Living in Napa, or just visiting? Either way, you don't want to miss the Rancho Gordo bean store (more precisely called Rancho Gordo New World Specialty Food). Doesn't sound very sexy for an area known for its gourmet dining, but several of the finest restaurants in Napa Valley source the beans in their cuisine from this business, and you can, too.
Rancho Gordo's owner Steve Sando is the entrepreneur behind this successful venture, selling dried heirloom beans and other cooking items at a storefront location at 1924 Yajome Street in Napa. It's a few blocks from downtown, off Main Street. Most of the beans are grown not far away, in the Delta region of the Bay Area, and are some of the freshest you'll find. The rest are grown in Mexico through a project Steve founded to revive the planting of heirloom beans while helping bring income to the farmers there.
The beans are packaged in one-pound bags, or ask about getting a larger quantity, if you desire. Recipes are scattered around the store, too, for ideas in using specific varieties of the beans. It's a fun, friendly place to browse –– and check out those old Mexican movie posters on the wall. You can't leave without experiencing the "touching beans" tub (see photo). It's many varieties of loose beans, crying out to be caressed.
The store also sells cookbooks (including Steve's own), heirloom popcorn, dried prickly pear cactus, dried chilis, and Mexican chocolates. Rancho Gordo also does a booming online business at ranchogordo.com.
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