Safeway

Bravo to Josh, store manager, Los Altos Safeway. He gets all 5 stars for his solution for a customer involving a new license renewal «interim driver license» w/​o a photo i.d. not yet received from Sacramento. He stepped up, assessed the situation, and going beyond the red tape, used common sense and took care of the purchase himself! Now that’s initiative and problem-​solving. Thank you again, Josh!

Clean and newly renovated. This Safeway has plenty of parking and you can get in and out pretty quick. I mostly go here to grab a few items I’m missing or some fruit if I’m too tired to drive to Whole Foods.

I just talked to the rudest girl on the phone! I asked a question and she immediately said «I don’t know» and then I asked if there might be anyone else at the store that would know and she said (with a lot of attitude) «NO ABSOLUTELY NO ONE IN THE STORE WOULD KNOW». You’ve lost my business because of this idiot!!!

The «New» Safeway was built at the same spot as the old one. They just simply demolished and built a better building and established the same establishment. Any who, let’s get down to the business and talk about the Safeway itself!
As many of you may know, Los Altos & Los Altos Hills are both on a smaller scale for a Town, therefore, you probably won’t see too many large super market around the area. There are only few grocery stores around these small town. Rancho Grocery by Foothills & Magdalena, another Safeway located by Miramonte, and Draeger’s on the same street but down the road. Anyway, you get the point, there are not many grocery stores close by, but this Safeway will be the «newest» around the area (Building & setting).
As many Unilocalers stated, this store is super clean and have many variety of selection from hot/​cold food, bakery, meat section, vegetables, and other daily necessities items you can find in the store. Personally, I never had experiences with the meat section so I wouldn’t have any comments here. As for their Hot/​cold food department, I personally felt that the staffs were not properly trained, or they just do not know what they are doing beside packing and making sushi… Not trying to offend anyone, but that was just my experience. One time, I tried to purchased a sandwich with a wheat roll bread. But the staff member grabbed the sliced bread and about the make the sandwich. I told her that I want it on the roll bread, she has to check-​in with her manager to determined if they sell any roll-​bread for sandwich selection… Another time, I tried to get some Fried Chicken and i followed the direction stated on the sign and wanted to verify with the staff. Once again, they have to call their manager to verify for the price and the quantities… I am not too convinced that the workers received proper training or they are just simply afraid of making mistake. I do not know.
For their self-​check out system, I would said it’s quite horrible. You may ask why? Well, I’ve been using it for more than 10 times for self-​check out and I have at least 50% chances encounter a problem.
Situation 1 — Bring my own bags.
I brought my own bags, and the system just go to the screen and stated for employees to verify. I didn’t see any employee by the self-​check out area (Not sure where they went, but they should of be there). So I turned my head and asked the employee by the register and asked, «if it’s possible for you to assist me for the bag issues, or can you help me to get another employee to solve this?», he was busy and gave me a head sign stated he understood and he will get the help. I was waiting there for 5 mins until someone came by…
Situation 2– No bags used
I didn’t need a bag, because i was only grabbing like 2 items. Before i paid, the system asked how many bags i used. I selected no bags used. Then next thing you know, i was waiting for another 5 mins before someone came by to solve this issue.
Overall, I am not sure if they are short staffed, because the other store down by mountain view by San Antonio never have this issue in regarding to self-​check out. Anyway, this is a great store, but staffs should probably received proper training. Also safeway should also stationed an employee by the self-​check out to make sure check-​out processes are smooth without hassles.

Yes, Los Altos, where the rich live. This is the only safeway I’ve been to with an elevator and garage parking. I felt poor by all the nice things this safeway has, but I’m ok with just a regular safeway. I went on a Sunday at 2:30pm so parking in the garage wasn’t much of a hassle thankfully. This is near dt Los altos too. Even some sections of the store were fancy like the wine areas! I walked by a glass collection of expensive wines by the pharmacy. I didn’t browse around the deli area since I only came for snacks.
Check out though, had long lines. Idk what was wrong with the self checkout… most rich people I’ve met in my life are downright snooty. Thankfully, people here are friendly. I give 2 for their fancy elevator/​parking garage, friendly people, and 2 for being safeway.

This new store is well stocked, however this location seems to be doomed to become an unattended dump like the store before it. The restroom is filthy and unattended as are the elevators, stairs & escalator. Regular cleanings of common areas would be appreciated.

Wonderful Safeway — convenient, clean, modern, friendly staff, lots of parking. The previous store was a cramped and dated. It was replaced by a modern, state-​of-​the-​art grocery store with excellent products and reasonable Safeway prices.

WARNING — Nice new store with WORST CHECKOUT experence ever (repeatly) and a manager who simply doesn’t give a hoot.
I was so excited for the new Safeway to open walking distance from my home. The former store was so old and tired that I was going driving down to newer one on San Antonio to do my shopping. Right from the beginning, it seemed odd that the store never seemed busy. Not many customers and never any help in the store. They have self checkout which I love using, but nobody is running it so you have to track someone down to begin and if there are issues you are a busy screwed. (had a mini watermelon that was charged as large). Twice I have had to ask to speak to the manager to get assistance/​complain about the horrible service (or should I say lack). Last night the girl at the register snapped back at me that she didn’t schedule the people and nobody wanted wanted to work at this Safeway. I felt bad for her because she was trying to check out a long line, and running over the the self-​check every few minutes. You could tell she was not happy. When I finally spoke to the manager because the mini watermelon was finally charged, the large one was not remove (overcharged by 6.99). It took the manager about 5 minutes to get to the front. The manager Sarah is the most unprofessional manager and obvisiouly is hiding in the back somewhere clueless to the problems up-​front. She was super phoney about being concern and spoke to me in the most condescending tone. I would hate to be an employee working for her. Its no wonder they have a problem finding/​keeping help. (As they say «tone from the top»). Sadly, I will be driving down the road to Mountain View to do my shopping. The Moutain View store is awesome. Never have issues and lots of friendly happy help. It such a shame the big execs of the Safeway chain aren’t concerned with this stores issues.
PS: It is re-​assuring to read all the other reviews and it wasn’t just me thinking their service is unacceptable.
Pics of the long lines and unhappy customers need to be posted to make this review more helpful.

Terrible… waited over 5 minutes at checkout. No one @ the customer service desk. Butcher closed hours before posted times. Looks nice… just trash in all other ways.

Always clean, very very very rarely are there lines to checkout, and the butchers are the biggest sweethearts around. But the deli people. OH MY GOSH! I try so hard to be patient, but they have 2 guys working there 1 who is extremely rude and the other who is extremely slow. When it takes you 15 minutes to make me a sandwich I could have bought the ingredients, prepared them myself, and driven home. Ugh.

I work just down the street from this store and I go there almost everyday for my lunch. I have worked at Safeway before and I can honestly say they are the best store I have ever been to.
The employees at the deli (especially James and Hector) do a wonderful job and are always friendly and make my sandwiches with haste since I’m on my lunch break.
The Starbucks there has to get its own acknowledgement because they are just phenominal. Lilly, Amy, Fidelia, and Gustavo are all so sweet and genuiune and make my drinks soooo much better than the regular store down the street. I won’t go anywhere else except them in Los Altos!
Overall, fantastic service, great food, cheap prices. Other Safeways can’t compare!

The produce dept is Art and I really appreciate the marked down food ex specially the meat dept
Just because it’s LOS ALTOS doesn’t mean EVERYONE is rich and can afford pricey marked up rates Sales will always be same in region but not the depts that hardly get coupons it’s location location location !!! And being up in the hills and limited transportation this is my forced choice
Only real gripe is too dark in areas closes too soon on weekdays (ordinance) if the elevators ever failed you got several stairs to think about

This new Safeway is the much improved and really needed update to the old one that was at the same location.
I had used the one down San Antonio (both old and the new) while this one was being rebuilt from the ground up!
When it opened they had the usual opening faux pax of not having the one thing I needed (a fennel bulb) and no bin for recycling plastic bags.
This Safeway is usually no where near as crowded and is better stocked in many cases than the one in San Antonio Center. They also have a very different (upscale?) selection to choose from which I found very refreshing.
I would have to agree since it is so sparsely used by the TLAR’s the check out process can really suck at times, thus the one star knock off.

The worst self checkout I have EVER used.
The meat station was quick, unusual for a Safeway, and they had in stock everything I needed, but when it came time to check out and use a coupon. FAIL.
Had I known a dollar would cost me ten minutes of boredom I would have skipped it. As it was, I scanned the coupon, and proceeded to wait… and wait… and wait, since they had no one staffing the self checkout station.
The honey finally had to go up and ask a regular checker, while another woman and I were stuck in limbo unable to leave with no clerks even bothering to come over. Even then it took another five minutes for someone to saunter over. And another few minutes as he helped the other woman first and had to sort out my computer issue.
He then glanced at us and proceeded to walk away.
Because apparently, this location does not employ a staff member at their self checkout.
What the heck, no one needs to be anywhere right? Time is a social construct.
Ugh and glad this location isn’t near me.

How the heck do you give one of the nicest Safeway stores around 3 – 4 stars?
LOS ALTOS SNOBS FIND A WAY! L-​O-​S-​E-​R-​S!
The previous store was a cramped, dated… an ugly piece of crap. It was replaced by a modern, state-​of-​the-​art grocery store with excellent products and Safeway prices.
I love this Safeway!
I’m thankful for it, it replaced an out-​dated mess.
Poor Los Altans… you have the time and arrogance to complain about shit other people would love to have.
0 stars for the «elitist» Los Altos «nouveau» rich.
5 stars for Safeway bringing their best to town.

A significant upgrade over the old Safeway.
Safeway knows it’s market, and they’re tryue to that vision. If I want fancy-​pants, high priced groceries, I go to Whole Foods or Draegers. If you want normal food, though, Safeway is the right place. Although others may be frustrated that the new store didn’t upgrade the merchandise, I’m actually happy about it. Our town has enough places to go for high-​end products. What we’ve been lacking is «normal» places to shop.
The design of the store is great. Parking is at street level and the store is above. parking also includes bike lockers and bike racks, which is fantastic. A simple elevator or escalator ride takes you up to the store.
The store is brightly lit, and the food is well displayed. My only complaint is really about the mid-​store «break». This seems to be the favorite trick in laying out grocery stores nowadays. They stuff all the non-​food items into the middle of the store. For folks who are well organized, it probably doesn’t matter. For those of us who forget items across the store, it just lengthens the trip back and forth.
overall, though– well executed, and THANKS for being willing to invest in our sleepy little town. It would have been easy to emphasize Cuesta and San Antonia as the nearest stores. Glad they decided to invest in Main Street Los Altos.

This is now the closest grocery store to my house and I was excited when it opened. Now that I’ve tried shopping here a few times, I am incredibly disappointed by it. Despite the millions of dollars that Safeway must have spent building the new store to replace the old decrepit Los Altos Safeway, the money appears to have been wasted because the new store still suffers from the same problems: employees who haven’t been trained and don’t give a &*%#, items that are old and potentially dangerous still on the shelves, and no prepared food that isn’t unhealthy and full of chemicals.
A few recent examples:
* a Meat counter employee who didn’t know how to properly wrap raw meat in butcher paper; he cut a small square that didn’t even cover the meat i was buying, and tried to make it stick with an extra label over the top. Pro tip: when you can still see the meat, you haven’t wrapped it properly.
* a package of salami in the refrigerated section that was literally dark brown when every other package was a (normal) pink/​red color. it was not past its date and, when my wife asked the manager why it was like that, she admitted it had been left out of the refrigerator too long. she went on to say that sometimes such items will be put back in the refrigerator to see if the color will change back (!) to red so it does not need to be thrown away. what? so you’re purposely keeping food you know is potentially dangerous?
* i arrived at the meat counter just after they packed up all the meat packages from the display case. they were sitting on the cart still, but the employee said he didn’t know which steaks were which – they don’t label them when they put them in the rack. how does the person in the morning know which meat are the grass-​fed ones? the employee then went on to show me the pre-​packed steaks and said they were «packaged at the same time» as the items that were in their display case. however the first steak he showed me was brown and old. when i asked him about it, he admitted it was old and would probably be marked for discount (!) in the morning. so. it obviously wasn’t packaged at the same time, was it?
* one evening (7pm) they were all out of rotisserie chickens, and i asked the guy behind the deli counter if there were more. He quickly said yes, they’re bringing out a new batch. Great! so i took care of shopping for a couple of other items and swung back to the deli area. They still weren’t there, so i flagged him down, and he said they would be right out. OK, walk around and wait another 10 mins. Still not out. So I found the same guy and asked him where they were. He said «oh, it’ll be another 30 mins before they’re done cooking». What? then why did you tell me they would be right out – just to waste my time?
* A Deli counter employee was making my breakfast sandwich, and tried to sub in an egg-​white patty instead of one made from the whole egg because «he was out». I told him that I wanted the whole egg one. He sighed. then turned around, and opened the refrigerator door that was literally behind him, and pulled out a bin of whole egg patties, and gave me one. Were you really trying to save the effort of having to turn around?
I’m sure whoever decided to spend the money to build a nice Safeway would be shocked by these stories, but obviously the local management of this store does not care. They have done a bad job of either hiring or training their employees, and it jeopardizes the investment that has been made because their mismanagement will have consequences.

New store in Los Altos — way better than the new San Antonio store. Parking structure, store on top, fun and interesting products. Don’t really like chips and other items in different areas (like chips in 3 areas). The prices for meat /​fish have doubled since the old store was torn down so that’s also a bit dismaying.
I do like getting $.20 per gallon discount at Chevron stations throughout California and Oregon — I have an SUV so there is a savings.
The store was well thought out and it’s comfortable to shop here.

Such a huge turnaround. from the old dated Safeway before. It’s weird because it exists on the 2^nd story and the ground level is a 150 space car park. Lots of Melissa’s produce and much more high end products than the Safeway’s near me. I guess they’re competing hard with the Draeger’s and Andronico’s nearby. Welcome upgrade and competition choice

Big new store, just opened. Don’t offer grocery delivery — major oversight in this demographic IMHO.
But the store is big and bright. Weird ‘grocery cart elevator’ thing because you need to take stairs to get into the site. Pic attached. There is an elevator too tho so it’s disabled friendly. Just never seen a thing where you send your cart of groceries down an electronic chute before.