Don't be fooled. This is a pretty average grocery store, I thought based on the cafe the grocery store would provide more European offerings but that didn't affect my visit. Honestly it felt like a slightly more affordable Lunds- same kind of set up and not overly huge like a Cub or Hyvee. I saw a couple of flavors of items I don't see at my normal grocery store which was nice. We ended up getting sparkling water that we had never seen before. While we didn't interact with any employees (self check out) I noticed there were a lot of them. I'll definitely be back when I have more time and I'm actually looking to buy groceries. I could see this becoming a regular stop on the way home if our grocery delivery forgot something. I recommend checking it out and if you have time stop and eat in the cafe- that's what will get you in the door! Plus, I can't think of a better way to grocery shop than filling up on Scandinavian pancakes beforehand. read more

Came here for the first time a few nights ago. I lived in Wisconsin for quite awhile and Festival Foods is a STAPLE there and I have nothing but fond memories of getting groceries and game day snacks here... well, the memories just flooded back and it was awesome. They have a really nice layout. Also, there is a fully stock (and might I say awesome) olive bar that is right up in the front area and I definitely stocked up. They have everything you could want and dream of in a grocery store, they have great meat selection and also everything is fresh and clean. I like how they have upper end options for things but also lower end options if that is what you are in to.. just love the options. There is self checkout that is nice and I appreciate being able to check yourself out when you aren't always feeling like human interaction. I live so close to here so definitely will be back! read more

When traveling I stop for fruit snd snacks. 8PM on a Friday night- not only were the grapes good but the display was fully stocked and orderly. And on sales no less. Top marks. read more

Festival Foods - Grape display - well stocked at 8PM - Grocery Near Me - Bloomington, Minnesota

I shopped here years ago and really like their garlic toast from the bakery. Today my mission was to get crab legs and lobster tails. My college age son and I like these once a year during the holidays. And we can afford it. A Facebook ad showed colossal snow crab at $14.99 a pound, king at $39.99 a pound and some lobster tails at $5.99 and up. I remember years ago when snow crab was $6.99 a pound. It's Minnesota so everything is frozen here. My 4/5 stars are for the 2 deli salads I got. First one is chicken wild rice salad. Pretty good with mandarin oranges and grapes in it, mayo based. I can't stand water chestnuts and these are in this salad. Seems like added as a filler to save money on their part. Second salad was an Asian cole slaw. All I tasted was vinegar and again those nasty water chestnuts added to this salad too. Lesson learned, I just picked them out. Hopefully the seafood is good. read more

It is close to home Maybe this should be a two, but sure I'll be back I kinda like to support the little guy. Yes, Festival is a chain, but much smaller than Cub, Hy-Vee, Kowalski's or Lund's & Byerly's. Just six Festival locations all in the Twin Cities Metro area. Hard to find a grocery store that is completely independent living in the burbs. I'm really not much of a price checker, never have been, but their prices seem reasonable. Being that it is not one of the Goliath larger chains, it is always less crowded with shorter lines than the competition. I don't think I've ever had more than one customer in line in front of me. Maybe this just means they are going the way of the Dodo bird pretty soon. They also have a rewards program. 4,000 in points gets you $5 off. However, you cannot let your points accumulate. As soon as you get to 4,000, they give you a $5 off coupon. I'd rather just let it build up for awhile. One time when I was there, I decided to really stock up. Well, wouldn't you know it? They were unable to look up rewards accounts by phone number that day. Tonight when I was there I gave the cashier a $5 off coupon and he forgot to ring it in, and it expires before the end of the month and I kind of stocked up tonight. They do have drive-up service where they put the groceries in your trunk, so that is kind of nice. If they put a Hy-Vee across the street, I would probably be done with Festival. read more

Ladies bathroom is not always attended to. Cashier Marty needs to keep her opinion to herself. I have up to 60 students that I will buy snacks for.... Marty's comment 2 days ago "Boy You sure like your snacks!" Inappropriate to say to Anyone! read more

Festival Foods is my source for baked goods that can be served to people with a peanut allergy. One of my son's classmates (whom it seems he cannot escape) has an allergy, so his birthday treats come from here. Their bakery makes some tasty treats and the service is always on point. When it comes to the grocery portion of the store, they're alright. They have some organic foods, though you have to scout out the selection pretty thoroughly. Their prepared foods are also pretty tasty. They make a sausage lasagne that's only 8 Weight Watchers points, which is pretty darned good. They don't make it often enough for me, so it's always a treat to find it in the deli section. The employees who work here are quite helpful and don't mind questions. They seem to get what customer service is about, which keeps me coming back. read more

Small hometown grocery store feel. I like the unique made in Minnesota appeal of this store versus a "Big Box" store. Personalized service available everywhere you go here. read more

I am regular at this grocery store. I'm disappointed in the pre made salads they make! The Cesar salad is made with the ends of romaine lettuce it's all white and no green lettuce in the salad at all. The salad bars salad is wilted and all over the place. Seems like nobody really takes care of the salad bar or knows how to make pre made salads correctly or knows how to do their job. Guess my family and I will be going to fresh thyme from now on cause at least they take care of their salad bar and make sure things aren't wilted. read more

Festival Foods is close to me and it's very boring. They put a lot of work into making the store pretty and the food is presented well and extremely organized. They have two things that I really like that are also priced very well-- parsnips and pickled herring. The parsnips are presented beautifully and they all looked fresh and healthy. However, when I got home I noticed the parsnips had about 1/2 inch of wax on them. They were pretty much a candle. I wondered for a minute if they were actually meant to be eaten or it was some weird Minnesota thing to buy plastic parnsips. ?? It's been two weeks, and the parsnips are still looking as fresh as ever, but I'm nervous about the wax coating. It seems like a better idea to stock a smaller amount of parsnips. I'm sure the parsnips in the produce aisle today are the same ones that will be there a month from now. read more

This review is based on today's customer service. Normally their customer service is great but not today at the deli. I walked up to the deli counter at approximately 7:25 p.m.Two employees were behind the counter wiping off the counter space along the wall. Neither asked if I needed assistance. Initially thought maybe the deli was closed so walked to the end to see if there was a sign indicating when deli closed. There was not a sign. As I walked back to where I was standing one of the employees acknowledged me. I asked if the deli was closed. She said no but they start pre-closing at 7:00. She did assist me but I felt like it was an inconvenience that I interrupted her cleaning. read more

Festival is my regular grocery store. People say they are over priced, I don't agree. It's well stocked, clean , awesome employees. I had one of my kids graduation parties food mostly made here. Very good overall. Also, they bag your food and load into your car. Nice neighborhood feel:) read more

This grocery store does the trick for its location near my parents' home. It's small and a bit overpriced (taking advantage of that fact that the closest Cub Foods are 2 - 3 miles away). One factor I do like about Festival is it has a decent deli counter. However, if you're looking for fresh produce and a larger selection of anything I suggest going the extra distance to Cub. read more

I hate this store so much! It is the closets store to us and it just sucks. The food is in strange places. Never a cashier at the desk then they show up and help all the people that just go there even after you've been waiting. It is just the worst. read more

This place is on the expensive side. I only come in for the slices of chocolate symphony cake in the bakery, or just to grab small things like milk. Their deli isn't Hal bad either. Go get some cake it's so good! read more

I love this store. The best meat department in town. It is always so fresh and they are so willing to answer questions or give you advice. I have always found them well stocked. And the bag your groceries and load them in your car - worth the extra price I pay to go here. read more

Good selection, specials from time to time and very convenient. I have not had any negative experiences. The deli area does seem to close early, seems that is the story at other grocery stores as well. read more

The prices are competitive, the layout is nice. I prefer to spend my money here over Cub and rainbow. Great meat department. My children love the annual events they host. Another East Bloomington gem. read more

Former loyal shopper. I use to shop exclusively at Festival because of fresh items such as Deli, Bakery, Meats, etc... Had a bad customer service experience and now shop exclusively elsewhere. I wanted lunch meat sliced at the deli counter and the counter gal said she couldn't do it because she had cleaned the machines and was closing at 9:00 PM. When I pointed out that it was only 8:40 PM she responded that she had to be off by 9:00 and would not have time to clean the machine again. If there is no access to the Deli until 9:00 they should not say the deli is open until 9:00. My emails to the corporate office were sent with no response. Apparently the Economy is good enough in the grocery business to turn away sales. read more

I do most of my weekly grocery shopping here. I like the size of the store; big enough to have a good variety and some specialty items but not overwhelming. Easy to get in and out quickly. Great customer service. The bakery goods are exceptional. read more

I really just go to Festival Foods because I love to eat at the Scandinavian Bakery and Restaurant located inside. Homemade lefsa dishes, "to die for" fried chicken and wonderful service are part of why we eat there more often than weekly. Festival grocery store has a friendly, upbeat atmosphere. There is always something interesting out front--right now it's lots and lots of mums and firewood. They have breads and other baked goods both from the Scandinavian Bakery and from the Festival Bakery. I noticed a review from May that complains there were no cashiers when he was there. I cannot imagine that. I've shopped there at almost every imaginable time and never see less than two cashiers plus baggers available. And they have self service registers as well. The store arrangement is a little different, though. To get from the produce/deli/meats and canned good section to the rest of the store, you need to go almost to the back of the store before you are able to go east. (Easy once you know how!) Once you catch on to the arrangement, it makes sense. But I tend to do most of my shopping at Lunds on 98th and Normandale instead. Produce, variety of meats, service, cleanliness, and store arrangement are all better at Lunds. read more