Vons

Ever since Albertsons closed down the street, I’ve been forced to shop at your store located at 6555 Mission Gorge Rd… I always stare in disbelief at the receipt as I walk out the door each and every time. This last one was over $ 50.00 for chips and a steak. You’re pre-​cut fruit is $ 15.00…really? I think I saw $ 24.00 for a Greek Salad in the deli. You’re taking advantage of us knowing we have no where else to shop… I hope you’re enjoying yourself… I’ll drive 50 miles out of way if I have to from now on… You’ve taken my last hard earned dollar…

BUSY location, long lines, non-​fresh seafood. I purchased their atlantic salmon for 6 months and noticed a recent dip in quality accompanied by an odd smell. Prices at this Vons are similar to all the other major grocery stores, so they can be good at times. But nothing to mark this location out of the ordinary.
It is ²⁴⁄₇ which is nice and is real close to my apartment, but traffic in and out of the plaza can be rough, especially around rush hour.
Service is satisfactory. One worker behind the seafood counter is great but the majority of my experiences have been meh.
Overall I think there are better grocery stores nearby that offer better service, shorter lines, fresher foods, and similar pricing. Good for a pinch before a potluck, but that’s all I recommend my friends.

Is it just me or do the employees here resemble the walking dead? Clearly unionized employees (don’t quote me on that haha) with no incentive or desire to provide any level of customer service.
The prices are rediculous and unfortunately there aren’t alternatives in Grantville. Better to travel 10 minutes west to Ralphs or even Food4Less. Yeah you read that right… Food4Less.

These guys are so busy since Albertsons closed.
They have a small lot with tight parking.
I really like the prices and selection, but the crowds can be harsh.
More than once I have seen every checkstand open, and lines down the aisles.
Good bakery, deli, and produce.

Been going here for roughly 15 years and I’ve had my ups and downs with this place… I’ve grabbed beer early in the am (on my way home from work) and a samidge for lunch at normal hours when I started working days.
This place has been open in all my times of need, yet the bakery/​deli does close. Night shifters don’t expect to get your samidge fix because you’re out of luck! The lines can be a bit crazy at times but they try to get you out quickly.
People here are usually friendly and it doesn’t hurt so much to spend alllll the monies on food for the baby monster when I’m getting pennies off on gas. You know momma loves to drive to all the soccer games. Since this is close to work I will definitely be going back for more. Thanks Vons!

I like this vons but every time you get something from the deli the ladies take FOREVER to get you some turkey slices or what not. Speed it up will you!

The customer service is nonexistent. And when it gets very busy during lunch time not enough cashiers to help the store out. Would rate it three thumbs down if I had three hands.

Worst grocery store ever! This store is small to begin with then they took out shelf space to put in a Starbucks. The selection here is terrible. They are always crowded and understaffed. If you go in at night there is an un-​navigatable maze to get in and out through the only open door (who is the Idiot who put the liquor by the front door)?.

This is by far the slowest vons of any in San diego. There are never enough checkers and no self check stations. Often there is no express lane open meaning u must stand in regular line for just a few items. Read other reviews mgmt… this is a consistent complaint!!! I was in line yesterday and woman in front of me politely mentioned this store is too difficult to come pick up a few items because it takes too long to check out. We watched people set down items and wslk out… Cashier responded… well u just have to always allow an hour to grocery shop. We both were in 15 or less lane… and we just looked at each other like these cashiers are nuts. I decided then… I’ll drive extra distance to either another vons or ralphs. (OR better yet. windmill farms, sprouts and trader joes) I have mentioned this to vons on their comment forms. Never any response nor change in situation. Just wanted to share my experiences at this location.

Bad service. I asked the produce guy if there were any jalapeños and he said «oh.we’re out.» He didn’t even check or see where else I could get some from. I’m not sure why it’s so hard to find a store or people with good customer service these days. I probably won’t be back to this location.

Worst layout! It drives me crazy!!! Not my favorite Vons, but it does the job. :)

This is one of the worst Von’s ever… I come in on my way to work in the mornings, there’s ALWAYS a line and they never think hmmmmm, let’s open another check out… no that’s too much like right, oh I’m not done… there is a little blond girl I wish I knew that heffas name… she never says hello and heaven forbid she should happen to touch my hand when she gives back change. This vons store sucks… yea I said it!!!

Okay, I’ve bought approximately 6 different Kombuchas here in different months, that have ALL fizzed up and exploded on me. I’ve been drinking it for years, and I’ve never had this happen with Kombuchas except the ones bought here! They’re obviously storing them in inappropriate conditions, like too hot or too bright. They also taste ‘off’ and are always over-​priced. The shitty selection was bad enough, but have you ever had a Kombucha fizz up on you?! It’s full of live bacteria, so it just fizzes and gushes and gushes and gushes. It’s got the endurance of a soda on steroids. I’m starting to get angry about this happening over and over…
I now have hundreds of grape chia seeds embedded in, and all over my carpet, which I just cleaned. Fuck you Vons, I’m never coming back, despite the fact that you are so close. It’s over.

Had an issue with the store manager, April, my wife walked up to the manager standing at an empty cash register and waited until April was finished. My wife was going to pickup cash from western union, while her uncle is out of town she is taking care of his house. We have picked up the cash 2 times before without issue. When she asked the manger April for help. She snapped «We are not doing that now» and turned away. My wive asked when they stop servicing western union, she said «five!». We have had no issues with them helping us at 9 pm on wester union. Before my wife could ask anymore questions April stored off…
We have had nothing but good to great service from this Vons before, I don’t know what they promoted someone that is so unprofessional and rude.

If you go to this Vons from 4pm-​6pm it will be a mad house full of people fresh off of work and now that the Albertsons has been closed for a couple months it is even more crazier! I try to go early in the morning or late at night but even if u go real late at night they only have one register open and sometimes a line builds up. Never had any crazy problem here and never ran into a problem where they didn’t have something. Put the prices are pretty expensive compared to other grocery stores

Convenient place to get all the standard food supplies. Sketchy bathroom in the warehouse/​employee area… But at least they have one. Not the best Vons or the greatest range of items but they usually have acceptable prices (more than an Asian/​Mexican market but less than Keils or Wholefoods (duh)).
The employees are friendly enough. $ 5 Fridays used to be a weekly event for us – but be warned — $ 5 each adds up!!. Potential to earn up to .20 cents off a gallon at Chevron with Vons points but you have to spend a lot to get it. Maybe a better bonus for a household of more than two. Convenient Starbucks stand by the deli section (it doesn’t hold up to stand-​alone locations). The biggest downside is that the deli service can be (and usually is) excruciatingly slow.
The best thing about this place? (Besides their tomato soup and Safeway brand bbq chicken pizza…) THEY’RE OPEN 24 HOURS!!!

Overall this place is very convinient since it’s a few blocks from my house. Sadly their produce is always pretty picked over or doesn’t look very good. Now that Albertsons closed down this location is always packed and lines are long. The cashiers are very friendly for the most of the time though.

These are some of my favorite things…
1. Location location location! Can’t beat it. This Vons is closet to my place, and I can even walk to it! (Sad thing is… that I don’t… Its on my way home, so I stop then, or if I have a baking emergency I have to drive anyways… (my oven is on) and this has happened on more then one occasion). Be careful when parking, its a zoo after work!
2. The chicken salad in the deli is my favorite! I’ve tried many, and I love this one! Topped on freshly baked crostini… amazing!!!
3. The signature soups. Hot or cold, this is my go to take home soup. My favorites include the Stomping Steak Chili, Tuscan Tomato Basil Bisque, Loaded Baked Potato, Chunky Chicken Noodle, and Chicken Corn Chowder.
4. I’m an oj snob, and I really only drink two kinds other than fresh squeezed oj. Florida’s Natural usually $ 3 each, is my favorite orange juice is always on sale. ALWAYS! :). This week its $ 2.39! I usually also grab a Good Belly (Pomegrante Blackberry) while getting my oj, go probiotics!
5. They usually have everything I want in stock every time I come here, and the staff is always super helpful.
6. Beautiful floral arrangements when I walk through the door. I love seeing what fresh flowers they have on display and the new color of my favorite orchids. I am a creature of habit and usually come in through the same door (but that might be for the ease of parking). But if you go through the floral entrance, you have everything at your fingertips to get your shopping on, weekly ad, basket, and sanitary wipe! Ready!
7. They have a Starbucks inside. Enough said. :)
8. Now open ²⁴⁄₇!

Though this is my nearest Vons I go to another location because of poor customer service at this location.

What does autumn smell like?
For many people, it’s dead or burning leaves, for others, wet hay or apple trees, or wood smoke from the living room fireplace. To me, autumn smells like fire-​roasted Hatch chiles.
Living for a time in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I often passed through grocery store parking lots in September and October, where vendors would set up large, rotating wire mesh bins over gas jets, load the bins with Hatch green chiles, and spin and roast the pods for hours. The jets would blister and char the chiles, which would rub against the sides of the bins, scraping away much of the char. The vendors would sell wet, fragrant chile by the plastic bagful.
The smell was compelling; I’d find myself walking slower from store to vehicle, savoring the air, prolonging the experience.
Tourists, unfamiliar with the ritual, or with the cuisine and culture that surround it, were often surprised to learn that something so simple is so important in New Mexico. But locals line up for hours for the chance to buy anywhere from just a few to dozens of pounds of roasted Hatch chile. They use some right away, in pork chile verde, chilaquiles, enchiladas, but some is always held out for Christmas, when green chile and cheese tamales and posole make their appearance.
I can buy Hatch chiles any time of year. But I’m grateful to Vons for the reminder that autumn is on the way. Let other people become nostalgic at the sight of pumpkins or during a weekend hayride. I’ll pick up some chiles, and when it cools off a bit, head to my backyard and roast a few over the fire pit, for old times’ sake.