Giant Food

I went in again this morning around 7:45am. I was very happy to see they had all the self check outs open. I was able to get what I needed and out in time for work. I even needed help finding something and the employee walked me to it. Good job Giant!

Consistent problems in the pharmacy-​transferred mine to the Muddy Branch Road location after bad service at the Kentlands location more than a year ago. My 87 year old father uses the Kentlands location as it is closer. Went to collect his prescription on Saturday, the doctor’s office sent it two days before. Long line, prescription was not ready for pick up-​had to wait with several others who were also asked to wait. A different pharmacy manager from my previous experience but the same bad service. Went up to the store customer service to ask to speak to store manager & was asked if it had to do with the pharmacy-​so I wasn’t the first person to have problems. The assistant manager informed me that the pharmacy was working through some problems, he could not do anything as there was a pharmacy manager who was responsible-​the problem seems to be with the manager managing the pharmacy. Asked the manager who I could take this up with-​was asked to call 1−800-mygiant! When I picked up the prescription was told that it was partially filled & the rest would be available on Wednesday. Called them on Monday to request that they check with the Muddy Branch location for filling up the prescription earlier, was told I would be called back, never received the call back. Today is Wednesday called the pharmacy 3 times between 10:30 — 11:30am, no one answered the phone. Called the main number spoke to Bruce who checked with the pharmacy & called back to let me know that the prescription was ready-​the one star is for Bruce.

I switched from the Darnestown CVS pharmacy to the Kentlands Giant pharmacy due to high prices at CVS and medications not being ready when they should be. I had no issues with the first 3 or 4 prescriptions at Giant. The most recent is a different story. Last week my doctor called in a refill. After a couple of days I went by to get it and was told it would be ready in 15 minutes. After that time had elapsed they then told me my insurance wouldn’t pay for it which I know and which I pay for myself. They then told me they were out of stock, more would be in on Tuesday. However the Sunday before, we got a call that the prescription was ready. When I got there they looked all over then told me it would be ready after 4 pm Tuesday. After all this I am not holding my breath.

Giant Food is the worst don’t shop there. Their sales are bad and they never have anything, also they don’t give gas rewards on gift cards. Too bad Safeway is no longer partnering with Exxon I may have to drive 11 miles to get gas but it would be a lot better than dealing with Giant.

While overall this Giant has what’s necessary, it also has THE worst «fresh fish» section I’ve ever encountered. Twice I have bought fresh trout only to get it home and be overwhelmed by the stench of rotting flesh. Took both back, and Giant was very apologetic and refunded my money, but to date they’ve done nothing to change their refrigeration. I have stopped purchasing seafood from this location. Pharmacy is also lacking; usually very long lines, confusion about protocols, etc.

5 Star Employees– 1 Star Corporate and Management. This store has declined and declined since the corporate parent, Ahold, chose Stop and Shop management to run both chains. Selection is worse and store layout changes so frequently. The managers work on short term contracts and don’t know the demographic they serve. They have now gone almost exclusively to out of state pre-​pack meats rather than fresh store cut meats. Really the last straw…

Why would a store get 5 stars? Clean and good variety, yep they got that covered. But the best part? No fruit flies in the produce department-​yahoo! Great lay out and fair prices. My scan it gun didn’t work right but, hey-that’s technology! No complaints from this happy shopper!

nothing different from the typical giant around the area.
parking sucks.

Definitely a fan of this Giant, overall.
Their hours are great, especially for the Kentlands, although I would vote for a 24-​hour Giant. I walk here often with kid or kids and it is handy to use the self scanners and pack your own groceries in your bags and tuck away in the stroller as you go. The prepared foods are fairly decent, as is the Bakery, and I can always find the cheeses I need (Plain Havarti or with dill, or Fontina, for example, that WF does not carry). Good selections of Yogurt, which is key, although they do not carry Stoneyfield Probiotics or YoBaby (only YoKids for some reason).
The produce is usually really good, although it has been questionable lately, which is frustrating. They do NOT have a good selection of organic produce, but I am at WF anyway, and have resigned myself to the fact that I will always have to make two stops.
They also have a salad bar that is pretty decent, but the best part is the beef chili, which has chunks of beef (not ground!), and savory, sweet with a nice kick. I like to add cheese and onion to it from the adjacent salad bar!
The worst part about this Giant is a toss up between the terrible pharmacy and the practically non existent seafood section. I totally agree with Tiffany L about her experience because my husband has gone through that enough times.

Ugh. I’m not sure what it is about this Giant that makes it so much worse than all the other ones I’ve ever gone to. I’m usually not picky about grocery stores/​drugstores, it is what it is and I get in and get out.
A couple weeks ago, I stopped in to fill two prescriptions. Since it was my first time filling a prescription there, standard operating procedure…20 minutes later, they tell me there’s a problem with 1 prescription. Fine. Another 20 minutes later, they ring me up for the second one, and I realize they charged me for the name brand and not generic as I specifically requested. the head pharmacist then tells me that the prescription I wanted doesn’t come in generic. Yes it does, I’m using it right now. End up waiting around for another 20 minutes while they figure it out and finally walk out, happy that the ordeal is over and vowing never to return. This I can deal with.
HOWEVER…since then I have received not one, not two, but THREE calls from this pharmacy, leaving me voicemails that my prescription is ready for pickup. What the eff? Giant pharmacy, please get your stuff together.
Also, on two separate occasions, I’ve attempted to check out at the self check out registers with an item that wasn’t in the system. why are these items stocked if I can’t purchase them? I mean, it was probably for my own good, since the items in question were packs of ramen and a tub of gelato that I probablyyyy shouldn’t eat anyways. Uh. Actually, +1 star for that, Giant. Thanks for keeping me on my diet (sort of).
EDIT — came back to fill another prescription (oh god why) and came back 2 days later to pick it up, only to be told upon giving my name that my prescription had been «sent back a long time ago». I told them that I had just dropped it off 2 days ago… he asks me what my prescription was for. Isn’t this an invasion of privacy or something? Not that I mind, but there was a line of people behind me, and I can definitely see how other people may feel uncomfortable being asked to state their prescription out loud. Worst pharmacy I’ve ever gone to, by far. I’d give this place negative stars if I could.
EDIT #2 — Okay, this really is the last straw. I walked over from my apartment right next door (the ONLY REASON why I still come here) trying to fill a prescription. After waiting for over an hour (when I was originally told it would be 25 – 30 minutes) they told me that they were out of the prescription I needed and would have to order it for tomorrow — I cannot even express how annoyed I am right now. They could have told me an HOUR ago that they were out and I would have gone to a different pharmacy, what an incredible waste of time.

I love my Giant and their staff but I am more than a little annoyed with the poor maintenance of the scan gun display. The scan gun is the primary reason I shop at Giant. I could certainly spend less by shopping elsewhere, but those handy guns save me time… when they work. Sadly, it’s become a constant battle to get my phone number typed into the machine correctly and several times the display board won’t release the gun. Once I manage to get a working scanner I am constantly frustrated by the poorly maintained scales I must use the weigh produce. Come on Giant… get it together. The scanners are a terrific idea but they must be maintained better.

Nice store. Kept clean and very organized. Prices are a bit up there, but bring your coupons and you should find some good deals. Nice selection of cakes, meats and cheese. Has a curb side drive up, to protect you and your groceries from the rain– which is perfect if you have little ones you dont wanna march into the parking lot.

Even though this is definitely not the closest grocery store to me… well, I actually have to pass like 6 grocery stores to get to this one, I consider it «my grocery store.» It’s not a gross dump like so many of the local stores, and has a very decent organic and gluten-​free selection. They remodeled it maybe 2 years ago, and it is pretty nice, bright, and clean.
For good to-​go food, a good bakery, and good butcher, head over to Whole Foods, but this Giant serves the purpose for packaged foods and your general, everyday needs.

They have very nice staff here. I was greeted by some manager person I think. (He had a different Giant shirt on). Perhaps because I just looked confused but he was nice and asked if I needed any help finding anything. I like that they have a self price check scanner so I can double check prices of things I’m not sure on. +1 for them :)
One thing that bugged me during this recent visit was that they moved their bread section to aisle 28 after the renovation. Yes, 28… it is at the back of the store. It used to be in the middle section by the bakery and deli… I just wanted a thing of bread and I walked up and down the aisles and could not find bread! WTH! I thought to myself… do they not carry bread anymore? It blew my mind. I had to ask the lady who was stocking up cookies by the bakery where is the bread? Aisle 28 she said. I turned to look for 28. at the very end of the store… o_​O seriously? Okay. Thanks ma’am.
All in all, I still love my Giant :) Grocery shopping is fun!

Love the newly renovated Giant. I even received a new card from the store. The new store has the electronic handheld scanner to speed up your shopping experience. I find that selection for ingredients has improved a great deal. I got a delicious leg of lamb from this store, the nice butcher helped me save a 6lb leg exactly what I asked for! It’s changed my mind about the Giant grocery store.

I have to bump it up. Why can’t this giant be like my giant? It is large, has a nice selection of basic groceries and a lovely selection of organic products. Usually I would need to haul ass over to TJs to get any Desert Essence products, but they have a nice shelf of it in the beauty section. Although they are not as good in the organic section as TJ or Whole Paycheck, I appreciate the effort in adding more variety to their choices. Also, as a present for touring the new store, with 5 stamps I received a free grocery bag. The more I visit, the better the experience!
BUT your food to go is still shit, sorry!