, Quality

johanna~Lotus Cafe

Points +48

Vegetarian
25 Feb 2012

Lots of great selections!

While my husband and i were building our natural foods cafe two blocks away on Fifth, this Whole Foods location was our "go to" spot for lunch... now that our cafe is open, if we run out of organic lettuce or something, it's great that Whole Foods is just around the corner... their staff is always friendly and helpful...

Pros: organics, healthy, close proximity

sglcklch

Points +2815

Vegan
20 Jan 2012

Really can't beat

Excellent selections with tons of local products that you can't find anywhere else. Loved the raw buckwheat granola in the bulk section - the chocolate flavor was divine! Salad bars had lots of offerings, did not try anything but they all looked good.

Pros: selections

jdame

Points +140

Vegan
28 May 2008

Great Market

They have made a lot of changes in the market since I started going out to San Diego on business but I have to say that it is one of the best places to get food in the area. They have a wide assortment of vegan options daily. Staff is very helpful also.

Pros: Vegan Friendly, Affordable, Organic

Cons: Parking

sharikha

Points +13

Vegetarian
23 Feb 2007

Excellent source for cruelty free meats

This has an amazing selection- you pay premium, so usually we just go for the specialty items- hard to find personal products, gourmet vegetarian food and especially cruelty free meats for when my family or friends won't go veg! The standards for the meats are posted on line, and are said to be carefully verified.

Pros: cruelty free meats, selection, gourmet foods

Cons: pricey




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