Welcome to The Willows Market
At The Willows Market, we take pride in being more than just a neighborhood grocery store; we are a community hub in Menlo Park, CA. Here, you can savor mouthwatering BBQ and expertly crafted sandwiches, like the revered "Aftermath," known for its spicy kick. Our shelves boast a curated selection of local wines, craft beers, and artisanal products, ensuring every visit is a delightful experience. The warm hospitality of our knowledgeable staff makes this quaint market a welcoming retreat for food lovers and casual shoppers alike. Come gather around our table, where every meal tells a story and every visit feels like home.
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60 Middlefield Rd, Menlo Park, CA 94025 Hotline: (650) 322-0743
Welcome to The Willows Market, a delightful hidden gem nestled at 60 Middlefield Rd, Menlo Park, CA. This charming market transcends the ordinary grocery experience, offering a unique blend of high-quality products and a warm, community-centric atmosphere.
As you step inside, the inviting aroma of smoked meats greets you. The Willows Market is renowned for its outstanding BBQ, where customers rave about the succulent brisket and tender ribs. Take, for instance, the fan-favorite “Aftermath” sandwich. This mouthwatering creation features a hot link embellished with grilled onions, pickled jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, and a smoky chipotle mayo. While the heat can be a delightful thrill, it’s also a testament to the kitchen’s bold flavor profiles that cater to every palate.
- BBQ Delights: Patrons can’t get enough of the brilliant smoked meats, with reviews praising the perfectly cooked brisket and tender tri-tip.
- Sandwiches Worth Savoring: Whether you’re in the mood for a classic BLT or a hearty breakfast sandwich, the quality and taste are second to none.
- A Well-Curated Grocery Selection: Beyond BBQ, The Willows Market offers a thoughtful assortment of local wines, craft beers, and unique grocery items, making it a one-stop shop for all your culinary needs.
- Community Spirit: The friendly staff, exemplified by their true acts of kindness, fosters a welcoming environment that speaks volumes about the community-focused ethos of The Willows Market.
The carefully selected wine and craft beer offerings add another layer of enjoyment, with hard-to-find bottles and local craft selections that keep enthusiasts coming back for more. Wine aficionados often leave with a few recommendations from knowledgeable staff, ensuring a perfect pairing for any meal.
In addition to the culinary delights, The Willows Market embodies a sense of community. Customers like M F have shared heartwarming experiences of how staff members look out for visitors, creating a friendly and safe atmosphere that feels like home. This commitment to nurturing relationships is what truly sets The Willows Market apart from other stores.
So, whether you’re stopping by for a quick lunch, seeking a unique ingredient for dinner, or grabbing a selection of beers for the weekend, The Willows Market is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. Come for the food, stay for the community, and you’ll certainly leave with a full belly and a warm heart.
Been coming here a lot since working close by.... Decent BBQ and sandwiches. I just tried the "Aftermath" today which is a Hot link sandwich with grilled onions, pickled jalepenos, pepper jack cheese and chipotle mayo. It was Really really good. Next time I may go with no jalapeños as I found it too spicy towards the end and scraped them off. But if you can handle the heat it's well worth it. My 2nd favorite is the brisket sandwhich but sometimes I've noticed they give me too many burnt ends which can be a little tough. Other times it's amazing. Plus they got a good liquor selection with some hard to find bottles. Plus a good craft beer selection with sours and slushie style beers which my wife likes.
Great neighborhood market. Well curated selection of foods including great fresh BBQ, wines, and beers, mostly local. Flowers. Cards. Acme breads. Staff are very welcoming. Staff are quite knowledgeable about the wines and can give great advice.
Big shout out to Miguel and his coworker!!! This morning, I was biking to work for the first time when I realized I had a flat tire 20 mins into the ride. I ended up parking & locking my bike on the bike rack right outside this market to Uber the rest of the way. I was only able to return with my car to pick up the bike around 9pm & noticed a note placed on my bike (see in photo). During the day, my bike bag (&bike) were kept safe from a thief because of the kindness of these workers stepping in. they didn't need to step in at all, but it was so kind that they did. Miguel even loaded my bike into my car for me when I came to get it. These are the type of people that make this place feel like a community. Thank you to these awesome workers for looking out for me. Recommending this place to shop to all the people ik.
Willows Market is a gem on the Peninsula It has all the essentials from a grocery store perspective while also providing incredible sandwiches and top notch meat (Brisket, Tri-Tip, etc.)
Love the Willows Market for lunch. Best roasted meats in the area; truly outstanding. I love reading about the beer selection and grocery area from other reviews, but the meats are so good.
I've shopped here for years and have always loved their unique local fresh purchase, friendly staff and great produce beer affordable wine selection. I am sorry I've never shopped the deli until today The meats are fantastic and the best egg salad ever !! This small shop stop is pretty much perfect, cheese meat produce wine beer unique finds thank you!
I can't really comment on the grocery selection here, or the deli (though I've heard it's pretty good). I've been to the Willows Market for one reason only: Their amazing beer selection. Despite being a smaller footprint, their variety of choices puts larger grocers - even most liquor stores - to shame. And the focus is on microbrews and independents, which is my thing. The only store I've found in the Bay Area with a wider selection, and more knowledgeable staff, is Jane's Beer Store in Mountain View. But most of their beers are sold warm. At Willows, about half are sold cold. For beer geeks like me, it's a little like Christmas on every visit. Will they have some new offerings from Crux up in Bend? How does the selection from San Diego breweries look today? Any special arrivals from the Alchemist in Vermont? (I snagged some Heady Topper a few months back). What about the baltic porters? (from actual Baltic countries). I sometimes have to hold back or pace myself; it's unusual if I spend less than $100 on a visit. Visits - nay pilgrimages - to TWM used to be fairly infrequent; maybe once a year. But with the shrinkage in selection at my local Whole Foods, and the increasing market inundation of fake microbrews (e.g. Elysium, 10 Barrel), I've lately found myself here more and more often to stock up. Speaking of which, the beer fridge is looking a little empty; and the weekend is coming up.
Hidden gem. Awesome and fresh bbq and huge portions. Plenty of parking and reasonable prices.
Came to the willows market on a Saturday morning hoping to get some bbq. Unfortunately the bbq wasn't ready (it was 7 am lol) so instead they offered to make me a sandwich. I said a breakfast sandwich was fine with whatever they recommended. He made me a egg bacon cheese sandwich on Dutch bread with a chipotle aioli sauce and let me just say this was the best breakfast sandwich I have ever had! Me and my bf split it and It was more than enough to keep us both full!
The Willows Market in Menlo Park isn't just a grocery store - it's also home to fantastic BBQ, sandwiches, and hot deli foods! One of my favorites is their BLT, and their racks of ribs + brisket. Everything is so delicious here, and you can pick up a drink AND your groceries while you wait for your order! I always go for a Bai!