Grocery Outlet

This is a really dirty, cramped, cluttered and unpleasant store. Prices are OK. Produce and meat looked gross. It lacks the variety available at the Lynnwood store. It had some of the same items at the same price as Lynnwood. $ 6.99 olive oil for example. If I lived close I might pop in for a few items like the olive oil but I would keep it at a minimum.

I was curious about Grocery Outlet so I thought I give it a try as I was in the neighborhood.
Well… you CAN get good deals I think… but you could also grab food that is over its date.
Plus, the shop itself looks not really welcoming and I would say its more on the grubby side.
I don’t think that I will come back often.
The girl at the check-​out was pretty nice tho :) and parking in front of the store is pretty convenient.

Positive
+ Huge frozen section
+ Great prices on frozen seafood, chicken, etc. It definitely beats Sam’s Club frozen food 90% of the time.
+ Love their muffins. It is dense and soft. I can tell it is made from real butter.
+ Insane discounts on some things… just check the expiration date. Some of the items were over printed date. Some items had just a few days left according to the Best Buy date.
+ Lots of junk food & an entire section or two dedicated to cookies, chocolates, chips.
+ Price of OIL, seasonings, pasta etc. hands down beats any other store price.
+ Lots of inexpensive dog beds and makeup and face washes. Name brand soap and name brand beauty & laundry items. Love digging through that.
+ Cream cheese, artisan cheese, sausages, cereal bars etc. are well priced.
+ Loads of organic stuff like blue chips & artisan bread. Good prices.
+ They take AMEX woo!
Negatives
— Item quality is sometimes lacking. Service is hard to find but cashiers are friendly.
— A LOT of items are mismarked. They know they have this problem. They are trying to fix it. Several times I notice my total was higher. There is mislabeled eggs — $ 3 but it was $ 5. Pork ribs $ 8 labeled but it was $ 11. Check the price at check out or your receipt! This is your warning!
— Produce is… not fresh or very close to end of shelve life. Do NOT get the 3lbs of onion… or any produce you will not be using up in a few days. THEY WILL GO BAD. Every bag of onion went back on me and I had to cut the soft parts off. For produce I think Albertson & Sam’s Club might be worth the $$ since it will last longer. I notice I throw so much more veggies away when I get my produce & fruits here.
— MEAT section… the prices are HIGH. No way around it. I compare them both to AFC, QFC, Albertsons, Sam’s…they’re higher /​lb. They also don’t look that fresh. Definitely a big negative. The selection on meat is bad too.

Grocery Outlet is the only treasure hunt excitement left in grocery shopping: every trip there is the opportunity to find an unbelievable score. The best deals are NEVER in their fliers. Like 5 days ago they had 100% white grape juice, 64 oz, for 99 cents. I bought all I could, cause know it will not be there in a few days.
No time to ‘test’ if you like it: By the time I got home from buying 2 cases of Craisins there for less than the price of bulk raisins, I called to find out if they had more in any store: sold out.

The staff is always friendly, despite the trashy cracked out customers. Never really know what you will find but that’s part of the fun. The problem with this specific location is their produce section. Often times it’s rotting on the shelves. What the heck? How are you going to sell stuff that has wilted, grown mold, and spoiled?

This is a great place to pick up items at a discount compared to other grocery stores. Every time I go here, I always find a few gems in the aisles. Anderson’s split pea soup with bacon is the latest find!
There are also items in the refrigerated section that are expensive at other places. Also, you can occasionally find gluten free items too.
Overall, a nice place to explore. You never know what you might find…

I think the company might set prices (which are good) but the compared prices (Save $$$) are very inflated to other Grocery Outlet stores, like Crown Hill. I know every Grocery Outlet carries different items to cater to their local shoppers, so I still go there on occasion to find what might not be at Crown Hill.
Shopping there is always an adventure.

This place always used to creep me out. From the disparaging comments that I’d heard from Seattlites, I assumed it was some awful dirty store that sold expired off-​brand products. But then I decided to look around for myself and kinda liked it. Now, I probably shop in a Grocery Outlet like once a week. I’m not addicted or anything… I can pay full price at any time! But you can’t make me =)
Ben & Jerry’s for $ 1.99? Yes, please! Nutella, Cheez-​its, Essential Bakery, candy [that I eye and never buy], Amy’s frozen dinners, and more! They’ve got a variety of organic items, so take that you haters. I’m always a little excited about something I put in my basket. This past time I found a big box of Annie’s assorted crackers. Mmm.
There are occasionally beggars outside, and very occasionally sketchy people inside. However, I still like to come to this one to see what sort of new items they have.

This store is kind of my guilty pleasure. Lots of junk you really don’t need, but are going to buy anyway because it’s cool.
I tend to find good deals on vitamins, diet items, and pantry staples (cereal, rice, beans, soy sauce, vinegars, ketchup, etc). You can get Costco sized containers of sauces for cheap, which is nice.
Produce and meat section just doesn’t look appealing. A lot of it either looks funny, or you’re left wondering what’s wrong with it because it’s priced so low. Lots of off-​brands too which don’t look like the best quality.
Word of caution: CHECK THE EXPIRATION DATES. I think because they cut deals with big chains on their unsold products, that the bulk of what they get is of the soon-​to-​expire type. I find that lots of their chips and some of their canned goods are near or past expiration.
Good for bulk staples you might need anyway, but I wouldn’t rely on it for all our groceries.

I always venture to Grocery Outlet for my cereal needs. Its always hit or miss. But sometimes they have my favorite Maple Oatmeal Squares… which you can not find in any grocery store anymore (BOOOO!!!)
They do have a lot of good deals on other things as well; peanut butter, potatoes, spices… etc. I honestly don’t browse too much, don’t have the time or patience. Seems like a cluster… random items, random places… and off brands. I don’t trust many off brands. Although cheap, they probably are crappy quality or taste awful.
So again, come here for cereal… you can always find a good deal on something you like! (I’ve also found Chex, Crispix, Fruit Loops (the real ones, not generic!)

This place has some of the BEST prices in the area for food. Just wander the aisles and look for things on special. You can always get a deal on something here.
Wine: If you like wine then this should be the place you go to buy it. My wife LOVES wine and consistently gets Rex Goliath bottles for $ 2 each.
The only downside is that checkout can sometimes take a little while but the savings are worth it.

For those of you who are short on cash and would like to pick up a plethora of processed foods while witnessing, «Life on Aurora» — a play in three parts, currently showing at your Aurora Grocery Outlet — get your soon-​to-​be-​not-​so-​little tuckas down to the Grocery Outlet on Aurora.
This is my go-​to place for cheap canned/​processed goods. Need to slap together a plate of nachos that will cause paralysis? Pick up some canned chile, beans, cheese and chips at the Grocery Outlet. Need more sugar in your sodas? Grocery Outlet. Running low on tater tots? Choose from Grocery Outlet’s vast and awe-​inspiring selection.
Check out clerks here are few and far between, but this just gives you more time to appreciate your fellow shoppers — the guy who keeps telling you that the last drink he had was 34 years ago, because bad things happen when he drinks (ie. Ends up in jail or hospital), but the cheap vino selection at the Grocery Outlet is … just… sooo… tempting…Or the lady in front of you who decides to return her Jewelry Tree or Fancy Shoehorn valued at $ 9.99 plus tax, and decides to have a ten-​minute chat in Spanish with the cashier who has rhinestones glued to various parts of his face.
Recently, the store has installed carts with the electronic sensors so you can’t take the cart out of the store. I repeat — YOU CANNOT TAKE THE CART ONE STEP OUT OF THE STORE. So, be prepared to haul your ten bags’ of Party Ice (valued at $ 0.99/bag) to your car and hope they won’t be water by the time they get there. An experience everyone should savour at least once in her life. Grocery Outlet.

I’m lucky to live within close proximity to a number of places to buy food — Albertsons, Sam’s Club, Safeway, Central Market, and Grocery Outlet to name a few. With so many choices, I find myself choosing where to shop depending on what I’m looking for. I go to Grocery Outlet when I want deals or to try something that I consider to be expensive for a lesser price.
In general, I don’t buy meat or produce at this store. I don’t appreciate the quality. I do buy bulk coffee beans, sunscreen (the cheapest way I’ve found to buy brand names), make up, soft drinks, and frozen foods. I do buy other things there but it’s a little hit and miss. Always check expiration dates, particularly on the dairy but I have gotten fantastic deals on cheeses and drinks such as Odwalla smoothies. This is a perfect place to try out snacks! They’re often priced lower than a conventional store.
In the past year or so, management has taken great pains to make improvements in the store in a variety of ways — cleaner store, more organized, friendlier employees, to name a few.
I tend to go here only about once a month because I can’t do all of my shopping here. I think the location, next to a dollar store and a pharmacy, ideal for folks who want to save a few bucks.

I come to this g.o. sometimes only for emergencies the other one in ballard is way better also has nicers cashiers.
Cons: lots of homeless, annoying asian lady outside asking for change, carts cant take out to the parking lot, imposibble to buy a lot of groceries and carry it out. Mean and not educated cashiers, is simple to say hello or bye. Small choice in vegetables.

I usually shop at this location and it’s pretty nice and organized. I’ve been shopping at Grocery Outlet before it became economically hip by the rest of the community because I’m a bargain hunter. You can find name brand, organic, and fresh produce available at great prices. I can spend $ 35 in groceries that will last me two weeks — healthy, fresh foods for clean eating and fitness. They also sell household items and fun seasonal decorations.
I haven’t seen this location stock any expired items, only items that are past or nearing the best by date. Well, on second thought some of the dairy items might be past date, but very few items. It’s usually still okay to consume several days past the date, but I would Google that if that’s an issue or new to you. I don’t buy a lot of dairy as it is, so not an issue for me.
This location now charges 10 cents (?) per plastic bag per city/​county ordinance which I’m cool with, so bring your resuseable bags to haul your grocery finds. I believe the price to be accurate at time of posting.
This location now has newer and cleaner shopping carts — yay! They have a bar on the carts that prevents you from taking the cart outside of the store. You can ask for assistance out if you have a cart filled with groceries since you won’t be able to take the cart out. I think they can lower the bar on the carts or something… I’m not sure.
This location is shaping up and looking nicer. Key Bank and Evolution Fitness are new neighbors. Don’t judge the location by outer appearances, look inside and see the bargains. Rite Aid with Wendel’s License & Service for your car tabs/​needs in the back of the store, Ross, Dollar Tree, Midas, and other shops are also nearby. You can knock out several errands in one trip.

I’m generally a huge fan of G.O., however this location repulsed me into writing this review for you. The Ballard store has set the standard high, go there instead.
Cons:
Messy, cardboard everywhere, merchandise waiting to be situated in aisles, blocking stuff
Illogical order
Long lines
Baaaad selection, I mean bad. Just a whole bunch of crappy stuff the probably also carry at the dollar store. There was hardly any of the interesting/​weird/​organic/​healthy items.
Pros:
The employees were nice and ringing people up as quickly as possible.

LOST in Lake City! At lunch time. I cruise around seeking a place to park at Tubs, no go. I try for Taco del Mar. dang it. I havent been in this area so long and I wish to eat lunch and get back to my little assignment.
I see their store and go for it.
I am pleasantly surprised. they have overstocks from many sources. I scrounge up enough healthy stuff for lunch and find other great deals which if I had more time would be a super saving.
Friendly employees, bright clean atmosphere.

The parking lot is scummy and there is usually one Aurora-​esque character in the store. Being from a city on the East Coast, it’s actually nicer outside than most areas I was used to before moving to Seattle. It’s not dangerous or anything.
The store isn’t bright and shiny inside, but there are great deals to be found here. It is small and can get kind of crowded, so it should be avoided on rushed or high anxiety days. Maybe they fired all the meanies because the staff seems friendly here.
Last time I they had my organic face wash for $ 5 I usually pay over $ 20 for at Whole Foods, $ 1 bags of Alexia sweet potato fries, $ 1.50 cartons of Imagine soups and Pacific brand almond milk. I don’t think I could do all my shopping here but it’s a great place to shop to stock up on frozen items, non perishable items, and beer or wine. I definitely save a lot on the things I do buy.

Grocery Outlet is a pretty good place to stock up on basics– canned goods, cereal, pasta stuff, any/​all baking supplies, and household cleaning/​organizational goods. I don’t trust the dairy and meat, and some of the vegetables look downright pathetic, but take this with a grain of salt, as I’m weird about meat and produce. Watch the expiration dates, because I’ve found some items which are a good six months past (frozen spinach), but if you use common sense, you can walk out with some really good bargains.
Depending on when you shop, you can really score on the toiletries– I’ve gotten some Alba face scrub and Kiss My Face body wash here for half off the normal prices.
Some of the locations are a little sketchy, I’ve never had as much of a problem with this location.

It’s like a thrift store… of food! You never know what you’ll get here, especially if you venture into the cold case where their dairy is. Ever had to eat 20 yogurts in about 3 days? Yep, done that.
The best stuff is featured towards the right upon entering. Every sign is big! With low-​low prices! I don’t know where to look. It’s kind of overwhelming.
Their cereals section is good, we’ve purchased Kashi for $ 2 (when their tiny granola box in a regular store is nearly $ 6) and there’s usually several boxes of visually-​recognizable boxes but written in another language. We picked up a box of French (–Canadienne?) Alpha-​bits. They were stale, but the box was hilarious.
The frozen section is iffy, depends on what you want… ICE CREAM is usually a safe bet. Ever buy a box of strawberry shortcake ice cream bars and eat half the box on the way home (half because you shared w/​your partner)? Yep, did that too.
The produce section, ehhh… but I did buy some avocados for 50c and they were perfectly fine.
Otherwise they carry a fine stock of staples, like pasta, sauces, baking stuff, vitamins, toiletries, canned goods, etc.
Now the wine section is definitely potential for some awesome and limited stuff. They carried Foolish Oak Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon for $ 4! I wasn’t too much a fan of the Chardonnay but bought some as gifts for people. We bought them all out when the store had a 10% off sale on wine. We saved over $ 200 that day. Heh.
I haven’t found another cool wine here for some time, and the location can be shady if you come after dark. Checking out can take a long time either due to too few employees or they’re just that busy or both. Worth a look, come during the day though!