Smart & Final Extra!

Let me start by saying we have been to this Smart and Final on many many occasions. Today however was a little different. We get certain items here and certain items at another local store. Smart and Final has a lot more organic options than they used to so I told my husband I would just get two half gallons of milk here instead of going to the other place. They even put in a section with bulk items like nuts, coffee, trail mix etc. They even had organic coffee. So we of course bought some. When filling out the tag, we looked everywhere for a code to put on the tag and there simply wasn’t one. So I wrote, «Ambiance Bulk Coffee $ 9.99/lb». When we got to the register, Linda our checker got to the coffee and asked if we go this in the new, um, then she pointed to where the bulk items where and I said, yes in the bulk aisle. She then looked visibly upset. She said, well, I need a code. I said there wasn’t one, that’s why I wrote what was on the sign on my tag. Then she becomes even more upset and says, NO, I need a code. There has to be a code. I said, well if you can show me where the code is, I’ll be more than happy to use it next time, but I didn’t see one. She hastily stomped off and was gone for a while, so I decided to go over and see what she was looking at. Well, first of all, she couldn’t find the bulk coffee, so I pointed it out to her. Then she looked all over for a code. I told her, please show me where it is so I know next time. She then asked which one we purchased, not that it matters, but anyway, I pointed it out to her and said, I told you there wasn’t a code, and went back to wait in line for her. She finally returns and I asked where she found the code. She said it was really small and continued to check our groceries. (still didn’t tell me where the code was) As she continues checking our groceries she is literally slamming the items around and throwing them into bags and flinging them on to the other side where you pick them up. It wasn’t just us, the other people in line were looking at her, like what the heck. Anyway, if you go here to shop, please steer clear of Linda’s line unless you have all of your ducks in a row. Short brownish redish hair, glasses, probably in her early fifties and NOT happy. We’ll probably just get our regular items next time regardless of their organic selection and then go to our normal place for the rest. I’d rather give my $ 236 to someone who not only is happy to have our business but also clearly marks all of their bulk items so you can easily see what they are and can put that on your tag. Stay away from LINDA! She is not a happy or helpful camper.

1^st time at this chain. Plenty of parking, Good selection of various sizes but customer service could use improvement

I like this store. It’s one of many that I frequent. Not too much into their meat department but the vegetable dept and most of the others are fine.
It’s clean and bright, which is important to me. Every now and then you go in and the lines are sort of long, but only occasionally.
If you need bulk items or inexpensive booze this is your huckleberry!

This smart and final location is quickly becoming my go-​to grocery store. It is located conveniently down the street and had great deals on produce, meat, and beer. Duh!- the essentials. This location can get a little busy, but hardly are you ever in a traffic jam going down the isles, you more encounter this at the check-​out registers.
The store brand, First Street, offers great quality items at a discounted price. I often find myself purchasing their ice cream, buns (hot dogs and hamburgers), and cheese. All great quality. I am constantly looking for less expensive alternatives and First Street offers that.
Kay is always helpful and on the move to assist anyone who needs it. Everything you need for an upcoming BBQ or party can be found at Smart and Final– including jello shot containers. Score!

Even before Ralph’s closed, I would hardly go here.
They usually only have one checkout lane open and they never have an Express Lane.
I usually only have one or two items and always seem to get stuck behind someone stocking up on supplies for their restaurant. Even when a long line forms, they do not open additional lanes right away. When they finally call for someone it always takes a long time for them to show up.
Whenever I try to give them another shot, I am quickly reminded of why I hate going there…
There are some good deals on some items; however, the majority of the items are more expensive.

After the Ralphs across the street shit down this became my regular market for staple items. One of the first things I noticed was their booze prices were often lower than BevMo and they have a good selection. Bottled water is a steal too.
Cruise the meat section and you can usually fond some good cuts. They also have things like chorizo (about four brands) and a wide variety of frozen fish.
I wish they had a better cereal selection. For such a huge store they don’t offer much variety. They do however have all the picnic stuff and cleaning items you’ll ever be looking for.
Three stars — its always a drag getting through the check out line. They never have more than three lanes open. Since this is in some ways a kind of «warehouse» store (gallon jug of Tapatio anyone?) people roll up to checkout with huge carts full. Its not that the checkers aren’t trying, its a volume vs. capacity problem.

This is our go-​to spot for party supplies! They have all types of party utensils for really cheap. They also have lots of wine and a wide selection of beers. Many bags of chips and snack items as well
The prices here are pretty good for mostly everything. They seem to be a little cheaper than most other grocery stores. If you don’t want to go by a crowded Walmart for any supplies, this place has all of the similar grocery and party items.
The produce and meat section has items, but not as high quality as the other big box grocery stores. If you are trying to be healthy and look for organic items or stuff to help out with any dieting needs, this is not the place to go. I would save my healthy items grocery trip for Trader Joes or Sprouts myself.
Parking lot is large and it is never crowded here. We went here on the Saturday before Easter and there was one person in front of us in the line. Employees are nice and the only ones we saw were at the cash register. They had plenty of registers open while we were visiting here.

I don’t typically shop here but lately I’ve been finding myself in the wine asks for cheapies needed at parties. The prices are good, the quality is questionable.

The store seems geared for small restaurant owners. They sell a lot of bulk items similar to a Costco. There were a lot of transients around the facility. I witnessed a man deficate in front of the building.

I have started shopping here pretty frequently since the prices are so good. I do a lot of my own cooking, so prepackaged stuff is not so much what I am getting, if I wanted more gourmet or healthier prepacked meals I would get them at Trader Joe’s or Fraser Farms. But I am getting produce and meat, cheese, etc. And vodka, ya know, obviously.
Not everything is a good deal, like coffee filters are a rip off. But, you can get an 8-​pack of Altoids for $ 8, versus buying them at Target or the Gas Station for upwards of $ 2 per tin, so in the long run you can save money shopping here. The produce prices are good, but they don’t have everything… ie, they do not have Snow Peas. But they randomly do have good prices on small things, like a jar of Pesto I have spent $ 4 on elsewhere, for $ 2.50, Panko Crumbs are there and a good price, etc. You just have to look and don’t get sucked into buying huge vats of Buffalo Wing Sauce or a gallon of jalapeño peppers or anything. Like Costco… sometimes too much of a good thing, is actually TOO MUCH.
Toss up on meat… I think Stater Bros is actually cheaper and better quality. We get bulk stuff here, you can also get good items needed for parties, like aluminum pans, cookware, etc.

I was browsing the clearance rack and snagged the last 11boxes of the fly tape (I live by an orchard) at $.25 a piece… I was checking out and it said the total for the fly tape was $ 10! I mentioned it to the cashier and she fixed it:) I usually get the «prove it» attitude… not her she called the manager over to have him go personally check and then I received my discount:) very great service!!!

Ok

Clean store, prices seem reasonable and it’s not like the old box store I remember

Eh. Just so so. Pretty high prices on just about everything. Went especially for beef brisket on sale. Great deal on that.

My first impression of this store was great. No glitter approach to a grocery store. Lately though, their chicken and meats have been low quality. I still go for the bulk drinks, and for getting a quick gallon of milk and/​or orange juice. I think they were having some refrigeration problems for their meat section.
Update 12÷17÷12. I forgot to mention I like not having to carry around a «Smart n Final» card just to get items on sale. I hate Vons (Nah I don’t really hate you) for inventing that stupid Vons card, now every store you go to has to have one, and I just don’t have room in my wallet for one. Still I do get the meats and poultry and frozen foods there. It’s a great place to get bulky packaging for a discount and live in this economy. Still my favporite place to grocery shop, actually.

My friend had a horrible experience at Smart and Final, just horrible. He purchased some ice cream cups and asked the cashier for a wooden spoon and she said we don’t have any. He said stores usually have them and she said «are you from Tijuana?» Caught off guard he said «no I’m from here». He just wanted to get out of there so he said can I have the rest of my change, she had only given him the coin portion and he had given her a $ 10.00 bill. She said «I already gave it to you» and he said «no you didn’t» anyhow he had to ask her 2 more times and she finally gave it to him. He wondered how many other Latinos she had victimized and kept there money because she knew they wouldn’t speak.
I spoke to the store for him and they said she was kidding and offered a $ 30 gift card. How disgusting.

I had always wanted to go to Smart & Final and I could never figure out why. I would drive by thinking… I need to go there sometime. Then, one day I was out shopping and had to go to Smart & Final.
They had high quality items and it was CHEAP! Not everything is cheap but if you know what you’re looking at, you’ll be fine.
What I recommend here are the meats, you can get great family packs.
They have great pasta sauce too.

Let me set the scene for you its 1990 your chillin’ at the pad watching «In Living Color» and that funny ass segment comes on that features Damon Wayan’s and David Alan Grier as Blaine Edward’s and Antwan Marywether with «Men on Film». Snappin’ their finger’s in full circle and either Loved it or Hated it!
Well let me telllllll youuuuuu (head snapped side to side with attitude finger in the air pointing) I absooootootly LOVE this store and I’m snappin’ my finger’s all the way home cause the money you save shopping here is fantabulous! This store is clean and the produce selection is always so fresh! They have everything you can possibly need here even my bulk balance bars and restaurant supplies if you own one (which I don’t) lol.
It’s kinda like a mini Costco but without all the other impulse buying items, which is good for me cause I see something that I don’t need and end up convincing myself somehow that I do need it and waste money but not anymore! Not at this store I get what I need and get the hell out!
So my review on Smart and Final is ~ LOVED IT ~ (fingers snapped in full circle) :)
P. S. Don’t forget to get a Smart and Final Smart Advantage card it will save you tons!!!

This store just opened in March, and OMG, I love it. A store like this is way overdue in Oceanside. Great selection, low, low prices. So far I haven’t bought anything that I didn’t like.
I don’t go to any other store now.