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Safeway
Categories: Shopping Drugstores Food Grocery Drugstores, Grocery [Edit]
2020 Market St(at Reservoir St)
San Francisco, CA 94114
Neighborhood: Castro
(415) 861-7660
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 6 am - 6 am
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
408 reviews for Safeway
Review Highlights
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"The customer service is very courteous and helpful." In 37 reviews -
"...is they have our favorite Wells Fargo mini branch located..." In 8 reviews -
"fresh nuts by the produce." In 78 reviews
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408 reviews in English
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Review from Melissa N.
San Francisco, CA
3/11/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I don't love this place, but I can't hate it either. It's kind of like that pair of shoes you own, where you don't really like them and they are NOT pretty, but they are reliable and at the front of your closet so you just keep going back to them even though you KNOW there are better choices.
I would much rather go to the Safeway in the Inner Richmond, and I think technically that Safeway is closer to my house, but because I don't have a car and this Safeway is off the N-line...
I tend to NOT buy veggies and fruit here since there are at times questionable. But I buy chicken and turkey here(and sometimes they have buy one get one's for these two items), grains, canned items like tomatoes and soups, and frozen veggies and pizzas.
I will give this place credit for having a lot of good deals and coupons. And they have two Blockbuster Express kiosks there (remember when those were Redbox and there was an actual brick and motor Blockbuster across the street??). But then that is quickly negated by the general riff-raff of this place. -
Review from Jim S.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 4/22/2012
This store now has many things on lock-down behind glass. It's nice to know that they treat their customers like criminals.
Whats kind of funny is I was listening to Minus the Bear when I saw this and playing on my earbuds was the Ice Monster refrain of "It's come to this / It's come to this." I love it when music really does become the soundtrack to my life.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/30/2011
Safeway's pretty much on my *&^% list. I'm 98% convinced no one at this store cares about me as a… Read more »
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Review from Alissa A.
Updated - 3/21/2012 10 Check-ins Here
Earlier this week, unbeknownst to me, Safeway would become the catalyst for chaos in an otherwise sunny, mellow day.
Somewhere between stepping onto the automatic door exit mat and approaching Church St, without looking at anyone or saying a word, I would become the target of racist and sexist utterances even my potty mouth won't repeat, followed by groceries thrown at me. No effing joke. So if you happened to see flying lunch meat on Church St on Sunday evening, no, this was not a friendly game of touch-football/ham.
I'll be avoiding Safeway after dark from here out (this was only 8 pm mind you, not 3 am). Thank goodness for daylight savings.
And really, unless you need laundry detergent, as I did, you're better off shopping Golden across the street. Save yourself.
Oh, and they are ALWAYS out of cottage cheese when I want it. Just sayin'
Watch your back.Listed in: You, too, can cook!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/6/2011
Put your headphones in, tune-out, and shop away.
I always wondered what's up with all the ear buds in… Read more »
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Review from Kat F.
2/20/2012 7 Check-ins Here
How can I complain about a massive grocery store that's open 24/7? Come grocery shopping here at your own risk after hours - the place isn't always fully stocked (frequently out of yogurt and liquid eggs after midnight) and the produce section has a curious layout - it's hard to suss out the run-of-the-mill raspberries from the overpriced organics - but the self checkout lane is dynamite and easy to use. If at all possible I always try to limit my interaction with humans whilst shopping. I've seen many strange things here, not limited to:
- a man rollerblading through the store while guzzling Almond Breeze straight from the box
- a man climbing the chips shelves like he was at a grade school playground
- feverish makeouts in the frozen foods section
- a woman dressed like Tina Turner going to town in the bulk nuts aisle
Way better than Ghetto Safeway (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) or Weird Layout Safeway (http://www.yelp.com/bi...), though not as reliable as Secret Safeway (http://www.yelp.com/bi...).
When in doubt and without a Club Card, use the good old standby 415-867-5309 - it works (http://en.wikipedia.or...). This grocery store is a staple in my weekly errands run, especially after 8pm when all the surrounding stores close for the night.Listed in: February Review Challenge
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Review from Larissa A.
San Francisco, CA
3/3/2012
Average, crowded grocery store serving a LOT of people.
They get all their shipments in on Wednesdays, so that is the day to go to the store. Otherwise, you will find a lot of the items you want are sold out. Repeat: This store serves a TON of people!
Customer service has always been friendly.
Bathrooms get vandalized often so they tend to be kinda gross but will work in a pinch. -
Review from Patricia H.
San Francisco, CA
4/30/2012
I hate the pharmacy at this safeway. Three times in the past two months, I have arrived to pick up prescriptions, waited between 10 and 20 minutes in line, only to be informed they were not ready--despite receiving faxed orders from the physician at least 24 and in some cases 48 hours beforehand. In one case, I had received an automated call that the prescription was ready only to find it wasn't when I arrived.
Saturday, April 28, I attempted to drop off a new prescription. The drop-off window was unmanned. I stood in line for 10 minutes and was informed by the clerk that I had to drop off the prescription at the drop-off window. I told her no one was manning it. She then snatched--yes, snatched--the prescription from me, passed it off to someone and told me to go to the drop-off window. I was furious at this point. I went to the still-unmanned drop-off window and actually shouted for someone to help me.
Today, Monday, April 30, I returned to pick up my prescriptions and when I got home, discovered one was not in the bag although I had paid for it. It took two phones calls--I was disconnected once--and explaining my situation to two different people before someone found the prescription lying around. Then, I had to ask that it be delivered.
This is totally unacceptable. I would go elsewhere, but I am being held hostage since this miserable excuse for a pharmacy is the only one nearby my home that takes my health care plan. -
Review from Nick B.
2/13/2012
Overall condition of this Safeway is moderately decent compared to the horrifying Safeway on Mission and 29th st.
Their customer service is pretty good here..
ONLY CON: THEY REALLY NEED TO RESTAFF THE PEOPLE SERVING AT THE DELI!!!! They are either seniors or excuse my language " mentally challenged" individuals who not only lack on hygiene but have problems understanding orders and take YEARS to make a sandwich.. The line is always Miles long and something really needs to be done..
How bout actually hiring efficient young and quick staff who can really handle crowd and multi tasking and moving this older staff currently covering the deli to a less high maintenance department.??
FOR REAL! -
Review from Talia G.
2/28/2012 4 Check-ins Here
Today was a special day.
Why?
1. This Safeway was NOT crowded...for once.
2. All the items I was looking for were in stock...for once.
3. A young homeless man high on lots of drugs told me my eyes were cool.
(He also said that if he owned the song on the radio he would let Safeway play it for free so that he could get free food. I'm unsure whether this was funny or sad.) -
Review from Quentin J.
San Francisco, CA
2/9/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Unlike Walgreens not every Safeway is created equal. While the essential aspects of this Safeway are on the up and up. It has food. It's well marked. It's well displayed. Everything's well lite. This spot has some serious shortcomings. Namely the bathroom is heinous. Seriously, don't use it. It's like a fecal time bomb went off in there.
This spot is always crowded regardless of when you go in. The only thing that varies is the clientele. Avoid the twlight hours cuz as the song goes the freaks come out at night.
Also, this Safeway doesn't have any cigs. So don't wander in at 3am with a wing and a prayer hoping to get your fix cuz it ain't gonna happen.
Lastly, the self check out is not for faint of heart or technically disinclined. I've never seen so many aggravated people aside from the DMV. -
Review from Isaac H.
Fresno, CA
4/7/2012
Love this Safeway. The staff is very nice and the store has almost everything you need. The one thing that this store need to get rid of is people taking their dogs into the store and claiming that their dog is a seeing eye dog when many of those dogs are not seeing eye dogs.
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Review from Edrian D.
San Francisco, CA
1/16/2012 11 Check-ins Here
Safeway in the Castro...
This Safeway is by far my favorite, I mean come, I live by SFSU and endure the long commute to go here because they have everything I need when I go grocery shopping. So let's start my grocery store mission:
Headphones, check, iphone, check...shopping cart, check...
perishables are plentiful and fresh, fruits and veggies in the cart...so I move on to meats, off to Almond milk which is always great with some bran or fiber cereal, turn the corner for some raw almonds, off to a bottle of wine, some havarti cheese, bread and I'm out. I guess my trip to Safeway is more of a ritual, but the Safeway on mission is always out of what I want and the Safeway on Monterey never has anything. ::shruggs:: to each his own. -
Review from Carlynn A.
San Francisco, CA
11/20/2011
This review is for the pharmacy, the grocery part of the store is fine. But the pharmacy couldn't be worse. I would not want to ever fill my prescriptions here for fear they would give me the wrong and it kills me. The people behind the counter here are hands down the rudest! So incompetent I don't know how they even got the job working with controlled substances.
Money is tight and when I price checked a few prescriptions, the ghetto woman answering the phone was so rude. When I verified a price she screamed "thats what I jus' told you isn't it?!"
No bueno!! Such a turn-off I never even want to buy groceries here, none the less prescriptions. -
Review from Emily D.
11/25/2011
This is my "neighborhood" Safeway. Yeah, it's half a mile away- but its where they keep the regular priced/ on sale alcohol, massive barrels of oatmeal on the cheap, the only kind of cat food Butters' eats, and all of the processed diet foods I eat because I'm a chubby female susceptible to fat shaming advertisements. So fine, I like it a lot.
What I DON'T LIKE is how THEY DON'T SELL VEGETABLE STOCK or VEGETARIAN GRAVY. NEITHER. Like, I could understand this if it were... oh, I don't know... June and we were located in the Midwest. But this was during THANKSGIVING and we live in freaking SAN FRAN-HIPPIE-CISCO. Thanks a bunch, Safeway- so much for one-stop shopping. -
Review from Jonathan F.
San Francisco, CA
11/6/2011
I was not sure whether or not to post four or three stars. The place is clean and has plenty of parking. The only thing I am not so happy about is the self-serve check out.
Oh the machine works fine and all that but during the entire time while a person is scanning, etc. they are being video recorded. Talk about surveilance on overload.
I realize surveilance and monitoring is a part of daily life in the 21st Century, but being recorded while at the check out stand?
I was told by a patron that the camera and recording is a precaution because of all the theft. There are lots of homeless and transient types that hang around the shopping center area.
It is sad that so much homlessness is prevelant in San Francisco. -
Review from Patrick T.
San Francisco, CA
9/16/2011 2 Check-ins Here
If you time it right, you can hang out at the soup bar and sample the soup right outta the pots. Just grab one of the plastic spoons they got there and dig in. Same goes for the steam trays they got set up near the wine and cheese. Just be cool and don't draw attention. Free lunch!
Make sure to shove some oyster crackers in your pocket while you're there. That shit is free too.
If you enter the other side of the store, grab a basket and graze the produce section. All them fruits and veggies are there for you to try out before you buy.
Watch out for the security nazis here. Luckily most of em are too stupid to catch ol Snakebone. -
Review from Daniel R.
Dallas, TX
3/18/2012
I bought extra alcohol and came back the next day, with the receipt, to return it. The manager was a complete a*&*#(@ about it. I've now got $70 of champagne I may not drink for 2 years. Just a stupid policy of theirs that ruined my day. There's no warning of this return policy in the alcohol section either. Very frustrating.
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Review from Paul F.
San Francisco, CA
3/19/2012
I'm downgrading my review from 2 stars to 1 because after having only 6 prescriptions filled here, Safeway has made their fourth mistake. Twice, without saying anything, they gave me only a 2-week supply when the doctor had prescribed a 30-day supply. Once they tried to charge me the full price for a drug instead of just charging my insurance co-pay. And once they decided that since the drug was expensive , I might not want it. So instead of calling me to ask, they just didn't fill the prescription. Add to this the long lines, the long wait times and the overworked and surly staff, and this is a pharmacy to avoid.
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Review from Greg G.
2/25/2012 3 Check-ins Here
So this is like any other safeway but sometimes this safeway is a pain in the ass. For some reason, the last 3 times I have come here after 10 to get groceries there has been some random dude on the ground surrounded by cops or employees. The service is slow at that time since they only have 1 register going. But they are always friendly. The selection is still pretty good as it's a fairly large location and pretty well stocked. There is a starbucks next door that I guess is nice if you need a quick pick me up.
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Review from Leana L.
11/23/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Convenient location via car, public transportation, or even by walking (depending on where you live)! I've been here a few times because a friend lives nearby and it's super easy to get to even from my place in Sunset because N Judah drops off less than a block away!
It can get busy, but it's a big store. They've never run out of anything I was looking for and everything is fairly organized for such a high traffic Safeway. There's also a huge parking lot so parking is never an issue. -
Review from Earline A.
San Francisco, CA
9/23/2011
The checkout folks are nice--that's the best thing I can say about this Safeway.
I live in the neighborhood and try to avoid shopping here unless I have no other choice. It's a serious Mecca for homeless/crazy/druggie folks. The last straw for me was a week or so ago when, as I was leaving after paying for my purchases, a homeless guy walked over to a cooler in the store, pulled out a 12-pack of beer, and brought it back to the table near the door where his buddies were sitting, where they ripped it open and passed around the brews. Employees passed back and forth and did nothing.
Too sketchy for me. -
Review from Jeannet S.
Fremont, CA
1/29/2012
The ladies restroom at this store is disgusting. I couldn't believe my eyes when i walked in. I can't believe that their store managers let's this bathroom look like that for their customers. I will NEVER go in there again.
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Review from andre s.
San Francisco, CA
8/16/2011
Tonight, around midnight, the debit/credit machine wasn't connecting. I tried 3 times, finally offering to get cash from the ATM machine 20 steps away. It didn't hit me until the transaction was in process, that I was being charged the normal inconvenience fee of 3 bucks. I thought, why should I be dinged with this fee when I am making it easier on them, plus the 4 or 5 folks in line behind me. I calmly explained my point to the manager, Raul. He explained why he felt there was an issue, didn't use the word 'sorry', but in an apologetic tone, mentioned the time of night and sort of can happen. I don't doubt that, nor do I blame them. When he offered a gift card, I thought, Andre, go ahead and take it, it's legit. I never ask for anything as a consumer. I look at the tag and pay the price. I don't ask for discounts because the box has a dent, or the handle is ripped.
Kudos to Raul. He gave me 5 bucks when all I really wanted was my 3 back. Smart move since it's a Safeway gift card, and when I shop it will be for plenty more than 5 dollars worth of food.
Thank you, Raul, for making a customer happy. -
Review from Christy S.
San Francisco, CA
1/13/2012
This Safeway has good and bad qualities.
I wasn't entirely prepared for the amount of the homeless population to be constantly stealing from the store at all times but after a while you kinda sorta get used to it. Occasionally my shopping is disrupted because a junkie or homeless person is blatantly stealing something in that aisle and I have to wait for them to move. I did see a perp walk though, so at least sometimes security wakes up. Still, I'd check to make sure that your food hasn't been tampered with.
I don't think the prices are horrible, but a lot of the stuff I get is on sale. Some of the sales are really great and I love my Safeway card. I like a lot of the Safeway brand stuff. I've also had a good experience with their pharmacy.
The best time to hit this Safeway is in the middle of the day, but I expect that to be true of all grocery stores. -
Review from Lawrence E.
San Francisco, CA
1/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Has everything I needed, but the lines could be expedited more.
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Review from BigJohnS F.
San Francisco, CA
4/16/2011
20 TO 25 MINUTE CHECKOUT LINES ARE THE RULE BETWEEN 10PM AND MIDNIGHT -- 7 DAYS! (Two Stars is because of the long lines.)
"SafeGay" is one of the best locations in the Bay Area and is usually well stocked, but late in the evening they run out of things and will often have --- I'm serious -- lines 20 people deep with only one or two registers open. (I'm told by the staff that it is a union-busting thing having to do with having to pay more after 9PM.)
Potrero can be just as bad.
If you have to shop between 9PM and Midnight, go to Webster or Diamond Heights where the lines aren't as long.
Also:
1. Get a club card!
2. Go to http://safeway.com and sign up for "Just for u"
Safeway is getting big time into segmented pricing, and Just for u has a lot of hidden deals. -
Review from Jeremy G.
4/24/2011
I just had one of the top ten sandwiches of my life at this Safeway. Who would have thought that would happen?
I came on Easter and went straight to the deli counter. Actually, I wandered about for a while. I considered their selection of hot chinese items, but instead went for the sandwich. I ordered the large. This initially seemed like a mistake when I saw the gargantuan creations I had unleashed upon the world. What was I to do with all this sandwich? The rising of Jesus taught me a lesson. If Jesus could suffer on the cross for the sins of my overeating, then I could certainly save one of these mounds of delicious for dinner. I actually just had the second coming of my Safeway Sandwich Spectacular. Just like Jesus, better on the second go around.
Let's dwell on the glory of this sandwich for a moment. It began with a focaccia base. Strong enough to support all the toppings, but soft enough to snugly fit into my mouth. I obviously chose roast beef as my meat. And cheddar was a no brainer. Though I wrestled with whether pepper jack would tantalize my tongue more. I had my sandwich wizard toss on red onions AND carmelized onions. BAM! Then came a creamy layer of avocado and some microwaved bacon. Did I mention that mayo and chipotle sauce glazed BOTH sides of the bun? Yes, I had it like that.
When it comes to sex or this sandwich, I would choose this sandwich. Unless it was sex with Jesus. Because that's just a novelty I can't possible turn down.
*I sincerely hope I offend at least 2/3 of the 2 people who read this review.
**I actually heart Jesus #jewsforJESUS
***False. I worship the one and only Flying Spaghetti Monster #pastafarian4life -
Review from Paul C.
San Francisco, CA
7/25/2011
I love this Safeway so much. The store is generally clean, inside and out, and from what I've observed is much larger than other Safeways in this city. It's also located in the better/safer part of Market Street, which is a huge plus, personally. I wouldn't feel the same way if this Safeway was located close to Civic Center.
Walking distance to Dolores Park. 5 Muni metro lines + the F + 22 Fillmore within a 1 minute walk. It's the Duboce Triangle, after all. You really can't ask for more.
Apparently it's the largest supermarket in San Francisco, too. -
Review from Dave N.
San Francisco, CA
5/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
4 stars! Mostly because this place is open 24 hours and I find late-night grocery shopping therapeutic. Sizable outdoor parking lot out in front of the store (which is always weird for SF), so that makes thing super convenient.
But yes, the lines can be a bit long late at night... but you can't expect them to fully staff the store at ungodly hours. Ease up. -
Review from Evan G.
7/24/2011 2 Check-ins Here
The center of my grocery universe when I was a San Francisco resident, Safeway remains near and dear to my heart.
Despite it's silly weekday checkout staffing, the wine and cheese selection is really wonderful, and the deli staff made a complete 180 (for the better) during my time there.
Random rant: The hummus is just too hard to find. I know where it is now, but it's just too far from everything else related to it. I don't get that. -
Review from patrick g.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 7/13/2011
I wish that YELP would add NEGATIVE stars...This Market Street Safeway is so disgusting!! The restrooms are so disgusting you can smell them thought the produce dept (that is a disgusting area of it's own) . The Isles are so packed with boxes of crap that it is impossible to move two carts past them. The staff is useless...often blocking the isles. I really do not need the constant begging for donations...and the whoo hooing for a dollar...The meat appears to be bought on the black market...not usda...ranchers reserve...
There prices are not cheap unless it is on sale.... There is nothing like watching the staff watch the homeless eat with there hands....
The best thing about this safeway...will be a new Whole Foods right2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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5/10/2011
This store is the most disgusting, filthy, sorry, sad ass excuse for a store I have ever… Read more »
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Review from Ally L.
San Francisco, CA
7/7/2011
Very roomy store, perhaps a little too roomy-- Starbucks, sushi bar, sandwich area, deli, gelato.....aHhh the list goes on! They even have self-checkout machines that actually work well. My favorite part about every Safeway is probably the Bakery department.
I never really liked using a savings card & having the cashier say my last name out loud. Quit doing that; it's annoying. And please get rid of those people doing surveys/petitions outside. -
Review from Ryan G.
San Francisco, CA
1/16/2012
Love shopping here. So conveniently located by the Muni station.
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Review from Thomas T.
San Francisco, CA
3/21/2011 37 Check-ins Here
I often end up at Safeway at the rush hour(s). But I have been there at other times. It seem like you can catch the workers there on good days and bad days. Some of them have no good days. They seem like Zombies (well good zombies not eating my brain and stuff). But three people shine always.
1) Marcus is a cashier... fast and friendly and full of energy.
2) Peter is a cashier...but we call him Wonder Woman because he wears the same bracelets. I'm not kidding they give him special powers.
3) There is this young black woman (I think she's a bagger) with reddish hair. It took awhile but she is friendly and will help you with out a second thought.
Those people are my favorites and not the only nice, hard working people there. More Zombies than good people though.
The other none Register staff will help you but you never know if they will mumble under their breath or lead you to the wrong aisle and then disappear.
-Yes a Safeway card can save you money on stuff but once you get it all you need is your phone number to redeem your saving...the card is connected to your phone number.
Go early or late if you don't like crowds.
But hey it's the Market St. Safeway a show is added into the price. -
Review from Jared S.
San Francisco, CA
1/25/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Aside from my apartment, my office, the gym, and the sex club down the street that specifically focuses on doctor/patient fantasies, this is the one place I frequent the most on any given week.
Come to think of it, shopping at this Safeway is a lot like visiting the doctor:
1) There are a vast array of fruits & veggies.
2) No one will give me a direct answer to my questions.
3) My health insurance/Safeway card never save me as much as I think they will.
4) When I finally do speak with someone in authority, I never get the response I want to hear: "No, for the last time, we don't sell kumquats." I wish my Doctor would finally order some so I can stop asking.
5) Both have bathrooms that are contaminated by people with weird diseases I can't pronounce.
6) I always spend more than I intended. Always.
As far as Safeways go, this is one of the best. It's large, it's open all the time, it has a decent size parking lot given it's central location, it has an expansive deli (that never can understand the code for the Southwest Turkey and always gets rung up as Pepper Turkey instead), and a lot of check out lines.
Areas of improvement: fixing the self-check-out stations so they don't break every time you breathe on them, keeping the bathrooms cleaner, lowering the prices so a box of Special K doesn't cost $5.19 (are you kidding me? $5.19? In my day, you could get a shitty colonic for $5.19), and having people stationed on every aisle with latex gloves and wearing scrubs.
Sorry. Getting my other weekly hang-outs confused again.Listed in: Don't (Lower) Haight
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Review from Kristin F.
Traverse City, MI
1/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
4 stars for the grocery prices and excellent paninis.
To those who are going to complain about Safeway, well, it's Safeway. I am happy with the location, the staff, and the selection. No bad experiences here. I do love the paninis. -
Review from Kurt B.
San Francisco, CA
3/13/2011
Most has been said before:
Pros: large, convenient to public transit, hot boys, decent prices, nice atmosphere post-remodel, parking, self-checkouts, hot boys, pharmacy, fun blood pressure machine, hot boys, bakery, deli, 24x7, and... hot boys.
Did I mention the hot boys?
Cons: sketch factor, some of the employees are a bit... er... brusque.
But I have to say about all the folks hating on the employees -- have you ever worked for a large chain like Safeway? These folks are treated like prisoners by their own company, and are spit on by the customers. For the crap they deal with, the fact that so many are friendly and fun is a miracle.
The cashiers here deal with dozens of lunatics every day. Plus the whiny privileged types with their uptown problems ("these caramels don't look right!"). We've all stood behind these people in line while they make a stink over some 79 cent item. "Hey lady -- don't buy the damn caramels then. This ain't the Four Seasons Concierge Club."
Here's a tip: smile at the cashier and be pleasant -- they will be so thrilled, they will be tempted to kiss your feet. I guarantee it.
And as for the people shocked by the sketch factor outside, which I admit is sometimes a bit "gauntlet-like", where are you people from? Noe Valley? News flash: 14th/Church/Market is a bit sketchy, but it's not the Loin. Heck, compared to the 14 Mission bus, it's indistinguishable from Noe Valley. Everything is relative, I guess.
Just remember not to light any matches if one of the guys clustered by the front door is breathing on you and everything will be fine.
Also, as someone who likes to shop at 3am, I've learned that, yes, this is not the best time to go. Only one checker on duty, everyone else stocking with boxes everywhere, and all the crazies stumbling around like a zombie movie. It's actually kinda fun and interesting, but if that kind of thing annoys you -- my advice: go during rush hour (4-7PM weekdays, or weekend day time).
It's non-intuitive, but during rush hours, they fully staff the checkout lines and things really move. Once, I even witnessed every single checkout line staffed (I understand the Catholic Church is currently investigating this miracle). Also, no boxes in the aisles, and while the same number of crack zombies are probably lumbering around the store, there's so many other people everywhere, they're not as noticeable. Oh, and more hot boys as well.
Did I mention the hot boys?
I did?
Oh.
PS Get your produce across Church Street at Golden Happy Lucky Pretty Produce tho. Much fresher. -
Review from Pace R.
San Francisco, CA
12/22/2010
By day, this is a super nice Safeway with so much choice in products (I love their cheese section!).
But by night, this is the worst place ever. Between the crackheads and the crazies and the horribly rude staff. Totally defeats the convenience of this place being opened 24hrs a day. -
Review from Demeter T.
San Francisco, CA
10/21/2010 1 Check-in Here
Let me just start by saying that my love/hate relationship with this place is giving me lifelong whiplash. Here's why:
Love:
- The sheer size & proximity to p trans: Biggest grocery store within easy access of the N, K, J, L, M, F, 22, etc.
- Warm, glowing atmosphere thanks to the remodel. No more blindingly bright lighting to deter you from picking up that bag of Cheetos.
- Huge spread of produce, bountiful selection of veggie meats and soy cheeses at okay prices.
- Waistband-expanding bakery section: by far my favorite, with excellent cake slices, all the donuts of the rainbow (wink wink), fresh-baked jalapeno and cheese bread, etc.
- Recent decision to lower all prices and offer weekly deal that make generics seem expensive
-Endless wine and frozen aisles. What more do you really need?
Hate:
- Crazy people randomly jumping out of those carefully manicured bushes to either fake stab you or ask you to sign up for their darn newspaper
- ...And then shout obscenities at you for not responding
- Obnoxious and incessant PA sales pitches for the charity of the day, and the ensuing minute-long "Woooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhooooooooooo oo" for the dollar that someone just donated.
- Patchy workers who either help you like it's their goal life or shove you aside like you're yesterday's meat.
So there you have it, love it or hate it yourself, it will still be waiting, 24-hours a day to serve you. -
Review from Rick C.
San Francisco, CA
6/11/2011
Boy is this ever an example of what can happen when one corporation dominates a market like Safeway does in San Francisco.
From the panhandlers and the endless surveyors always welcome to camp out at the doors - "pardon me, we're looking for recent crystal meth users for a survey - have you used in the last week?" - to the often empty shelves, the higher prices they charge in SF relative to other parts of the SFBA, the "not really 24 hours" (they turn off the lights without warning at 1145PM) operating model - and worst of all, the complete surrealism of one human checker working and the self-checkout line going all the way back to the meat department.
There are a few good checkout clerks who don't patronize the customers - but they are the exceptions rather than the rule.
The only thing that will improve this store is more competition.
Bring it on, Whole Foods & Molly Stone's. -
Review from Janice C.
Updated - 10/1/2010
Little things that irritate me:
1. Lazy people
2. Lazy people who are stupid
3. When you have ten thousand spoons and all you need is a knife. (comes in handy for #1 and #2 above)
4. When you are desperate for a mojito and the club soda in your fridge is FLAT.
Hence a visit to this Safeway. Open 24 hours for all your cocktail needs.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/13/2009
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
That's why I now buy $2 quick pick lotto tickets instead… Read more »
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