Safeway

Voted «#1 for Slowest Checkout”* in all of Alameda! Woo! Go Safeway!
*All stores independently surveyed — The Steve P. Herlald

I love this Safeway so much because of their Starbucks inside! This starbs location is my favorite one to go to just because it’s spacious and not usually packed which is very rare for any Starbucks locations. This spot is perfect to study, catch up with friends, or just enjoy your coffee :-)
As to the actual store, it’s also pretty nice. All workers seem to be very nice and always greet you. On top of this, the bathrooms are super clean!!! Yay for clean restrooms

I LOVE this Safeway! Very spacious and bright. Everything is neat and clean. There’s a lot of local foods/​drinks which I think is awesome! They are always having deals, which is a major plus!
The only downfall is that the ladies behind the deli counter are not very nice. They act like they are being disturbed when you ask for deli items. But I don’t use this store for deli anymore so that’s no longer an issue for me.

This Safeway is so clean, big, and bright! And it even has its own gas station, WHAT?! I’m sorry, but in my area you either get gas at the gas station and if a Costco near you offers gasoline. This is so cool! Okay, their gas is pretty cheap, which is such a plus! And the parking lot is huge as well.
My only problem is that I still get a little confused with how to enter and exit the actual plaza, but then again, I’m not an Alameda local anyways lol. I come here every so often.
But besides the point… I love this Safeway! It’s close to a Target and food. Also, I feel like it’s pretty safe for me to come here to get food if I’ve got the late night munchies or something, because it’s so well-​lit in this plaza.
The staff is also very welcoming and friendly. They’re pretty jovial, from my experience.
The actual store itself offers Safeway deals that I’m used to, since I go to the Safeway near my house a lot anyways. Always happy to see deals on snacks, especially. (Yum yum yum)

I came here on a week night at 8pm and there wasn’t too much people here. When I first walked into this Safeway, I was a little bit overwhelmed. I’m not use to a large selection of flowers, balloons, deli, and bakery section from the normal Safeway. This Safeway is newly built and is more than twice of normal Safeway. This Safeway’s clean, items stocked nicely, and good ample parking in the lot. It even has a pharmacy. I was definitely impressed.

The first day we came back to SF for my husband’s job, I set out on the mission to set him up with some food and since the company covers the cost, I wasn’t too worried about coming in here. Safeway is expensive in Oregon, but California prices, holy kittens of fire, I couldn’t even feel good about making somebody else pay those prices. I figured out they had a good vegan section of food my husband could handle cooking once I left, so they got an extra star for that.
Otherwise, what a horrible experience with the long lines here. That first morning, it was me and one other woman in front of me, with about 5 items, and it still took me 20 minutes to get out of that place. Then we would go on to discover, a quick run in, was never going to include this safeway. I can get in and out of Target in less time then I stand in line here.
I went last friday night, because I love the orange water they have, which then turned into, well I am here I will grab this and that. I then see the lines and think there is no way I am standing in what looks like a mini version of black friday. So, I go to self check out only to be told only two of them are working and they had lines, I stuck it out there though because it was still shorter. I was in line for 25 minutes, but I was also watching where I would have been in regular line and I still got out of there sooner.
Total nightmare and they aren’t that friendly there. One bonus though, on the powerball mania when it hit the billion dollar mark, not a single person in that line, until after we got there and started buying a ticket, then there was suddenly 10 people behind us.

Super happy when this Safeway opened up. Living on the waterfront in Oakland, this is actually the closest grocery store to me besides Lucky’s. Since its opening though– it’s been my go-​to stop for everyday eating. (that meal prep life doe)
The groceries are usually pretty good deals (huge things of chicken breast for under $ 10? HECK YEAH), the layout of inventory makes sense to me, and the employees are usually pretty friendly. The lines can get cray sometimes, but they make a bit of an effort to open up more lines when theres a crowd.
Overall– not as fancy (and expensive) as the higher end stores but it keeps my grocery budget in check and my meals prepped. Other perks include gas rewards ($.10 — .30 /​gallon off!), and close locations to habit burger, in and out, AND Unleashed! (my puppy appreciates this).
Pro-​tip: remember to pay with a debit card NOT credit card if you want the cheapest gas prices they offer, and air and water is complimentary for safeway card holders. (:

When this Safeway opened, I was extremely happy to have it so close to where I live instead of having to trek out to South Shore Center to pick up groceries or go to Lucky’s which was often out of what I wanted or didn’t have it at all. This location is new, clean, and well organized.
I also appreciate that though Oakland Chinatown is right through the tunnel, I can often pick up what I need right from this store. It’s slightly pricier but given I can go there at night without worrying about my surroundings as in Chinatown at night, I’d gladly pay a little extra if I need to.
I would have to agree with other Unilocalers that this store needs to up the number of cashiers. When they first opened, they had most of their registers opened giving a false sense that it would always be that quick. I haven’t had an experience where it was extremely slow to the point where I wanted to put back my items but it almost got there two or three times.
The parking is plentiful and it’s close walking distance to Michaels, Chipotle, Habit Burger, and Panda Express, and has a Starbucks inside.

Way to go Safeway!
The near by Safeway to my house, so I’m there at least once a week, evrey section are in really good condition really nice and clean, and the service are just superb, so for me there’s no other place to buy my groceries.

Terrible experience today. One cashier and long lines with holiday shoppers. Finally when the line wasn’t moving I reluctantly went to the auto checkout. I often get frustrated with this but today it was really gunning for me. Won’t accept Kombucha (guess it has a small amount of alcohol). The lady is busy and not very helpful. No it won’t accept cabbage. Then I can scan cauliflower. Lady is telling me I have to enter another code after scanning (why? What’s the point of scanning?) Instead of helping me she’s shouting from her little kiosk.
After 20 minutes trying to check out with 6 items I give up and just try to pay for the cabbage (need it for some soup tonight). Won’t accept again… need another code. I find the code on and enter it. Use credit card. looks good. I shout «yeah!» and walk out the store.
Lady come running after me saying (not yelling thank God) my payment didn’t go through. You’d think by now she’d just ring it up for me… no, not Safeway. I have to go to the machine and do it again.
The place looks decent to me but it is obviously managed poorly.
Wish Wholefood would have come to Alameda instead.

This is a review for Starbucks. I ordered a tall caramel macchiato. When I picked it up, it felt a little lighter than normal. I took off the lid and the coffee was only filled a little above the half way point… definitely not going back.

This review is in response to Candi’s awesome service.
Yesterday I went in for a sandwich and Candi had the best customer service. As I requested all sorts of toppings on my grilled cheese she was happy to accommodate. She even buttered the outside of my bread for me and toasted the sandwich to perfection.
As I waited for my sandwich I noticed her interactions with fellow employees. She was kind and interactive all while maintaining a professional demeanor and performing her job. She seemed to really add a fun spark to the work environment. This is important because customers can see it, and the energy is contagious.
I really hope she gets some notice for her contributions to Safeway. She definitely made my day, and an amazing sandwich!
Thanks again, Candi!
5 stars

It’s amazing how one bad experience can ruin a place for you.
I’ve been going to this great store very regularly for months now. I’ve never had any problems except a few long lines.
Today Cathy G. was the only checkout clerk working. She was THE ONLY rude checker I’ve ever encountered here. I am 30 years old and look as such. I went in to buy a bottle of alcohol. She asked for my ID. I explained I didn’t have it. She gave me the rudest shrug and smerk. I left without a word.
Rather than loose my cool, I left the store, drove all the way home, got my ID, and came back. I got back in line (I wish there was another option than her this time).
When I got to her, she laughed at me and asked if I want my other bottle instead. I said nothing. I showed her my ID. We were done with the transaction.
At this point, instead of hitting enter and letting me leave, she REJECTS selling to me.
I’ve never had this happen in my life. When my gf goes in to buy the alcohol, Cathy G. is opening speaking negatively about me to other customers.
Cathy G. is the ONLY rude/​unprofessional checker at this store and yet she has ruined the experience for me.

I come here at least twice a week (up to 5 times a week if around a holiday) and with the Safeway gas station down the street from them it really completes my trips out with my gas points taking the sting off gas prices (I know there is still quite a few Safeway’s with out them close by so for some gas points are well pointless).
I truly like this Safeway (points for being open 24 hrs) over all but can’t give them a 5 star because some of their departments (?) just fall short of my standards for a grocery store.
Deli — 3 stars — I have truly had hit or miss in this area. This area seems understaffed since they jump back and forth between the hot/​cold normal deli offerings and the sandwich station or have people behind the counter but no customer interaction.
My one major complaint would be the sandwich makers, after the knife they use was covered in Avocado (I’m allergic) from a previous sandwich they seemed almost incapable of cleaning off the blade and holster (slot in cutting board) properly that it wouldn’t keep turning up green. And the look of annoyance when I asked for it to be washed doesn’t want me to order any time soon.
Starbucks — 2 stars — Some might say that its not Safeway per-​say but it is in the Safeway and again understaffed (only one employee working all the times I have passed by/​ordered) and it affects orders and overall cleanliness.

RUDE express checker guy who only bagged 3 of our (lightest) items and left the remaining 10 there for us even though we brought our own shopping bag. Wow. Maybe if he wasn’t wearing his bulky motorcycle jacket that weighed more than him, he could at least bagged our groceries.
Southshore Safeway is better than this location.

Ouch… 7:45 pm and only ONE checker. The one checker I have to wait, because I want my wine. It was play-​off night for the Warriors, and the wonderful young lady that was working that singular register let us all know how sorry she was that we were being forced to wait in one line. Come on Safeway. Brand spanking new store, and you don’t staff it? OUCH!

The Alameda Landing shopping center has added its supermarket with the recent opening of Safeway. This new store on the West End is the third Safeway in Alameda.
Store is bright with nice wide aisles. The refrigerated cases has sleek frameless-​looking doors. It has all the requisite departments such as meat, bakery, deli, pharmacy, and floral, all of which appeared to be well-​staffed. Yep, there’s a Starbucks there too.
The aisle end caps by the registers appeared large making the area leading to the registers appears small. I usually self-​check and they have six registers for self-​checking. Nice!
A great supermarket addition to the West End of Alameda.

It’s big and clean. (That’s what she said). Wow, that joke is so 2005, but I took it there.
But honestly, grocery stores where I come from are GHETTO, small, cramped and dirty. This Safeway on the other hand is somewhat spacious, clean, pretty empty and had ample amount of parking. It also happens to be located near an In-​N-​Out, making it all the more better.
It’s a Safeway, so nothing cray. Good prices, extremely friendly employees and some good bargains. Bonus: you can earn points while shopping that can be applied to the Safeway gas station next door, cutting the cost per gallon. Saweeet. I’m all about saving Benjamins, or in this case, the Georges.
Not the sexiest grocery store*, but it gets the job done.
* What is a sexy grocery store, you ask? The Whole Foods, Berkeley Bowl type joints that are all dolled up and offer up the goods you can’t normally get.

I absolutely love this new Safeway! I haven’t seen any remodeled safeways. Everything is lovely and different. The refrigerated section has new doors where you don’t have to hold them open and they don’t fog up!!! They also made it so that the is more glass than border for a clean look and you can clearly see all the products.
The butcher section is different too, the windows in the front open up so the butcher can have easy access to what choice you have.
The layout is wonderful and there is a large variety of vegetables and fruit. I’m in looooove. It’s a shame I don’t not live in or near alameda because I would frequent this place more. On top of that, staff is very friendly!

The wise king Solomon said: «What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.
Tupac said: «All around the world same song».
And when it comes to this new Alameda Safeway, both those brothas were right.
The lay out of the store is pretty much identical to any other Safeway. The product is no different from anything else. On the plus side the check stands moved faster than normal which was refreshing, but that could be just because it’s opening day. Another positive is that this store is extremely close to my residence.
I do however foresee there being issues finding parking once all the other stores in the shopping center open up for business. Reminds me of Levi’s stadium, they built it and forgot to add adequate parking.
My experience wasn’t bad and it wasn’t good. There truly is «nothing new under the sun» and all around the world, it’s just the same ol song.