This is my go-to Safeway when I'm visiting family in San Mateo. This is the perfect neighborhood grocery store. One could walk to the store if you lived in the nearby neighborhoods. There is also plenty of parking that is easy to enter and exit. The store is situated in a center with many other stores and services, making it a convenient one-stop. I like this Safeway for its layout and easy to read signage. I can go in and find the few items I need very quickly. There are several checkout registers open with a checker and a bagger, making it even quicker to get in and out. Although I shopped at Safeway a lot with I lived in San Francisco, I now live in a city without a Safeway, yet I have kept my Safeway card. The checker didn't bat an eye when I pulled out that old card to use. It was still good and it saved me over $2 on my small purchase. read more

Safeway apples are brown inside because they're not storing them correctly. Often caused by "CO2 injury" during extended controlled-atmosphere cold storage. The fruit might look pristine on the outside but show internal browning or breakdown near the core. And the inside flesh has a bitter taste. This has happened withe various types of apples, including organic. read more

I was cutting my cauliflower and this came out of it , I took it back to the store and the lady instead of apologizing said this is normal to have that is why you need to clean your veggies and fruit , this is extremely unhealthy and unconsidered of her to say I hate bugs etc , they need to clean this store read more

Safeway - BUG IN CAULIFLOWER - Grocery Near Me - San Mateo, California

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This is a small store. The restroom does need to be cleaned. Other than that, the parking spots are tight and people don't pay attention.

Time for remedial management training. This morning I arrived shortly after opening. My friend was suffering from excruciating dental pain and had been screaming in pain for over an hour. I stopped at this unfortunate Safeway and went looking for Tylenol and some pain gel to relieve his agony. I found the Tylenol fine, but the pain gel was locked up on an upper shelf. I walked to look for help after no one responded to the call button. I found a checker in the front of the store and asked for help with the locked item. "There's nothing locked in that aisle." was her response, served up with attitude. I said, "Yes, there is, on an upper shelf." "There's no one to help." was her reply. I wasn't feeling that special Safeway feeling in response to her cold treatment. 'OK, just get the gel and the pills and get out of here,' I thought. The lock on the case wasn't a normal lock; it had a couple of wires inside and looked like it could be shifted to the side and slid off. Remember, I'm not here to steal anything; I'm trying to help someone who is suffering from extreme pain and receiving zero help from the people "working." After waiting for longer than he imagined it could take to pick up two items, my friend came in looking for me. He wasn't at his best, not seeing clearly through the pain he felt. A waist-high cardboard display may have been knocked over when he entered the aisle. The lady working there suddenly found time to come to the aisle we were in. She then shouted at us to get out. We promptly tried to leave the store. My friend might have let loose a not undeserved epithet while passing the checker. It felt like the workers were going to chase us down and tackle us. They were yelling "Call the cops, call the cops!" This is where some basic management training would have come in handy. Staying calm, not threatening your customers, not chasing them through the store. The first door we approached was locked shut. I can imagine in other circumstances with other people, this could have ended very poorly. We moved on to the open exit with shouts and chasing and commotion. We weren't yelling at them, we were trying to escape to safety. We made it to the car out front. The clerk and the security guy stood yelling at us, taking pictures. The choicest memory I hold is the clerk lady giving us the finger while yelling at us. WTF?!? Time for some discipline or change of career for these clowns. I have spent the majority of my food money at Safeway up to now, but if this is the public face of Safeway, I will be avoiding them from now on. read more

Fire the manager immediately the restroom and is dirty and broken broken soap dispenser and no soap at all read more

Safeway - Dirty restroom - Grocery Near Me - San Mateo, California

Honestly so tired of the puffy milk cartons and stinky meats. It's clear things are not being stored at proper temps. I witnessed workers putting room temperature cheese back in the refrigerator after a power outage. My final straw is my most recent purchase of milk and heavy whipping cream that smelled absolutely awful despite being months before listed expiration. read more

The cashier Juan Pablo charged me for three plastic grocery bags when I only requested one. The two bags that he charged me for were my reusable bags that I brought! read more

I've been living in the area my entire life, 36 years. This Safeway has always been the worst grocery store around and lives up to that reputation to this day. If you want to test your mental capacity for frustration, order some balloons. My latest gripe is they don't have PAPER BAGS - what the actual f* ck. Are we living in 1995? I live really close by and this is unfortunately the most convenient store to me, but I will absolutely not return until, at minimum, the bag situation is addressed. It's one thing to self-harm by going to this store, it's another to deliberately harm the environment. read more

This is my local location that I have been going to since 2007 I have never had a problem till a couple of months ago. I used the self checkout bought my groceries. Was leaving and getting into my car when a female employee opened the door that is usually locked and accused me of shoplifting. I show my receipt. She doesn't even apologize. she just goes back inside. I called corporate and it seems like they finally have someone at the self checkout. I never did get an apology. I am going to the crystal springs location from now on. read more

The majority of the staff are friendly, helpful and professional. The other day I was shopping at the store when... read more

Safeway - Lol - Grocery Near Me - San Mateo, California

the cashier named Rina was super nice friendly! handled items with care, was quick, and good customer service over all

Repeat after me: it is always a mistake to go to this Safeway. I've been to grocery stores in third-world countries that are better organized, cleaner, and with fewer supply problems and better selection than this hellhole. If you live in the area, you might think you're saving time by trying this Safeway, but you are not, because they're not going to have what you want, or if they do have it, it's. either spoiled, moldy, or will be by tomorrow. Safe your time and go to the Safeway in Burlingame or the one by 92 and El Camino in San Mateo instead. read more

REMODELED, MORE SPACE & OPEN TILL MIDNIGHT! I shop here usually late in the evening because they are open until midnight. The one off on El Camino and 17th Avenue is open 24 hours. I think Safeway has good sales. I buy a lot of our household needs here like tissue paper and paper towel. Their spring water is always a good deal like Crystal Geyers for 36 count for only $3.99! A great deal!! In fact, sometimes I think they are cheaper than Coscto and you don't even have to checkout in a long line. They recently remodeled and expanded. I think it's wonderful but they forgot to make space for a full butcher, a full service deli and especially a full service flower department. So in essence, I would say this Safeway is more self service - but if you ask for help - they are willing to help you out like stock check. However, their produce dept. are always super friendly and have always ask me if I needed help. Their cashiers are really nice- and I shop here enough and have become conversational with one of their staff who is personable. She even knows that I cook Filipino food! How cool is that? read more

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Neighborhood Safeway plenty of parking but sometimes hard to find a close spot. This Safeway is located in a small shopping center small Safeway stocked with all of your everyday necessities. No bakery or deli department located in this Safeway. It does get crowded in the early AM and around dinner time. I just pop in to pick up random items I need right now for my more bigger grocery shopping I will drive to one of the bigger safeways Updated 7/29 Not sure what it is about the cashiers her but they seem to have some issue with being at work they are very rude and Cranky I have been snapped at by the cashier named Cheryl on several occasions but today was the last straw I finally said to Her that she is always so rude to the customers and snaps at them. I had asked For some of the refreshe waters while I was checking out and stated I would pick them up from the front since the shelves were empty she snapped at me and said Which ones I said the refresh bottles she said yeah the 24 or 32 I said oh Sorry didn't know their was more than 1 size I asked my son To do get one And she snapped and said don't ever get the water from The front I said oh the last cashier told Is to pick them up From The front instead of the store shelves she said with attitude don't ever do That o said ok sorry you don't have to say it so rudely she said it's for your own health and said she was not rude I just said I have no idea why you are always so rude to your customers here and that I had just over heard the other cashier behind me Tell her customer "I'm not perfect I make Mistakes too very wisely To the customer not sure what is going on with this store but you have loyal customers and maybe you need To rehire a new crew or get them Some customer service training. I will take my business elsewhere if I walk into this store again and see Cheryl at the register she is really bad and unprofessional she is Very rude to customers all The time read more

This store always gets a bad rap from grocery snobs 'cause it's the 'hood' Safeway which is a misnomer. It's a great store with an amazing crew. Sheryl is my favorite there. read more

Creepy Safeway! We stopped here for a quick caffeine purchase and restroom run and I was appalled by the lack of cleanliness and disorder in the aisles and restrooms. Everything was crammed, boxes were on the floor, package wrappers were scattered in the cheese section, their produce looked uncared for...etc. Employees didn't seem to care, they were busy talking to each other. I almost hopped back into the car and left with my husband. It gave me such a bad vibe. For sure I won't be returning here. read more

RACIST COMMENTS DONT GO HERE Nobody wanted to claim to be a manager or in charge last night we went into here bought a good amount of groceries when this "women" who was on check stand 3 rizzza or something leans n and asks "Are you paying with your ebt card or another card" I asked "why would u ask me that did u ask anyone else" she said "because u dont have to pay for the 24 bags ur using it's free with your ebt" WE DIDNT PAY WITH EBT So .... UPDATE I called and spoke to a lady who claimed to be the store manager when I questioned why I was told his name was ron not julie she then admitted she wasnt bt he wasnt there I told her what happened nd she told me well "it seems like she was helping you. Maybe she saw your card she is right we dont charge people with ebt for bags" I said "I didnt pay with an ebt card and why wasnt she asking anybody else if they were paying with ebt" she said "mayb she does I dont know" I asked her name again nd shes rudely spelled it out 1st and last MIND YOU ME ND MY BOYFRIEND WHERE THE ONLY BIRACIAL PEOPLE N THE STORE 1 OTHER BLACK MAN WHICH THEY KEEP CHECKING IF THERE WAS MORE IN HIS BASKET I feel like this was handled horribly by staff and management the comments are racist IM SORRY WHEN DID THE GOVERNMENT START GIVING MASTERCARDS OUT AS EBT CARD read more

Safeway - Grocery Near Me - San Mateo, California

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What in tarnation is up with the parking lot here? In the middle of the week it's absolutely packed and after circling the parking a lot for a while, I finally found a space. The major restaurant here is closed and after seeing both Longs and here I still don't know where all the damn people are. This is somewhat sub standard Safeway which carries mostly basics and has no bakery and a piddly seafood section. Definitely worth the drive into Burlingame to hit their grocery stores instead. Did I mention the parking sucks?! read more

This is the forgotten Safeway - the one that gets all of the used signs, old run-down shopping carts, dented cans, and day-old bread. But the people working here are still nice, Safeway quality workers and will go out of their way to help you. I had a nice conversation with the butcher and was surprised to find they didn't sell fish because sometimes their shipments don't come in. I settled for a gigantic piece of beef for a fabulous price instead. Kudos to the folks who work at this Safeway. Even under rough conditions they give their best to the customers and I wouldn't hesitate to come back here again, unless I was looking for a piece of fish. TIP: Don't let the facade scare you aware. read more

Everyone hates their job here or they're just all grumpy and not happy with life. No deli department. No pharmacy. No floral department. There are always only 1-3 cashiers read more

Whoever the manager is of this location is trash. It's unfortunate Safeway doesn't have the courage to fire her for the way she treats customers. So many people on yelp complain about this manager and they won't get rid of her. Every time I go to this location (and I have no choice since I live down the street) she's rude to me. Literally for no reason. I don't even talk to this crazy woman. Anyone can do your job. Anyone. I complained to corporate about her and I will continue to complain to corporate about her and maybe they will finally get rid of her. read more

This Safeway had their Grand Re-opening on March 5. After what I experienced I will not go back to this store. The day of their re-opening, I went there at 7 am before work. First of all every aisle had cleaning people working so I was trying to move my cart around them the entire time. Then at 2 different times while I was there, 2 different safeway employees while rolling carts throught the store, hit 2 different customers! I could not beleive it. One guy nailed a lady looking at the milk, and another employee came around a corner with a cart and hit a customer kneeling down to look at bread! And forget about trying to get anyone to bag your groceries correctly. They loaded my bags so much they were way too heavy. I had to fix them out at my car because when I asked the lady to correct them in the store she would not. I went back 2 weeks later to give them another try, but wow that was a mistake. I went in to get liquid coffee creamer, and the first 7 bottles that I picked up were expired! Check your dates at this store. Then when I tried to leave, it took 10 minutes to check out 2 people that had 2 items each! Way too slow! Tried twice, will not go back to this store! read more

A good Safeway when you just need to pick up a couple things on your way somewhere. Likes: * Off of Peninsula Ave so good for grabbing something when you're headed for 101 * Staff is one of the friendliest ones. Almost every other time I'm there, someone will ask if they can help me with something. Even though there's no butcher section, the guys will try to help you figure out what to get. * Parking lot is way less of a clusterf* than the Burlingame and El Camino ones Dislikes: * No butcher/deli section. Meat is all pre-packaged. * Produce section is not appealing * Store feels cramped read more

All I wanted was my free pasta sauce. I had 3 coupons for free pasta sauce, as part of the monopoly promotion. And entered this Safeway on 5/29 at 8:40 in the morning. Holding my 12 week old puppy, they ran me all over the store. They said I had grabbed the wrong sauce and had to get the right one. I said that's fine, ring it up, and I'll grab the right one on the way out. Low and behold, there was NO 8oz sauces! After looking for 5 mins with NO help, I asked if I could take a 24oz jar instead, because I had 3 8oz, coupons. She said yes and I turned to leave. I was then yelled at as I tried to exit the store, and was told I had to get back in line, which had gone from long, to enormous. I didnt have time to wait(again) I had to leave, without my FREE sauce. This, honestly, is a small annoyance. But this sort of ROBOTIC, IMPERSONAL relationship with your customer is exactly what's wrong with EVERY Safeway. Trader Joe's is right down the road, and amazon Fresh is a Snap! Change or Die Safeway! read more

The first issue with this safeway is that it's small, so you are very limited on their selection on products. Second is the "big issue" the cashier CHERYL!!! I have never met anybody who has such a resting bitch face, she is rude, she refuses to talk to customers while she's checking them out, and when she does its nothing but negativity that comes out of her mouth. Does she not understand the meaning of customer service, or that costumers come first???? I cant beleive the store even allows her to work there. The only reason why I go there is because it's literally on the same st. That I live on and sometimes I need to grab something quick from this safeway. Cheryl honey here is a tip for you- SMILE for once and ull be suprise of the outcome. P.S. avoid her check out stand she's usually at the last one next to there little wannabe bakery they have read more

The worst. Always. Rude. Slow. Gross. Ugh. Nothing good about this place.avoid at all costs. read more

Good and efficient grocery store . I've been to other Safeway's and this one is one of the better ones . Friendly customer service. I wish all groceries stores were like this one read more

Good entertainment!! Park and watch how many get caught stealing booze or get away. Best people watching spot while waiting for somebody. read more

I'm not happy with the customer service at this Safeway as the older bilingual woman implied I wanted to steal their black handheld baskets because I placed it on the conveyor belt. Im inclined to go to any other grocer that's more inconvenient because poor customer service by this age group is commonplace. read more

Thanks to all the hard working employees at this store. Thank you for being there for us in our community and keeping the shelves stocked. Thank you for upholding the great level of customer service you've always provided throughout this pandemic. Please take care of yourselves and stay healthy read more

Cranky cashier!!!! experienced bad customer service while billing, a lady (Cheryl) is very rude while asking for ID to purchase alcohol. She is literally mocking with next customer was giving his ID to her when I was packing groceries in my bag. This neighborhood store is convenient and clean but bad and rude customer service of this store is not acceptable. Giving a star because this store is clean and operating with variety of groceries. read more

What kind of bunk a$$ Safeway doesn't have hot Cheetos?!?! Not stocked in items very well.

This Safeway really, really sucks. Its dirty, there is terrible service, and they're way understaffed. Sometimes you don't have many options, especially if its close by. If you DO have options, you'd want to choose somewhere else read more

I could not agree more with the one and two star reviews listed here. I have had so many bad and strange experiences at this Safeway that I no longer go, even though it is the closest store to my home. The best was the time a young store employee and a customer got into a heated argument about the customer's unwillingness to make a donation to the cause of the month and the police had to be called to handle the matter. Awkward!!! Also, the fruit and veggie section has been on occasion entirely wiped out like there is a run on fresh food. Because of its convenient location, I have tried to like this store. I have even written a few letters to Safeway management over the years on these and other topics, but they are just not responsive. I guess they have enough business that they don't need to follow up. If you yelp grocery stores in the area, the Safeways in Burlingame, San Mateo, and Foster City, rank 35, 36, 37, and 38 out of 38 total! Clearly there is a reason for this. So many other better markets in the area. read more

One of the smallest Safeway's I have seen in California. Came to this location looking for the deli department when I asked an employee they said the store was remodeled recently but no deli was put in. So I decided to get some chips because nothing in the store seems to interest me since its selection is so small. The cashiers here are pretty nice and they try to call you by your name. read more

This is the worst Safeway I've ever been to. It's old, their veggies and fruit never seem to be fresh and they don't have a deli or bakery. Their parking lot absolutely sucks, especially now that they took all those trees out of the parking lot. Whoever approved that needs to have their head looked at, btw. I'll drive to Millbrae to go to the Safeway there or just go to Lucky's or Mollie Stones, because they are closer. This store? Yuck. read more

This Safeway is even worse than the one in Burlingame. It is dirty and small. The selection is lousy and the produce is bad. The whole experience is awful. Nothing has ever been cleaned up or updated in this store. There is no bakery, deli, or meat counter. It is the most disgusting Safeway I have been in. I have been to new Safeways in other areas and I'm appalled that it even exists in it's current state. I now refuse to go here because it makes me feel sick. There are often crazy freaks here and always poor service. To make matters worse there are beggars and drunks in the parking lot. Go anywhere else! read more

as you can see, this probably is the worst Safeway in the 50 mile radius. my friend came here to get salad for my pot luck and it was OLD AND BAD. they didn't even have another pack of salad for him to chose. we had to drive to Foster City Safeway to exchange the salad. even the FC lady was like, "oh my gosh, i can't believe they even sold that to you." so why 2 stars instead of 1? i still heart Safeway. It has all I need, .. like Carolyn J. says, the basics. run out of butter? get it here. need some beer? grab a six pack. craving for a sandwich? buy all the things you need to make a sandwich cause there's no deli here. the staff is friendly. once the meat guy saw i was lost and pointed me to the right direction for dried cranberries. 5 minutes later he saw he confused again and pointed me to the right direction for muffin liners. the checkers are chill and friendly too. the plaza is under construction right now so hopefully after the makeover, it'll be a happier place... with fresh salad.. and maybe a deli. read more

I have been to this Safeway various times, it is 4 blocks away from my house. It's usually not that bad, but recently I have started to notice quite a few downsides. Back in April, I was at the bagel section, and I looked to my right where some more stuff was, and to my horror, I saw the unappealing sight of mold growing on one of the packaged products. I did not wind up going back to that Safeway Until yesterday. My little brother and I were headed back from SF and decided we wanted to pick up some things for dinner. My first idea was to go to Downtown San Mateo to Trag's Market and get what we needed, but I Safeway was closer. We went in and went to go pick out our goods, my brother had decided to get some candy. When we went to the check out line, we went to the shorter one where only one person was in front of us. When it was our turn, this casheir didn't even really greet us! And she seemed extremely impatient. When she asked for my Safeway Card, my brother was astonished and asked me "you have a Safeway Card", and I answered yes. However, the cashier decided to pile on and say "well, if you want to save money, yep". When she was bagging our items, my brother asked if she could give him his two candy items he had picked out, and she impatiently said "no.." she snickered irritatedly, "no". As if it was the hardest thing to do to give simply place the requested items on the counter after scanning them. Just wow. HE WAS JUST AN 11 YEAR OLD BOY REQUESTING HIS SKITTLES AND YOU DECLINE HIS REQUEST WITH ATTITUDE. ABSOLUTELY NOT! THAT SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE! I am not so sure if race played a role in how e were treated because there was a Spanish-speaking lady in front of us who she was short with as well (my brother and I are Black, African American). When we were done, there was a white man next who she was very patient and polite to. That's suspicious. Regardless of whether or not race played a role in this or not. It's absolutely disgusting behavior. I did not catch that Cashier's name, but if I see her next time I go (if I wind up going back), I will be sure to update this review and mention it. So annoying and rude! read more