Russo’s Market — “The Food Lover’s Food Store” (or — “I’ve Died and Gone to Heaven”)
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Russo’s Market – I don’t even know how to begin. I walked in, looked around and then sent The Husband the following text message:
Me: “I’m leaving you… I’m going to live at Russo’s Market.”
Him: “Finally!”
No joke. This place is AMAZING… and I cannot tell you how ashamed I am to admit that I have not been to this wonderland before today. What’s wrong with me you ask??? I just don’t know. What I do know though, is that I will never buy my produce from any where else ever again.” Well, probably not.
So where is this mystical place located? In Watertown, MA — at 560 Pleasant Street to be exact.
After making a few wrong turns, letting several nasty words escape my lips and pulling a couple of illegal U turns, I finally made it to the Russo’s parking lot. With anticipation practically exploding out of my chest… I parked and walked inside. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Russo’s — they are a family owned and operated market that has been in business for over 75 years. They supply many local restaurants with fresh produce and ingredients and are known for the diversity of the exceptional products they carry.
Please join me on a photo tour of what I experienced… you are sure to be impressed!
Fresh flowers galore… at a very fair price.
Shelf, upon shelf,of crisp and aromatic apples…
Baby brussel sprouts and every onion and potato known to man…
Fresh almonds and chestnuts — and this is just in the “exterior” portion of the store…
Then I stepped inside to the view straight ahead. The aroma in the air was intoxicating… You know how when you go to an Asian grocery store it often smells like a combination of ripe garbage and rotten fish? Well Russo’s is the opposite… you are bowled over by the sweetness in the air. There are so many aromatic fruits that the entire building smells sweet. I kid you not.
This is the view to the left…
I ventured to the left first and was inundated with many of the Asian specialty produce I could only find at Super 88 previously… cabbages, bok choys, herbs, root vegetables, melons and fresh water chestnuts (just to name a few) — as shown here:
Bin after bin of every kind of hot pepper you could ever need:
Eggplants? SURE! Round large ones, long skinny ones, black ones…
Love the color purple, but not in the mood for eggplant? Well… here is some sugar cane to die for…
Feeling a little adventurous? How about some Indian Bitter Melon (a product of Honduras) at $1.98/pound:
I was absolutely overwhelmed, excited and freaking out over the amount of fresh produce, cheese, breads, charcuterie and specialty products in front of me. I spent $36.22 and got the following… however, you will have to tune back in for more posts re: what I did with these ingredients and to see what they look like.
- 1 Banana Flower ($0.81)
- 2 Blood Oranges ($1.61)
- 1 Cantaloupe ($1.98)
- 2 Meyer Lemons ($2.00)
- Fresh Mozzarella ($3.79)
- Fresh Ricotta Cheese ($2.79)
- Taramosalata ($3.49)
- 1 Buddha’s Hand ($4.78)
- Sun-dried Yellow Tomatoes ($2.66)
- “Indian Summer” Wasabi mix ($2.12)
- Dried Kiwi Slices ($2.35)
- Red Gooseberries ($2.49)
- Fresh Sage ($1.59)
- Half-sour Pickles ($2.30)
- 1 Pineapple Quince ($1.46)
Check back soon! More to come!!!
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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19 Comments to “Russo’s Market — “The Food Lover’s Food Store” (or — “I’ve Died and Gone to Heaven”)”
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I love that place so much. I’ve never spent more than $50 (and I only go that high when I’m buying lots of cheese) and everything tastes so much better than if it were from the supermarket. Now if only I had a car…
Why did you have to tell people about this hidden gem? It is crowded enough already, and we do not need inexperienced shoppers getting in the way gawking at this glorious spectacle of shopping marvel! Oh, and a word to the wise; do not accidently run into little old ladies with your cart!
Yeah lovely now, in the middle of the day, in the middle of the week.
But Russo’s on the weekend will break a person. It will turn you into a quivering, weeping pot of jelly. And you will swear to never go back ever, not even for the tenderest leaf of lettuce.
But then, like childbirth, you forget the pain and start to think “oh yeah, I can totally tough it out”.
You’ll see.
Pam… I KNOW… the prices are amazing.
Anonymous… I’m sorry! It was just too good to resist. And I actually understand what you mean about the blue hair’s… I almost got beaten up twice.
LVS — yikes! Hopefully I DON’T get a job then so I can continue to go during the week! It wasn’t bad at all today… but I totally take your word for it re: the weekends.
Dried kiwi! I may actually make the hike for those prices even in my SUV. How many minutes or miles did it take you to get there from West Rox?
Going to Russo’s is an out-of-body experience for the serious foodie. Do not go there when you are hungry! I bought their T-shirt because the place is so awesome. Where else can you buy pea tendrils? The deli and bakery are also amazing and they carry the best gelato in the frozen food section. I live in Newburyport now and miss it so much.
Mickey — it’s about 9 miles from W. Rox. WELL worth the trip. It took me 20 or 25 minutes, but only b/c of the lights and such through Newton.
Felice — bummer that you don’t get to go there anymore! Do you have a Trader Joe’s near you? TJ’s often has Organic Pea Shoots (not tendrils, but at least they have the nice pea flavor) as part of their regular stock. I buy them all the time and add them to salad.
Russo’s is the greatest but you have to go early on a Saturday or during the week. The produce is out of this world, the breads are incredible. Don’t forget the homemade fresh pasta. Try the butternut squash ravioli’s they are to die for.
Russo’s also has wonderful plants in the spring and summer and the cut flowers are always nice. Did I mention the homemade deserts? Beautiful tarts and delicious cannoli. I could go on and on, but you really just have to go and experience it for yourself!
I agree Russo’s is amazingly awesome! Just don’t EVER try to get a job there. Before I entered the wonderful world of “Corporate America” I went for an interview. The owner was such a scatter brain. He kept me waiting for over an hour and kept getting side-tracked with other things. I got so frustrated, I walked out! I ended up driving for a Livery service until my dream job came along! LOL! But seriously, if you are a foodie like me, it IS a great place to shop!
This is the most amazing place ever. I can’t seem to spend over $40 even if i try!! You will never find more variety or freshness of produce anywhere. It puts the Whole Foods produce section to shame !!!
Don’t go on a Sunday. Everybody and their mothers are there!
This is the second best grocery store in the world that I have found, behind the Berkeley Bowl in CA. If they were to invest some money in their almost non existent meat and fish department, and figure out how to get a wine and beer license, they could make an argument to be the best grocery store. Still, for a tea totaler vegetarian, they would be a good place.
NOOOO!!! Stop talking about it. The lines already reach to the back of the store. You can’t go in there on a weekend anymore without a serious buzz on or else people might die. Yes, the deals are great, yes the produce is amazingly fresh and the cheese shop large and varied (and YES the fresh pasta is incredible) but for the love of God, enough people know about it already!!! Until they expand the store, I’m afraid no new customers are allowed
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Also..tips for going if you DO have a break in sanity and decide to go on Saturday or Sunday during the day.
1) Don’t take a cart. You can’t maneuver it, there are too many people. Someone will get hurt. Unless you are elderly, don’t take a cart. If you have anticipate having too much stuff, move on to suggestion number 2…
2) Bring a helper. Each of you take a hand basket. Send that helper to the deli/cheese/prepared food section to wait in line and place an order while you take care of the produce. Whomever is done first takes a spot in line and the second one joins them when they are finished. This works especially well if your fiance is 6’5”. I’m just saying…
It’s fantastic. I just discovered it this past summer. The sandwiches are incredible too. I also was able to get Spanish jamon, fresh cut. Yummmm….
I know isn’t it amazing?? I was recently introduced to Russo’s and feel as if it is a little piece of heaven. The awful part is I use to live in Watertown just up the street! Great post!!
Russo’s is reason #1 I miss Watertown since my move to the ‘burbs.
Tammy, what a fantastic blog. I should be working, but keep reading instead. I’ll definitely go to Russo’s at my first opportunity!
Thanks Lindsay! You MUST go to Russo’s… and I’m glad you like my blog!
Every vegetable or fruit that God ever made is in this store!! I adore it!!! Only discovered it in the past couple of months. And the produce lasts and lasts and lasts.