Smart & Final Extra!

I shop at this Smart & Final location infrequently but each time I have been there, the quality of their products that I purchased were bad to disgusting. In separate visits to buy the Gallo Salami chubs that they carry, I bought on separate occasions, the following items… chuck roast, Hinodi Brown Rice and green grapes. When I opened the chuck roast, hidden on the underside was the rind, about ¼″ thick still left attached to the roast. Not only was it hidden from view, but it added additional weight to the product. It wasn’t fat, it was hide, enough left on there that I could have cured it and made a wallet. The Hinodi brown rice was obviously old and left on the shelf way to long. The entire bag was infested with worms and molted skins. That was particular disgusting because before I looked closely at the raw rice, I had already cooked a cup and ATE It!!!
The last trip, yesterday, I bought green grapes that were prominently displayed at the front of the produce section. My husband washed the grapes the same night and found that many of the grapes were starting to rot AND the bottom layer was moldy.
I should turn them into the health department. If I go in again, I will do this. Not sure who the store manager is, but he/​she should be more mindful of their products.
Oh yes, I also bought cans of mushroom soup and the tops of the can were very dirty.
Makes you wonder if they warehouse their products in Rat and roach infested warehouses.
Again, this happened to me only at the Hillsdale and Ross location in San Jose.
BUYERS BEWARE

They just did a re-​org of meats. Why can they not figure out the registers and check outs. ALWAYS a long line in registers. I usually only go here for some basics. I do not like their meats. Veggies are ok. Milk, seasonings, bread are ok.
I hate the long lines and delays at registers, so Safeway gets most of my basics now.

I live near by Safeway, Lucky and Trader Joe’s, and Smart & Final is the farthest, but I prefer to shop here for certain products. This store is the only store that have Jenny O’s Turkey dog and their liquor selection is very extensive, and it is cheaper than Safeway/​Lucky.
They also have a good selection of trail nut mix.
The line is bit long, but doable for me on a Saturday.

Im not usually a Unilocal reviewer when it comes to grocery stores but when a packed Wednesday and a failing manager to realize that each line were backed up to the shelves my cashier Tina put a smile on my face and got it done quickly and knows how to bag. Shes my favorite cashier now

Think of it as the anti-​Trader Joe’s. Boring selection and employees that don’t seem too happy to be there. It’s close to home so I try it now and then, but the long lines usually make me regret it.

They might not have EVERYTHING u need, but if you’re not a Costco member or if its closed this is the next best thing! I ordered a lot of bulk items from Amazon for cheaper prices for mu daughters bday party, but after looking at these prices made me wish I didn’t.
I’d def come back here for the next occassion

So we always get our water at this location for my mother in law
crystal geyser great buy two for $ 8.00 well none on the floor except a pallet ask a bagger if he can get us two he says I’ll be right back comes and says I can’t cause I can’t handle fork-​left not 18 then says no one else can help then runs off like who does that ok so I am upset so as we are paying I ask the cashier what’s the name of the Manager on duty she was
Caught off by surprise say well I am she had no name badge nor said my name is _​_​_​_​_​_​says what’s the problem I told her the story how no one could get us the water which the store had over 9 employees on the clock she kinda quite then I was like now you have a customer who comes in all the time leaving your store angry she then says ummmmm let me finish helping the next in line and I’ll get someone who can get the water for you. I said thanks ok what was the big deal of so called no one could help us bad customer service no communication of employees why work if your going to be lazy .
Final note never once did she say her name (Manager on Duty) I seen if on our receipt
Customer service sucks

On the plus side: They have a good selection of foods, sometimes things you can’t get at the bigger stores like Safeway, and prices are often lower.
On the minus side: Long lines. I suspect they don’t pay their people very well. During my most recent visit the checker was engaging in a long-​winded and loud personal conversation with another customer while the line backed up behind me. When it was finally my turn the checker burst into tears and ran off screaming «I need a break!» It was really bizarre. The line manager had to came over and ring me up.

This was my first time in there. Oh my God! Everything is definitely cheaper than safeway. It is not as fancy, but clean and well stocked .They had a special today of chicken breasts for $.59 a pound. Unbelievable! Their eggs, produce, yogurt, canned goods, milk, and more are name brands and definitely a lot less money. I understand a lot of people say there aren’t enough checkers, but I went about nine in the morning and it was great. I highly recommend this store-​their employees are nice and helpful and if you go in the morning it’s not bad at all.

Customer Service is very poor. I was there yesterday to purchase a sale item that was not stocked. I asked someone who went to the back to bring out more only to disappear in thin air. I then waited to find another employee who also disappeared in the back. I waited more than 20 minutes and only because I need the item to make dinner. I was exasperated!

This is my go to grocery store.
Today Tony was my cashier. Thank god. He kicks some serious ass. Clone him.
Thomas

Lines are always too long. They don’t open up new checkers, if so. I’m going to Target.

This was my first visit to this location.
The place was clean. I was able to get help in locating what I needed. Great selection. The cashier, Janelle, was friendly. I thought I went to the wrong store.
I normally go to the Smart and Final in Santa Clara since it’s near my home. I made the assumption that most locations were like the Santa Clara location– an understaffed dump with rude employees. Wrong. This one is way better. Thanks for improving my opinion of this chain.

Good grocery store in the neighborhood, fresh produces but service is so slow and most of the time long line. The cashier she never smile and also take her time even though the line is crazy, sometime they were talking to each other while ringing you up Like you’ve never exist. I called once to check if they have something I was looking for since I’ve been there twice in 3 days, and guess what they put me on hold for Frkn 26 mins. Wtf??? And still not getting an answer what’s a waste of time…

Non Union grocery store… ok prices. Be smart know the value of your money n time vs. what you get here and your good ya know.

Now I like these guys better than cos**o for a few simple reasons; one is you don’t need to buy huge containers of things to get good pricing and two they have better selection. Their service has always been good; but now when I had special needs they came thru very well. Tracking an old expense was doable and they were always friendly. I want to especially thank Sarah H for her assistance.
If you don’t know them yet, check them out!

I kinda like this smart and final but sometimes they have one one register open when hella people are in line.

Awesome store, the bulk section rocks, the cashiers are usually pretty quick, and the aisles are big enough to get a couple shopping carts through without hurting anyone.
Only giving it 4 stars because they don’t have express lines or self checkout.

OK… So I have been coming here since 2003. All I have to say is that if you are looking for a Bulk Warehouse store with out the weight, size and the rude patrons of all race and gender (by now most of you will have a flashback! BUT I mean no dis-​respect c’mon find some humor in Costco and if you haven’t been to one go with a friend who has a membership and leave your cash behind lol)) Smart & Final is the place. Sure Costco is large, but Smart & Final found a way to attract customers away from the likes of Safeway and Lucky with items of the appropriate size, the feel of a neighborhood supermarket and without club member or card savings.
They sell both Commercial and Organic Fruits and Vegetables and they are fresh!
Small Business Owners will also find that this place carries the right amount of items again without the «Costco Bulk» or the confusing pricing of your Superchain.
But hey I have saved money over the years and it has helped to shop smarter and it also helped me stretch that «dolla dolla bill ya’ll!!!»

Smart & Final is like me… Smart (Obviously) and right to the point. :)
These people have turned a Costco into a much more manageable store. Everything here though is geared toward food and the stores/​restaurants that serve or sell food. In fact, their tiny, little, half shelf of toiletries should just be removed cus it is silly. (Yes, I am a grown man and I used the word silly. Get over it.)
This store has every flavor of soda known to man. You can even get the Mexico versions. The checkout system is efficient and well placed and this store was properly staffed. No long lines and plenty of folks to help you find what you need. Not that you will need it cus the store is laid out brilliantly.
Favorite item in this store: The monster can of Jalapeño cheese sauce. Who does not enjoy 5lbs of processed cheese like sauce for their nachos or bedtime fun.
Parking lot is a little small and carts and be a little spread out. Other than that. I am a huge fan.