Publix Super Markets

I mainly shop here b/​c it’s w/​in walking distance from my house. That being said, I really like the store and about half of the employees. By that I mean that about half of the employees I encounter seem to be there to get a paycheck, but the other half really seem to enjoy Publix or do a great job of faking it.
How to test this: Ask a random employee to get your kid a (free) balloon. Their true colors will show quickly. I’m writing this rvw b/​c of an interaction b/​t my 3YO and a produce guy that took the time to not only get her a balloon, but interact w/​her and customize the balloon w/​a cartoon.
I know it’s not all about balloons, but cust svc is so lacking these days (in general) that I will patronize a place just for providing great svc.

I have been shopping at this Publix for close to 3 years now. It is definitely my favorite grocery store in the area. I shop for 1 so I don’t buy tons of items when I am in, but I will mention their Heath Bar cookies in the bakery section are my favorite cookies in Birmingham. They’re a weekly purchase for me.
The atmosphere is why I would rank this store my local favorite. The store is bright throughout with plenty of light and almost always clean and fully stocked. Every now and then an item may not be in stock but this is rare.
I am a graphic designer by day so just by habit I am always noticing design. The Publix brand items have well designed packaging that is simple yet appealing. Sometimes I wonder why other store-​brand items have poor design but this is not the case with Publix.
The staff is very friendly. I have had several conversations with staff I come across throughout the store and they are very helpful and friendly. As with many things in life, when something is part of your community you live in, it tends to be more positive. Running into friends and neighbors in the store always adds to my experience.
Overall I’m a big fan of Publix.

Stopped in for Publix Sushi which can be incredible based on how creative the Sushi chef is but they had no chef and no sushi :(Really? In Birmingham? OK… well– got a great sandwich at the Deli which is always good– except when you have a Sushi craving.

April in the bakery is awesome! I had a really hard time trying to find a cake for an Angel themed baby shower cake (in Nov.2014). So I purchased a cake topper from Etsy, of a tiny baby cradled in angel wings, it was made entirely of sugar. When it arrived, one of the wings on the baby had snapped off. The bakery was able to reattach the little wing. But most of all, I was impressed with the way April was able to help me create the cake over the phone. I asked her for a layer of clouds for the topper to rest upon, so she suggested a sparkling sugar that looked like snow & even made cupcakes to coordinate. The cake was stunning. Everyone I passed in the store went crazy over the cake, as well as everyone at the shower. It was equally delicious and moist. It was my first time to host a shower. April helped me decide how much cake I needed, as well helped design the cake. Out of all of the bakeries that I contacted, she was without question, the most helpful. You can tell that she loves her job. I did not decide to use Publix due to cost of the cake. Cost did not concern me, I actually contacted Publix last for the cake, after being fed up with the customer service of the higher end bakeries. Publix will now be my 1^st choice to call for a cake. Thanks April, you’re great.

I will always 5-​star Publix (ummm…subs anyone? I’ve taken them on planes before to friends who request them in San Francisco and NY, key lime pie?) but just stick to Olexa’s for cakes in the Mountain Brook/B’Ham area around Mountain Brook. I waited too long for my son’s first birthday cake (big old sad face… it was his FIRST BIRTHDAY!!) and the experience was just abysmal. In all fairness, I should have just gotten a red velvet cake, written «Happy Birthday, Elliot Alexander» across the thing myself and called it a day.
I made the mistake of expecting their fantastic in-​house foods and service to match their «custom» bakery selection. It was kind of a mess. I just wanted a Red Velvet cake (can’t get it in a small size — beware! The customer is NOT always right here) with good old fashioned cream cheese frosting but my tastebuds say I got some kind of ‘birthday buttercream’ instead smooshed between layers of dyed red white cake. I also went here (last minute — 3 days before and at holiday rush time) because I wanted a truck or robot on the cake. You also can’t get a design on a cake smaller than ½ a sheet cake… HUH? It has nothing to do with size. They just won’t do it. Something about copyrights. On a cake? From a grocery store where I buy cat litter and Bic pens? This is the point where I was ready to clamp the wallet closed and haul it out of here. I mean: my kid was turning 1. On Christmas eve. I was happy to throw wads of cash at these people but nooooo…
I digress. The bakery lady seemed not so knowledgeable but did get another lady to help out. I love Publix — FIVE STARS! I even love their general bakery (oh canolies and key lime and cookies, oh my!), but I will never «customize» anything here again. Fine for bdays or special events but just buy off-​the-​shelf unless you want a product that is completely the opposite of their usual tasty, quality, very affordable everyday line of sweets.
Also note: A «custom» cake that is not customizable at all will cost you upwards of $ 20 or more extra. I know, I know… Olexa’s or Gia’s would have cost an arm and a leg but they would have been worth it. Thank god my son is only one and couldn’t care less about the cake. It did look festive. But no one ate it.

As always Publix is a great place to shop! Although they can be expensive, there fruit looks as if it just came from the farm! The workers are always happy and the place is always clean. Nothing like a BOGO deal! There’s always a sale in the Publix brand of yogurt and we love the fact that you can purchase raw pizza dough at the Publix bakery and build your own pizza from scratch! We get all of our pizza supplies from Publix for like $ 6 vs buying a pizza with all the chemicals in it. Can’t beat the DIY pizza! Download the app to keep up with the sales!

I had my wallet stolen from shopping cart, employees cant be trusted never found

I was very disappointed. I had never been in a Publix before but have heard great reviews from people I know, so I had high hopes going in.
I wasn’t in there to do a full grocery stop just grab a couple sandwiches from the deli, a beverage and a few snacks. The store is clean, bright and very new looking and that is basically were me being impressed stopped.
Headed over to the deli section thought I could pick up a pre-​made sandwich or maybe some sushi or some other healthy grab and go offerings. They had some grab and go but none of it was remotely healthy, fried or loaded down with manaise or butter. No fresh grab and go sushi, no grab and go sandwiches, you had to get them made to order. This would have been fine if the lady behind the counter hadn’t taken over 30 minutes to make two half sub sandwiches.
The produce looked good but I was not overly impressed by the selection and the prices didn’t seem like anything special either.
It was just an all around disappointing experience. I will stick to Kroger and Wholefoods.

This is where I do my weekly grocery shopping. Clean. Good selection. Very nice & helpful staff.

Where I do most of my grocery shopping. Love the staff and store is well-​kept. This is the best grocery store in Cahaba Heights.

They carry Carib beer here… imported from Trinidad. This is the first place I have seen that carries this beer anywhere. I have been told that there are places in DC/​MD that also carry it, but so far no luck yet finding that back in DC.