If I could give this place one star I would. I guess the one star can represent the overall store. Produce- great. Bakery/Deli- average. The overall store is ok. I have a problem with the clerks and customer service in the front. I believe that once you're done with all your shopping and heading out, you should leave happy, glad you came to the store. Shouldn't the employees make sure of that? Is it not their job to be friendly? Not just the customers but to their colleges as well? Or at least have the respect for the customer to not be rude AT ALL while up front dealing with the consumer?? I thought so, but I didn't get that experience here. After being in the store for at least an hour(they remodeled it recently so still I'm trying to find my way around it) I was ready to check out. As I made my way to the front I noticed that there was a good amount of people trying to check out, so the lines were backed up. I didn't mind....at first. But then I realized at least 15 min had passed so I made my way to self check out. The line was a bit shorter. As I got to the front I noticed that it was taking a gentleman longer than needed but the lady that was "running" the front was too busy looking down, I'm guessing on her phone. The gentle man had to go up to her to get her attention for her to help him out. Lady...when you're at work please pay attention to your job. Unfortunately I didn't get her name, but she was blonde, black streaks in her hair. Unfortunately after that some of the self check out stations were having issues which made only two of them working, which meant the wait was going to be longer. So I made my way to a line that seemed to be shorter. My clerk, Madelyn I believe? (Glasses, blonde hair) was phenomenal! So sweet, having good conversation while she still held a good pace at scanning my groceries. The bagger was friendly too, engaged in the conversation as well as bagging my groceries. ( I had a lot--spent about 350) at the end I needed cash back so she proceeded to asking some one over the phone for some cash. An older lady approached (short white as snow hair, glasses. Didn't catch her name) as rudely as could be asked how much Madelyn needed. Here, I have to say, as much attitude as this lady was giving my cashier Madelyn kept her composure and responded with a smile, even. The older lady snatched the paper Madelyn gave her and walked off. As I had build some sort of connection with Madelyn through my transaction I felt bad for how she was being treated. But didn't comment about it. The older lady came back and handed her the money, Madelyn said thank you and the older lady walked off with out saying anything. I know every work place has their own issues but at least when you're in front of the customer try push through whatever it is and be nice. She didn't acknowledge me. Didn't greet me, she just looked down and walked away. I didn't like that. I thought it was rude, impolite, and for someone that "gives" money she must have some authority, so I guess I'm holding her to a higher standard? As I was walking out, being helped by the nice young lady, Sydney. The older lady and the lady with the blonde hair at self check out we're talking laughing while one, the lines we're still backed up, people needed help, etc. So my finally thoughts? Either they need to change who works up front or who has power? Or I don't know, but something needs to be done! Faster pace, more help, being respectful. How about doing your job? I hope my review brings light to not all but maybe some issues that I feel need to be addressed. read more

Been coming to this grocery store for over 20 years! By far this has been the most decent, and cleanest store I've been to. First let's start with the service. Majority of the time the cashiers/baggers/staff are all attentive, friendly, helpful and courteous. During the revamp and re-opening of the newly remodeled store, there were new hires that kinda changed the vibe. But after a few months, it went back to their normal friendly and helpful ways. Secondly, they offer more organic products. Price point won't break the bank. And they also now serve hot food. Last but not least, there are ample parking spaces. And there are return carts section conveniently located so you won't have to leave your cart next to a car or a tree! Overall, this is the best grocery shopping store in the area. I did not give 5 stars due to the wine price as they are priced really high compared to other stores. They do offer 30% off of you but 6. But if you just want to get a bottle or two, I suggest going somewhere else. Other than that, Raleys is awesome! read more

This is the worst service grocery store I have ever been to. While they have pretty decent produce and meat selection (awesome cheese selection!!) they have the worst clerks I've ever had. Its all about service folks. One day, a weekday about 5-5:30pm, I came in to buy special ingredients for a very important dinner. I found almost everything I wanted and was pretty pleased - though in a hurry. The store wasn't very crowded, but there were only 2 stands opened and each one had 3-5 people waiting in line. Because I was in a hurry, I was paying VERY specific attention to time. I was in line over 17 minutes and not even next in line when I gave up, abandoned my cart and left. It wasn't just the time, it was that I watched BOTH check out counter people move like snails and carry on very personal conversations with people in line. One girl even butted in to a customer's conversation with her friend about a personal problem (some relationship thing) to add her two cents and share her own drama. COME ON! That's nuts. The same girl kept the next customer, a pregnant lady, in line talking about pregnancy stuff (the customer looked visibly uncomfortable) that was highly questionable to be talking about - especially to a stranger. I switched lanes. The other check out person wouldn't take "no" for an answer from an elderly gentlemen who said he didn't want help out. It was ridiculous. It was like both these people were social outcasts trying to fit in and be friends to their customers. Very strange behavior. Raley's has a decent selection, but they have always been overpriced. That's not too bad unless you have bad service. I've never had a quick easy check out experience at Raley's, but this day totally blew any chance I'd ever go back unless in an emergency and everything else was closed or unavailable. I prefer Whole Foods or Andronicos for good produce, meat or cheese, or Safeway for regular staples. read more

Spouse and I both love this place. Consistently clean, great selection, love the fresh-baked breads. Hey, Alvarado Street hotdog buns! The employees are super nice. The one time I had to return a product they were helpful and pleasant. The meat dept had a free knife-sharpening special -- how great is that? Nice place to pick up canning supplies: jars and lids. Really convenient to BART. read more

I can't stand this place. It's a massive, American grocery store that sometimes you need to go to I suppose since you can find everything there (from food to children's toys to pathetic quasi religious art work!) but what I hate isn't the selection, it's the staff. They train every checkout person to chit chat with you and query you on almost every item in your cart. I don't like this for two reasons. 1) It hold up the line. My luck has it that I usually end up with the chattiest clerk and the chattiest customer in front of me. My advice, get in line with a male checker. They don't talk much, they just ring you up! 2) It smacks me as phony. This is a chain, not the neighborhood deli, not the neighborhood small market or butcher or your local independent coffee shop. It's a chain. Let's not ignore this fact. And yet they encourage their clerks to chat with you, ask you all sorts of probing questions about what you're buying and what you're making for dinner tonight, and then, they encourage their clerks to read your name off the receipt if you've paid by CC! I don't want them to address me as Mr. Merkamp (or even worse by my first name)! I don't really want them to address me at all. They do that as an act to make you think they're the small corner grocer who has legitimate reasons to know his customers by name when they're not! They're just another corporation that is mimicking something missing from suburbia that people instinctively want, that sense of community that develops between people and small, neighborhood businesses that more often than not get consumed by the WalMart/Target/Starbucks of the world. I don't want to support those guys. No stars. read more

I picked up my daughter's 4th bday cake on Friday night and after looking at it closely realized the sugar sheet was bubbled up making very pronounced waves as well as a misspelled name! How does that happen when it is clearly spelled on the ticket they have? I was told the decorator was gone so basically nothing could be done. I spoke to a clerk at the front who explained to the supervisor what had happened who ended up letting me walk out with paying. This does not make up for a messed up cake but at least I didn't have to pay. My concern is the fact they have a cake decorator who either rushed to get my cake done or just doesn't care. Luckily we were able to lay the waves down a bit more at home but nothing could be done regarding her name being wrong! read more

Among the big chain supermarket stores in central Fremont, this Raleys is the best. Friendly service: today I was browsing for tea early at 6:30am and the employee, a bearded young man, stocking items in the same coffee/tea aisle, asked if I needed any help. I cannot recall the last time someone offered assistance in Safeway or Lucky. The store is also pleasant to walk through- bright, organized and clean. I also find the produce to be high quality. read more