Smart & Final

This is a nice smaller sized Smart & FInal but does a good enough job servicing the local area, it’s A-​OK in my book worthy of shopping at.
Parking can be a bit tight and limited, but it’s better pricing than convenience stores and has a decent selection and inventory to shop. The meat and produce is a tad lacking in variety, both quantity and diversity, but it’s probably because it’s a boutique sized Smart & Final.
The staff working here was/​is very friendly ‘tho.

Helpful staff, great products, & easy parking… what more can you ask for?

I was on the hunt for a huge bag of chocolate kisses for a baby shower project I was working on. My first go-​to (Costco) did not have it in stock so I opted for the nearest Smart and Final because I knew they carry bulk items like Costco does, only, not as vast and wide. Since I had to pick up a few bottles of Torani Syrup anyway (Smart and Final has the best selection for under $ 4.00 a bottle).
As I was searching for the chocolates and wandering the isles for the syrups, a staff member warmly greeted me and asked me if I needed help. Because I was in a hurry, I asked him to direct me to the syrups and chocolates as this was my first time at this location. He cheerfully lead me to the correct isles but I did not see the big back of chocolate kisses I needed. So he offered to search their back stock and inventory for me. He climbed ladders, went to the back and even enlisted help from another staff member. He went above and beyond for customer service and with a smile and a proactive, friendly manner.
Then of course, as I continued shopping the isles, I stumbled across my favorite cookies, English Tea Cookies and to my surprise, they were on sale (buy two or more and they are $ 1.99). I was so excited, I immediately grabbed everything that was left on the shelf (which was only 3). Since this was the cheapest price I’ve come across them in a while, I thought I’d ask if they had more. (No, they were not all for me. My boyfriend and his son have come to enjoy them too so I was stocking up for all of us. Lol)! The same staff member that helped me moments earlier again searched the store and enlisted help to see if he could find me more. Alas, no luck but I appreciated his efforts. Then when I was being rung up, the gal said I had to buy in pairs to get the sale price. My eyes furrowed and I asked if she could make an exception since they didn’t have anymore in stock other than the last three I picked up. She inquired with the Store Mgr. who was more than willing to do the transaction without question and he also inquired with his staff to ensure there were no more cookies he could provide me with.
I must say, I was impressed with their customer service, efforts and congenial manner. The store is clean, well lit and had ample parking as it has it’s own lot. Its unfortunate I did not remember their names but I will definitely go back to this Smart and Final.

This is a tiny Smart & Final but I was able to find everything that I needed. Helpful when you need a quick item and they are open sorta late. They also have all the restaurant supplies you normally find but in a very cramped up space.

I am usually in and out pretty fast. This store is a small one and I feel it is a little more limited in what it stocks. It is sometimes difficult to find parking here, too.
As for navigating the cart through the store, it can be a challenge to get around and to pass other shoppers. Just make sure to be courteous and things will go smoothly.
I like coming to this Smart & Final mostly because I can count on them to have the Ambiance 20 ounce coffee cups & lids in stock. The other one I go to doesn’t always have them and it is disappointing! When I finally make it to S&F, it is because I have just used the last one in my house! I really need to plan better, but that’s a whole different story!
TIP: 20 ounce Dixie lids don’t fit onto the 20 ounce Ambiance cups.

Friendly and attentive staff. The parking lot is small but the outstanding customer service makes this a great location.

This is a pretty small Smart & Final but I come here all the time because it’s so close to my house. They don’t always have what I need, and sometimes when they do have it I have to buy a huge amount of it but the prices are good and the staff is always friendly and helpful when I stop buy. They have really good prices on my husbands favorite beer which makes him happy!

This is a smaller Smart & Final store. It has been recently renovated and it looks better than it did before. Smart & Final use to look very industrial, but the new renovations has the look of a regular market. They still have lots of commercial kitchen supplies and packaged foods. Very reliable if not spectacular. The prices are not as good as Costco, but you can get some specialty items not found at Costco or a regular super market.

Still shoddy, rude customer service. Plus I got harassed by someone who works there through a Unilocal message. Nice to see the company president was there — too bad he didn’t revamp the customer service the way the store was.

I haven’t been here for a while, boy, I must say this one is looking good today. They rearranged some stuff, now the aisles are turned 90 degree, it feels roomier than before. The proud and helpful clerk informed me that the company president was here recently…
Everything here is usually cheaper than Von’s, and price is quite compatible to Costco even, minus the bulk. The First Street is a decent brand, their ½ once beef meatball is the most aromatic I’ve tasted from any grocery store’s frozen section.
I need to shop here more, if I’m ever going to make a trip to Madagascar.

Pretty small as Smart and Finals go, but as long as they have my favorite pickles and hand soap, I’m not complaining. Ample parking for the size of the store. Maybe the smallish size keeps the hoards away, because it’s never been busy when I’ve been there. Quick check out is always nice.

This is a much smaller Smart and Final, with almost non-​existent produce and meat sections. They have a tiny cooler with a few meats that’s on their sale flier and a small produce section near the register.
The dairy and frozen departments are pretty big and the other sections are decent. The only negative about this location is that it’s on busy PCH near Torrance Blvd so it’s hard to get out of the parking lot, especially if you’re trying to go South on PCH. Also, there’s a big dip out of their parking lot so my car makes this scraping noise if I try to go out too quickly. Sorry, car!

Smart & Final has those things that regular markets don’t.

Costco-​esque prices without the Costco hassle. It’s not fancy or pretty, and feels like a military supply warehouse, but who cares? Take the time to peruse the inventory and you’ll find plenty of products and foods for your home. THEY DON’T JUST CATER TO RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES. There is money to be saved here people. For example, I get my espresso beans here (for my $ 800 latte maker) and the price is HALF of Starbucks (and probably better quality). I often buy food and give half away to friends since you get LARGE quantities for low prices. Note, no toiletries but there’s always CVS next door.

I forgot how much I like this place. They have a great selection of cleaning products, food items that you may or may not find at Costco, a fantastic selection of plastic serving trays, bowls and other kitchen gadgets and utensils and best of all, NO LINES AT CHECKOUT.

Great selection of bulk food items. The best part is there are no membership fees.

I shop here occasionally. I get the ice cream in the five quarter bucket and the house brand breakfast cereal here regularly because they are inexpensive and taste good. The store is smaller than other stores so the selection is somewhat limited. But the help is cheerful and helpful. It is better now that you don’t have to be a member to get their prices.

I’m somewhat intrigued by the variety of goods that I don’t normally notice at other stores. And the insanely large packaging/​quantities. (500 packets of mustard! Gigantic sacks of mashed potato powder! Woo!)
Sometimes I go just to oggle, but then, consider that I enjoy browsing at most grocery stores.
While I love buying in bulk, I appreciate that Smart & Final also carries many normal product sizes. Last week, I was shocked to discover that they had normal-​sized portions of a variety of cheeses. I had just assumed they’d have only 10 lb blocks of American slices.
I’ve also been eyeing their cookware — I think about getting that cast iron skillet every time.

Smart and Final is like a mini Costco without the membership fees. They usually have some very interesting products. For those who have lived in the Midwest, especially Michigan, they have Vernors and Diet Vernors (a ginger soda that is made in the style that is the precursor of regular ginger ale! $ 12.95 for a case of cans or $ 1.55 for a 2 liter bottle…