Reviews of Specialty Food Store (Fruit Store)

Jay Fitzgerald

Got a ticket parking in their lot for parking 90 seconds to use an adjacent business. Spoke to the owner about the issue and he would not budge. Needless to say I will not be recommending this place to anyone. I wish I could give less than 1 star for his rudeness.

Charles Hervieux

Great little shop for grabbing a quick grocery item you forgot or ran out of. A little too pricey. But, nice vibes. Friendly, helpful staff. Small. Nice layout.

Gweneth

Great variety for such a small and cozy store. They might not have what you want, but there's definitely something close. There is also a special experience to the store that makes it worth while.

Simbarashe Zuva

Closest thing to foods from back home. I recommend expansion

Grady Harris

It's great to have a boutique grocery store in my neighborhood. Fernwood residents love stopping in and saying hi to Leon the owner while picking up fresh eggs from Salt Spring, local veggies and some South African treats and specialties.

Linda Lorette Niyonizigiye (Sr. Linda)

As a fellow South African, I feel so heartbroken and frustrated about my experience at Aubergine foods. We left South Africa to get away from corruption, dishonesty, and to always be on the look-out for someone trying to see where they can nail you. Lo and behold...out of all the "lockdown " online orders I have placed (and I placed many ), it is only the South African company that caused me stress. And stressful it was indeed. I paid $90 for 1 businessday delivery while my parcel arrived 3 weeks later. When it finally arrived, some foods were molded, juices leaked and there were products I did not order. After several emails (where I got no response) and phone calls, I still did not get full refunds and several lies had been told to me. Only after the last "threatening " email did I get the last of 3 different refunds. Very disappointing experience!!! Linda, Scottsdale, AZ

Will Reiher

Great neighborhood shop that focuses on speciality goods and fresh fruit and veggies. I like to stop in to see what's new and pick up snacks.

Willa Routley

Food available here not found elsewhere ie Cheese blinz and other ethnic treats

Neil Smith

I f i could give 0 stars i would .Placed an order expedited shipping took my money straight away kept calling to check the status of my order never returned calls eventually 6 days later tell me the dont have an item make exscuse after exscuse BUYER BEWARE.

Yada Pup

always the freshest. knowledgeable grocer/owner great variety and high quality clean and can definitely recommend

Nerissa Evans

Love having this little treasure trove of interesting imports and fresh local things in our neighborhood!

Kai Merriam

Good little store, not a huge selection, but what they have is good, and considering the size of the store, its a lot.

Wilson Nguyen

Very sad this is closing soon, they have a warehouse to ship and pickup the foods in langford. My gf is SA and introduced me to this place, absolutely love the variety of meats & food from SA so this was great to support local but also try SA foods. I wouldn't focus on the other negative reviews here. Every single time I entered there was a good engaging environment from the worker towards other customers as well as if anything wasn't there they would follow up (orders, store credit,etc).

Michael Aronoff

EXCELLENT selection of 'exotic' foods. Friendly, knowledgeable service. Thanks Leon.

Moshe A

Amazing products, the only place in Victoria to find Israeli snacks!

soop

A nice place to go for some South African treats. The owner is a bit strange sometimes

Greg Gale

It is a small store crammed with specialty items. I occasionally go to find some kosher treats. It really helps to be greeted and offered help to find things. They seem to have improved their customer service since the last time I visited. Keep it up please.

Trevor Mc

Always amazed at what they have. Awesome Fernwood specialty store.

Elisabeth Gelb

A delighful shop packed with locally grown produce, fine imported goods (such as South Africa) and great Kosher section. A big bonus for the local community, too.

Ana Coric

I ordered some food via their online shop. They have a great selection of South African/Zimbabwean snacks. When I got the food, I was transported back to my childhood, which in itself is amazing. I had a couple of issues with my order, but things were resolved by the team. I'll be ordering again!

Maëve Leduc

Friendly and humorous owner, and great selection of local produce (especially in the summer -- Saanich Organics berries yummm). Would highly recommend. To the person who wrote that he didn't like his customer service, he's not there to provide you with personally tailored emotional labour. Try asking him a question or introducing yourself, he's totally open to friendly banter and getting to know his customers. And if he seems like he's not into it some days, surprise! He's a human being.

maya

I was happy with the service, fast delivery and received exactly what I've ordered. Yes it's expensive but since we can't go to South Africa this year we're ok with paying extra to get our hands on miss balls chutney and some nando's braai sauce

Erik Klaasen

Do not order online. No response when they send you the wrong items and you try to get them to make it right . Update...It took a while but I eventually got my order corrected

Elizabeth Matthews

My favorite place for specialty items.

Inflatafun vi

Great place with great unique selection

Warren Finnie

Great place to go if you need a weird ingredient but don't want to drive, or if you want any niche South African stuff - the boerwors is really good, and they're the only place on the island that imports Peppermint Crisp chocolate bars. I've had precisely one bad experience there, and they were fantastic about making it right.

Elizabeth Van Rooy

The owner was very helpful, knowledegable and friendly. Although it is a small store they have an excellent variety of african treats and meats. I found everything that I was looking for and more today! I am extremely pleased and grateful. 10/10 will come again.

AmyzDan AmyzDan

Great selection, extremely friendly staff. Will be returning!

Janette Sperber

Right now, in early April, this is a one stop shop for all your Passover needs. It’s like the whole Megillah for everything Pesach-related, including kosher dips etc. in refrigerated section and frozen goods, such as blintzes. I have never in my life seen such a large assortment of matzoh options-thank you, Leon!

Maries Kannemeyer

Great shop, good for all your South African goodies!

Janelle du Toit

I actually give Aubergine no stars. What a bad experience. I received notice that my parcel was damaged. After trying to contact them multiple times and with no response, I still do not know what happened. Have not received anything. No refund was given. I feel robbed.

Wayne Swanepoel

Thank you Leon on behalf of the South Africans onboard Ruby Princess that got to sample your products!

Barry Zetler

Great selection, friendly service & wonderful kosher foods section!

Erica A Brannon

Wonderful find! This quirky little shop had too much to choose from! Lots of choice for Boerewors and other RSA meats. The young gentleman that assisted was very pleasant and knowledgeable. …

Gordie b

Owner was extremely rude, will not be returning

Dr. Robert 789

Great range of food. Like an old fashioned deli. Also lots of local produce and everyday items like milk, eggs, cans of soup, pasta, salsa, wine etc. They also carry kosher food items and a great selection of candy and snack foods. As a senior I appreciate that they are being very helpful during COVID by bringing groceries out to the car for me if I order online for example.

Bob Baxter

Convenient little store always there when you need something quick. Unfortunately the owner doesn’t make it the most enjoyable shop. Make sure to check the best before / expiry dates.

Cards Human

How to describe Leon? One might compare him to Seinfeld's Soup Nazi, he comes across as Fernwood's grocer version of him. Great little store, has the essentials plus a lot of unique and special things. Watch the expiry dates, always get home to find something I bought has expired months or a year ago. Not with anything that probably matters that much but oh well, still kind of annoying.

Nala Lioncub

It is very expensive evenseven compared to other corner stores. regular rice noodles are double the price of a regular grocery store. It is convenient though especially since Welburns shut down. The inside and outside is very cute and has a nice layout although it is quite narrow and some people with bigger wheelchairs or strollers may struggle to get in.

Elmarie Potgieter

Placed an online order with regular shipping, and was amazed to receive it 4 business days later. Order was processed promptly and efficiently. I would just like to suggest that FRAGILE stickers be placed on the packaging, to remind the courier staff to handle with care. The chutney bottles I ordered leaked a little, and if they had been glass bottles, might have broken. Regardless, I am very happy with the quality of the droë wors and chilli bites I ordered. Will definitely order again.

Daniel Boyarin

Excellent discovery. My kids lived in Victoria and I had despaired of finding kosher meat here (was having it shipped at great expense from Vancouver when coming to visit). Randomly went into Aubergine near their house to buy other stuff and the owner in a very friendly way told me that they have kosher meat as well. What a find. The meat is excellent and a nice variety and they even got us a whole turkey for Thanksgiving.

Mitch Karls

The worst thing the absolute worst thing about the store is the owner unpleasant South African arrogant condescending and rude don’t spend your money here

Henri VR

Great food and wide selection in a cute location.

Hanna Wind

Check the expiration dates ! This is the second time I've been scammed buying expensive expired food.