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What looks like an unassuming neighborhood market in the Rite Aid shopping center at Estudillo and MacArthur, is actually one of San Leandro’s hidden gems. Family owned through two generations and run now by Julie Chang Pearson and her father, much thought has been put into the shopping and dining experience at Estudillo Produce & Deli.

Meet Alex Torres. Alex makes the Chicken Salad. He is part of a great group of employees who make Estudillo Produce & Deli welcoming and fun.

Like a boutique Whole Foods, Estudillo Produce offers a wonderful and well priced selection of organic fruit and vegetables, locally baked breads, organic crackers and bulk nuts, dried fruits, lentils, cous cous and granola.

Shopping is comfortable in this small market with fully stocked shelves of unique items. For example, there are maybe 15 shelves of crackers to choose from, giving you many choices  between highly recommended crackers such as lesley stowe rainbow crisps and Rustic Bakery handmade sourdough flatbreads.

Craft beer, including San Leandro’s Drakes and 21st Amendment beer, are cold and ready to go. On Wednesdays, Estudillo Produce receives their limited supply of Russian River Brewing Co.’s ‘Pliny the Elder’ IPA. Customers are allowed to purchase two. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, As Kneaded Bakery, a community supported bakery, delivers a limited amount of fresh bread, including sourdough, one of their specialties, adding to the shelves of Semifreddies’ and Metropolis Baking Co. breads from Alameda and Berkeley.

Iliana Berkowitz, Chief Baker and Owner of As Kneaded Bakery sharing samples of her wares at Estudillo Produce

To go with the bread, you can try a hand at making your own cheese as Estudillo Produce offers FARMcurious fermenting kits (you can order recipes here) and Strauss whole milk. Or you can choose from a variety of locally made and imported cheeses in their deli.

But, you might ask, what’s for lunch? Order early if you want the chicken salad. Your choice of rolls – Sweet French, Sour, Seeded Sour, Dutch Crunch, Wheat, Pantofolino and sliced bread – Whole Wheat, Sour, Multigrain and Light Rye. They have several different types of Ham, Prosciutto,  six types of Turkey, including Diestel, a variety of Salami, Tuna Salad, Meatloaf, various Vegetarian choices and even Peanut Butter & Jelly. Complement your sandwich with hot soup or a salad. Sandwiches range between $4.50 (PB&J) and $7 (Proscuitto) and you can add extras like avocado, cheese, bacon or another meat for only $1 each.

While waiting for your sandwich, you can walk around and gather many of their culinary delights for your dinner including Marin Sun Farms Meats or Eggs, Mary’s Organic & Air Chilled Chicken or a variety of organic sausages, such as Aidells. There are chips, organic beans, lots of different pastas, soups and sauces.

You can also appreciate great wine at great prices. Estudillo Produce has their own curated wine offerings that includes Kermit Lynch’s wine selections from France and Italy. Every week there are two wine specials near the cash register.

Don’t miss out on this hidden gem.

Favorite cashier, Kathy Keller

Estudillo Market & Deli- 1305 MacArthur in San Leandro

(510) 352-1010 or Fax your order:(510) 352-6769

Mon – Fri:    9am – 6:30pm
Sat:    9am – 6pm