Gene's Fine Foods known for its family atmosphere
By Suzanne Cristallo
It's the kind of store where the owner walks around and helps out wherever he's needed. Gene's Fine Foods in Saratoga has been an institution for nearly three quarters of a century, sustained by three generations of the Giomi family. On its present site for more than 20 years in the Quito Center on Cox Avenue, the expanded store has served the needs of customers who seek more than what most chain grocery stores offer.
"We're a unique store," says Pat Wilson, manager of the market's deli section for three years; she left the Lucky Stores chain (now taken over by Albertson's) after 14 years of management.
"There are high-quality foods from all over the world," she says of Gene's. Just as important to Wilson, a Saratogan who revels in her short commute, is the working atmosphere. "It's family-run and so friendly. Even on payday, the owner comes out to greet each of us and give us our paychecks."
Wilson oversees a staff of 18 who keep the cold cases filled with salads and side dishes and whips out some 25 kinds of sandwiches made to order during the lunch rush each day. Entrees such as lasagna, tamales, spaghetti and plump twice-baked potatoes filled with cheese, chives and sour cream ($2.99 each) are sold daily.
Kitchen manager Ty Klaver, a veteran of 21 years in the deli, comes in each day at 5 a.m. to prepare the dishes. He's constantly called upon for new ideas and uses recipes sometimes provided by staff or even customers. A recent creation of his own making is the garden veggie salad, which is a mix of zucchini, crookneck squash, red and green bell peppers, onions, radishes, tomatoes and mushrooms, garnished with jicama and cabbage and doused with vinaigrette dressing ($5.99 per pound).
When the store was remodeled two years ago, the deli was expanded with "wall-to-wall" ovens and a steam table that accommodates hot dishes such as pork chops with applesauce and chicken pot pies ($4.39 for each 4-inch pie) on weekdays. "We sell 30 of those a day," Wilson says. A rotisserie slowly cooks chickens ($2.99 per pound) and ribs, allowing them to self-baste in their own juices on the turning spit.
"Our egg rolls really fly out of here," Wilson says, referring to the paper-thin pastries folded and rolled around chicken and pork, then deep-fried ($2.19 each). An especially spicy variety is the Southwest chicken.
A special case contains delicate cakes from Rubicon Bakery in San Francisco: truffle cakes, cheese and carrot cakes and the most popular--fudge-like chocolate cake.
Dick Giomo, owner of the Saratoga store and another in Pleasanton since his father, Gene, died more than 20 years ago, works with son Rich, who is the store buyer. Wilson credits Dick with the rich variety of international cheeses displayed on a big island near the deli. "He's a cheese guy. He loves it and is always suggesting new ones," she says with a smile.
Doughnut fans might be happy to note that Posh Bagels is now bringing in an array of the fresh pastries each morning. Customers can enjoy them with three kinds of Peerless coffee. A 4-ounce cup is free to customers.
Gene's Fine Foods Deli, 18850 Cox Ave., in the Quito Center, Saratoga. Open Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Call 408.379.8300, ext. 105, for more information.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
