Compusa Good Guys Megastore
Let me say that you don't want to come here during any midnight sales. The low grade is directed at the manager(s) of the CompUsa, not so much the cashiers. If you are going to have a special sale for limited hours, there needs to be better customer service. Hire more seasonal cashiers and don't hide the sale items. Sale items must be prominently displayed with the correct price. On the positive side, there is plenty of free parking.
Moscow & Tbilisi Bakery Store
If you've never eaten a piroskhi, then you have to try one. Piroshkis are fried here with some kind of filling (usually meat). The standard piroshki contains meat, but this store sells piroshki in other flavors. My favorites are the potato piroshki or the chesse piroshki. They will even heat it up for you upon request. I'm not Russian, but I feel like one when I eat a piroshki from this store! The cashiers all speak English with a Russian accent.
Wish
I visited this place not too long ago. Some people there are very outgoing. I'm not much of a drinker, so I ordered up a wine cooler. Waiters are very pleasant and give great service. The crowd was well-behaved because people engaged in laughter and conversation. I find that this this be a place where you can be yourself and still mingle with the crowd. There's room for everybody!
Trader Joe's
If you want to taste something different, you must stop on by. Most of the foods sold at Trader Joes are not available in your average supermarket. You'll find healthier alternatives that are a little bit on the expensive side. Most items are fresh and most packaged items contain little to no preservatives. They do not sell genetically altered food. My favorite is the Turkey Jerky. It's healthier and tastier than the average beef jerky. I like the selection of organic fruits and vegetarian burgers. It's a great way to eat healthy.
Bay Area Rapid Transit
I am not a fan of driving. I'm sure there are others that feel the same way. When I need to get across the Bay Bridge, I prefer BART. The ride is fast and smooth during non peak hours. The cost is reasonable because you don't have to put up with road rage, the cost of filling up your gas tank, traffic jams, etc. Some stations do charge for parking, so that's a drawback. There are shuttles that travel to and from stations to help you get to work or major shopping areas. You can also bring your bike during off peak hours without a problem.
Sunset Scavenger Company
This isn't just a garbage company. The company provides you with three bins: one for garbage, compostable material, and recycling. I upgraded my recycling bin to a larger size at no additional cost. The company encourages conservation of landfills. They pick up at your residence once a week. At least once a year, the company offers you the opportunity to get rid of unwanted furniture/appliances too. Don't put your recycling bin out on the curb until the day of pickup. This discourage some stealthy can/bottle scavengers from rummaging in your bin. If you're new to San Francisco, you'll want to sign up for service right away.
Tams Video
When I was younger, I used to watch Chinese soap operas with my parents. I came into this store not to rent a video, but to make a photocopy of some documents I needed for a job. The store displayed a sign that says five cents. Upon closer inspection, it was 5 cents and up per copy. When I entered the store, the shelves were stocked with VHS tapes everywhere. The copier was situated near the cashier. I made my way over to the copier and helped myself. If you make a mistake, it counts as a copy. I paid ten cents per copy because I didn't make enough copies to qualify for the lower rate.
Twenty Second & Irving Market
There's nothing like buying ripe, fresh fruit from a store at a good price. You can buy fruit individually, by the pound, or by the case. I like Fuji apples, so I buy them when they are available. There are weekly specials, so you need to come in every week to see what's on sale. Some fruit/vegetables are displayed outside. You can find more produce inside the store. Sometimes, the plastic bags are hard to open. I like to buy Berkeley Farms Milk here even though it costs more than the average supermarket. There are shopping carts available.
Easy Money
You see a lot of merchandise outside selling for a dollar each. Some snacks sell for six for a dollar. As you investigate the goods, you do see some brand names like Kellogg and Frito Lay. But you look at the expiration dates and notice that the majority of the products are past the expiration dates. You go inside the store where the goods are more expensive but the quality is still terrible. Overall, the store looks run down. The employees don't wear uniforms. There is usually one staff member patrolling outside to deter shoplifters. If you see the products for yourself, would anyone want to steal the stuff?
Stacey's Bookstore
This store looks modern and classic at the same time. With its neon sign, you know it's been around. Otherwise, it does look up to date. Besides coming in person, the store does accept email, telephone, or fax orders. I phoned in an order for a math study guide and I picked it up at the store the same day. That's convenient! Many famous authors have done signings here too. If you need help finding a book, just ask a staff member. You'll enjoy the experience whether you're browsing or buying. If you are a supporting member of the San Francisco Public Library, then you save 10 percent. They will special order a book for you if they don't carry it.
