Stater Bros. Markets

*** Pitstop Review (Sun City) ***
As I was traveling through the area I made a quick stop to snack up and get something to quench my thirst. Sometimes I love my Monster while other times nothing tastes better than good old fashioned water in 100 degrees plus weather :-)
Here’s what liked…
* The people in this Stater Bros. are so unusually nice. Walking across the street cars wave me by. I noticed a lot of folks just smiling. Something I don’t see often, but when I do, it’s a very cool to witness.
Here’s what I didn’t like…
* Parking is crowded during mid-​day and the lot is small.
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Seating area = as expected, clean and organized
Service = friendly
Restroom = ok

Today only 3 express checkout lines open and 1 (yes just 1) regular line open with a pokey cashier. I literally had 3 people in front of me & 6 behind. You’d think they would open another or have someone assist moving people. The selection at this place isn’t good & people all seem grumpy to be there. No thanks! I’ll drive the extra 5 miles to another store.

Last month during a rain storm the power went out from Temecula to Canyon Lake/​Elsinore. I had to run to my grandmother’s house to check on her and saw that this market was open so I stopped to grab a few items including batteries. Not only was it open & without lights, etc. they were welcoming and helping people by escorting them with flashlights. Even though some of the locals were a bit frazzled, the mood was good and the employees were awesome. I came away with a real appreciation of why this market deserves nice reviews. Vons was closed and Ralphs was closed. I see why grandmother raves about this market because of the staff, manager’s special attention if she wants to order things and the fact that she can find what she wants with little hassle. You need to know that they don’t make the fried chicken until you order it, but you can pick up packages of shredded chicken and all sorts of singleton goodies that are apparently also work for seniors. Although they don’t have a big deli case and are not as big as other Stater’s they manage well for their clientele and I am impressed. It’s not new or fancy, but the produce is great — the meat is the best, esp. Tri-​tip. and I think that the guy in the meat dept who told me that technically they could roast a turkey for you if you ordered it in advance is a sweetheart. Try out the buy local items too. I’m still a fan for Trader Joe’s but Stater’s is way less corporate and more about the customer. Parking is easy too — but watch out for dings from seniors who seem to need to open the door all the way LOL
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Been shopping at this location for a decade and nothing seems to improve. No matter the manager they hire for this store, despite all of their alleged experience and qualifications, the important issues never change for the better. I gave this place a 6-​month «probationary period,» the same I did with the new Vons manager after I bailed from that horrific store 6 months ago!
The current manager at Staters was happy to see me again (or so he thought). On most of my weekly visits (sometimes more frequently than that), I pointed out to Manager Chris, numerous employees, and even the corporate office that the employees simply refuse to stock the correct item with the correct tag, making it very frustrating to shop at this location.
Despite all the assurances this would be corrected, it hasn’t. The issue is not a lack of intelligence or people making simple errors; no, it is DELIBERATE. Very non-​consumer friendly, to be sure!
Until they can get their act together, I am done with this store and will now travel further to Winco where I don’t have this type of issue.

Staters is one of my favorite grocery stores. Prices are reasonable, their meat is GREAT! I always get the best steaks there. They have pretty good produce, alcohol is priced fairly, and they’re the cheapest place for cat litter! Staff is friendly, store is clean, and they’re always well stocked! This particular location is almost always busy, so is recommend going when you can leisurely grocery shop. :)

Great prices!
Sometimes the lines are a bit long — but they usually will open another stand quickly so the wait is never that long.

I like Stater Bros, good low prices on quality brands. This location is predominantly the older/​senior demographic and as such, generally slow to check out. I avoid coming here for the quick items due to the slow service and will go to the Vons next door even though I may have to pay a little more.
Be careful in the parking lot, as I said, main audience is the older folks and they are not the most attentive drivers (being truthful, not trying to be rude); I had three kids and they just don’t notice the smaller kids walking in the parking lott even though they are next to me.

I really dont understand what all the other people are complaining about! I’ve been grocery shopping in this cute little store for years, and have never had a bad experience, all the workers there are very helpful, and everytime i ask for assistance they are very knowledgeable and nice, they dont make me feel like im being a burden on them like most stores i have been in! Also when you arrive at the check out, the checkers always talk to me like a local neighbor would, we swap cooking secrets, and they recommend new products for my next shopping visit. Overall i absolutly love this store not only the great prices, but for the nice and helpful employees! I would definitly recomend this store to anyone.

Since the balmy Spring days of 2006, I’ve had a love/​hate relationship with this market.
The good news is that they are of course closer than trekking down to Temecula for the good deals at the warehouse supermarkets. You also get in & out faster too. And they are a lot more affordable than the nearby Vons.
The bad news is that many of the employees seem clueless, 5 bags of basic groceries comes to about $ 65, and somehow their carpet shampooer gives off blue marks, leaving your carpet worse afterwards than before. (Kudos to the manager for refunding the money.)
Also worth noting is that many times they are out of basic necessities, they usually have people at the door hawking something-​or-​other, and you will have to wait for grannies in the parking lot.
But when you need groceries at 9 at night & don’t want to drive 20 miles & back, they’ve got ya over a barrel. So I guess they’re a-​ok for that. :-)