Sacramento’s tiniest supermarket serves gourmet goods with a side of community
It’s easy to miss. As you drive along Riverside Boulevard, your eye might naturally track to the iconic Vic’s Ice Cream, which recently announced its long-anticipated reopening on Jan. 3.
Across the street, in a fairly nondescript building containing a motley arrangement of small businesses, sits a small but mighty grocery store.
Owner Sophie Mosgrove opened Superette Market in June.
“This has been a lifelong dream of mine to have my own store,” she said. “I worked in the food industry for many years, and have wanted to have a way to showcase things that I love.”
Entering the shop, you’re struck by the kaleidoscope array of products. Shelves are stocked with premium brands of tinned fish, exotic snacks and intriguing condiments. In the center, a table is stocked with a mosaic of brightly designed cookbooks.
“Our slogan is, ‘everything you need for a great gathering’,” Mosgrove said. “We’ve got charcuterie and cheeses, lots of things to serve as great appetizers.”
Adjacent to the cold case, she stocks a fairly comprehensive selection of non-alcoholic “quenchers.”
But cheese is Mosgrove’s stock-in-trade. She worked for Cowgirl Creamery for several years, then did a stint in import and distribution.
Sacramento food businesses make up a portion of her product mix: “Everything that has a tomato next to (its price) is a Sacramento local product.”
Among the bestsellers is Real Mojo Foods’ pickles ($12); the Hot-N-Zesty Semi-Sweet & Spicy Pickle Chips are a particular customer favorite. She also stocks 3 Bees Honey ($20), made by Good Day Sacramento anchor Tina Macuha.
She has gone further, creating special collaborative products with local purveyors such as a bespoke salt trio from Allspicery ($18) and a custom blend from Camellia Coffee ($18).
Collaboration is at the heart of Mosgrove’s mission, and she has used the shop as a space for other local food businesses to promote their products.
South Land Park cottage business Better Half Bagel does monthly pre-orders and pickups of his bagel four-packs ($15). “Hands down the best bagels in Sacramento,” Mosgrove said. Chef Jason Azevedo of Pasta Therapy also pops up on a monthly basis, selling fresh and dry pasta as well as housemade sauces.
Local artisan Crocker Cutlery offers knife-sharpening services as well. Customers can drop their blades off by Wednesday and retrieve them on Friday.
Superette recently expanded its hours to be open seven days a week, just in time to make the most of holiday entertaining and gifting.
“I do hope that one day I’ll be able to expand and offer more options, whether it’s a different location or a cheese shop,” Mosgrove said. “I’m not sure, but right now we’re excited to be here and get through the holidays.”
Superette Market
Address: 3216 Riverside Blvd., Land Park
Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays
Website: superettemarket.com
What I’m Eating
Although we live in Sacramento full-time, we do hop down to San Francisco a few times a month, in part because my husband still does real estate transactions there and also to visit friends.
Since we live in the southwestern corner of the city, we often eschew taking Interstate 80 for the more scenic Highway 160 that wends along the banks of the Sacramento River. It only adds a few minutes for us, and it’s much more pleasant.
We tend to travel in the middle of the day to avoid traffic. Plus, it’s an excuse to grab lunch.
Our most frequent stop is a taco truck, Chuy’s Tacos, right by the Paintersville Bridge just south of Courtland.
I’m all about street food, and trucks get bonus points in my book. The food always comes out hot and fresh, and it seems to me it’s easier to keep the tightly contained mobile kitchen clean than a brick-and-mortar one.
The tacos ($2.75) are reminiscent of many I’ve had in Mexico. Small corn tortillas kissed with the smoke from the griddle are topped with finely chopped meat of your choice. I’m a fan of the adobada, seasoned pork. A sprinkle of onion and cilantro and a dollop of salsa verde is all they need.
My other half is a regular carne asada burrito ($9.50) eater, and it’s usually enough that he reserves half for later. The quesadillas ($6.50-$8.50) are equally substantial.
We park facing the bridge so we can watch the river lazily flow while we eat. It’s positively serene.
Chuy’s Tacos
Address: Highway 160 at the Paintersville Bridge on the eastern bank of the Sacramento River, Courtland — for your GPS, throw in 12043 CA-160
Hours: 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; closed Sundays
Vegetarian options: Meat-free cheese quesadillas are available
Noise level: Aside from passing traffic and the truck’s generator, quiet
Openings & Closings
- The Coco Cafe opened in October in the Southside Park space that formerly housed N’Gina Guyton’s soul food restaurant South at 2005 11th St. Announced in 2023, the cafe is owned and operated by Nan Pangpanga, who also runs several local Thai restaurants including The Coconut on T. The cafe is a departure from her other concepts, offering coffee, beer and wine, and serving classic breakfast and brunch fare, as well as an eclectic menu of savory mains including a banh mi sandwich, fettuccine jambalaya and a wagyu burger.
- In a social media post, the owners of Fair Oaks destination Shangri-La announced that they would be stepping away from the business and seeking new ownership, citing financial as well as personal hardships. The restaurant on Winding Way will remain open during the hunt for new leadership.
- Arden Fair will be home to Sacramento’s second Taco Bell Cantina location, taking over the location of an existing Taco Bell and an adjacent space. The current restaurant will close after the holidays, reopening in early 2026 as the only food court operator to sell alcohol. The first location is downtown at 9th and K streets.
This story was originally published December 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM.