Riba Smith Opens in Coronado

The highly anticipated Riba Smith grocery store opened it's doors in Coronado last week. The food shop is a smaller version of the larger grocery stores found in the city, however it packs a punch, with some interesting foods that are fun to find this far from the city. Located in Las Pergolas plaza, the new Riba Smith offers a nice variety of fruits and veggies and meats. Some new items to the area are, packaged Tony Roma's ribs and Riba's own brand ribs. In freezers around the store you will also find a nice variety of imported cuts of meat, some vegetarian cheeses, soy products and packaged tofu. On the shelves, a Hooter's brand wing breading and wing sauce made me think with a smile that the Hooter's bar might be famous for more than it's servers. For herbal tea lovers, there are a variety of Tazo brand teas, which North American tea lovers will find familiar. In the wines you will find some half bottles of El Coto Rioja and a Ravens Wood zinfandel from California among some of the other wines that are familiar to the area. A hot foods section, offers the usual BBQ chicken to take away, and hot meals with a protein, rice and veggies. The store has some seating areas with tables out in the front, making it a convenient place to pick up a quick lunch and enjoy in the open area. If you are in the mood for desert, there is a large ice cream counter with numerous flavors, which is a wonderful addition to the beach area. Happily the store is also offering a bakery section, giving us more even choices for good bread in the area.

Riba Smith is open 7 days a week, closing at 9 on weekdays and 10 on weekends. English speaking staff are on hand to help expats out. Most impressive is that the store uses paper bags for grocery. When I visited today, there was no cashier help to carry your purchases to the car. Perhaps bag boys will develop in the future?

From what I see, the new Riba Smith is offering a nice complement with some new products and fresh ideas to what is already available in the area.