Smart & Final

 

3

101

Steve D.

Alameda, CA

I like going to this place for cases of yogurts and big slabs of sandwich meat. Also, they have a walk-in cooler. So when its 100* degrees outside, you can always go in Smart n Final and chill out.  

But you will be in Oak-town, so be aware of things.  I walked out of the store last time, and saw a man throwing up onto someone's bumper.

Security guard thought it was funny.

Notes:  Free parking.  Near BART.

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28

883

shanghai k.

Oakland, CA

the parking lot is very cramped and narrowly stripped. i worry about being sideswiped by another car. inside the store, the lines are long.

no thanks.

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Elite '08

16

174

ross g.

Oakland, CA

I live for when people ask me where they can get disposable chafing dishes. GO TO SMART AND FINAL i'll say. IT'S IN THE HEART OF OLD OAKTOWN (simply charming)! While you are there, pick up some refried beans and a restaurant supply size can of jalapenos, and you can start building your earthquake survival kit or have the starter for a really good plate of nachos.

They even carry Chic-O-Stick: it's like a Butterfinger (taste) crossed with a Slim Jim (presentation). Eat twelve of them in a day and you will agree: they are delicious.

The "Final" somehow implies that the club soda we bought for a party last March will be the last of its kind that we will need to purchase in our lifetime. I like a store that is definitive in its claims even to the point that they declare it in their name.

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Elite '08

125

257

Nicole I.

Oakland, CA

The place I go for all my bulk needs without the $40/month membership, because really I'm not shopping for a whole family; just me.  

Its in the heart of Old Oakland so it's really convenient.

They're well stocked with mostly anything, well except for vegetables and vegetarian items.  They do stock GardenBurgers, but that's it.  

A good place to go for last minute bulk items without a membership fee.

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20

76

Shelley S.

Oakland, CA

I give this place 4 stars for the pricing but I had to take one away cause the checkers were really slow and the layout kind of sucks.

Also - I was buying souffle cups for jello shots, the bottoms come separately from the tops and they sell them in different quantities. 200 bottoms and 125 tops.  It's almost like hot dog buns and hot dogs coming in different quantities.  That's just aggravating.  i mean the cups are a smart and final brand - why can't they match.

They also get the 4 stars cause we park here at night when we go to Air Lounge!!

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Elite '08

80

495

Patricia H.

CA

Update 4/6/08

Went here yesterday to pick up some of the staples mentioned below.  I remembered we were out of milk, so picked up a gallon of 1%.  I used it in my coffee this morning, and the coffee tasted weird, but I figured it must've been the coffee.  Later in the morning, I poured some in my Cheerios, took one spoonful and spit it all over the table.

SOUR MILK - DISGUSTING!

_____________________________________

We like to call this place "sniff and pick" 'cause it sounds funnier, ya know?    Every couple a months we trot down here and pick up a couple of cases of Pellegrino, big box of granola bars, frozen blueberries for smoothies (no added sugar!) and marvel at  at the giant cans of nacho sauce and big bottles of maraschino cherries.    Much more ethnic and interesting than Costco.  They also have fresh produce, some of which looks decent.

There's always some drama when you reach the check out -a  street person trying to work some sort of scam on the have-seen-it-all-and-know-you' re-bullshitting- cashiers, or a fight in the parking lot, or someone trying to return a half-eaten package of hot dogs.  Good times!

Best part:  free parking!

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