I've been shopping in Berkeley since 1964, and this store, formerly one of the last Andronico's in the entire east bay - was unusually good. Now that store is gone. Comes a new one with a hip world conscious handle - 'Safeway Community Market'. This to be ignored, because the actual atmosphere is more like, 'Safeway'. As I was checking out, a bored male at the register tossed off every question I asked by saying, 'I don't know - I'm Safeway not Andronico's.' Ok, thanks for nothing - the old manager was always glad to see people and chatted in a friendly manner. I notice there are now reviews by people on this store, who like 'the decor', in Safeway (give me a break) and are glad that their 'whole family can get their flu shots here!' How depressing - one thing I like about Berkeley is that people don't actually do their food shopping on the basis of where they get medical care. And I am also not a big fan of workers who absently call me 'Ma'am' as if we're all subjects of an oppressive overlord - welcome to our new Safeway. The store still has a good range of foods, minus a few Andronico's specials, but it's like going to Sacramento to shop, and I could live without it. read more

Danny in the sandwich counter makes by far the greatest sandwiches on this planet! He should get a raise cause he's so talented

I am in general agreement with most of the five reviews that exist thus far. I have been an Andronico's Park and Shop customer for about 40 years. There is almost nothing to distinguish the "Safeway Community Markets" from any other Safeway. The Solano Avenue store is but 1/2 mile away from an existing Safeway, while the Shattuck store is a scant TWO BLOCKS from an existing Safeway. The reinvention of the remaining Berkeley stores as "Safeway Community Markets" is bound to fail. At some point, the corporate suits are going to realize this, and ask themselves why they need two stores at virtually the same location. Were I a "Community Market" employee, I would start looking around... read more

Everyone posting reviews are absolutely right! I've been living in Berkeley my whole life and only shopped at Andronico's out of necessity (prices were too high for basic stuff). The BIG MISTAKE that they've made in this transition is to keep the same employees that worked there. They're not used to the volume of customers and they don't seem to understand that when there are more than 10 people waiting in the two open check stands lines, CALL FOR HELP TO OPEN ANOTHER CHECK STAND! They love to just stand and talk to each other while the customers pile up and there's no sense of urgency. Simple solution... Clean house, bring in checkers that understand that customer satisfaction is important, and all the frustration will magically go away. Another tip is to go at 8am and skip the mid morning, afternoon, and evening wait and wait and wait and wait... read more

Not gonna bash this place like a privileged East Bayer. It's a Safeway. Get over it. No, the customer service isn't horrendous and the food is not inedible or all garbage. It's ok, definitely convenient if you need stuff. Like all Safeway's, some things (namely mediocre produce) are overpriced. Not my go to store but I do drop in for wine, cheese, bread, ice cream, etc. My biggest complaint is that the produce section is unbearably cold. It's right next to freezer section. That entire area is uncomfortable to the point I get in and out. Can't be good for business. read more

Seems to be the consensus here that customer service is non existent here. But the thing is when so many customers complaining about it, why there was no improvement? The cashiers never greet you. "Bag?" "single or double?" Are the only vocabulary they comprehend. No hi, no bye and no thank you. Last time I went, there was a customer who doesn't speak much English asking one of the employees for help. He has a piece of paper and was looking for 1 gallon whole milk. The guy kept pointing him to the fridge and telling him it has whole milk on it. I mean it was obvious the customer can't read the label and that's why he was asking for help. Eventually the store employee did lead him to it with obvious reluctance. why couldnt have him done that in the first place? Isn't that the most basic customer service? read more

This rebranded, high-priced Safeway can't seem to keep its half-and-half stored so that it doesn't result in big glops of cream floating in your coffee. This is a recurring phenomenon, and makes me wonder what other foods they're not refrigerating properly. Long-time customer, but I think I'm done with this place. read more

I hate that I still even go to this place, but the convenience factor oftentimes outweighs the ghastly customer service. I actually considered reaching out to a store manager to ask why it's such an unpleasant place to be (checkers/baggers often don't make eye contact, say hello or say goodbye; sometimes one is left standing at the register for the checker to finish up a text message before getting back to work). But given that the general unpleasantness of this place is so systemic, I really didn't want to waste my time yelling at the proverbial rain. So go to this store only if you need to (let's be real... there's something to be said for easy/free parking), and only for staples (eg bread, milk, eggs), tolerate the surly staff and then get the hell out of there until the quandary whether to patronize this place strikes again. Good luck. read more

So disappointed that our only options in 3 miles from our home, are THREE Safeways. They are horrible. Employees seem miserable, prepared hot food & salad bar looks dismal and every time I *try* to buy produce there, then next day - boom = Mildew! So gross. Three times a charm - no more from Safeway. I'd rather support the farmer's markets, Monterey Market, Colusa Market or Trader Joe's. Wish they had a ban on how many CHAIN stores that can open in a small radius. Options are getting slimmer and slimmer..... read more

Idk if your cashier Nick is transphobic or homophobic or just a jerk but I've had him twice as a cashier this month and his attitude was prominent. This last time it was between him and another worker to ring me up, he never really acknowledges me just talks under his breath to tell the other co-worker that he'll "ring the [uncomfortable-physical-descriptor] " as if I can't hear him. read more

I was very sad when Safeway bought this store. I had been going to this particular store for 30 years. It was always stocked with local foods and various gourmet items. When Safeway took it over it lost its unique quality, and its customer base. Then gradually it started to recreate itself as the former store again; the deli going on and the unique products started reappearing along with their customers. They even changed the name back to Andronico's. All was fine until the Covid19 hit. Then every worker in the store became rude and unhelpful. Some were even hostile. The only pleasant person was the guard in the parking lot. The usual clerks seemed to have left and were replaced with some very unpleasant people. I don't understand it but I'm done! They could definitely learn something from Trader Joe's! read more

I totally understand both the good and bad reviews here so far. And I will say that most of both sides are based on emotion and history dating back to some people's history with Berkeley supermarkets going back even to the Co-Op. None of this is fair. I grew up on the Co-op. Yes, some of us checked out books or ented movies from the Co-op long before that impersonal vending machine for movie rentals or even ill-fated places like Blockbuster. But they have been gone for almost two generations. And they were not perfect. Nor was Andronico's. Stop trying to sugar-coat history. This being said, this store has done almost everything they could under new ownership staff-wise to try to keep the neighborhood folks coming back. They have kept the friendly employees that had all of us coming here in the first place because if you try to tell anyone on yelp you came to Andronico's for better prices than Safeway or Lucky then you are either insane or a liar lol. We came here for better fresh foods and much better service. If the Safeway managers/owners decide to get rid of the only thing that makes people come here instead of the place down the street (the staff and the actual fresh foods at the former Andronico's) then they clearly had no intention of making this location work in the first place and if they shut this down we should all boycott Safeway in general and go to Lucky or Trader Joe's. The staff and their love for service and fresh foods are the only thing making this location and the Shattuck one worth frequenting. I'm very worried for the future and I suspect that based on the Safeway corporation's history that they don't appreciate our local values and customer service expectations in the high end supermarkets in the stores they tried to power grab. I hope I'm wrong and I hope in a few months this location continues to be the place where you know your checker's name. read more

I want to like this store, but it's two days before Christmas, and they have no ginger in the spice rack and no fresh cranberries, the two things I came out for. VERY poorly managed store. read more

Let's face it, Andronirip's sucked pretty bad. Prices were high, quality wasn't that great, nor was selection. But leave it to Safeway to make it worse. There are too few products left over from Andronico's. With the exception of adult brownies, the bakery is gone, replaced by typical Safeway items (i. e. -- heavily food colored cakes one wouldn't actually want to eat, etc.). The prepared food bars are even worse than they used to be, now stocked with some Safeway hot case items. Even the premade Andronico's sandwiches aren't like they used to be -- they're now smaller and made with veggies that aren't as fresh. Some prices are lower, but others are higher. The morale among employees seems lower than it used to be -- and it used to be noticeably high. The only positives for me are new carts and 12 packs of Safeway seltzer. Between the loss of Grocery Outlet, the high prices at Whole Paycheck, the lameness of Sprouts (open now or soon in Albany), the distance of Berkeley Bowl, the specialty nature of Trader Joe's and the ubiquitousness of Safeway in North Berkeley, it seems we've lost a bit of diversity and service in local grocers. I'd be pleased if there was a Berkeley Bowl on this side of town, but with so many corporate markets, it likely wouldn't be viable. Even though Safeway agreed to keep the two new stores open for 5 and 10 years, it can't be the best situation for Safeway to run four stores within a very small area -- especially if most former Andronico's customers continue to shop at Whole Foods. I look for Safeway to dump their larger store on Solano in Albany, but I doubt it would become another grocery store in this current real estate market (instead it would likely be torn down to build housing with multiple retail shops at street level). This all makes me long for the days of the Co-op, which really set the bar high for quality and prices in its day. Once it went under, everything changed for the worse. Now it's happening again. Do you remember your old co-op number? I remember mine! Ugh! Now my stomach is starting to hurt after eating chicken from the salad bar. I hope it doesn't get too bad. read more

This store was previously Andronico's. It is close to where I live, which is the only reason I ever went there to begin with. Andronico's was really overpriced, especially for produce. I try to always shop at Berkeley Bowl or Monterey Market as they have better quality produce at much lower prices. And Berkeley Bowl has better selection overall. When I'd forgotten to get something from these better grocery stores or just wanted a drink or a snack it was nice to have Andronico's nearby. I went into this new Safeway shortly after it reopened. They no longer carry any of the products that I purchased. No more good selection of Belgian beer. No more bulk smoked salmon scraps. No more Have'a Corn Chips. No more skyr (Icelandic yogurt). No more individual Acme sandwich rolls. The cheese selection is a shadow of the good, but expensive, cheese selection that Andronico's had. This new Safeway has mostly the same mediocre, overpriced products as every other Safeway. The only exception is the meat. They still have the same good selection of meats, although it looks like some of the prices have increased. Bulk sausage is now $1 more per pound than it was at Andronico's. There are still whole Mary's chickens. The lamb selection has actually improved under Safeway. Unless I forget to buy meat at Berkeley Bowl or can't make it while the Bowl is open, there's really no reason for me to shop here ever again. I don't care for Whole Foods because it is vastly overpriced, but at least they have the products that I used to buy at Andronico's, and they are open until 10 PM. I guess I'll go to the Whole Foods on Gilman if I feel like getting a snack or a beer. read more

Worse than the regular Safeway markets. No high quality. Gone is the incredible Andronico's bakery. The deli is not comparable.

My husband is elderly and has been trading at this market for a long time. We spend alot of money at the Solano Ave store...daily. Lately, he stands at the meat counter to wait for service and the person in the back ignores him completely. No one should have to wait for service, especially when they are the only customer in line. No excuses! You treat customers like the folks that are keeping your business open....because they are. Today, he waited for at least 5 minutes and he saw someone that was clearly in the back. Another employee came and asked if he had been helped, he said "No" and she just went on about her business. Finally he said "Forget this" and was walking away, when the employee in the back came out and said "Can I help you?" I mean, come on, surely you can do better than this! He says there is no bell to ring for service..... Please tell your employees in the back to check once in awhile to see if someone is there. I, myself, would have yelled out. :Can I get some service?" , but he is older and does not want to nor should have to do this. Fix it or we are going elsewhere. read more

We've purchased 2 items that were past their expiration date. I miss Andronicos.

Had a terrible experience today with an aggressive and argumentative cashier, named Olina, at the store on Solano Avenue. I came home and called the store to speak to the manager - this isn't something I'd typically do but it is the second time I have shopped there and the first visit was equally unpleasant. Nolia, the customer service representative of the store, claimed she didn't know the name of the store manager. She put me on hold for over 10 minutes and then transferred me to a cashier named Erica, who also didn't seem to know the name of the manger on duty other than his first name is Matt. She went on to say the store manager is actually John Spain and is not working today and the clothing manager (Matt (she wouldn't give me his last name)) is not answering his phone so I'll "need to call John tomorrow morning at 7AM" and then, and I'm not even kidding, she hung up on me. I have just bought my house here and will be living in this neighborhood for a very long time. Given how rude, abrasive, unprofessional and unwilling the employees at Andronico's are I will not be shopping there again. Well done John Spain, Matt 'Whoever', Nolia, Erica and of course Olina - you're consistently well below average retailers who remind your customers that it really is better to shop elsewhere online. Hope you have a back-up plan. read more

I really love the new market. They have more stock than the prior store. Some items are no longer carried but if you bring it up to the staff they are making an effort to bring back those products. Friendly and helpful faces old and new. Prices are much more reasonable compared to the old store. My wish list for the store includes stocking more variety than safeway/lucerene brands and in smaller portions. Also wish meat/deli/bakery was open closer to store closing time. read more

Great store overall! Everything was really nice and clean! Great help by one of their great associates, Michael Keller. Couldn't ask for a better store! read more

This is a small Safeway that claims it's healthier, organic, and buys local produce. Right when you walk in, you're in the fruits and veggies section. I came here in search of a yogurt parfait, (which all normal Safeways have), and considering this is a "healthier" Safeway, I assumed they would have it. However, they told me they didn't carry yogurt parfaits. Way to get my hopes up for nothing. Trying to provide people with organic produce is certainly a good idea, but if it were me, I'd just leave the job to Berkley Bowl or Whole Foods to provide healthy, organic products. read more

Love the new Safeway Community Market. I used to go to Andronico's occasionally, maybe once or twice a month. But I'm at the new store at least once a week and usually more than that. First, I am grateful that Safeway bought the Andronico's chain so that the stores did not close! The new store has the best of the old Andronico's without the worst parts. The prices now are much more reasonable. Most of the same staff work there. But they have changed from being edgy (not all, but quite a few of them) to very pleasant and nice! I guess it takes the threat of losing one's job and to work for a big company to suddenly be a whole lot nicer to customers :)) I, for one, am happy to see the staff much more helpful and pleasant (including the new staff). The salad/hot bar continues to be great -- and the only one around. So, in my mind, it's all good. I plan to go over there soon get some discounts, given my Safeway card. read more

Appears to be very nice, meat looks good. The clams I bought were not edible. It doesn't appear they have a real butcher or fish expert working the counter. They did offer to refund my purchase. They might want to invest in a skilled person in this department. read more

This store is freezing every where. I have to shop quick just what I need because their AC is on high even during the winter time. Ridiculous. read more

I'm not a fan of Safeway, but I rarely shopped here when this was Andronico's, mainly because the prices were so high. Alan and I had lunch across the street at Troy today and since we needed potatoes and other produce, I decided to come here rather than go to my preferred stores, Monterey Market and Berkeley Bowl West. I parked in their lot and walked in to the produce section. They had strawberries, both conventional and organic, but when I smelled the organic ones, I smelled nothing, which to me is a sign that they're not sweet, so I passed them up. They had nectarines, both white and yellow, but the yellow ones were the size of softballs, which generally means they're more mealy and less sweet, so I skipped them too. The display of bell peppers in various colors was beautiful, topped by large artichokes. It was a pleasure to look at. I bought some gold potatoes but didn't see yams. The selection is less broad than either of my two preferred stores, or Sprouts, for that matter. Picked up a cauliflower then walked around half the store, just checking things out. I was reminded I needed Comet cleanser and it was on sale, so I picked some up. I didn't explore the prepared foods area or the rest of the store, but I doubt I will be back. The man who checked me out was friendly and helpful. read more

There was not a single head of iceberg lettuce in the produce section, and there was not a single shelf tag or sign - really, no indication whatsoever - that the store intended to stock iceberg lettuce. There was no produce stocker, and when the grocery clerk paged the produce department for me, twice, there was no response. The attitude of the grocery clerk was that finding someone from the produce department would be a waste of time. Clearly, Safeway has no intention of keeping this store open. read more

What is up with the Wells Fargo ATM at this Safeway-used-to-was- Andronicos? It is out of order 1/2 of the time. I dash in to get money and milk or scones or sandwiches or ice cream and end up having to make two trips instead of one. One to the Safeway-used-to-was-Andronicos and then while the ice cream melts to the ATMs at the Wells down the street. Hey Wells, Safeway, whoever please fix this machine or get a freakin' new one that works 98% of the time. Wells is making a billion dollars, surely you all can fork over a couple of bucks for a new ATM in the Safeway-used-to-was-Andronicos. Two trips combined into one good for me, good for environment (less gas, less traffic). read more

Big props to the employees who are consistently very friendly & helpful! This store will never be the old Andronico's, and I understand the gripes from past customers, but the current incarnation is better than having no store here at all. Also: the beloved "Adult Brownie" is still sold here!.....***A special heads up for customers with SERVICE ANIMALS*** The staff here are friendly and accepting regarding service animals, however, there is a *very rude* older female customer who harassed me in the store about my service animal and insisted she wanted documentation. I hope that the knowledgeable & kind staff will eventually push rabid humans like this out of the store, as ADA regulations do not allow anyone (even an employee) to demand documentation for a service animal. read more

Checked back to this Safeway to see if the hot prepared food was any good. Hope against hope since Andronico's hot food bar was the best. I got a meat tamale some fried brussel sprouts and some egg rolls. Either the tamale had been sitting in the hot tray too long or was cooked so long that the part touching the tray was like leather, inedible. The Filling was dried out as was the corn meal that made up the tamale. Ate a couple bites and threw it away. The fried brussel sprouts were completely dried out and tasteless, rather than rehydrate them and put something to spice them up I threw those out. The egg rolls are good greasy but good. I will never be going back, enough is enough. read more

Making the best out of an uncomfortable transition & an awkward clash of cultures isn't an easy situation, for both the employees and customers. However, things will slowly come into focus as the corporate overlords of Albertsons & Cerberus (CCM) fine tune this into either a profitable working business or cease operations with consolidation. Hey, fun fact: DAN QUAYLE is a chairman ! Potatoes ! What...you say, this doesn't bode well for our local community market? Don't be such a negative nelly or a Sally snowflake folks, and focus on what DOES work People. If you, dear customer, take umbrage with the hybrid between what was & now what is...get over it. And more to the point, don't take this out on the employees. Just like you & me, they are trying to figure this thing out too. Bottom line: Lighten up. Give it a year. And if you are approached by any Safeway management types? Give them an honest assessment I know I will PS Terrorizing Safeway workers via social media is a dick move read more

This is definitely not an upscale alternative to the Safeway down the block. Now Solano has TWO crummy Safeways, when we need a decent supermarket with fresh items and a variety of REAL food. At least the "Community Market" lacks the clutter of ceiling banners and cardboard kiosks blocking the aisles of an ordinary Safeway. I disagree with other reviewers about the staff; I have found them to be pleasant and helpful. But, inevitably, this store (or the other crummy Safeway) will fail. I hope that then we will get a good alternative -- perhaps Diablo Market in Lafayette would like to expand? That's the kind of market I would love to shop in. read more

Great selection. Nice employees. Grocery shopping is a pleasure here. The line length beats nearby grocery stores. In and out quickly!

One of the items I bought regularly was Andronico's guacamole. The reason being it had a short list of fresh ingredients After the change over they kept the same recipe for awhile but now even though they still say it's Andronico's guacamole it isn't. They've added several preservatives to the recipe so it has a longer shelf life. read more

I do miss the old Andronicos but at least most of the Andronico employees are still there and store feels similar. Look forward to the check out gal that is a big Raider fan. What fun to talk to her. The deli is still good with Joyce making great sandwiches and the take out that is still made there is the same but the Safeway take out not so good. I hear the cooks were happy because they got all new kitchen equipment to replace the old worn out stuff. Yes they have been asking what items we want to see come back but no chocolate moose yet. I think Safeway is trying. read more

My family received great customer service from Michael Keller, and overall the store is great. We shop here all the time.