Beyond frustrating. Exasperating. There are never enough registers open and not enough staff oversight of the self checkout stations. What is this about? Why install self-checkouts and then not make sure that they are operating smoothly and moving along? This is the big problem at this store for me, and it has only gotten worse over the years. The lines are often slow, long and longer. I want to emphasize that other aspects of shopping here are pretty okay, although I have had to adjust my standards several times over the years.... Produce is better than it used to be in terms of freshness and availability, and staff like shelf-stockers are generally pleasant and happy to answer questions. There is good variety/selections in most departments, but prices are higher than other stores in the area. (For example, donuts are about $1 each most other stores in the area, but Thayer sells them for almost $1.50 each.) I mean, this is a neighborhood grocery store, not a tourist spot. My last point is about Safeway in general, not this store: so many products are listed as on sale for electronic discounts only while there are also other discounts like member prices and store coupons, etc. Life is much too hectic to be coordinating list making, online tagging, and all that. I gave up. I live just a couple of blocks from this store but go to the trouble of a drive to local Giant for a less frustrating experience. I hope that management checks these reviews and makes necessary changes-- I don't want things to get worse bec of the negative reviews. Too many people cannot make the drive to another store and this needs to be neighborhood grocery store that is meets local needs. read more

Disappointing and embarrassing experience. I was shopping with a personal backpack and reusable bag because of the store's restrictive bag policy. While browsing produce, I briefly placed a bag of kale in my backpack while continuing to shop openly in plain view. An employee approached me near the seafood counter and essentially implied I might be stealing, telling me I needed to take it out of my bag because he "didn't want me to get in trouble." The interaction felt unnecessary, humiliating, and accusatory -- especially since I was not hiding merchandise or behaving suspiciously. What made it worse was that the store seemed understaffed in areas that actually affect customer service: most checkout lanes were closed, customers were forced into self-checkout, and basic assistance throughout the store was lacking. I understand stores have loss prevention concerns, but there's a respectful and professional way to handle those situations. Instead of making paying customers feel singled out, management should focus on improving customer service and staffing. read more

I figured since I was out this way I would pop into a nearby grocery store and pick up a few items I didn't really need, but might as well get. It took me a minute to find this place and when I did I had to figure out where items were inside. Once inside I went about my way and figured out where things were. I browsed a bit and figured out what I needed and how much would fit in my bag. Metro is not the way to go to go full out grocery shopping. Making my way to the register was easy, but the speed of getting to one is not quick. When I did get to the register it wasn't the simplest thing to use either. While using them I felt like I was under a microscope being watched by the employees instead of being assisted. It would have been quicker if they could have seen I was struggling a bit. This would have been an easier stop if this was my local store, but when in the area I had to make do. read more

I buy the fresh cut fruit at this shop and it's always fresh and delicious. Thank you.

We needed to pick up some goodies for my partner's sister, so we stopped by this Safeway location. It was clean, well-stocked, and easy to navigate. Got what we needed without the hassle--solid grocery run. read more

I went to the bathroom in the back a RAT ran out into the food they have back there toilet seat was off the toilet and shit on it needs to be looked at by the health department immediately read more

I previously left a one star review so it can't get any worse than that despite my experiences getting worse. I'll keep this brief...I ordered online for curbside pickup and yet when I arrived inside of my pickup window I was told I had to come inside. I was told this is because the staff that handles the curbside orders leave at 6pm. (This is the second time I've experienced this btw) My pickup window was from 6pm-7pm and the app tells you that you have until 8pm to pickup your order so I'm not sure how any of that makes sense. Thankfully, Cheryl was friendly enough to assist me and brought out my order...that was missing 4 items! This has also happened to me before as well. I've contacted corporate about my poor experiences at this location has and will continue to follow up. DTSS deserves so much better. read more

Not the best, but not the worst. And certainly when it's compared to the Giant on East-West Highway, it's earning five stars. Because it's quieter, cleaner and overall just a better experience than the mad dash of craziness at Giant. Pre-Rona, this place had a hard time restocking items that hipsters like me like to cook (aka Thai Green Curry and Chickpeas), and now that we're in full-on hoarder mode, it's even harder to find those items. However, if you come right before closing time, you will experience the following: 1) less people (though this place is never really crowded) 2) more inventory as they are restocking 3) efficiency - whether you're using self-checkout or the cashier Bonus - this Safeway has some of the prettiest, long-lasting flowers on sale. So you can brighten up your home and mood for less than $7. :) read more

Safeway - Pretty flowers - Grocery Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

Parking is a little rough but it's the area not the shop. Just be prepared to spend a bit of extra time - staff was friendly enough and the shelves were stocked. read more

If your a fan of fresh tasty Croissants , you must try this stores, I believe it's baked within the store and they're so good, I promise you will love them! read more

Safeway - A must try! Super fresh and delicious - Grocery Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

Carts are in shambles, if there's one to shop with at all. You won't receive help bagging your groceries if you bring your own bag. Fun! Prices continue to be abysmal without any sight of improved service or quality. read more

Although others have recently bemoaned the dearth of fresh produce in their DC area choice of food store, I did not experience the same here. This Safeway, like most times I have visited on a weekend usually and during mid morning, was well stocked and a staff member was actually adding more items to the produce area. I don't love the layout but I find that it's not overwhelmingly crowded ever and I can have my basic needs met here. There is a Starbucks at the front that is quite busy and the bakery section always seems busy and preparing fresh items. read more

They removed the self-checkout kiosks (or, whatever). So, for many people like myself who only come to get one or a few small items, we must wait in the one line they have open with others who have full shopping carts. This Safeway isn't that desirable as it is, but without the quick checkout, it's worse. And then to have so little lanes open is just a drag. I'm sure there's a good business reason why they were removed, but it was so convenient, especially when grabbing a quick bite. I give a star for their hot tomato soup and decent bakery. I'm sure there are health concerns with eating hot soup from a grocery store, but it's good. And, a fresh croissant to go with it. But, then you'll have to wait in a long line and your soup will get cold -__- read more

This particular locale is celebrating its Grand Reopening. Last week they were having a celebration with food samples, but unless you're giving away $$ or real food to make a meal from, what's the point of showing up? I rarely shop here. It is near my gym, so I occasionally stop in for one or five things. This used to be my regular store when I worked in downtown Silver Spring 15 years ago. It was pretty average back then. It was never dirty and everyone, especially the bakery staff, were very friendly. The improvements are noticeable. Its layout is different from other Safeways. I don't like that the produce isn't right where you come in. The store doesn't have an open feel to it like the year old Kensington one does. The surface parking lot is kinda small; OK on a weekday afternoon, but full on a Saturday morning. There is underground parking too. It is old, with a creaky elevator and it's a bit scary in the stairwell. I am glad to see this Safeway doing good business though. I'll be back again some day. read more

Very disorganized location. Shelves are always empty. Customer service is nonexistent. Store needs a complete overhaul.

I want to express my appreciation to one of workers named Cory , he went above and beyond to help me find item when I had very hard time. He made sure I was fine. Thank you so much. read more

Safeway - Thank you Cory - Grocery Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

I'm not too sure if I'm 100% sold on this Safeway. I went there one Saturday around 7pm and I wanted to get some fresh fish, and the guy in the seafood area had already gone home for the night. Are you serious?! Its only 7 o'clock!!! Other than that, the store is not well lit, and if you plan to get a main level parking spot during the rush hours.... you might as well forget it unless you luck up on one or wait in line. The garage parking is a great alternate, but it is also not well lit, so I wouldn't park there at night by myself... Kinda creepy! But, when I just need to pick up a quick item or two, this place will serve its purpose, if you can get beyond all of the above! read more

Safeway - Grocery Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

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The store inside is semi clean! Just Ok. They have their private parking garage! which is great. Prices are slightly higher! compare to other safeway I have ever shopped at. I know because everything around here is relatively more expensive! But the most ridiculous thing I have noticed is " there is No Address of Store Location on the receipt!" I wanted to check-in on Yelp with my iPhone I had no idea which safeway on the list I need to check-in! So damn funny! read more

Safeway - There No Location Address of the store on the receipt!!!! - Grocery Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

This is still the worst Safeway location of all time. My experience was so bad yesterday that I had to write a letter to the corporate office. I'll wait to see if I get any type of response. I always get the same cashier when I come here, which is probably because they have the smallest staff of any other grocery store in the neighborhood. His service was worst than ever. He must have forgotten that the first and last name of the cashier is printed on every receipt. That came in handy for my email to the corporate office. Maybe he'll think before the next time he decides to walk away from the register in the middle of ringing me up to order an Uber for his friend. He actually walked away several times. Guess I'll stick to Wegmans or the Kensington Safeway. read more

This location does have a starbucks, lack of starbucks in previous review is an error. As mentioned previously, you walk right in to to the health and beauty section, the pharmacy is immediately on your right. This is the first safeway or giant I have been to that doesn't have pharmacy at the back or a far corner. so that is a little odd. There is no sushi bar, which is an anomaly these days. If you have your own cart DO NOT leave it in the vestibule with the carts. I did that once and it was stolen under the watchful eye of the security guard who thought it belonged to the thief. So shop with it or put it in your cart. They have minimal cat supplies. OK with food and litter, but almost no toys or litter boxes or bowls. They might be streamlining the pet dept due to limited space. Join safeway club and add online just for u deals in advance, you can save a lot of money. ideally print out paper shopping list of deals, but on phone too. The floor in the produce dept is TERRIBLE, completely falling apart and a safety hazard. They need to rip it out completely and start over. The rest of the store has linoleum which is fine, but the produce dept uses some cheap material that is easy to trip over. They need to fix this ASAP. it's getting worse. Otherwise convenient store if you live or work in the area or are just visiting for a movie or Fillmore show. read more

I call this 'The Sad Safeway.' I ONLY go here if it's an emergency. Good luck finding a parking spot in the outdoor lot. It's got this super creepy vibe; the people behind the deli counter are barely interested in doing their jobs; the produce is lackluster. It feels like the Safeway the company stopped caring about. the only reason I went recently was because there's a covered parking garage (beware car break ins!) and it was raining super hard. read more

simply put - THE WORST! Particularly the Pharmacy. Skip the Pharmacy and go to CVS. Skip the grocery section and go the Whole Foods or nearby Giant in Blair Park. read more

Every time I make the mistake of shopping here, I have to wait for a ridiculous amount of time to check out. There are usually about 3 people working at the store total, so there are never enough registers open, and you have to wait around for someone to show up at the deli or seafood counter. I literally just left the store after waiting at customer service. Two cashiers knew that I was waiting for help and they still could not get someone over, so I ended up walking out. I will not be back. read more

I used to be a Safeway customer in the 80s & 90s, when they had decent stores. When I moved to Silver Spring, MD, earlier this year, I was warned by neighbors to avoid the Downtown Silver Spring Safeway on Thayer Ave. As a matter of fact, that store has a lot of problems, one of them is a stocking issues that makes their "Just For U" deals and "Weekly Deals" useless. They have a "Weekly Deals" flyer but no merchandise. Someone should tell Cerberus Capital Management that false advertising is illegal! Their produce department used to have good papayas, till they changed provider around October and ever since, their papayas not only become rotten before they're ripe, but they have a bad bitter taste. Got one late last week that I'll take back tomorrow. That was my last try, and I'll stay away from their papayas from now on. Glad, I have a Whole Foods next door! read more

This place is so poorly ran. I come in quite frequently and i know all the cashiers and the problems they have with management. The store manager ,Miss Lee ,talks so much crap about her workers just very distasteful. Some of the cashiers told me that they just sit there and watch over them from the room above and just do nothing. I believe the name is Mr. Cannon, from what i hear he does nothing but go upstairs and watch movies or sports or whatever. The workers are not heard and management never listens to them and just treats them poorly. This store needs new management immediately or train the ones they have now because this is just outright disgusting these kids should not have to go through any of this. read more

Why have a grocery store without good produce? I usually shop at Giants because it's a bit closer to my house, but now I know I have good reason. There was a lack of people available to address my concerns. I visited here around 5:15pm and there were only two check lanes open. Okay, I can wait. But why? Isn't 5pm about the time when people get off work and get groceries? Yeah, I thought so. So about the produce, I just need a single red onion and there's about 30 of them on the shelf and they are all bruised or bad. Fortunately, in the five minutes I spent trying to find ONE that wasn't bad, a team member came out to stock produce so I got to ask her if there were any in the back. She brought a bag and let me select one from it. Great right? But then she took the bag back, so hopefully nobody else is looking for good red onions this evening. I actually came to buy hot dogs. So I selected some turkey dogs, that were ridiculously expensive for what they were but they are my favorite kind so I got them. Then I checked the date on my package and it said November 11th. I forgot the date today, but then once I realized that today is the 12th... I went back to see if there were any that weren't out of date. Of course not. So I was looking for a team member to tell about the out of dates... But there weren't any in sight. Overall, I guess I know why I don't shop at this Safeway. It will probably stay that way. read more

I have a love/hate relationship with this Safeway. Love because it's never crowded (granted, people don't shop here for a reason), is half a block from my house, and is good for frozen meals, beverages, dry pasta, etc. Anything perishable, eat at your own risk. You HAVE to check the expiration on any and all dairy or bread products you buy. Yeah, you should do this at most stores, but at this Safeway you need to be particularly vigilant. I don't think they've quite decided if and how they want to compete with the Whole Foods 2 blocks away. They have a small organic section, yes, but the rest of their fruits and veggies can be pretty terrible. They changed their layout so that you don't enter in the produce section, which kind of confirms my suspicion that they are taking the emphasis off of fresh food and onto the middle aisles. They remodeled so that the place looks nicer, but I haven't seen any improvement in the food they sell and I especially haven't seen any improvement in the staff, who always seem to be pretty miserable. This store is suffering and it's not because of how it looks. read more

Their free parking garage and lot have great availability, but that's about where the good news ends. I went on a mission for bean sprouts one day and silly me didn't think to go to the Thai market for it. I started at another chain grocery store that didn't have sprouts, then went to Safeway to see if they might have them. They did... but it was a sad and inedible looking bag of brown juice and melting sprouts. I asked an employee if they had any more, and he said what they had out was it. I showed him a bag of what they had out, and he agreed that they looked past their prime but "it's crazy, people still buy them!" What?! That does not seem like a customer-advocate approach to service to me. Maybe people get them bc they don't know what good sprouts are supposed to be like. That doesn't mean you take advantage of them and sell a rotten product. That totally turned me off. I don't dislike it so much that I won't be back in case of an emergency, but it certainly went be my first stop. read more

WHY is this Safeway the WORST one ever and a block from my house? Kate is absolutely right - you have to check the date on EVERYTHING because a lot of the time, food has EXPIRED. Gross. Most of the perishable items here are pretty nasty, such as the meat, vegetables, etc. I usually only get those at Trader Joe's or Whole Foods. It's pretty shady here too, so you should watch out, especially if you go at night and go in the stairwell. The other problem is the employees here don't really give a crap about you or what you need... Well most of them anyway... There are a couple that are great. Another warning if you go at night: there is only one, max two registers open around 9-10pm and NO self checkout. AND customers try to negotiate pricing, which makes for long waiting times ... Not sure why that happens, but it does here. I haven't really seen it anywhere else. I mean, the prices are right there. If you pick up $400 worth of groceries and only have $50, Safeway is not just going to let you walk out of there. Come on people. read more

This is the only Safeway close to me. Unfortunately, it's the worst one I have ever been to from living in the West to here in the East. Awful. First, the parking garage can be super shady and is in awful condition. Always dirty and stinky as hell. After you take the shifty elevator up into the store, you see the extremely dirty and unorganized store. At this point, you want to walk back into the shifty elevator and go down the street to Whole Foods and spend that extra money, or further down the road to the Giant by the metro. The produce section is scarce and everything is always spoiled. I can barely find any fresh vegetables here, and it's always a pain to have to go elsewhere for the ingredients I don't find here. The deals here aren't as great as other stores. The service here is awful, the associates are rude and extra shady. They are a little smaller and unorganized, so it is extremely hard for me to be in and out with the things I came in looking for. Don't waste your time here. Go somewhere else, if you need to go to Safeway spend a little more gas money and go towards Kensington. This location is awful. read more

Please be aware of the Seafood Dept. Brought two frozen lobster tails on sale 6.99 each 4oz , both spoiled black inside and smelled bad. The bakery is just as bad order a cake from them and hope it right or the one you order. SHOP AT A REAL STORE WHOLEFOOD or Harris Teeter. The international food store are better.... Safeway need to replace management and dept heads at this store. read more

I'm a Safeway girl. Despise Giant, but love that my grandma shops there so I can get gas points. This Safeway is just straight up annoying. If u need service at the seafood counter, prepare to be ignored. I had to use the bathroom, and the back looks like it's been ransacked and reeks of spoiled milk. The bathroom sink had the dirtiest sink, with a big glob of loogie sitting in it. Shout out to everyone who feels it's unnecessary to rinse their own mucus down a sink. Sorry for the grossness but c'mon!! All the employees seem to be perpetually in a bad mood. Also this store is on the small side and the aisles seem cramped. My old Safeway (before the gentrified remodeling) on Georgia and Randolph was better than this! And now that it's been redone, it certainly tops all. PASS!! read more

Safeway - Dirtiest bathroom sink. - Grocery Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

Let me start by saying I'm a total newb to silver spring...totally new as in I just moved in barely a week ago. Where I lived at previously I had a Wegman's just a short 10 min drive away, a large safeway and a shoppers food all within a short radius. I didn't realize just how spoiled i was until i set out to go grocery shopping around here. First off, the garage is rickety and at best can be described as a shady enclave where one should NOT be anytime after sunset. Inside is a schematic nightmare with too large shopping carts bombarding narrow shopping aisles. The selection is scant, the cashiers are few, the checkout lines are long, and your patience will easily wear thin. This has been the WORSE safeway i have ever shopped at in the DC area. I've been to a few inside of DC, a few in NoVA...and this by far had the worse selection for higher prices, in a unintuitive store layout. I vote on skipping it. It's not worth the time or hassle. read more

They never have any produce. They're meats are always expiring the same day or are close to. I don't trust shopping here anymore. It's a shame that their corporate isn't doing anything about it. There have been many times where they're aren't any of the produce I'm looking like avocados and/or they have bare minimal on the shelves. It's always a gamble going in there. The meats: I only trust the organic's now because previously my boyfriend and I bought regular priced meats but maybe times from the past when we opened them they smelled really bad. .....shop with caution.... read more

This store is fine. I'm here about once a week and get almost everything I need. If you're an independent shopper, don't need much help, and like using the self-service check-out, this place is just fine. I have noticed the produce can be a bit off at times, but never the basics that I need. I will say the pharmacy here is pathetic, and deserves its own review! read more

Everytime I go in here I hope it will be different. It never is. Hopefully eventually someone from corporate will notice. Ever heard of "three's a crowd"? You should check it out sometime. Gonna revolutionize the industry. read more

Safeway - Lines, disorganized lines.... - Grocery Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

If I could give it negative stars, I would. I am forced to go here for a few items because it is in walking distance. The staff, with the exception of Chance and the tall slender seafood guy are very customer unfriendly, unwelcoming and non-responsive, which makes for a sour shopping experience. And speaking of sour-I'll share later. I had asked 5 times for a flavor of popcorn from a brand they already carried and was reassured that they would be getting it. That was about 7 months ago and it never happened. All the other local stores carry it so I know it's readily available. I went for chip dip the first of November 2018 and the expiration date was for August 2018. I moved them to an area it was obvious to not buy and took one up to customer service and they said "oh thanks". Went back a few days later and it was back on the shelf to be sold. Lots of expired stock. Managers walk around with the same pitiful attitude. The lines are ridiculously long and the customer service desk never has an attendant, so you wait there also. The office should have an unobstructed 2-way mirror so they can see if someone needs assistance. I am there pretty much everyday spending my money that pays their salaries and it's like I am a stranger. Someone needs to help them under stand the difference between profit (customer) and overhead (workers)! There are far better quality stores that I have decided to drive to. Corporate will be receiving this information and hopefully they will bring about a better managed store and better customer experience. read more

Safeway - Expired 3 months prior - Grocery Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

This place gets the 2nd star for being mostly empty a lot of the time; much less crowded than the neighboring Whole Foods and Giant. On Oct 2, 2011, we purchased a $10 bag of starbucks coffee that expired Sept 10th, lettuce that expired that day (and was ruined, we didn't look close enough), yogurt that expired in September, and beef that was "use or freeze" by 10/4. Isn't that grocery store management 101?? read more

Safeway is a great place to buy cheap groceries which are still good in quality! The stockings are usually great and I like going there. It feels like you're in a family while shopping there. Great prices, nice staff, sometimes you're in line for a while though. But never mind the deals! read more

There are a lot of better Safeways in the vicinity, particularly the one on Connecticut Avenue in Kensington. However, this one isn't bad; it's medium-sized and has all the essentials. The lot in front of the store isn't very large; there's also a small garage underneath the store (if you use the garage, you get to choose between carrying your groceries down the stairs or waiting for the slow-moving elevator). Part of the store is currently being renovated, so maybe things will improve. read more