Thank goodness for this smart and final, because we kept coming back to pick up more and more supplies. They literally do have everything here, and for good affordable prices! We came here to pick up some camping food items, and were able to find most. Surprisingly, couldn't find marshmallows or graham crackers to make smores. We did see that they had lighter fluid, firewood, and all of the things you'd need for camping essentials. The workers here are super chill, and even our cashier was super funny. Store itself is a pretty standard size grocery store, with a lot of variety of options. read more

Why would Karla the Express Lane cashier think it is acceptable and professional to loudly tap /drum her fingernails on the register while I was counting coins so I could pay in exact cash ? I looked up and she knew I thought this was very unprofessional, but apparently she believes prodding the customers to hurry up is part of her duties. I hope the management does not support the "Soup Nazi" approach to business etiquette at Smart &Final because it isn't a Smart way to treat customers and this may be my Final purchase there ever. read more

Always great to see how clean it is there. And how helpful staff is too. They seem to always have the right churros for our restaurant Slappys's in oceano.? read more

Horrible produce, employees that don't care to help you and avoid customers like the plague, rude store managers that continuously and consciously put poor quality produce out because they have nothing better to sell. Slightly overpriced. Very few bargains if ever. read more

I like the store, but their tactics are questionable. I don't like being asked to donate in their name to charitable organizations. If I want to donate to an organization, I do it in my own name. Today, Dean, the cashier/manager (he says) embarrassed me in front of people in the store because I refused to donate. They can ask you to donate when you swipe your card, and it can be anonymous. This thing of embarrassing people because they choose not to donate and let Smart & Final take the tax credit is outrageous! read more

Felt super uncomfortable when a female worker of this company followed me into the MENS restroom and proceeded to use the MENS restroom... this persons name tags clearly identified SHE/HER... So ...why are they using the MENS / HE / HIM restroom? I believe name was "Gwen". Just really glad I didn't have my kids with me. Awful experience. Piss poor store, with even worse management... read more

I have been a loyal shopper at Smart & Final in Arroyo Grande since they opened at the location that used to be Spencer's. I live in Nipomo and came down to get some steaks that are in the weekly ad (Bone in Ribeye's at $5.97# limit two). So apparently they are out of the "Bone-in" Ribeyes but they have a few Boneless. I was checking out and the Clerk called the meat department to check things out. The price on the boneless is $12.97/#. They said it was up to Bob, the manager on the checkout counter. He said no way. I asked well what about honoring the price later when they have them because they are out right now during the ad. Again, he said No Way. Then he Blamed it on COVID.... What????? That's Bullshit! That is not taking care of your loyal customers. We have choices on where to Shop, and if Smart & Final can't make this right, it will be the last time I go into this store. NOT COOL BOB! The other clerk made it clear. You could have cut a deal and honored the price, but you chose not to. I guess the family goes without... read more

Matt, the manager, is great, but trying to shop there today was a nightmare, and I walked out without purchasing anything. This was easy, as so many of the shelves were empty. I'm talking about standard pantry items. Is S&F going out of business? read more

The Crew in this store is absolutely Phenomenal, a Class Act. Matt Wolfe the manager is the kindest most supportive manager I have ever witnessed interacting with his staff. The variety of products available for small business allows small businesses to buy in smaller amount or rather the amounts that correspond with their operating budgets. read more

They have some amazing deals on a wide variety of big BULK products...even some "lux" items like "designer" ice-cream, but the GALLON! They even sell things like a 150 pack of eggs, huge tubs/boxes of things like huge buckets of Kikkoman Soy Sauce (who buys that?), huge packs/blocks of Cheeses...but you need to carefully look at the price per Ounce/ Pound. The butter seems to be the same price per Oz. at almost any size, so you do not save with bulk, but you do save alot with a huge loaf of Jewish rye. Some of the bulk items are even cheaper than Costco & with even more variety. Some negatives include the lack of selection that may serve other tastes or ethinc groups, like frozen Mrs. T Pirogies. See my numerous pics for many of the BARGAIN BULK items! I favor the huge ICE CREAM, HUGE CREAM CHEESE, 500 Paper plates, 400 FLEX STRAW, ONE ZILLION BAG OF POTATOES TWO SEPTILLION CARROT, ENOUGH TO FEED A HORSE & Hungry Man TV Dinners....not those skippy diet jobs, Huge frozen Lasagna & A Mini- KEG of BEER! ~~~~~ A for the Fruits & Veges, they are plentiful, some really fresh looking, & at decent prices.... FORGET THE ORGANIC Section....it is pathetic... I also pop in here for the huge Jewish Seeded Rye Bread You can save alot here...likely more than in Kostco for ordinary groceries. Another sad section is the Vino....come on when are in FINE WINE COUNTRY... Anyways, it is a fine stop after getting EURO-Food down the strip, as well as, a super yummy HAWAIIAN PLATE LUNCH at the Dirt Cafe. Two ETHNIC & BULK in the same compact complex.... I stopped here after the AG FARMER"S MARKET....for the really great Fruits & Veges (amazing Beefsteak-like Tomatoes, Homegrown Fresh Chic Eggs, Squash Flowers, & TONS OF PERSIMMONS.... next stop gown GRAND AVE... BAKERY for MINCEMEAT PIE..... wife went BONKERS over it... especially with fresh LAVENDER Tea that I made from fresh Organic Lavender flowers from the FM.... next stop UPs , to use a Notary & mail it next stop across the street, Smart & Final For some Huge Items, next stop next door Euro-eats for Kelbasa, two plates of yummy homemade Borsht & Tiramisu....Oh so yum.. next stop usually the Dirt Cafe... but by this time it was dark...I was tired...so next homebound... read more

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Be careful with purchasing organic strawberries. I go to this place to get organic strawberries several times a month. Not anymore. Over the last two visits I have come across molded strawberries. This has happened twice. The second bunch made me sick. I will go to somewhere where the food is fresh and not hidden on the shelf. read more

Bad Business!!! The other day I was attacked at the checkout because I didn't have a mask on! The checkout!!! My groceries were on the conveyor belt and I was being treated as if I hadn't been shopping there for years! I was told I could either purchase the mask or leave. I was invited to leave??? Okay ! Today I went to Food for Less It was GREAT! The amount of money I will be taking from Smart and Final is BIG!! They will never see another purchase from me!! This is America where pleasing the customer matters! CAPITALISM WINS!!! read more

I have always been impressed by the friendliness of staff and the value of their prices. I recently interacted with Matt, the manager, and can see why they are friendly. He is very kind to anyone who stops to ask a question, even as I asked for a donation to a local non-profit event. He stopped what he was doing to hear me out, then asked a staff member to set me up with double the gift cards I was asking for from businesses. They care about our community as well as their customers. read more

Updating my last review; Yup, still TERRIBLE! The wife asked me to pick up an item from your Digital Marketing list (Which I absolutely dread because it never works) so I went on the App to Clip the Coupon. Once there it asked me to reset my password (Which it does EVERY SINGLE TIME) I try to use it. After jumping thru all your hoops; resetting PW, Clipping Coupons, etc it still doesn't work when I get to the register. The WONDERFUL Cashier did her best going thru everything 2 more times on my phone but gave up & did a work-around from a piece of paper. This process was 5min+. Oh, did I mention 2 customers in front of me had the same issue. I decided to hang back afterwards at the end of your check stands & watch; this DISASTROUS MARKETING PLAN was happening up & down your front end while customers are talking about LONG LINES. THIS IS A CORPORATE (MARKETING VP) PROBLEM, not a store problem. Maybe consider trading your VP for a Walmart greeter, you'd come out ahead. Regards read more

Beware of Smart & Final's First Street branded foods. I just opened a package of First Street's RECIPE READY Walnut Halves & Pieces. I bought it about two months ago. They are rancid; so much so that I took the bag out to the trash rather than put it in my kitchen wastebasket. I pride myself on looking for expiration dates. This package shows no expiration date. I screwed up. I won't be taking it back because Smart & Final makes refunds difficult by not having a Customer Service Desk. Bummer x 2. I see that this is my third negative review of Smart & final since I moved to Arroyo Grande. Three strikes; you're out. Off to Von's or Food 4 Less or the Grocery Outlet or Aldi's. read more

Not sure what's going on with the management at this store. The day manager doesn't have a clue as to customer service. The title has gone to her head and her customer service is NONE!! Please put someone who has the smarts and not the time spent at the store. read more

Very seldom can you find help. You can see the product you want, but it hasn't been put on the shelf - always just out of reach.

I been going to the store for years not only for their deals but their wonderful staff. I know its because their strong and great management team there. However I didn't realize how amazing they were until today. A couple days ago I came in and spoke to Matt, the store manager to see if he would be willing to donate some candies to a 2 days free Halloween event.Not only did he give a lot the first time but he did it again without any hesitation when I came to him today since we ran out of all the candies from yesterday. He is truly amazing person and he alway has a positive attitude when you see him. Thank you Matt for your kindness and generosity! We appreciate the support! Happy Halloween and please stay healthy! read more

Smart & Final Extra! - Matt, store manager donating candies for a Halloween event. - Grocery Near Me - Arroyo Grande, California

You know I really liked this place. Small store to get in and out of quickly. Nice bulk section. Great prices. Really good fresh vegetables. But the lines are unbearable. Every time I'm here there are long lines. Mostly because the new Haggen store sucks so badly, that its diverting customers here. I was in line for 15 minutes on Sunday. I understand....all of the check stands were open. Today, Friday at 2:30, only two checkers open and the line is 8 deep and curving not down the walkway. Just to increase their bottom line. Not a fan. Going elsewhere or only shopping at really odd hours...really early or late. 9/4/15 updating to four stars. No lines early morning or late evening. Prices compete with Costco. read more

absolutely horrible customer service. They were fine before COVID and now they treat their customers like they are the virus. We cannot wear a mask and we have an exemption certificate but the person who I didn't get his name said No, we cannot let you shop here. We live a couple of blocks from the store and now we must get a ride to Food for less, who are very accommodating. Smart and Final will never be forgiven for the poor treatment. read more

Certainly the baggers at this store are hell on fragile items and oblivious to the idea of putting heavy items in heavy-duty bags and light produce in light bags ... The clincher though was the spectacle of a supremely obnoxious manager cheerfully demanding "I want to see a smile behind that mask!" as he oversaw strict cart distancing and guided folks to the next open checker. All he needed was a set of pom poms and a short skirt. Math classes would help too ... in a county of 284,000, 263 cases over the past three-plus months with 234 of them fully recovered as of this date ... well, a 4th grader could figure out that actual risk was in the thousandths of a percentile. Furthermore, the masked person glaring at me may well be overweight, zero effort in fitness, and pushing a cart filled with soft drinks, high sugar and processed foods GUARANTEED to lower the body's resistance to virus and any other illness ... and I'm the one who's supposed to be wearing a mask, who doesn't eat junk food even when I want to, and who takes time for a fitness routine??? Because they're scared of "experts" alarming predictions that distort the reality that it's in the thousandths of a percent risk they'll get seriously ill, which they invite in any case because they lack exercise and they eat bad foods? And Smart and Final backs THEM???? over MY reasoned and informed choice to remain maskless? True colors for Smart and Final are YELLOW, as in bellied. read more

Stay away from this store if you value your time. There are always too few checkers for the number of customers. Today I counted 50 people waiting to purchase their groceries. They were lined up down the isles. Today was the worst but they are pathetically slow. read more

I made an account only because my experience here was so terrible last night! The staff here were nice but the manager when I tried to ask a question had a tone of go away, as she filled aisles. The store had mold throughout the shelves with bacon, they had no icecream and the bathrooms were disgusting and had NO TOILET PAPER. When I got home I found that there was mold on the back of packaging of my bacon. Only two things were positive about this store the checker Debie was able to move me along very quickly and was quite nice to me. There were also two young men who helped me one helped me get mango yogurt and the other helped me find my chips! read more

The staff and manager are always friendly, and it's surprising what they have in the store which you wouldn't expect. I found white chocolate bars in the baking aisle. They make a better cookie when hand cut as they aren't as uniform as the chips. They seem to have more items which are good for a couple or single person instead of just commercial sized cans and boxes of items. read more

I absolutely hate this store. The isles are small, too small!! Can hardly pass anyone with a basket and then they have the nerve to allow vendors to places their cardboard bs displays on the isles making it even harder to navigate! They need to expand and or have a better floor plan. Horribly designed store. Will never shop here again. read more

i had bought a box of treats for my puppy and naturally he didnt like them! Naya directed me to Catherine and she assisted me in the return. I was looking for pet isle and gentleman unloading large load stopped and walked me where i needed to be,thanks Matt! Jacqueline checked me out and all was well. This was all made so easy, thanks to your crew!! read more

Smart & Final Extra! - happy customer, woof woof.. - Grocery Near Me - Arroyo Grande, California

The whole crew work above and beyond other grocery stores. Matt keeps a positive attitude throughout. His energy is infectious, and reflects from the entire team. The store is clean, well-stocked and thoughtfully laid out. Hands down, my favorite store to shop and work for! read more

I absolutely love this place...because of a family business, I get to go there 3-6 times a week. I've gotten to know a few employees, they are very friendly and helpful.. read more

Just got overcharged $30. The "manager" charged me a second time instead of refunding. Took 3 tries and return of all the items to get it done. The new digital coupon doesn't work either. No one concerned that the system isn't working. This customer will never return. read more

I go to Smart & Final to get good deals. A lot of there products are cheaper than other stores. I love that they're going more organic too and have lots of bulk items and bins of various nuts, rice, beans, oatmeal, candy, etc love it! The people are always friendly and offer to help if I can't find something. read more

Smart and Final is a great alternative to the Vons in the area. Their offerings are not as extensive but there prices are better. I'm a fan of this company as I like to purchase some of their bulk offerings as well as their spirits selection. They have and extensive frozen food selection. Which means ice cream! read more

Smart & Final Extra! - Grocery Near Me - Arroyo Grande, California

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Hmmm... Not much different from the old market that was at this location. (Spencer's) Except many more things crammed into the space. Not much in emphasis on local produce or sourcing. Prices are average to high average with the exception of sales. To sum up in one word? Meh. read more

I love this store. Its in my neighborhood, its convenient in that it's layout remains for the most part unchanged, and... Its not Vons on Grand. The prices are more reasonable and you just have to read the fine print more as they have implemented policy change to call for multiple purchasing of an item to get the sale (hard to read and I got burned buying beer and got home and it was $2 more unless you buy 3 and you can never return alcohol). The management team is always courteous and helpful and I know most of the long time clerks by name. That being said, there are always a fair number of kids starting out with this as their first job and sensitivity training is an issue for these grumpy emotionally challenged teens. I've had my bananas blackened as the boy just threw them down when bagging them and then tried to stuff them in my bag with the cans. They were black and ruined the next day. Today, I go in and the girl checking me out never cracks a smile. Her straight gaze at me made me wonder if I was offensive in some past life. Then she starts to try to throw in large canned chicken onto my veggies. I politely ask her not to and she is just emotionally absent from the transaction. I got home and my pear was crushed and sitting covered in pork blood where my bagged pork went into the bag upside down. These kids don't care and don't want to be there. More training for fruits won't fix the bad attitudes, but it couldn't hurt. And SMILE read more

DRY ICE They sell dry ice!!! If you're picking up frozen clam chowder from The Splash Cafe (and you should be!!!) over in Pismo to take home, you need dry ice!! Thank you Smart & Final for helping me keep one of my favorite treats cold the entire way home. read more

I love this store more than any of the others in town, I know where everything is and the cashiers are very nice, but lately I keep having to rebag my groceries when I get to my car. I try and choose the line without a bagger, and everytime Robbie runs over to my line to bag my groceries and throws meat on top of my chips and bread. I stood there watching him last time and he just throws whatever is handed to him next in the bag as quickly as possible. I love the store and want to continue shopping here, but Robbie needs some serious training in bagging. read more

Good prices on staples (Eggs, Milk, Coffee, Flour, etc). The problem is that the produce and meat at this store are not good, and the store is often out of items with products not in stock. You also need to shop here early in the morning to avoid the Third World Hordes that invade the store and buy up all the items. So basically, go here for staples, shop elsewhere for your meat and produce. read more

Meat variety and quality is acceptable, however sometimes it goes bad quickly if not frozen. Brand names are reliably good quality and sometimes as cheap or cheaper than other bigger stores (such as the one that starts with a Big W, and the one that competes with Sams Warehouse). Store brand "First Street" cheese is not good quality, smells bad from the moment you open the bag. Of course, we have only tried it a couple of times before giving up on it, so your mileage may vary. Soft drinks and bottled water have a good variety. Prices are usually good, but "on sale" is your best bet. Best thing about this store is the bulk goods. Snacks, candy, trail mix, cornmeal, and other stuff available for decent prices. You decide how much of it to buy, and put it in a baggy, mark the SKU, and take it to the register. Location is good, Grand Avenue about halfway between 101 and the beach. read more

Super helpful staff. Good variety, sort of middle sized store. Always help when I ask for it. read more

I like this place. It is like a smaller Costco. You can find most things in bulk and their prices are very reasonable. Options for things like deodorants and toothpastes etc. are pretty limited (similar to Costco). You won't find every brand and I'm not sure if this changes/rotates monthly or with new shipments. Their candy isle however, is amazing. They have every candy ever made and you can buy your favorite candy bars by the case! read more

Here comes another neg. review. I was greeted to filthy veg. strewn floors and gnats as I entered at the produce isle then couldn't navigate the bread and cheese isle due to pallets and overflowing carts of random items no meat selection and hardly anything in it's proper spot so you had to search all the shelf tags for the price if there were a tag at all. Then to top it off I and at least four other customers standing in line without a single person at a register or light on. Once I finally got an employees attention after making somewhat of a scene he seemed quite perturbed with me. They seem to go out of their way to make sure we all are herded properly and have our nose rings attached properly (masks) but neglect everything else. I'm just about done with them and am visiting food 4 less far more often even though this was once my go to store. read more