Green Shack Market Place
BackOperating since 1978, Green Shack Market Place is a long-standing fixture in San Bernardino that elicits sharply divided opinions. It presents itself as a one-stop shop, a community hub offering everything from award-winning deli sandwiches to financial services. However, for many potential customers, the central question is whether the establishment's celebrated food is worth the significant risks highlighted in numerous visitor accounts. The business is a study in contrasts, praised for its culinary creativity while simultaneously being a subject of serious concern regarding its operational standards.
Adding to its unique identity is its official classification, which includes not only a grocery store and deli but also a travel agency. A page on its website is dedicated to the "Travel Shack," promising to help customers plan a vacation and get a full itinerary. This eclectic mix of services—ranging from crafting a renowned meatball sub to theoretically arranging flight bookings—makes Green Shack Market Place a truly unconventional entity.
The Celebrated Sandwiches: A Culinary Destination
For its advocates, Green Shack Market Place is home to some of the best sandwiches in the Inland Empire. Customer testimonials frequently praise the quality and creativity of the menu. The meatball sub, described as "outrageously good," is a recurring favorite, celebrated for its tender, mozzarella-stuffed meatballs, flavorful marinara, and soft yet durable bread that masterfully avoids sogginess. Other highly-rated creations include the "Green Shack Signature" with smoked turkey and bacon, the "Definitely Smash Burger," and inventive options like "The Joker," a pastrami sandwich with a special sauce. Food is often described as the primary, and perhaps only, reason to visit. Patrons speak of delicious, well-crafted meals that stand out in the local food scene. The esquites (corn salad) are noted for being flavorful with a pleasant amount of heat, and the mac salad is complimented for its unique and tasty flavor profile. It is this part of the business—the deli—that has earned awards and a loyal following. The menu is extensive, featuring creative names like "Balls of Fury" (meatballs in a spicy vodka sauce) and the "Brisket-Y-Split" (a BBQ brisket Philly). This is where the business shines, offering a culinary experience that some consider a must-try.
A Cloud of Concern: Hygiene and Service Issues
Despite the glowing reviews of its food, a significant volume of customer feedback raises serious alarms about the establishment's cleanliness and food handling practices. These are not minor complaints but detailed, troubling observations that potential patrons should consider. Multiple visitors have reported conditions described as "filthy." One customer noted seeing flies landing on finished orders waiting for pickup, while another recounted watching an employee sneeze over the food preparation area. These anecdotes paint a disturbing picture of the kitchen's environment.
Food handling protocols have also been called into question. A detailed account described a staff member using the same pair of gloves to open refrigerator latches and then scoop coleslaw by hand directly onto sandwiches. Another report mentioned an employee multitasking by taking out the trash while simultaneously preparing a customer's order. The quality of ingredients has also been inconsistent, with one review mentioning that the oil used for frying smelled old and left the fries with a burnt, stale taste. These recurring themes of poor sanitation are the most significant drawback and a point of serious hesitation for many.
Beyond hygiene, the customer service experience is frequently criticized. Service has been described as "closer to terrible than ok," suggesting an environment that is not particularly welcoming. Furthermore, wait times can be substantial, with customers being told a 20-minute wait could easily extend to 45 minutes. This combination of questionable cleanliness and poor service detracts heavily from the appeal of the well-regarded food.
The Unorthodox Setting and the Travel Agency Puzzle
The physical environment of Green Shack Market Place is another point of contention. It is, first and foremost, a convenience store and liquor market, not a traditional restaurant. The layout is unorthodox, and there is no indoor seating available. An outdoor patio exists, but it has been described in bleak terms, with one customer stating it "needs some serious love" and felt like "eating in an alley." The general consensus among critics is that if you do decide to try the food, it is best taken to go.
This brings us to the most curious aspect of its business model: the tourism services. The business actively advertises itself as a local travel agency. While most customers are focused on the deli, the company's website and business listings confirm its role in providing travel services. It's an unexpected offering that seems disconnected from its primary identity. One can arrange bill payments, send money via Western Union, and, purportedly, plan customized travel itineraries all under the same roof. While you won't find glossy brochures for all-inclusive resorts by the register, the service exists, adding another layer to this multifaceted and perplexing establishment. It’s a place where the concept of budget travel might mean getting a great deal on a sandwich rather than a trip.
The Final Verdict: A High-Risk, High-Reward Proposition
Green Shack Market Place is an establishment of extremes. On one hand, it offers a menu of creative, delicious, and highly praised sandwiches that have cultivated a dedicated fan base. The food is often described as top-tier for the area, a genuine hidden gem from a culinary perspective. Many customers, especially those ordering for delivery, have had overwhelmingly positive experiences, focusing solely on the quality of the meal they received.
On the other hand, the in-person experience is fraught with potential issues. The numerous and detailed reports of poor hygiene, unsanitary food handling, subpar customer service, and a neglected physical environment cannot be ignored. These are not isolated incidents but a pattern of complaints that directly contradict the positive food reviews. The decision to eat here becomes a gamble. You might get one of the best meatball subs of your life, or you might witness practices that make you lose your appetite entirely.
For the prospective customer, the safest approach appears to be ordering for delivery or takeout, which minimizes exposure to the problematic aspects of the physical location. However, this does not eliminate the underlying concerns about what happens in the kitchen. Ultimately, Green Shack Market Place remains a San Bernardino paradox: a place capable of producing culinary delight but burdened by serious operational flaws. It is up to each individual to weigh the potential reward against the considerable risk.
