Safeway

Yesterday went to Pali Safeway for their $5.00 Friday special and it was packed like on every Friday for their special &5.00 deals.

We were able to get an 8 piece fried chicken bag and couple of trays of the sushi which was also for $5.00 and had a dinner with left over chicken.

The chicken was nice and hot and crispy, because it wasn't sitting, customers were lined up to pick up the chicken it was like Costco whole chicken line for their roasted $4.99 whole chicken.

The sushi they had an assortment of different types to choose from already packed for the $5.00 Friday deal. It was good and with the prices now days at restaurants this is such a great deal! $15.00 for 2 people with left over!
Normally a take out plate lunch or fast food burger joint will cost you that for one person!

Thank you Safeway for thinking of your customers I'm sure they picked up other items while they were there we sure do every time.

Friday can be pretty hectic in finding parking and getting your $5.00 or special items, but Safeway has been nice in giving rain-checks.

Also Safeway is one of the few supermarket that offer a restroom for customers!

Pali Safeway...

Growing up this was all that I've known whenever I went to grandma's house as she lived right across the street. It made it convenient whenever we needed to bring something over to her as this location that's located in the insane busy street on the border of Chinatown/Downtown, Nuuanu with the freeway entrance just blocks away this Old School location is a time capsule as not much has really changed along with all the open parking for just two stores (Long's as well) is not something you see in town now as many lots has gone vertical.

With that this Safeway is not like the updated locations as you don't find much in the baked goods or the DMV kiosk but do have a Coinstar and Redbox they do still have a great selection in the floral department along with many grab and go meals and see that many do shop here considering there isn't much grocery stores in this area.

Regarless the store is kept nice and clean though I used the self checkout there is staff there ready to assist you with any issues or questions, this is a great location if you're in the area as it seems many do shop here for their needs.

Thank you!

This is the Pali Safeway next to Long's. I don't come to this location too often, but was in the area. It's one of their older locations, but it's still clean and bright.

The floral department is to the right when you walk in. The deli with the hot entrees is all the way on the opposite end. I got here late, around 7pm. Most of the items were sold out. The poke department is in the back and they were getting ready to put the poke away.

I did find jasmine rice and green tea.

In store special ... perfect timing to visit some graves this morning.

What better time than now to visit my parents, grandparents and Aunty's graves.

Hate to say it but had some of my best poke at a large grocery store. Very fresh and deeeelicious.

Located at the Pali Shopping Center, this Safeway is the most convenient for me from logistic's standpoint. Its on my way to/fr my office and home so its sensible and practical to shop here.

Today, I needed to stop for lunch and it is $5 Friday (I'm not good in keeping up with the ads etc) but it turns out to be my lucky and unlucky day.

Lucky because my $5 Friday finds me lobster tails (and I was on my way to find some at a different market not knowing Safeway would have it)

Lucky because I get my 1 pound hot $5 chicken tenders and my $10 Boars Head sandwich combo

So lucky that I saved a stop (maybe more) to look for lobster tails and I got a great deli sandwich to boot

UNlucky because the local Asian residents (seniors mind you) were so very RUDE. One man literally yanked a tray of lobster tails right out of my hands. I told him to stop (Imagine you are in Filene's Basement/Boston MA shopping on their markdown clothing) and he was in no mood to listen to me. I was going to fight for my tray of lobster tails but decided to let the old guy get his way. (note- The seafood gondola holding the lobster tails was clearly empty; maybe 4-5 trays left)

UNlucky because Safeway's Management team could not control this $5 food frenzy... floors messy with dropped drinks and spilled foods... Management responsibly doing janitorial chores....

UNlucky because all of my savings at this $5 Friday Frenzy took 55 minutes for me to check out.

But- some may say can't be helped and I should be happy I got my lobster tails EVEN if I had rude interactions by the old Asian man, had to wait 55 minutes to pay my bill and then..... walk clear across the parking lot to my car.

Moral to the story? Do not go here on $5 Fridays; Pali Safeway is an older location so your wait and journey through the store might be less than pleasant, Go during off hours so parking won't get the better of you. And in the end.... Safeway is Safeway.... wherever the are

(note- It should be a 2 star location but 3rd star for Management's dedication to keep the store in operable conditions)

Ok, so I come here often because it's just so convenient for me since I live in downtown but it's usually for small things like if I need an onion or a tomato or two. But, the one thing I stopped getting a long time ago at Safeway (not just this location but all locations) is pok'e. I eat pok'e pretty often and Safeway's was just not very good, a better statement would be, really bad. When it comes to supermarket pok'e Safeway's would come in dead last with the Foodland Farms being my favorite then maybe Times.

So fast forward to a few months ago and I notice they are trying to up their pok'e game and revamping the refrigerator case that houses the pok'e. The other day I was in a pok'e mood and so decided to give them another shot to win over some of my monthly pok'e budget. I got a half pound of the spicy ahi and my verdict...the pok'e is better now for sure (but keep in mind when going from 0 even a 1 would be an improvement.) I'd say the pok'e was okay not great but nowhere near as bad as it used to be and I would probably not hesitate to get pok'e from there again if I was there and suddenly was jonesing for pok'e.

My supermarket pok'e rating now? Foodland farms would be number one, then maybe Times, then maybe Sam's Club, them maybe Safeway.

This has got to be the worst of the Honolulu Safeways. The employees are always rude and it makes me wonder if they are treated badly by corporate so they take it out on customers. They also have no understanding of the Safeway rewards program. Perfect example today Raquel and apparently her manager Paula. I mean it's a popular program and just some basic knowledge of it would be helpful. To Raquel's credit she's very personable and tried to help. I don't know what Paula's problem was, she was unpleasant from the jump and I didn't appreciate the attitude. I'm not asking you to memorize anything I'm just saying have a BASIC knowledge of the rewards and redemptions. That's it! If you don't know, at least be pleasant so the customer isn't frustrated all the way around. The glitch on my page plus her attitude was beyond frustrating. I hate to come here and since Beretania is always out of products, I dunno, try Foodland!

Javin in the Meat Department was VERY helpful in finding an item & also took the time to help me download the Safeway app to get a sale item. Excellent customer service!!;)

Theres always something wrong with this place. Now Saturday night.... 2115 hrs. 9 people in line. Only one register open. Self checkout closed. Next tine it is Long's. FTP from here on out.