Smart & Final is not my favorite store to shop in. However, when I was in on a Saturday morning, I received exceptional customer service. My apologies for not catching the man's name. I needed some mini pretzels. Lots of them - eight bags. The shelf was nearly empty, only three bags remained. I spotted a large box on top of the shelf with a label that indicated it might contain what I was looking for. I spotted an employee starting to restock the frozen food aisle. I asked him if he could get the box down for me. He said that he'd be right back. He returned with a ladder on wheels and retrieved the box for me. Sure enough it contained exactly what I was looking for. After I grabbed my five bags of pretzels, I thanked the employee. I also apologized for pulling him away from what he was doing. He said, "You're welcome. No worries, it's part of my job". It was really refreshing. He didn't piss and moan about having to do something else. ANo attitude, no eye roll or sneer or smirk. He happily obliged. If only the S&F inventory was as good as the customer service. Their spice selection is terrible. Multiple brands of more commonly used spices, but not any dill weed of any kind. The dog food aisle left a lot to be desired also. Not a lot of variety and what they did have was pretty expensive. I was able to get dog food and dill weed at Food 4 Less. To sum up: While Food 4 Less is superior in the spice and dog food aisles, Smart & Final excels in pretzels! read more

I was just in Smart and final and this is the weirdest situation ever so the cashier had no bags in her line. However, the cashier directly across from her had a couple bags paper bags and I had a lot of groceries and needed a bag so my cashier asked her if she could get a bag and she would not give her a bag for me because she said she only had four left. I'm really confused like did I have to grab all my stuff and go in her line to get a bag there's some serious customer service issues going on here and obviously there's employee issues because I've never experienced this before you can tell It was very awkward. There wasn't even any bags I could purchase today. But employees shouldn't be working together if they're not getting along and not only that as a shouldn't be working in public if they can't even provide service, it's just strange. Bring your own bags everyone because if there's a couple left, they won't let you have them. read more

Smart & Final Extra! - Grocery Near Me - Santee, California

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Came here on a Saturday evening with the GF to pick up some stuff. Place is a freezer. Wear a jacket or something with sleeves. They had a decent selection of vegetables. They sell most things you can find in most major chain grocery stores. Employees were helpful. Store was relatively well put together. read more

Multiple times the WIC interface was not functional forcing me to pay for covered goods. Several embarrassing times I had to either walk away or go to another store. In addition neither is their Wells Fargo ARM is even operational. This is a ghetto store. One specific time when an ankle bracelet felon was agitated with me because the inability of the store to process WIC benefits. I have excluded this location from any grocery purchases. I hope they are investigated and fined for the negligence of falsely accepting government benefits. read more

First time yelping a grocery store. Really needed corned beef and a bunch of it. Called around and Matthew was my savior he went and counted and measured all the meat I needed. And even held it for me so I can have an Instacart driver get it for me! It was after trying 3 different smart and finals! Thank u so much (I'm 98% sure Matthew was his name if not it was the meat guy who worked Saturday morning of 9/27) read more

Went to grab a vegetable plater for a party got to the party open it up and the vegetables were all slimy and not eatable at all checked the expiration date and it was not supposed to be bad for 3 more days. Just a total waste of $12 dollars I would not recommend buying produce from this location. read more

This store has become increasingly irritating to shop at. I stopped buying bagged lettuce there because it's ALWAYS slimy/rotten, they're usually out of what I go in there for (meats), and the checkers are truly awful. They consistently put raw meat in the bags with vegetables, they're slow, and have absolutely zero customer service skills. The only checker there who knows what he's doing is Randall - always fast, friendly, and bags correctly...night and day difference from the rest. The other checkers are there because Von's & Trader Joe's won't hire people with no skills. Really disappointed where this store has headed; I used to really enjoy shopping there. read more

Great place shop. It's really expensive there and they have all good products. Check them out and the staff is absolutely excellent.

This Smart and Final is the closest grocery store, but not always the best. It is clean. Good for a basic food run. Very basic items. Limited flavors of yogurt. They stopped selling Fairlife milk. They don't carry Land O Lakes light butter. Half of the meat department doesn't have prices on the meat. They don't have any kind of anchovies in cans. Didn't have any apple butter for a recipe. Don't have my 100 calorie multigrain English muffins. The produce department is just okay, tho it is the only store in area that carries black eyed peas for New Year Eve. It is also the only store that carries my light ginger beer. Friendly cashiers and a 10 item or less line. There is a convenient restroom. I gave them 4 stars because they do have most basic items. I personally would like a bit more, so I don't have to run over to Von's, with their higher prices. read more

Came here because I saw on DoorDash that they had a great deal on a 24-pack of Shasta for a little over $8. A 24 pack at any other grocery store we went to is about $11. When we came in, we immediately noticed that this store was much larger than the El Cajon location and check out was much smoother and quicker. They luckily did have the soda in stock. They even had mark down items. We ended up getting more than just the soda because the prices were great. We will be returning. read more

Worst experience I've had in a long time. Stood in the express line with only two people ahead of me for at least 10 minutes apparently there was an issue. Just when we started getting restless they opened another line. So when my turn came up one of my items did not ring and I said just leave it. The checker, Bryce was extremely polite but another employee, Colette decided she needed to interject herself in this interaction and then started accusing me of cussing her out and storming off. Me and the gentleman behind me pointed out nobody was cussed out. But she would not let it go. She kept pushing, pushing, pushing and I asked her to please be quiet. She kept pushing to the point where I finally cussed her out as she requested by her actions. I'd like to point out Bryce was a perfect gentleman throughout the entire time. Colette had no business stepping into the conversation in the first place let alone pushing things to the point of ill will. read more

Smart & Final Extra! - The most rude employee I have ever dealt with. There would have been no problem if she would have just minded her own business - Grocery Near Me - Santee, California

I used to be a loyal Vons shopper, but with the outrageous grocery prices, I have started shopping to find the best quality prices- Every employee that I have come across at this store has been pleasant and helpful. The produce department is always being cleaned and the fruit and vegetables look great. I recently visited another grocery store in the area and it was disgusting. So when I went to pay for my groceries and saw how sparking clean all the checkstands were I was pleasantly surprised - Looks like they have a great group of employees that care - give these people a raise! Good job manager - We appreciate you! read more

Very good prices on Food! Wish they had more gluten free options. Happy on what I do Find. read more

Every time I go for half and half or heavy cream, the only options are ones that expire in 1-5 days. Yet if I go to Walmart or Costco the "best by" dates are 2+ weeks out. Went there tonight and all of the heavy cream and most of the half and half expires tomorrow. Asked someone at the store to check the back and there were none that had any later dates. The prices on dairy are much better at smart and final than most other stores but that does no good when you have to throw away most of the product because it expires before you can use it. read more

Please be careful when you purchase this brand of rice at the Smart and Final in Magnolia av Santee , they need to review the quality of the products they are offering, it came with worms in it. read more

Smart & Final Extra! - Today we find this worms like little things in the rice the expiration date is not even close just poor quality - Grocery Near Me - Santee, California

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A rating not on the whole store, just our cashier. Tonight myself my wife and son went shopping here and although she doesn't know it, we have been just going through a lot as a family. Our cashier was named Elena, and my wife and I left the store better than we've felt this whole week because of her. Her cheerful and welcoming smile and presence was really what it should be like for all cashiers. My wife insisted we made a review, because not everyone has that quality and as regular shoppers there, we don't always have that experience. Thank you Elena, keep smiling and being happy because it rubs off! & you never know what it'll continue to do for others. Happy thanksgiving & happy holidays! read more

Every case of terrible service is being blamed on "social distancing". Here's an idea, stock the shelves before you open. Open enough refused for everyone. And we're not idiots. We can find the open line waiting in the feeder queue and the person doing nothing but standing there telling you to go into the wrong line is unnecessary. This place, more than most, is a bunch of people relishing the control over human beings read more

My husband bought a pack of beer (Sierra Navada pale ale) and when he was drinking one I notice stuff floating in it so I checked the date.... yup expired more than a month ago. Smh watch expectation dates when going there. read more

Smart & Final Extra! - a person holding a jar of honey - Grocery Near Me - Santee, California

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I enjoy shopping at this S&F store. The downside is that they have no Deli or Bakery. But that said, I love their sales and enjoy a special deal now and then. I am VERY DISAPPOINTED that their coupons have gone digital only, I am a Senior citizen and I do not have a fancy phone with apps. I have an old timers flip phone. This means that I can no longer take advantage of your coupon deals. Trust me, there are many others that do not have "apps". Please reconsider and keep the regular deals as they were. The digital coupons can remain as an option. I hope that Corporate will read my comments and make this more"user friendly" for everyone. read more

Bleh...I shop here all the time but tonight was the first time I bought a steak from here. NEVER AGAIN! I should have trusted my instincts because even though it was 'choice' meat , this ribeye looked weird! It was a very artifical pink color and didn't look like any ribeye add steak I ever had. It curled while cooking and even though it started at 1" thick, it ended at 1/2" thick and about 1/2 cup of fat in the pan. Grossness! It was mediocre at best. I will never buy steak from here again! read more

I will definitely not recommending this location They are so route Especially the Lady which she sick she is the manager her name is MENA I called and ask for lettuce they told me if we have it you can come and get it after I drove all the way from El Cajon to hear they didn't sell it to me because they was saying they are limited in lettuce. read more

Okay 5 months ago was not a fan but now I am going here more than Vons, they are stocked up pretty much on the regular, fresh meat lately big improvement since before Corona hope it stays this stocked and fresh! Really clean inside Employees always friendly I will search for names on my receipt and update post but it's a young gal and one who has a senior in high school both dark hair and both amazingly sweet and hardworking. I also notice the others stocking and keeping store clean for your customers and thank you for being there I know you're not making big money but I hope you know we all appreciate you guys also even though lines seem long they go by pretty quick and they have a new system in place and the screen tells you which check stand to go to and it's Easy and convenient would love to see the freshness of the meats and produce continue! read more

I never used to come here much but now I find myself visiting more often. This place isn't like your typical grocery store, it's pretty cool but they have a lot of bulk items and the sell party, small business type of products too (to-go boxes etc). I buy the kids lunch/snack items here often because they have a lot of options and like I mentioned they sell bulk! The staff of pretty friendly here, the store is clean and organized. My favorite part about the store when I have Custer is the lines are next to nothing so coming through is a Breeze!!! read more

DONT ORDER ONLINE! They messed up my order. charged me $9.99 for delivery which i was fine with if it was the correct item then a tip. They text me saying they had a substitute. They gave me four minutes to respond which i would of cancelled the whole order. I was driving. Then they delivered the wrong item which was far less money and I could of purchased anywhere. So i paid for delivery fee , a tip, and am stuck with an item i dont want and i paid way more for then any other stores. Online support was a joke and the local store cannot do anything. worst shopping expericnce. I will never shop here again. read more

Spoiled meat, rotten produce, brown fruits. Absolutely no concern for customers health. I've seen brown bacon, brown sandwich meat and brown meat on numerous occasions. Store is only good for canned items, otherwise do yourself a favor and stay away unless you want food positioning. read more

That manager on Saturday Fuc@)@ing grumpy Again horrible produce Lettuce, tomato Hit and miss at this place read more

Everyone is helpful, the store is clean, it's almost always well stocked, the meats are quality and fairly priced, the produce is usually good and the checkout lines move fast. Love this place! read more

Close, convenient and great customer service. People stocking shelves are more than happy to point you in the right direction and ask you how your day is. I've never had any issues with produce or anything for that matter. If people don't like the produce they can always go to Sprouts. They have everything I need and it's within walking distance. This location has gone through four different Supermarket chains in the last 3 years and Smart & Final has stuck around the longest and every time I go in there it's busy. The cashiers do a great job at opening up lines when one or two of the lines has five or more people. I just hope with all the new housing developments it doesn't get too crowded like Vons. Vons is like a combat zone trying to go down the aisles. read more

Everytime I come here the cashiers are very rude, no proper etiquette, no greeting no nothing. I'll come to the register and immediately give them the proper greeting of the day and they say nothing. The older and younger adults, it's like their job that they applied for and got hired for is inconvenient for them. read more

Five stars due to my stop there last night. After a disappointing shopping trip to Albertsons where they had jacked up all their prices to the fullest extent the law will allow, I was very pleased to see Smart & Final prices to be as low as they are normally. I even bought two loaves of my favorite bread at a lower price than I've seen in months. Their bulk items were wrapped up and unavailable but not surprising in the Covoid world we are living in today. They will get more shopping trips from me now and in the future. read more

It's good and sad at the same time that people complain about the cashiers here. I went to the store around 7:30 on a Monday night got a cashier named Alisha didn't pay no attention to what's in front of her no greeting no have a nice night. To busy talking about her 200$ dog she bought a long time ago with an employee clearly doesn't pay attention to her jobI don't really think smart and final strives on customer service. But I'm glad to add a review to s**t service read more

Beyond horrible. First time I went there this past weekend will be the last time. Went to purchase chicken breast. I put a package in a meat bag then into my bag and walked to the dairy section. I looked around to see who took a crap in their pants. Seriously, it smelled like literal s**t! It was on my hand and now I smelled like s**t! I told the manager and they scrambled to get all the spoiled chicken off the shelf. I asked her how does that happen, how doesn't chicken that smells like feces get to the counter for purchase? She said she was going into the back to find out. I told her I'll tell you how it happens, it's called you don't give a s**t! Someone is going to get seriously ill. I left and could put my hands completely on my steering wheel it was so bad and had to deal with the smell that was on my hands till I got home. I had to leave the store before I puked. read more

Why is there such a difference between stores??? I loved my Lemon Grove s&f I purchased 99 0/0 of everything at the Smart & Final in Lemon Grove. If they had not closed I'd still be shopping there even though it's 30 miles away now. I moved to Santee and I do maybe 2 0/0 of my monthly shopping there. Produce area tastes awful may look good. It's not! I've tried almost every month if not every month. Meat is okay still no comparison. How may you screw up dairy? Easy, spills on milk from other gallons. It stinks all your dates are close to expiration dates. Who wants to purchase anything within days or a week to it date. Please improve You too may grow up bigger and better. Otherwise, make room for a new store. You're business should be making bank your miles away from town. Your not only hurting yourself but that mini mall depends on the large store to bring in a percentage of traffic. That you do not even try to do. You're the only game around. read more

Terrible service for one, and terrible produce for two. Just went to go pick up fixings for dinner, and all of their red onions were rotten. Have had issues with them before, but this was the straw that broke the camel's back. I miss the Albertsons that was here instead. read more

Always have what I need. Good parking, friendly staff, never long lines like vons/sprouts

Nice new store with very helpful people. I have a very low income and only shop the sale items, and have gotten some very good buys every week...d;^) read more

I have shopped here since the store originally opened. The time has come to discontinue my patronage. The Santee store is really a bad representation of the corporate image any retail store would like to present to the public. Jennifer, a manager is totally unresponsive to customer requests and dismissive of customer satisfaction and request. The card readers are defective and are so problematic one is not able to complete a transaction without swiping card numerous times. when this situation was brought to the attention of management, it was met with a total lie and misrepresentation of the truth. In addition to this, my checking account has been debited twice for the same transaction. This indicates not only negligence but criminal conduct! If you desire a pleasant shopping experience I suggest visiting a different store, there are plenty of Smart & Final stores in close proximity! Good luck I will not visit this store again!! read more

I went to the grand opening and was thoroughly impressed with the prices, selection and service. read more

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First time visiting this new location... Usually shop at the El Cajon store.....All I can say is I hope the Santee store stocks up on more product and more variety of selection of stuff...When I was there the store looked kinda empty and didnt have the selection of stuff that I usually buy at the El Cajon location vs. what this new Santee Store had to offer. If they can improve upon that....it will be a great place to shop! **UPDATE** 04.28.16 Came to this location again....Was disappointed again!....My usual brands of foods that are always at the El Cajon location...Yogurt, Taquitos and a few other brands were "out of stock" again!!!!....Kinda sad....I like the location of this one...if they dont have the stuff I get...Will go back to the El Cajon location now. read more

Way over-priced. I got a fruit platter for a party. It was terrible! Best thing about it is location and hours -- I go when I need something in a pinch. read more