I love the Safeway. Why are all these people bashing it it's great. They have everything I need. The deli counter is pretty weak - the people read more

Pretty difficult store as far as i'm concerned. I live in Richmond where they say we don't have enough grocery stores, but we actually have Williams organic grocery, and not far away the El Cerrito natural grocery. So there are stores to compare it to, including nearby other Safeways such as the one on Solano. This Safeway does not have anything the others do. Today it had no 'Dubliner' sharp cheese except for 'low fat.' And I couldn't find much of any other selection of cheddar. 't did have kefir, but I asked a worker there where it was and he said they didn't have any. As I stood there listening to this guy, who talked like he really knew, I looked to my right and there it was. The staff in general isn't so great, but there are exceptions. The check-out is ridiculously slow. I guess it's because there don't seem to be any baggers. This is the worst part - but they do have a self-check line if you want to put all your own groceries through that scanner. This store has too many problems for me, including being an unfamiliar layout. read more

Don't come here if you are in a hurry. Cashiers are in slow motion. Can't get out of the parking lot very easy especially between 4 and 7pm. Badly planned access by the city of El Cerrito. (As other areas in this city!) Need an alternative store in this area badly. read more

This place is The Melting Pot of America. You are several different types of people shopping at the same time and it's fabulous. You got the big black girl on a cell phone saying "girl I had to beat her down for talking smack about me!", you have a cluster of Latino families shopping for groceries and of course a little old ladies with blue hair getting cat food. I am new to the area and this is a newer Safeway which is very nice. You just have to avoid whoever is selling stuff in the front of the store on a daily basis. The self check out lines are organized and seem to move except that one time pops dropped his crack pipe behind me and it rolls next to me, I was frozen then! read more

Ok, so yes everyone is 100% correct about a few things: -The Starbucks which is inside is about the worst around. -The parking lot wasn't designed well at all. I mean, people walk from the BART station across the street (that's pretty normal right) to do some shopping and the store's aware of the BART related shoppers based on the huge video board with real time BART departures....but when you cross the sidewalk from the station, you dead end into what amounts to the only car exit, without a sidewalk. It's unsafe and I'm amazed they haven't fixed it after 3 years, heck the greenway's right there so it isn't like there wouldn't be space for a sidewalk. -As per the complaints about employees, haven't experienced that. Checkout lines are slow, self check is incredibly efficient and when compared to Lucky's at EC Plaza, it's lighting quick to get out of there- I'll go 3 stars because well, it's Safeway and there are better choices in the neighborhood including Giovanni's just up Potrero into El Cerrito (and not to mention Berkeley Bowl). That being said, no major complaints read more

Been coming to this Safeway since it opened since it is on my way home from my sons house. It is really big and always clean. I love that they keep the toiletries locked up since I know no one has used the products before I buy them. There is always a handsome young man available to open them for me. I wish they had a larger selection of berries though for my jams. read more

This Safeway hates it's customers. 1 hour to pay for 8 items. Xmas or not the staff doesn't wanna be here and managers don't care. About the usual here but no Express pay on Xmas is ridiculous read more

This Safeway has goos products. The problem is the customer service. Maybe more people should be hired to get the lines going. I literally can never stand in line I always have to go to self checkout because it is so hectic. The workers could be more friendly as well. read more

If you need deodorant or ibuprofen don't come to this store. They lock them and the alcohol up so you have to go to the customer service desk and wait and wAit for a clerk to show up to be instructed to go to the isle and wait for another clerk who may not show up for another 10 minutes if at all! read more

This is most likely the worst grocery store I have ever been in. The staff is surly and downright rude. The managers do nothing but sit in Starbucks and do nothing. The store is always filthy and disgusting. As far as I am concerned I will drive an extra 15-20 minutes to go to any other store. Their 3 people in line rule os a joke. The two managers should be fired and most of the staff replaced read more

Today I waited for over 20 minutes at the deli counter while employees just stood there, unwilling to help the huge line of customers and evidently only one person able to scoop salads into the containers. I ALWAYS have to wait in line to check out and it seems like there are never enough employees. It's 95 degrees out and according to a cashier there will not be a delivery and it's unclear when they get ani ice back in stock. And there is only one roll of bags in the entire produce department. So nope. Not worth the convenience of location for the lack of service and supplies. read more

I hate this store the lines are awful the checkers are so slow they never have enough check stands open. The prices are too high cars get broken into in the parking lot...it's the worst store ever! read more

Love this Safeway even though I don't live nearby. They keep it well stocked, organized and very clean. The staff is mostly decent and professional. I will highly recommend this store. read more

Safeway - Nice new flavor of #GreyGoose in #CherryNoir I just discovered. Now I must try it later :) - Grocery Near Me - El Cerrito, California

4:30 in the afternoon, 3 check stands open with over 7 people in line or more... Not one express lane open- though they have a few! I'm standing with a 6 pack of carefully selected wines and a couple other items. I ask the clerk why no express lanes were open.. Her response, "just get in my line, I'm fast." My response... "There are a lot of people in your line"... Hers.. " but they they really have much." Umm they all had carts!! I asked if she could call do more help, and let her know that all the lines were ridiculously long. I was ignored. Set my items down.. And walked out. Will be spending my money somewhere else! read more

Pharmacy is above and beyond fantastic. Friendly and knowledgable staff that listen to your concerns and appear to like their jobs. The pharmacy hours are conservative, but their work ethic and reliability makes it worth ordering ahead. Do not shop here after the self checkout closes!!!! You will wait in line for 25 min!!! For some reason most of the customers that come during that time want to pay with 200 coupons, foodstamps, cheques, cash, and split the bill 5 thousand ways. The late night staff are friendly but never in a hurry. The produce is horrendous in terms of quality and very overpriced. No juice will come out of their lemons. For the best lical produce go to La Lorna and the Mexican market next to them down San Pablo towards Richmond. read more

The person at the deli didn't want to cut slice meat at the level I wanted they said the one is on sale can't be cut had to talk to the manager so I can get the meat cut the way I wanted it and when she finish cutting my meat she through the meat on table and walked away and gave me a dirty look bad customer service not sure if I want to come back and I only gave one star because that's all I can give don't have the option to put none read more

This Safeway is THE WORST and it's too bad because they have a pretty great selection of fresh produce. But 20-30 min waits at checkout are the norm. It's not the staff's fault; for the most part they're doing their best. It's obvious that profit-hungry management keeps the store woefully understaffed. Go early in the day, or go elsewhere if you can. read more

Worst Safeway. Empty bakery, empty deli. If you like to wait and wait for everything, like a sandwich, deli, hot food, check out, then this is the place for you. Guy helping with self check out was rude and argumentative, not helpful. Life lesson learned-don't ever go to Safeway in El Cerrito. This store is a waste of real estate. read more

So this is actually a review for three "Safeway" stores, which (in effect) operate out of the same location. The first: The old Safeway store, now closed, at San Pablo and Moeser. It was by far and away my favorite Safeway store anywhere. Including (but not limited to) the store on Solano Ave, Albany and the two Walnut Creek stores that I regularly shopped. This particular Safeway had everything I needed, was large enough for comfort, thought the aisles were tight, and had an amazing set of folks working the checkout stands. Sigh...its closed. It would have rated five stars. The second review is for the "new" Safeway store on San Pablo just next to DelNorte BART. Its okay. I agree with Mutant O that its bigger than Jurassic Park, just about as cold, and has more than everything on its shelves. Except that you really can't find "everything" easily as it seems to be arranged in some pre-approved fashion by the Safeway managers who (Im told) have their offices nearby. Frankly, I think that these managers BART out from Pleasanton about once a month to make sure that all of the employees are arriving on time and have their fingernails clean. At least that's what it feels like. So...on the plus side. My old "wonderful" employees work here, though they don't seem nearly as happy as they did at their last location. And unfortunately, owing to that "Jurassic Park feeling, they seem a trifle cooler. Looking over their shoulders for dinosaurs as it were. A breakdown: the employees: 4.5 stars. The layout: 3.0 stars. The Jurassic Effect, 2.0 stars. Section two rates about 3.0 to 3.5 all together. Depending on the day and the time of day. The third review is for the safeway.com crews who work out of this site. Definitely 5.0 star material. We use this service and we use it often. We've never been disappointed, with an hour window for the delivery, we usually are able to get a full weeks groceries, paper goods, cleaning products, soap, veggies, frozen foods...absolutely everything. For free. (Delivery charges are waived if you buy certain products, which we do.) Oh, and there is no tipping. The website insists on this. So, once a week or so, a nice white truck with a cheerful driver pulls up in front of our house. The driver unloads the bags, brings them up the stairs in (if we want) into the house. Even to the kitchen. Goes over the list with us briefly to cover any questions. No lines, no hassles, no payment problems. Love it. Three different functions for this one store. The past, the present and the future. Four stars now, but when the future becomes the present, I'll wager it will be five stars. Every time. Try safeway.com. You'll like it. read more

Why upgrade the hell out of your place then lock everything up and still provide slow, sad service?? This place could be better if resources were spent on hiring more good staff, expanding security and catering to folks who would like to make this their convenient neighborhood store. Instead it's a inconvenient, time consuming, drama filled mess. read more

Is this the worst place on earth? Perhaps not. Is it the worst grocery store I've ever set foot in? Absolutely. Here's a quick run down of why this place is awful: - Long, long lines. Even self checkout has long lines thanks to constant errors and having to purchase bags. - Awful selection. This store is pretty big, but they choose to stuff it with crap you probably don't want (or at least shouldn't be buying). - Locks. So. Many. Locks. Want some basic personal care items that aren't even expensive? Good luck. Much of it is locked up and you'll have to track down an employee (good luck with that) in order to have them open the locked cabinets and get whatever you need. I'm not talking razor blades and other overpriced things. That bottle of isopropyl alcohol that costs about two bucks? Locked up. That tube of toothpaste that costs a few dollars? Locked up. - Prepared foods section closes really early. There are still people packing the neighboring BART station getting off from work. They should be selling food to those people. Instead, you walk in and the whole section is abandoned. - Expensive. Par for the course for Safeway. Basically, expect to leave here having wasted far more time than you should and without all the products you needed. read more

They offered the coupons but then the discount didn't show when checkout. I asked them for help, they came, explained some nonsense but performed like they know everything. Since the discount did not show on the receipt as they said, they walked me around the store again, back to at the department, checkout, then customer service to do refund! And told me that I should be happy because they were walking with me and helping me! Oh! So don't you hire to serve customers? That is your job, your duty, and the wrong in your computer system! Ok, I have a mistake that is going to your store!!! read more

Your Website Says Receiving Hours 0500 AM to 1PM . Your Receiver When Asked , 0600 AM. There Are No Sign Indicators Outside . Can You Please Update Your Website And Post Your Hours ... read more

This review is for the bakery. Clean store, but that was about all that the shop had going for it. I bought a cake for a party and it was dry with the consistency of dirt, also had about as much flavor as dirt. Frankly, a three year old could've done better as far as baking & designing. Overpriced & crappy. read more

So sad a few unmotivated employees wreck the store's reputation. 10:20pm. Tuesday. I wouldnt notmally be here this time of night. 2 checkers open. One says shes closed when approached to ring ups. 2nd check was too busy chatting with fellow employees and one of the security guards. 3rd checker too busy chatting with customers and doing a price check. Ugh. Slow self check is faster than most of these checkers. I only shop here if I have to. read more

I have just recently freed myself of a 30-year bondage to Safeway, both the now-vacated ones in Richmond at Macdonald and the old El Cerrito one at Moeser, and, now, the quite new one just north of Potrero. Here's why: - I discovered Food Maxx (I was researching, because of points below). - Safeway's prices have skyrocketed over the last year, IMO--I'm getting sticker shock every time I go there, including times when I buy very little. I just can't afford it anymore. - This store opened after the other two closed, so it's intended to service the customers of both the old ones. And it should be able to--it's huge,and it has an enormous bank of check-out stands. And yet, I have only rarely seen anything like even half of those check-out stands open, even at high-traffic times. So the lines are very long and very slow. - You deserve a piece of cheese if you can find all the shelves you're looking for. - The refrigerated cases are so long, and so cold, that your lips'll be blue by the time you've walked the length of one of those aisles. - The parking lot is a nightmare--huge, LOOOONG, and spots are at 90-degree angles, so it's very hard to see when you're backing out, and can be dangerous. - This isn't new, but--just as soon as you've discovered some item you really like, whoops, they discontinue it! And then they tell you to write a card to corporate. I did that once, years ago: about 8 months later I got a phone call from some distant state, Colorado, maybe, telling me they didn't carry my item because "the drivers won't deliver it here," when, in fact, at the health food store less than a block away, the item was regularly in stock--the drivers weren't objecting to *that* delivery! - What others have said about the customer service in the bakery and deli sections--often rude and/or uninformative. Of course, they're probably being made to work overtime at no extra pay, not a mood-improver. Oh, why go on? I'd give it one star, except that it does have a broad inventory, and it's not as expensive as the very top-end stores. Which I also can't afford. There are several longtime employees there whom I'll miss. They're real troopers. OTOH, I recently ran into an ex-employee shopping in Target who told me that he'd worked for Safeway for over ten years, constantly being told--not asked--to work overtime with no extra pay, plus any number of other hardships. Not great. I wish them all the very best. But I can't afford to go on at this store when there are cheaper, easier, *better* alternatives nearby. Not only FoodMaxx, but Grocery Outlet, Trader Joe's, even Andronico's has lowered their prices in the last year. Not Safeway--they'll just have to make their money without me from now on. read more

I live in El Cerrito and this is a store of last resort. The feeling of the store is depressing - it's big, dark, and cold. But the worst is the lack of customer service and the stunning failure of management to put cashiers at the checkout counters. Good grief, it isn't rocket science. I've gone to this store at all kinds of different hours and it never seems to fail that the line is long (yeah, big store, one checkout... two if you're lucky). Ugh... I hate it when I have to go there. read more

I'm giving 3 stars because of the quality of produce and meat are exceptional for what their worth. Service on the other hand is scarce because of limited help. This is not store mgmt fault but upper management read more

This goes out to the Safeway delivery! WOW, I click away online...filtering1st though the sale ads, paid and someone walks into my house and sets it on my kitchen table. A few items weren't available...but they were unconsequential items anyway. So, if you are stuck at home, try them. I could truly get use to this. When I send my hubbie out, it seems that 1/3 of the list disappears in the process. There's something about crankiness that reduces reading abilities. They close at 2pm, so order the day before or early. My 1st delivery was free. I was so happy, I tried to give the rep. a tip, and he refused it ! Double Happiness! read more

3.5 -4 stars. I've been shopping at Safeway for about a year and following are some of my observations/comments: 1) I primarily use self-check out, lines can be long here, but it moves along, nothing too crazy, between 1-5 minutes to get to check out. 2) I primarily buy basics from dairy, bread to produce, some meats. Generally no issues in finding items. 3) The condition of produce is good. 4) There are homeless folks that chill around or inside store, which they have right to be wherever they want, but I can see how some folks may have negative feelings/views about this. So just be cautious, not just cuz of homeless folks, but be street smart wherever you go, including Berkeley Bowl. 5) Store is nearest one to me & I go to it 1-4x/month. 6) Customer service is good, I've maybe had one cashier who was kinda slow, but I try not to judge, who knows what kinda day or life she has/had going on. 7) Since I primarily use self checkout , I'd recommend a few more cashiers, per reported long lines. 8) Store is in El Cerrito. I noticed negative comments about its location, to that I say, Be part of the solution not the problem. read more

For my great grandmothers 100th birthday we planned a wonderful party. All she kept asking for was her favorite fried chicken, so we went in the day before and ordered 36 pieces to pick up the next day, April 3 at 9am. When we went back to pick up Nanas chicken we were told they didn't have it. When I asked how long until it would be ready the woman at the deli counter rudely stated "we just didn't make it" then walked away. I was devastated. As soon as I pulled myself together I got on the phone and started calling any place that could sell me 36 pieces of fried chicken on such short notice, then I started writing this review. I'm still not sure if Nana will get her birthday wish but I can tell you this, me and my family will never step foot in El Cerrito Safeway again. read more

I highly recommend this Safeway. As a senior with underlying health conditions, I tried the online ordering process and had a great experience. Nearly everything on my shopping list was in stock, and my order was ready right on time. "Drive Up and Go" sure makes grocery shopping easy. Special thanks to Crystal and everyone at this Safeway store for this excellent community service. read more

My phone got stolen while I was in the self checkout line this week. There are always cops there. There is so much crime they put all of the health and beauty products behind glass. I will definitely be going out of my way to shop elsewhere. The employees were fairly helpful in getting me security footage, but it doesn't redeem how crappy this store is. read more

I miss the old Safeway :'( It was so easy to get in and out of and easy to find everything. Now there's so much to choose from that it's overwhelming to even step foot in here. #firstworldproblems And I mean come on...turn the heater on or something, it's hard to shop with my snow jacket on. Also, I swear more things were on sale but I guess that's just my imagination *sigh* +1 for Coinstar though! WOO amazon gift certificate!! read more

I always find what I'm looking for here, and the staff more often than not is very helpful. I'm personally a vegetarian for my diet choice, and I can find all I need here in one stop shopping. read more

Worst store ever. The past two times I've gone into this Safeway have resulted in me walking right back outside after seeing the outrageously long lines inside. You're not going to fool me again, chronically understaffed Safeway. Seriously though, It looked like Black Friday was going on in there but instead of scoring TVs, people were just trying to get a gallon of milk in the self checkout....damn. read more

I avoid this location at all costs. The store is totally mismanaged, long lines, apathetic employees and a slow and dirty deli are the norm. It's too bad because I was so looking forward to this location opening a few years back, but now I go to the independent store on Potrero, Grocery Outlet or Target instead if I'm staying local. read more

Dear Safeway, I am at a loss for how to accurately describe this store. I "guess" it is an improvement over the previous two smaller locations. Slightly better selection, shine-ier floors bigger space, oh and self checkouts - which is the only real improvement in my opinion. There's something about the staff that just bugs me. I typically only come by to grab a deli sandwich and today just about drove me insane. I do not know in what universe that it takes over 30 minutes to get a sandwich. No there weren't 10 people in front of me, only two. No it wasn't just one sandwich maker it was three. No, it didn't order some ridiculously complicated sandwich concoction - my sandwich only had 4 ingredients. I sat idlely by as the sandwich maker bludgeoned their way through making the most simple of sandwiches, mind you it took over 10 minutes of shuffling, searching and eventual completion of my incredibly simple sandwich. After all of this I just watch the staff, they obviously hate their job. Almost having a perma-scowl on each and everyone's face. Maybe it has something to do with management or maybe they just happened to hire dozens of critically depressed and unhappy people. I really couldn't tell you. I guess it's cool you now have this new place but it's kinda sucky that while the old stores were nothing to write home about, I highly prefer them over the new one. read more

Disgusted with the customer service of the Starbucks associates! After going shopping on 11-11-14, around 6:00 PM, I decided to grab a drink at the Starbucks inside. Given allergy reactions, I'm quite vocal with the Barista how u want my drink prepared. After leaving and getting half way home, I realize that my drink has 3 things wrong with it. Two items I'm allergic to, were put in my drink not to mention the lid not secured to the cup so it dumped in my new vehicle! I attempted to call immediately, only to have nobody take the call so I was forced to wait until morning when I called at 6:45am only to be told by Sophia at Starbucks, that her manager Monica wouldn't be in until 7:00. I called twice after 7:00 only to be told then by Sophia that Monica wouldn't be in until after 7:30 now. I asked to be transferred to the store manager only to have my call dropped twice. Once I got through, I spoke to Janet who was extremely helpful and kind, not to mention apologetic for the mistake and then told me to come in and have my drink remade. I went back in, only to get harassed by Monica the assistant at Starbucks when I asked for my beverage to be double cupped.... She tried telling me that due to a shortage of cups, she couldn't accommodate my request so I had her call Janet who then told her to do as I requested. If it wasn't for the good customer service of the manager Janet, I wouldn't come back to this location at all! Thank you for your efforts, Janet, but I strongly urge you to find more pleasant and helpful staff for your Starbucks. read more

They Deliver!!!! They are always prompt and pleasant. My order is always correct, and you get great deals online.