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Albertsons
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Karly K. said: "I appreciate the beer selection and reasonable pricing. Wine and liquor will also be found to be the same. I'm so thankful that somewhere like this actually exists east of the 15. A few suggestions: 1. Organization-The beer seems to…" read more »
61 reviews for Albertsons
Review Highlights
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"There is a great selection of health food." In 5 reviews -
"This location always has fresh produce and good prices." In 13 reviews -
"Good deli and bakery, underground parking." In 7 reviews
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61 reviews in English
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Review from Tinie T.
4/23/2012
- Friendly staff who ask to see how you're doing and genuinely seem interested in the answer +1
- Spacious store with the groceries you would expect to find at any other grocery store +1
- Convenient parking garage that makes it easier to visit rather than having to drive around to find available and metered street parking +1
- Peet's Coffee & Tea inside the store! Yum! +1
Yes, it's in a less fancy part of town but I don't really knock the store itself for that fact. What makes this store stand out the most to me is the friendly staff and great customer service.
P.S. The peanut butter cookies with Reese's pieces in the bakery section (where you can buy one at a time, where the individual donuts, muffins, and cookies are in the display case) are yummy. -
Review from James H.
12/21/2011
Things to expect when shopping at this Albertsons location.. homeless people, horrible deli, and alot of charger fans..
Good things about this location are that theres a red box downstairs near the parking lot. Very convenient!
What I never understood about Albertsons is how come it is so much more expensive than Ralphs for the same products. I mean if you are gonna charge more can you at least label it organic so I can pretend i'm being healthy? -
Review from Caitlin C.
San Diego, CA
11/30/2011 4 Check-ins Here
"Dayyyyumm girl, why you gotta be all mean. I'm just trying to say hi, you ain't my girl or anything." ---- These are actual words that were said to my friend from a random stranger as we made our way to the Albertsons. The location of this place is horrible. You will have to walk past 11th and park ( this is the danger zone) - plenty of folks trying to hustle you for some $$$ . I would advise to say... you have nothing in fear that they will follow you home or attack you for the remainder in your wallet. --- hahaha I'm joking, but a little serious. You know?
This Albertsons suck. It really does.
I bought cheese here that was already past due- not realizing it till I got home!
I also bought cherry tomatoes here, and there was mold growing on it- it was packaged well, so I didn't see it till it was opened.
I don't like to buy gorceries to find them destroyed as soon as I get home because it's a waste of my time and money :( -
Review from Mary A.
La Jolla, San Diego, CA
5/1/2012
I called this location tonight asking about bakery hours, and I don't know who I spoke to on the phone, but they were so rude! No customer service skills whatsoever. After she answered my question and I had told her thank you, she literally mumbled "uh huh" then hung up the phone. I would never do that to one of my customers. Geez.
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Review from Dori K.
La Jolla, CA
5/9/2012
I went there today to buy some produce and it looked old. Also it smelled like fish when I went in. I will g again and let you know how it goes cause my friend recommended it so maybe it was just a bad day.
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Review from Danny W.
7/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Thanks random dude checking out behind me. You saved me about 20 bones in groceries by letting me swipe your Albertson's card.
I wanted to sign up for one on the spot, but they were out and the cashier wouldn't hook it up with the house number. Kinda bogus compared to other grocers, but I'll throw 'em an extra star for 10 for the $10 Lean Cuisine deal. Too bad I can eat about 10 of em.Listed in: Grocery Stores Round Town
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Review from Glen H.
San Diego, CA
2/26/2012
Great pricing for downtown but there's always homeless people walking around here. I actually find it pretty entertaining. The shoppers usually don't look that happy either. It's kind of depressing.
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Review from Julia B.
San Diego, CA
9/21/2011
I used to frequent this Albertsons when i lived in East Village. Because of a Red Box out of order at our usual spot, we ended up riding our bikes over to this Albertsons in search of a B movie for a Sunday afternoon.
Wow - I hadn't been here in a while and i was surprised at how rough it had gotten. When we were locking up or bikes, we passed 2 homeless people, and when walking into the store, some weirdo propositioned us to purchase food stamps from him.
The store looks like it has gone down hill in general, and it made me feel really sad for the residents of East Village. You should be able to go to the grocery store without run ins with weirdos and homeless people.
I would have given this two stars, but the third star is for the guy who looks like Mr. T who works security there at night and wears combat boots. i think they would get more business and it would be better if they had daytime security as well to clear out the loiterers. -
Review from Bonsuela G.
San Diego, CA
Updated - 4/18/2011
To be fair, I went back to this place on Saturday to return a Redbox movie and try again in locating any gluten-free foods.
Lo and behold, I found the aisle! It's in the middle of the store and dimly lit, but it's there. Not the best selection, but at least they had a few things. (Sidenote, Ralph's in Hillcrest has an excellent variety.)1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/16/2011
Sketchy location. (fo' real)
Unique shoppers. (by unique, I mean unsavory)
Lack of gluten-free foods.… Read more »
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Review from Sarah M.
San Diego, CA
8/16/2011
I had a lower score a few years back, but after getting called out by staff - well, I had to reconsider! First of all, I didn't know the staff was paying attention... but I think that shows they care. And I love the crew there, this Albertsons owes its' success to the terrific staff. They are funny, helpful and always welcoming me back.
I hate the deli though. The food is bad & looks bad. Sorry! If this store had a gourmet deli and better offerings - I'd buy lunch there too more often. Ralphs suffered the same problem before and upgraded last year; I'll stop going there when/if Albertsons brings the same or better quality to their deli.
Either way... I prefer to not shop corporate, but great staff & customer service deserves recognition and Albertsons 92101 has just that. -
Review from Masatoshi T.
San Diego, CA
12/11/2010
My only real complaint with this Albertsons are the high prices. People mistakenly assume that the Ralph's on 1st and Market. is pricier because it's located in a nicer part of downtown, but that Ralph's is actually much cheaper than this Albertsons. Good sales are rare here, and although the selection is great, you can find most of the same stuff over at Ralph's.
Ralph's also tends to have more active cashiers (so you don't have to wait in line as long) and 2 to 3 times as many self-checkout machines.
If you live in downtown, unless you live in those apartments above Albertsons, I recommend shopping at Ralph's instead. -
Review from roseanne k.
San Diego, CA
2/25/2011
Poor produce selection, even worse bread selection. I also find their meat to be on the pricier side.
I'd rather go to the Ralph's near Horton. -
Review from Judie H.
This Albertson's is a little interestingly made. The parking is plenty which is nice. Upon coming into the store you may lazily roll up via conveyor belt. They were offering free samples of coffee and snacks on my day which is awesome. Besides the snacks and usuals we bought prior to heading out on our journey, we desperately needed an air freshener for our rental. A lovely Hawaiian Pikake scent lay near the cashier which I snacked up quickly. Being back at home, I cannot find another one like it. DAMN...
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Review from Heather W.
San Diego, CA
10/5/2010
I hadn't been to this Albertson's before and the significant other and I decided to stop in for a grocery run. Okay, it's not in the greatest area of town (at night) and the lighting makes you feel like you're in an interrogation room, not that I've ever actually been in an interrogation room...moving on...
The sales were awesome. I kept turning around to find all these deals "Buy One, Get One Free". The best deals were the chicken/meats. I didn't find the rest of their prices any higher than Ralph's or Von's.
The best part of this place is the staff. They're so friendly and I wish I remembered her name, but the girl at the check-out line was HI-larious! I'd honestly go back just to have her ring up my groceries again.
Thumbs up to this location. -
Review from Devin W.
Rancho Santa Fe, CA
10/9/2010 28 Check-ins Here
This is the only store in the East Village area so if you live around there most likely you're going to have to stop in here some time. It's not a bad store as far as cleanliness and select, but expect lines. Always expect a line. It can be any time of the day or night, there will be a line here for both the self checkout and good ol' regular checkout.
You thought the lines were only for the checkout? No no, how about the Deli? There's always a line there because it's understaffed just like every other part of the store. Like Red Box? Ok they have one also, but that too has lines. Get my point? Ok, I'm moving on now.
The staff is generally friendly to the customers. The security guards watch the alcohol section like hawks because of all the shady bums in the area. I have often spotted very overweight, smelly. uneducated, homeless or senile people in this store. But that's just East Village and the SD downtown homeless problem for you. Not necessarily the store's fault.
The prices are high, but if you live downtown you're used to that anyways. Bottom line, I go here mainly because it's the only store close not because I favor it over another. One last thing, be careful in the parking lot. People are mad drivers down there. -
Review from Sara K.
San Diego, CA
12/27/2010
We have been frequent customers of this Albertson's since the day it opened; it's closer than Trader Joe's or Whole Foods and they have a decent wine selection. We buy 6+ bottles per week, because we love wine, but also because Albertson's often has good wine on sale and they offer an additional 10% off when you purchase six bottles. One day I was shopping for wine and a very attentive young man offered help selecting wine; he was quite knowledgeable and he informed me that if we were dissatisfied with a bottle for ANY REASON, we could bring it back. I would never think of returning wine just because I didn't like it. I have a well-defined palate and am often not in love with many wines I try, but you've got to try many to discover the few good ones.
Out of the hundreds of bottles we purchased at Albertson's this year, ONE WAS BAD. Just one. That's not too shabby of a ratio. Went in tonight to return it and was completely embarrassed in front of a line of people when they said I could not. If they don't make up for it when I go in to speak with the manager next time I'm in shopping, the end. Not buying any more wine or groceries at Albertson's. I'd like to add that what should have happened is the cashier should have scanned the bottle, credited our grocery tab for the amount and wished some of their best customers a nice evening. How hard would that have been? Their loss. And I don't usually waste my time writing negative reviews. -
Review from Madison B.
San Diego, CA
1/18/2009
I am NOT a fan of this Albertsons. Actually, any Albertsons is probably my last resort when I am in need of some goods.
Even with the club card, things are waaaay too expensive for my liking. E works across the street at Sadie Rose, so sometimes we come here for snacks when I'm dropping him off, and he's early. Other than that I would never come here, unless it was the place store on earth.
I do like how they have a huge section for organic, but the layout of the store, is unlike most, and again, I don't feel like having a million dollar tab when I leave.
Ps, The underground parking structure scares me, for many reasons. -
Review from dan g.
San Diego, CA
9/11/2008
This is a nice, new store, with the right ratio of hobos to I'm-better-than-you looking East Village future yuppies, but once you're used to shopping at Henry's and trader joes, albertson's just doesn't cut it.
Also, they don't have 24 or 32 oz. beers, I'm guessing they are trying to keep the hobos out, but come on, let's be reasonable here.Listed in: the Bermuda triangle of…
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Review from Tiffany S.
San Diego, CA
8/24/2007
I have an Albertson's card application at home, half filled out. I could fill it out, take it down to this location, and get it over with. But there's a part of me that is really resisting any formal association with this store. Even though I stop here 2-3 times a month, I always feel like it's not normal for me to be there.
It's the closest big grocery to my house, which is why I go there. But the despite the size, and despite the abundance, I can never seem to find anything I want. When I do find what I want, I pay about the same price I would for the all-natural organic version at Henry's. And even though I'm almost always waiting in the line, the store feels empty.
Good place to buy booze and last minute necessities. -
Review from Robert P.
San Diego, CA
11/2/2008
I'm never one to plan on what I'm going to eat through out the week so I come here 5+ times a week. I love the easy parking structure, it's never too busy, they have plenty of checkers working, all the traditional things you'd want in a grocery store- they've got.
Their produce section is well organized, and everything always looks and tastes fresh. I love their salad and olive bar. Both are solid and consistent. The Butcher usually throws in a couple of extra pieces of whatever meat for me, which is nice. The fish is all fresh and good. The baked chicken is very nice and cheap like $2.49 for 4 pieces. That's a crazy good deal.
Just stay away from the sandwiches. They are pretty gross. I think they use wonder bread or something and their really sloppily made, and put together. And usually the person that get suckered into making me one clearly doesn't want to do it. They just look miserable the whole time. Actually most of the people who work over there in the bakery/deli part are pretty hard to get a hold of to actually get them to do something for me.
But eventually they do and that's awfully nice of them. -
Review from Hillary N.
San Diego, CA
12/4/2009
I keep swinging into this Albertsons because it is on my way home from the gym and I always think it's not worth the time to go anywhere else. Ugh. I finally learned my lesson: it is ALWAYS worth driving to Hillcrest for Trader Joe's/Henry's/Whole Foods!
The produce is all conventional, sad-looking and not cheap enough to be worth it. There is no local or organic produce available.
The specialty cheese section is one of the worst selections and priced at least 150% over every other store in San Diego.
Even the conventional groceries here seem more expensive than organic stuff elsewhere.
To top it all off, they never staff any of their check-out lines so if you get stuck in line for an eternity, you get to pay a $30 parking ticket if your meter runs out. Gross. Never going here again.
Two stars because at least it's clean, and for lunch, the microwaveable soups and mini loaves of bread aren't bad. -
Review from Mike R.
4/17/2008
As the local grocery mart I give this place 4*. It has everything I need and more. I like to cook and use "exotic" veggies and not once have I not found what I was looking for. There is also a coffee place, a deli and a 99 cent movie rental kiosk.
It is a little expensive but I'll take that hit so I don't have to drive to Ralph's or Henry's in PB. -
Review from Wilmer G.
San Diego, CA
3/2/2010
I was super-excited when this grocery store first opened up in my end of downtown. Before then, I had to drive through the Gaslamp all the way to the Ralph's on G street to pick up any last-minute grocery items. I was even more excited to see that it was clean, well-lit, and has a great selection of your standard items. Personally, I think that the quality and price of Albertsons far exceeds Ralph's, especially with the club card. The underground parking lot can get kind of crazy and it is a little suspect in terms of security, but I haven't had any major problems so far.
A lot of reviews here knock the selection of organic and specialty food items. I don't get the criticism; this is Albertson's, not a specialty grocery store or a farmer's market. Besides, this store has a respectably-sized section for both types of items, considering that this is a mainstream grocery store. If you're looking for organic leeks for your vichyssoise soup or aged brie cheese for a puff pastry to serve at your snotty dinner party, what the hell are you doing at Albertson's? If you live in East Village or the Gaslamp, this grocery store is both convenient and high-quality. -
Review from Baby Mr. T.
San Diego, CA
5/17/2007
Limited selection in every department... and the vegetables aren't all that great. So maybe you get baby bok choy, but it's in bad shape, and they're out of white onions.
I also saw a chihuahua in here on a leash, but yuck! and when I complained to the manager he said there was nothing he could do about it. Huh?
The shoppers are a weird mix of yuppies, nice barrio logan families and dodgy parolees living in residential hotels. This is a good place to avoid at night.
The best praise I have is that they're adding a coffee bar and they installed an ATM. -
Review from Valerie W.
Dallas, TX
3/24/2008
Let me start off by saying that I used to shop at Albertsons back in Texas... mostly because it was convenient. When I moved to San Diego, I shopped at either Ralph's or Vons.
Since moving to Golden Hill, I searched for a convenient grocer and came across Albertsons in East Village. Wow! This is probably the cleanest grocery store that I've ever been in. The parking garage is way better than Ralph's in Hillcrest. The workers always seem to be busy cleaning and are helpful. The prices aren't more expensive (or cheaper) than what I'm used to. And, unlike several reviews I've read, they seem to be well stocked when I go.
The only reason it got 4 stars from me is because I've had to start buying store brand (hard times) to save money... but I suppose it's not their fault. -
Review from Nichole D.
San Diego, CA
6/19/2009
Ugh, where to start...
I hate the set up, I can never find anything the first time through. I have to end up making 2-4 passes to get all the stuff on my list. Prices are outrageous and the selection is terrible.
Back home we have 3 major chains of supermarkets: Market Basket is disgusting but really cheap, Hannafords has great items at mid-range prices, Shaws has good stuff but is way overpriced. Albertson's is like if Market Basket and Shaws had a baby: horrible inventory with ridiculously high prices. The produce is gross and the organic/natural section is a joke. The meat prices, especially for chicken, are insane. I know California is more expensive but I spotted items I would buy back home for, no joke, 2-4 times the price. That's unacceptable. The Silver Palate pasta sauce is $2.99-$3.99 in New Hampshire at Hannafords, at Albertson's its $7.99! I nearly toppled over on my first trip here when I was trying to buy spaghetti and sauce so I could "eat cheap" and was smacked in the face with those prices.
Waiting for the self-checkouts is always a trying experience - for some reason, every person who uses them seems to be mystified by the technology and takes an eternity to ring out their few items. The hub of self-checkouts is placed so tight to the aisles and is mobbed with "impulse" buy corrals that people are constantly forcing you to move so they can walk past to do their shopping. No matter where you move you're in the way. I'm seeing red by the time I finally get out the door.
The only reason I gave this place 2 stars instead of 1 is that the location is great, its just a 5 minute walk from my house and as someone who doesn't have a car, that is huge. Also, I like their selection of trail mixes and nuts in the Natural Foods aisle. That's it.
We go to Henry's (in Hillcrest) when my friend (who has a car) needs stuff and we love that place. We've also been hitting up farmer's markets in the area, which are awesome but not necessarily cheap like they are back east. I've been to a Von's once and never want to go back, and have not visited a Whole Food's or Trader Joe's out here, although Trader Joe's back home was the bomb. So, go here if you have to, like I do sometimes when I desperately need a few items, but opt to go major food shopping somewhere else when you can.
As a last thought, the last time I went to Albie's by myself one of the employees was yelling at a bum who was standing outside the store, threatening to call the cops on her, and then went inside loudly demanded one of the cashiers to call the cops on her in front of all the customers. Being new to the area, I am still culture-shocked by the homeless here and have definitely already reached my limit of being constantly grossed out and solicited and wary and avoiding eye contact wherever I walk. That being said, I feel that that situation could've been handled in a more professional and subtle way. It just didn't come off well and put a bad taste in my mouth during my shopping trip. -
Review from Liz K.
9/23/2010 2 Check-ins Here
I love having an Albertson's close to my condo. This location always has fresh produce and good prices. It can get crowded after work and before games being so close to Petco Park.
My only complaint is the curb barriers that lead you into and out of the underground parking. If you are in a car, you can't really see them and you end up scraping your wheels and rims on them. If I'm not in the SUV, I seriously consider going to Trader Joe's or somewhere where I won't ruin my tires. Why are they there? I don't think people would get confused as to where to go when entering! -
Review from Dro M.
San Diego, CA
7/3/2011
I've been coming here since i moved to downtown back in 09' it has been a pretty good store overall, sometimes prices are good sometimes not. honestly i can't complain, if you want food then come here and get food, i'm sick of Rich people complaining about ''atmosphere'' and other nonsense.. this albertson's is just as good as any other grocery store.
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Review from Dylan O.
San Diego, CA
5/26/2007
I'm a Ralph's guy my self but I'm not gonna lie, this Albertsons is in a great location (for me any ways) and they usually aren't very busy.
Quick in Quick out... try not to get jumped when you walk to your car.Listed in: The Best Places to Get Your…
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Review from Nadine N.
12/12/2006
I mostly love the new Albertsons. The store is huge. There is a great selection of health food. In fact, there is a whole aisle with stuff like whole grain bread mix, vegetarian soup stock, Terra chips, organic cereal, etc. There's a wonderful variety of vegetables that rival Whole Foods.
Baby bok choy.
Check.
Baby Purple Cauliflower (?!, I never knew such a thing existed.)
Check!
The down side is almost an upside depending on how you look at it. The store is really empty. That sounds like a good thing, right? And it would be if the aisles were better lit. As it stands, the empty store with some dimly lit aisles is, at times, creepy. The store usually has a few questionable characters roaming the aisles. So bring a buddy or some mace and this store gets 5 stars.Listed in: I amuse me
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Review from Esther M.
6/13/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Just a decent grocery store... my only thing is that the parking lot and area feel a little sketch when shopping at night and I'm always a little nervous walking to my car.
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Review from Evan M.
5/25/2011 6 Check-ins Here
This is the closest grocery store to where I live. It's a big store and never seems extremely busy. They have a great selection of items and even an organic/natural aisle. Service is always nice and you can always guarantee to see some weirdos in there.
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Review from john k.
5/25/2009
Friendly courteous staff, good selection of food.
I sometimes have trouble finding strip steak/carne asada in the meat department.
Only 4 stars because ever since "Father Joe's Village" built that building on the northwest corner of 15th and Market, some unclassy people have been shopping at the Albertson's. There's a reason why rents downtown are expensive and only certain people can afford them. -
Review from Brian G.
San Diego, CA
2/28/2008
I used to shop here until I started adding up how much food was costing compared to driving to Henry's I do shop here when I'm in a pinch, but I tend to stick to Henry's & Target in Pt Loma.
The store is REALLY nice it's probably the cleanest Albertsons that I have been to, the people that work there are normally nice and tend to remember me after months of shopping.
I do, however, like the pharmacy the people working are always very kind. -
Review from John R.
San Diego, CA
2/24/2010
I LOVE....
the coffee bar every morning, the self check out line,the fact that your a couple blocks away when I need something, they have cheap potato wedges, the RedBox sometimes, running into my neighbors and friends here,my favorite peanut butter jelly cliff bar i can only find here.....
I HATE.....
the rude customer service desk man and lady, the prices on produce, the slow deli sandwich girl that I always get and ruins my lunch brake, theres not that many vegan friendly products and if there are theyre so expensive, they made using the restroom here a joke, the lines after 6 p.m. for the redbox and the selfcheckout line, they dont have a water machine to fill up my bottles..other than that.... it is what it is.. -
Review from Mike D.
Van Nuys, CA
4/18/2009
I shop here because I like to walk and this is the closest supermarket to my apartment.
Being that it is downtown, you should expect to pay a little bit more for a majority of your items. I'm a big fan of organic produce, and I was disappointed to find that their selection here was bleak. Since this is located in downtown, don't be surprised if you are greeted by a peddler or bum as you enter or exit the store.
Some of the positives about this Albertsons are that it is convenient (it's the newest and only second major supermarket to have opened in downtown), it has a Sav-On, and most of the staff are quite friendly.
If you do drive here, they have underground parking. Be wary of the narrow ramps, however, that lead into and out of the parking garage. -
Review from Christopher H.
San Diego, CA
8/3/2009
Not a very good grocery store. The produce department was great when it opened up a few years ago, but has gone downhill quickly. The produce I buy now usually is bad (is over or under ripe, goes bad quickly, not fresh, etc.).
Meats are not much better and you have to be careful not to buy meat that is about to expire. I have had to return several products I have purchased after returning home to find they had been sold after the expiration date.
As other reviewers have mentioned, this is still a very dubious neighborhood with many marginal characters about. As a result, they don't sell tall-boys. I only return to this market because I live a couple of blocks away.
I don't recommend this market and would go elsewhere if possible. -
Review from Vareen O.
San Diego, CA
4/3/2011 7 Check-ins Here
My local supermarket. Like it a lot. I'm glad they have parking. Slow service at checkout though. Other than that great selection of goods.
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Review from David H.
San Diego, CA
11/8/2011
I'd recommend going to Ralphs instead... This Albertsons has limited selection, and seems like it's cleaning staff is on strike. Not a place you want to buy your food from.
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Review from Danielle S.
San Diego, CA
1/11/2009
I like this better than the Ralphs downtown, it seems to have a good array of things and some good organic healthy choices...gotta have my flax! Good deli and bakery, underground parking. All good things but again...with downtown come the street people. And the hassle that comes with that. The cost is a little higher than most Albertson's I'm guessing because its in East Village. It's an adequate shopping experience.
