The only reason I visit this store is that it's the closest grocery store to my house. No matter what time of day it is, it seems like the lines are always long. In fact, I am currently standing in line with a rotisserie chicken that may not be hot by the time I get home. There are only 2 lanes open and the regular lane is backed up over halfway to the back of the store! The store could use an expansion and a facelift, but staffing more cashiers at peak times would do wonders for the place. read more

This grocery store is consistently dirty, smelly, under-stocked and under-staffed. The cashiers are ill-trained and long lines with wait times of 15 minutes or more often develop. With hundreds of new apartments and condos going up, this store needs a complete overhaul or to be closed. read more

They used to have these self checkouts that were convenient when buying only a few items. They got rid of them for some reason even though they worked pretty well. Now lines are ridiculously long with the world's slowest checkers. I just stood in line for 20 for a few items. My frozen stuff melted from the amount of time I spent in line. read more

Today my boyfriend and I bought a container of sorbet, after we got home we realized some one had eaten from it because it had a plastic spoon inside. We quickly returned to the store to get a refund and file a complain. When talking to the manger he said "oh that was my sorbet, I am sorry about that". We were speechless because we found the sorbet in the sorbet aisle, properly placed under the correct price and brand. If that was his sorbet, what was it doing in the ice cream aisle? Why did someone place it there. We got the feeling that this might happen often? I honestly prefer spending a couple of more dollars at a different grocery store but knowing that we are safe to consume it. We will never be returning. read more

You park in the sketchy-looking garage and hesitantly ease out of your car; you know you shouldn't--you've seen all the movies, you know what usually happens in places like this--but you're a grown-ass man. You're not scared of nothin'! A rat scurries across your foot. AUUGGHHH!!!! You run to the rickety elevator in the corner and push the Up button with your knuckle (like that'll keep the germs off your hands). Push, push, push! Where is this thing? You hear a car door slam shut behind you. Oh no! Someone is coming! Just as you've given up hope of escape, the elevator door creaks open and the funk of forty-thousand years wafts pass and molests your senses. AUUGGHH!!! Your eyes water, you cover your nose and mouth and rush inside a space the size of two coffins welded together. The door closes but nothing happens, and for a moment you think you'll be stuck in that levitating outhouse forever. But finally it moves...it moves. Begrudgingly, the lift lets you out on the 2nd floor (you feel like you've been riding up the gott damn Sears Tower) and as you step off, a door to your immediate left flings open! AUUGGGHHH!!! Oh...it's the door to the stairwell. Evidently the person you were afraid would want to share the elevator with you is an old lady and she has made it up the stairs and is breezing past you like a pro. You chuckle to yourself and make your way into the store. You head to the produce section. Gnats and fruit flies near the produce! AUUGHH!!! Wilted lettuce! AUUGGGH!!! You rush past and head to the meat section (you really didn't need produce anyway). What's that smell? AUUGHH!! Why is this lunch meat shiny and iridescent? AUUGGHH!! How much do you want for that pack of chicken wings?! AUUGHHH!!! AUUGHHH!!! I'll just grab some soda and a bag of chips. IS THAT THE EXPRESS LINE?!?!? AUUUUGGGGHHHHH!!!!! You've got to get out of here! You take the stairs this time...you're never heard from again. Oh! You make it out and to your car safely, you just decide never to go back to that cesspool again. read more

I lived in the area years ago and remembered this Safeway being most tragic and best avoided. We moved back recently and... yeah, nothing's changed. My first visit here after moving, I bought some fresh ("fresh") green beans that turned out to have mold on them when I opened the package less than 24 hours later. And the lines were crazy... this at like 10PM on a weeknight. So that one visit was enough; this is my closest grocery store but I'm going elsewhere moving forward. None of this is anything other reviewers haven't said, but I did want to add this: if they'll fix this store, I'll come back. I wonder if the always-packed Whole Foods nearby is why no one's even tried to update this Safeway, but I don't want and don't intend to use any Whole Foods as my primary grocery store. Sometimes you WANT sodas and cleaning products with all the chemicals in them, you know? read more

Terrible Safeway. We have gone during the day and it has minimal groceries. We have only seen poor customer service and although we live super close, we choose to drive to any further location. This was no reason to give a bad review- until today. We showed up well before closing; we just needed to pick up something quick for a snack (we were thinking frozen mozzarella sticks). Upon arrival, the doors were all locked and a worker came out to say they were closed. I understand they don't want to work late but when people are standing outside to pick up one quick thing, they should allow it. This Safeway doesn't close until 1. Employees shouldn't get to just decide to close it an hour early. If you have any other option, DONT come here. read more

This Safeway is the closest store to both my home and office, so I end up here a lot. I wish I didn't, but convenience trumps all, apparently. The convenience of the location is basically the only thing this store has going for it. Here are some things it does not have: 1) A consistent supply of fresh produce (often it is moldy, sometimes really surprisingly so!) 2) Cleanliness (self-explanatory) 3) Speedy check-out (most of the time, there's only one (max two) full-service checkout lines open, and they move slooow. The self-service checkouts are often out of order.) 4) A non-terrifying place to park (the dark, dirty garage under the building looks like the opening scene of a Law & Order SVU, and the open parking in front is often taken up with people who have... parked somewhere randomly that isn't actually a space) If you bring something back because it is rotten or otherwise problematic, they'll take it, but definitely no one will apologize or even pretend to be surprised. I once brought back strawberries a few hours after buying them because they tasted like soap. Two containers, exactly like soap. It seemed very, very likely that the rest of the strawberries for sale in the same display also tasted like (were covered in) soap, but the guy taking my return didn't seem remotely interested in that possibility. Recently, this location went under new management. Since then it does seem like the cashiers are friendlier and more helpful... hard to tell if that'll stick. I hope to be writing an update in 6 months about how this is now my favoritest grocery store. But I wouldn't hold your breath. read more

Plain and simple, the worst Safeway. The garage is dingy beyond belief and it smells something horrific in the summer. Coming out of the store one time I actually saw a guy just standing there peeing in the garage. Customer service is also nonexistent. Today an item was not found in the system and the cashier stated he could not help me but that I could go to customer service. So I went... and I waited for 20 minutes. No one came and no one called anyone. I tried calling the store myself on my cell phone hoping to get management but no one picked up. Overall just a poorly run store. read more

This is a generous two stars. I travel widely and encounter many Safeway stores. This is my neighborhood store and it is the worst! Slow lines, too few cashiers, poor produce and bakery, I could go on. Now they have removed the auto tellers, which is okay, except that the best we can expect is one cashier open at a time! Argh! I do not see myself shopping here much longer. Much prefer to drive to Giant on East-West highway, which is well managed. And this Safeway is just down the block for me, so I resent having to drive farther to get my groceries. Thayer Safeway management, is there something the community can do to help you serve us better? PS: to add insult to injury, the store has also just removed themselves as the Thayer "Adopt a Road" sponsor! read more

I really hate to report this, but I saw a rat run across the aisle while shopping on July 2, 2016. I continued to purchase my packaged condiments, but immediately reported this to customer service and left this store and will not return. read more

This is the worst Safeway ever. They don't have a lot of variety, i.e. They don't stock turkey breast of any kind, just ground and maybe wings; can't even find frozen peas and carrots in the freezers. Sheesh! read more

This place needs a complete overhaul, stem to stern, with new management. Having watched it slowly degrade over the past 10 years, I don't think there's an easy way to fix it. The manager, whoever that unlucky soul is, should really be ashamed of himself. I wonder if he actually shops here. Sorry to say, but I agree with all of the other comments concerning the parking lot (it's been dark and shady with ratty-looking pigeons flying overhead for more than a decade), the aisles (narrow and crowded), the produce (lots of rotten stuff you really have to pick through carefully), the meat and seafood (do they ever go through to check the expiration dates, and why is there so much cheap junk meat and nothing at all you might actually want to cook for friends and family???), the deli counter (meats and salads spoiled by the time you get them home; nothing remotely health-conscious), the so-called cheese center (for the truly adventurous, there's cheddar and havarti and that's about it), the self checkout lines that are consistently nonfunctional. Forget about trying to find relatively healthy food. There's a whole aisle of potato chips; but not a single wrap to be found. You get the idea. One of the reviewers was right. There was an interior redecoration that took place about three years ago that theoretically gave the place a facelift. You would never know this walking into the store today. It's just as dingy a place as it could be. I am frankly surprised that the health department lets this place stay open in the condition it's in. Filthy floors, poor lighting, and lots and lots of insects. You might think that a store like this would at least have low prices, but you'd be wrong. It seems Safeway corporate has decided that it's okay to offer lousy food to those of us living downcounty and charge us a special premium price just because they can. It is truly shameful what they try to charge for so-called "organic" produce. Who runs this company, anyway? However, I do want to give thumbs up to the pharmacy staff. At least they try to be helpful, though their auto-refill system breaks down periodically. And the cashiers. Most of them at least try, though they seem so worn down by life that it's all they can do to try to pronounce my name correctly even though it's one syllable and I've been in the store at least 5,000 times. I'm now shopping elsewhere, for the most part, surprise surprise. read more

What a terrible customer service in this store, I was there this morning at 9:30am, only one angry cashier, 6 people in line, all self service stations closed. We are in America. wake up!!!!! read more

Horrible this place has gone down hill in the last year. Food is always expired. They never have stock, it's dirty. Found doughnuts spilled everywhere. Next time it was like water was thrown all around. No type of service and the manager is more interested in her male friends then taking care of the place. I now go to Giant or Walmart after I bite into a spoiled piece of meat from there 5 dollar lunches they make there read more

Very poor customer service!! ! Lack of experience and efficiency in working area. Not only the cashier but also the lady manger are needed to be training for customer service. The lady manager is really rude base on my experience. She do really need to go management training to improve her communication skills. read more

I've been coming to the Safeway for many years. It's close by so it's easily the most convenient grocery store for me. I have to say that the service slowly but surely has been going down. I was disappointed when they took out the self checkout lines which are pretty basic to every modern grocery store now. I assume this was because of theft but I think they made a grave error as they are losing loyal customers like me. Today I went around noon and they only had one express line and one regular line for their customers - that's just not professional. Like most people I am very busy and just don't have time for long lines and sleepy service. I feel sorry for them as they seem to be in a no win situation with falling revenue, loss of customers, and heavy competition. read more

These guys seemed to be doing better for a couple of months. The managment must have imported some labor from out of the neighborhood. But that experiment is over and the shelves are once again a mess and the staff is once again being recruited directly from prisons and half-way houses. Typical customer: "Hi, how are you doing?", Typical Clerk: "okay", "Typical customer: "great, you have a nice day now!", Typical Clerk: "uh-huh (lazily)". Do you sense a role reversal here? Maybe the community should get together and stock and organize the shelves too? Seriously, time to shut this place down and get a real supermarket instead. read more

I like this Safeway because I know where things are as I've been coming here for 6 years or so. Its usually under staffed but I use the self checkout which usually works out great. Parking is little hectic as its little tight outside but they do have parking garage. read more

Thank you neighborhood safeway for making a conscious effort to carry a decent stock of organics and other preferred products of some of your customers. I'm very grateful to find the increasing supply of Gingeraide Kombucha available in this store. It's a wise move that will expand the customer base when you can offer these items at a savings over Whole Foods. I think a lot of the negative reviews are now quite old and there have been many upgrades in the interim. I don't ever see moldy produce or uncleanness. I don't use the seafood department so can't speak to that. I always find multiple self serve lanes open and the changing staff has become more helpful and friendly. read more

Fairly dirty store. think about it before you buy here. Wrapped $3.47 sandwich probably best lunch deal.

I decided to write a review because I am new to the area and was frankly shocked at how bad of a rating this grocery store got. I only have a Giant, Safeway and Whole Foods by where I live. I got fed up with the Giants pricy items and limited selection so I checked out this Safeway. I didn't see anything that was "scary" about it, including the (old) "elevator." They have a good selection and great prices, especially on Friday. Also, regarding produce, I've bought fruits and vegetables there with great luck. Just use common sense and check the dates. Even if you don't you should still be fine. Finally, I do find the lines a bit long. Last time I went the line extended into the isle. Safeway, you need to improve the checkout experience at this store! With this said I will be back. Better selection and cheaper than Giant. Addition October 2013: Bought a bag of apples and they were soft, cut, and bruised. The Giant nearby has a larger produce section with must better quality. read more

I wish I could rate this place negative 10. I HATE this store!! I really enjoy the Safeway Just 4 U savings program which is one of the ONLY reasons I still patronize Safeway period. I usually drive way out of my way to Kensington just to go to Safeway but since this one is like 2 minutes from my house I often torture myself and come to this store out of pure convenience. First of all the employees in the store have a serious attitude problem. There isn't an ounce of good customer service in the place. Products are always out of stock. There is always an issue with pricing and be prepared to stand in a LONG slow line and then be prepared to face rude cashiers who hate their jobs. Please do yourself a favor and DO NOT come here. I have already complained more than once to Safeway's corporate office to no avail. read more

Awful. Rotting produce. Limited meat selection. Limited selection of anything really. Indifferent, unhelpful employees. I try to come here to save some money as my only other nearby option is Whole Foods. But I'd rather just pay more (and get better quality, admittedly) than deal with this nastiness. read more

Wow. So many opportunities for improvement. No shopping carts. Rotting (literally moldy and deflated) fruit in the produce department. Salad kits that aren't expired but *are* all slimy and brown somehow No soap in the bathroom (which, when I asked for directions wasn't told there was a code needed, so then I had to go hunt down an associate to give the code and apparently they have to walk you to the bathroom and open the door for you which is SO CREEPY) And again, no soap, no towels, no semblance of having been cleaned that week (month? I don't know ~ it was incredibly filthy, as is the whole store, really.) When I went to the service desk to get a card so that I could get the "discount" on outrageously overpriced items, not only did I have to wait at an empty desk (not lots of people shopping, btw, so shocking) but when the manager finally appeared she paused a few feet away for a good two minutes to gripe about a customer with checkout clerks about someone before finally coming to the desk only to say that there were no more club cards and there was nothing she could do about it; I could pay full price or ask an employee for their personal number (isn't she an employee? Wtf, y'all?) This is probably THE grimiest, dejected, and somehow still overpriced grocery store I've ever seen. I gave my basket to the manager and left and recommend that no one ever returns. read more

The first time I came I needed some buttermilk...that's all. They didn't have any. Wow. Okay. The next time I was looking for some crabmeat for a seafood salad...no such luck. Fine. Lastly I wanted this great soup made by Phillip's restaurant that MOST grocery stores carry...really? I give up. read more

This store has improved a lot on the seven years I've been living here- a recent facelift has really upped the quality of the space and they pretty much have everything you need. The prices aren't the cheapest out there, but they have good sales and the convenience factor is high for me since it's a block from my house. read more

The worst customer handling. I went there two times. There is a black guy(or a lady, am not sure about it) who is very irresponsible, acts negligently, never gives attention a customer than his phone ..... I don't advice anybody to go there, specially who needs help from associates. read more

I can't give zero stars but I've tried this grocery store a number of times . They're understaffed sure but they've got no self checkout and it seems anytime before 12 noon only one person checking you out with five plus people with full carts ahead of you. If they don't want to hire actual people at least use to savings for some self checkouts. I spent 30 minutes in line for some batteries. read more

I have literally been in better grocery stores in third world countries. I am at a complete loss for any explanation as to how this store can be so poorly stocked and operated. They usually have almost no fresh produce in stock, seriously, they are frequently out of basic groceries such potatoes, onions, apples, and other fruits and vegetables. What they do have is normally either half, or completely, rotten. I made the mistake of using the restroom there on my last, and final, visit. Disgusting. This is the same restroom that is used by their employees which, judging by the coating of scum on all surfaces (sink, door handle, soap dispenser w/o soap, etc.) means that you should not consider anything in the store sanitary. What I really cannot understand is how they pull this off. The store is surrounded by apartment buildings and condos (i.e. lots of customers) so there should be high turnover, thus, no rotten anything. Right? Instead, the opposite is the case. I do not wish to malign individual employees, some of whom have been helpful and courteous to me, but the store as a whole is disaster. Don't go! read more

Why has this Safeway closed the self check out here! Every time I visit now there's a very long slow line. There must be something Safeway can do to help customers get in and out here. read more

My husband an I have been loyal customers here for years even though Giants is 2 minutes from us and this Safeway is about 10. I just told my husband the other day that we need to find another Safeway because there appears to be a lot going on in the parking lot and by the stairway going towards Bonifant. You can't go in without someone begging for money or trying to sell you food stamps(EBT). I have sat in the parking lot while my husband runs in and have witnessed what appears to be drug transactions.(More than once). Yesterday I was waiting for him to run in and get water and witnessed a transaction but that was after a man (part of the transaction) stood right there in sight urinating by the gas containers up front. I always try to park up front but I really don't feel safe in the parking lot. read more

This store is disgusting, and it is falling apart. I've been waiting for them to revamp this one like they have others in the area. When you go to this store check expiration dates, and if its supposed to be cold or frozen look for signs that it wasn't kept the way it should have been before coming out to the store for people to buy. Its like they don't even care, there is like green lunch meat clearly gone bad still in the case packaged for someone to buy. There have been several times when I pick something up and then look at it and its expired. The yogurt, triple check, my experience is that everything is usually at least a week past its expiration date. The produce section is disgusting, everything is dented or has gone bad and is not presented in a desirable way. Although, I walked in a day or two ago and it looked nicer than it usually does I brought some roman lettuce and it looked fine. There are some things you can buy here non perishables, like chips and cookies and things with a lot of preservatives. But if you want meat, veggies and fruit unfortunately you will have to pay an arm and a leg at whole foods up the street. I hope they renovate this place soon, even the roof of the garage is like falling out, and the smell that the trash can gives off to the street, DIGUSTING! read more

There's nothing adequate about this store. It's dirty, small, terrible produce, w/mediocre service. They don't even have enough shopping carts half the time I go. It's honestly shocking how poorly run a place can be. This store badly needs to be bulldozed and replaced with a larger mixed-use store/building a la Wheaton. read more

the worst grocery store I've ever been in. period. the end. went here for the first time because i was forced to. i work for instacart and had to deliver to a customer near this location. the outside is not the worst, especially for a city like silver spring. the inside is a much different story. not an employee in sight in produce or any other department or aisle. no wonder so much merchandise is out of stock. had about ten things on my list i couldn't buy. radishes only in small plastic bags. actually had sections in the chip aisle with nothing stocked. unacceptable. i feel bad for my customer that i had to shop here and this should be a wake up call for this safeway to change their management. read more

Consistently has the worst produce in the area. Disgusting. Take a look at today's strawberries. Wilted with a side of mold: YUM!

If you shop at this Safeway PLEASE CHECK YOUR RECEIPTS!!! Three times in the past six months I have been mischarged for items I buy there. I usually shop at this Safeway only because it is convenient and on my walk home from work. read more

Welcome to the upscale 7-11 also known as the Safeway. This store gives Safeway a bad name. The perishable items are always out dated! The staff have no customer service skills, if that is a requirement they failed the test!! The doors are always broken, remind you they are new, as a matter of fact the entire store is remodeled. Who wants to come to a store where there is a big RAT TRAP in the front of the store with the top off looking like the RAT has escaped!! Eat out of this store at your own risk! My advice is to call the health dept. immediately!! read more

Best thing is inside parking in busy area . Deli poor , produce below par and long checkouts. This spring new policy requires customers show ID to use a CREDIT CARD if charge is over $50. Now, I seldom use the store . Too bad. Good location. read more