Smart & Final

This place has great prices, and a great selection. It’s in an incredibly convenient location, and has reasonable operating hours. The staff is extremely pleasant and helpful. The problem is checking out. There is always a devastatingly long line. At least half of the times that I’ve popped in here, I’ve dumped my items on a random display and walked out after waiting in line for way too long. If they doubled the number of cashiers workin, I’d double the star rating.

I really want to give this store a great review, but I live here and have experienced too much. Don’t go here unless you have time. Checkout is slow… 20 people in Smart & Final is like 100 people at Trader Joes. This place has great posibilites, but upper management is not interested. Play to the community! Be the local store! You’re blowing it.

Probably not S&F crown jewel of their stores. There is always a long line, but can one easily find the basics. The people are really nice despite sometimes cranky customers. The produce and meats are a little hit and miss, but always a good price. I always walk from my apartment to there so never have to deal with parking. Don’t go during the day on Friday because of the farmers market creating serious parking issues if you drive in.

I like this location simply because it resembles a mini Costco and I don’t have to drive further away to get the same types of deals. Granted, its mostly on items like soda, disposible cutlery, hot sauce etc but they also have some fresh produce and home goods. You obviously won’t find everything you’re looking for here but its worth stopping by for the basics, boxed goods and alcohol.
I like how friendly the cashiers are and how late theyre open on weekdays. I’ll be a frequent customer.

The customer service is terrible. I went to the store today but got the worst customer service ever. The clerk who named Luis was so rude and had terrible attitude. When I told him I don’t appreciate the way he talked to me. I told him the customer service should not be like that I am going to compliant about him. He raised his tone and said «go ahead». He kept repeating «go ahead» behind me even I walked out of the store.

Lack of organized store for groceries. It was dirty and crowded food in the walkway. I do not know if they get items that are rejected from other grocery stores and resale to the public. It is someplace I very rarely go too. All I wanted was a large bag of peppermint a for work. Two of the bag were filthy nasty with something spill all over them. Yucky!

Aside from the weird lay out of the store, this is a convenient location to pick up groceries and snacks.
Staff was friendly and helpful however parking is tight. I knocked off another star becuse they don’t sell cold beer (only room temp).

Don’t go if you are looking for fresh produce. Not s big selection and it’s in a eat yesterday state.

This location is great to find some last minute item to bring to your office potluck… disposable ware: plates, forks, napkins, cups… and sometimes an alternative to having to go to Costco.
Checkers are not that friendly or efficient… but the lack of friendliness may be due to the range of strange customers that come in… crazy, ghetto, drunks, pervs that they’ve become robotic. Oh well… i’ve learned not to expect anything more and just here to pick up items.
Lines always seem to be snaking around the aisles (20 deep) because they seem to only have 1 cashier or 2 at best AND they still are long… again, because the checkers are so blasé… hmmm…

The prices are okay and the variety of foods are good. Is is like Costco? No but if you need to buy in bulk and are unable get to Costco then I would recommend shopping at Smart and Final. If you live in the bay area and happen to be in SF I would suggest the smart and final in SF for a larger selection and a cleaner more friendlier shopping experience. If you visit the one in downtown Oakland be prepared for weirdo shoppers, parolees, pushy old ladies, lonely perv men, and drunks & not to metion being stared at by the «security» while you check out.

The place is really small so weekend can get kind of crazy.
Check the ads cause sometimes there’s some really amazing deals.
cashiers are pretty nice (or at least the one i had)

It’s the only supermarket in the area, and it’s not bad. It’s not great, but it’s not bad. Out of the many doors that lead to the sidewalk, none of them are in use except for the one in the back of the store by the parking lot.
If you just want to buy one soda, this is not the place. It’s a tiny bulk store. Their candy selection is great. If you need 100 Tootsie Roll pops this is the place to go. The prices aren’t all that great on the stuff I buy, I find them comparable with Target for kitchen staples like canned soups and rice, but I’m sure there are tons of bulk deals to be had if you know what to look for.
The staff is really friendly if you’re friendly to them.
One edit though — check the expiration dates. Food poisoning is not your friend.

The team at this location is the best. Best customer service, I have a special order that I pick up and they always find a way to assist me with a smile no matter how busy they are.

Time: 5:07pm/62°F partly sunny
Purpose: Colleague said he bought a pack of tri-​tip for under $ 20 over 5lbs. Thought he was pulling my leg. After work before hopping on Bart, I walk over still thinking tri-​tip for under $ 20?
Set-​up: Grocery, household, liquor/​beer, dairy, poultry, meat, frozen, fruit/​produce, janitorial, party/​picnic supplies, snacks, beverages, restaurant supplies.
Staff: Every time I come here workers are different. Indicating economy is getting better employees giving two week notices or it can also mean termination. Some don’t look like they want to work at all. The security guard up front giggles with store employees in the isle. They are under contract not part of S & F loss prevention.
Cleanliness: Grade B-​, lots of open packages with item eaten or five finger discount. Further inspection reveals wet mop head rested on top of a pallet of Purina dog food near restroom area Go figure!
Bagging it: Didn’t get my tri-​tip. Later I learned it was near expiration date so couple of packages were heavily discounter with 50% off sticker. I was late therefore I miss out. Since I was there bought Fage 0% 32oz yogurt $ 5.99, First Street ginger snaps $ 1.89, pack of corn nuts ranch $.89, pack of tea candles $ 4.99.
Punch Lines: Takes plastic, EBT, WIC, small lot, panhandling, cart wheel locks up, long lines, struggling during evening hours, read the dates on package, no less than 10 item lines, basket handles grimey, ad flyers can’t be found, frozen good in isle left on shelves, clearance table, perimeter security (not in store security).
Tradeoffs: Most of these items are the same as Grocery Outlet you’ll be paying $.50−2.00 more depending on what you get. Spotted Nabisco Rootbeet Float flavor cookies for $ 2.49, at GO only $ 1.49. Breyers quart size ice cream $ 4.79 vs GO $ 2.99 same exact item.
Final Thoughts: These are the type of grocery stores good for when you need to host an event. Nothing is locally grown or made if they were the items are not certified just a sticker/​stamp printed to say it is. Don’t buy name brand you’re paying for the label and advertising. Name brand are the same plant that makes First Street goods. Companies are selling stickers to manufacturer slapping it on. Lastly, be aware of your surrounding. Don’t push a heavy load to car, your purse or belongings will be gone before you know it. Reject help from street people, as they open other doors for their friends to steal.

Its a great spot to get some bulk items, like plates or candy for a classroom but refrigerated food seem a little sketchy. I might shop here for dried good odds and ends

This Smart & Final sucks and I think it’s due to the fact that this is the only grocer near Downtown, not including Chinatown. I rarely go in here, but when I do, I want to get out of here fast. This is usually due in part to some of the other customers. Hey lady with 20 items in the express line. Get a steppin.

This is seriously the only place I can ever use the restroom at when I’m in Oakland! They are the only store that doesn’t keep it all locked up and hidden which is a huge pain when I drive in from out of the area to go here and to the farmers market and I seriously cannot find a restroom! I have the bladder of a grape and usually can’t even come to the Oakland area unless I want to be begging a place to let me use their restroom. They also even keep them up decently even though they are being constantly used. I think the problem with a lot of Smart & Final’s is the same as this location they don’t hire enough people to run the check out lanes. So you’re standing in line to get one thing and their’s 5 people in front of you. What’s weird to is even when everybody has like one or two items it still takes forever! The cashiering process just seems to be slower.

Price:
It offers great value given its location and hours. This place is the cheapest you get find in the city and you don’t have to buy in bulk.
Location/​convenience:
Very convenient. It’s close to Bart, bus stop and has a parking lot.
Though sometime the service is slow and not very clean, but you can’t expect to get cheap product with 5 star service.

Weirdo supermarket, the entrance is at the rear. Smart and Final elsewhere is a party store, but here it’s like a very boring version of Grocery Outlet.
The selection is extensive — if you like processed food. There’s a tiny produce section, and really very little appealing for lunch options which is why I popped in here.
There’s nothing actually *wrong* with this place, apart from looking a bit run down, it’s just the appeal is really low. I fear I’ll be back though, it’s close to my new work.

Great prices for what you get. I always go in Gwen’s line because she’s the sweetest. Just a pleasure to talk to. Super nice. Not something you encounter in downtown Oakland too often.