Barbara should retire, she's clearly over customers and has little tolerance for people. This store seemed to have good deals but I don't think I'll be back. read more

I came here to get something for a quick lunch. It was easy to find parking. The shelves were fully stocked. I got a salad and sushi. They were good and filling. read more

I shop at a different Vons location all the time, a "Pavilions" branded branch in Sherman Oaks that is just fine. This Vons on the mesa in Santa Barbara is a real disappointment. The isles are filthy, and if you aren't careful you trip or slip on messes that haven't been picked up. The worst aspect is the line to exit and the staff. Once upon a time, this location was formerly an Albertsons and at that time the staff were friendly and helpful. These days, I think Vons management only considers hiring applicants who fail an aptitude test. Now, now, before you think I'm being harsh, go for an afternoon visit and see for yourself. If you prepare your expectations in advance, it can be entertaining to see if an employee has the wherewithal to string a few words together into a sentence. The store footprint is small, and hence the selection isn't that great either. Yeah, I probably will be back. Why? Because the alternatives are too far away when I just need one or two things. What a shame. I wish I could avoid it. When I walked out today, the Talking Heads' "Once in a Lifetime entered my consciousness and I chuckled to myself: "You may ask yourself Well... how did I get here" It's kind of unbelievable. I hate it so much. read more

This Vons is so small compared to the other ones I have been too. Ambiance doesn't feel alive at all, and didn't find anything I needed had to drive to Trader Joe's read more

This review is referencing the Mesa Vons in SB. I have shopped here for decades as it's a very convenient location. Most everyone there is friendly. But there is one checker who went way over the line recently. She is very slow, and will bark "I'm going as fast as I can" regularly. In this particular instance, I was muttering to myself about the customer who was checking out - I said something like "Oh please!" as he kept talking and talking. He didn't hear me ( he just kept chatting away with big long lines waiting - but she did I guess. At which point she yelled her bit about going as fast as she could. I said nothing. She then raised her voice further to a literal yell and informed me she didn't need my "crap", that I was rude, and that she was going to " get her manager over her to take care of you". As in a threat. Needless to say, I switched lines and she was STILL YELLING at me!! A supervisor was also checking at the time, he said nothing to her, or to me. Just ignored the situation. I was mortified, so embarrassed. Of course people were looking at me - I suppose wondering what horrible thing I had said or done. This woman is always difficult, but this was really just too much. I don't think a quiet undirected "Oh please" said in desperate frustration merits being yelled at this way. SO much for customer service. read more

Stay away from the deli food the rest is fine. I would go on $5 Friday. To my recollection that I have never had a bad experience with the Vons service, they have always been kind and went out of their way to help others even when they have long lines. Yes the store is small, but everybody shows up with a smile, which helps the customers have a good day. You shouldn't complain about things the store can't fix like the aisles. read more

I was visiting in the area and stopped in to get something for lunch. The staff was real friendly and the store was clean and well stocked. there was plenty of parking. Will come back again. read more

The cashiers are the worst in 30 years! I have been to this location for 9ver 30 years, through all of the different markets. There was a time that the shelves never had what you needed, but the staff / catchiers were pleasant, that is not the case now. The shelves are well stocked with most of what you need, but the cashiers are consistently rude, that is if they even acknowledge you. I almost never write reviews- especially bad ones, but hopefully someone will make some changes. I am happy to say that the security guard out front offered me a smile both entering and exit ing the store. That little smile goes a long way! read more

I have been to many Vons stores in Las Vegas, San Diego and Los Angeles as well as the dear departed store in La Cumbra Plaza. But I have never shopped one as small. compact, jam packed as this store. This store sits on one end of the Plaza and the Mesa Cafe on the other. It is also very convenient to the area in SB in which my family lives. And so, since I am a Von-ite rather than a Ralph's shopper I i shop here for basic household needs. For special stuff it is Trader Joe's or Whole Foods (which reminds me of a Hippy-Dippy version of WF's and closer to what used to be called Mrs Gooch's). So i came here a couple of times and found the service to be very personal with the seemingly new, semi-trained staff very helpful or willing to find someone that will help. I had empty product spots re-filled so that i could buy it. I mean: what store would do that? I mean literally fill a shelf hole with product in the middle of the day. Of course, since i spent 10 years with Vons i know the lingo and i am not shy about asking for what i want and need and who to ask for in order to implement this. But honestly it took very little prodding: no matter what the clerk was doing. Though small this store has managed to stuff the shelves with most products you can find elsewhere...even a tiny service deli with packaged soups and specialty items. Pricing is high but so is pricing all over. (i feel for those Mothers who have to buy package cereals whose pricing is sky high!) Though my family would rather shop Ralphs downtown, i like this store. Plus there is the Mesa Cafe of course: one of my favorite spots in SB. Parking is a little tight but at least there is a good sized Lot. I noticed there is even a McDonald's in the Plaza that i never noticed before. Whoever manages this store has his work cut out for him and he or she is doing a bang up job hiring a hard working crew and keeping the store stocked. There is so little room i couldn't figure out where the storage was? Across the street? On a barge in the close by Pacific? In any event i love this store and will be back for sure. Cheers! read more

I was actually so very saddened when Haggens closed and Vons came back to this location. They are very rarely stocked in the fresh, tasty foods I tend to indulge myself in. While they do have more Organic options in fresh produce theses days, the portions are usually low and the prices a little too out of my range. And the good cereals, for whatever reason, are hardly ever on sale and just laughably high in normal price. On the bright side, their ice cream section is miles long and their wine cellar takes up about half the store. They do have sale carts every so often that have decent deals on select items but it's generally holiday related and very high in sugar content. Clearly they are going for a specific target market here, unfortunately that doesn't speak to me. The best things about this Vons is their genuine customer service, the special needs program, the beautiful and affordable sunflowers, and the massive parking lot that I have never had a problem finding a space in. Overall wouldn't really recommend unless you need that one item for baking or a lot of wine and ice cream. I'd head to Lazy Acres across the street for all your delicious whole foods, and healthy alternative needs for reasonable pricing. read more

Vons - 75% off two whole shopping carts of Easter candies - Grocery Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

The store is small so you can't expect much of a selection but this is tiny, so if your looking for a certain thing better off going somewhere else. I work in the meat department at another store and this place is usually a mess, lots of holes and very unorganized. One of the kids who works there charged me twice on an item I bought I figured that out later when I looked at how much I was charged in my bank account so be careful to check your receipt because the checkers aren't very good. read more

Price gouging on Charmin TP 18 mega rolls $24!!! Only $17.89 at Target. I bought the wrong kind and they won't let me return an unopened package. read more

This store is awful. The cashiers are obnoxious and rude. They try to push their political beliefs on you by not allowing you to use bags for your food. They say things such as, "Do you prefer killing Dolphins or Whales?" The food is not fresh - don't trust the chicken. read more

This looks like a nice Vons from the outside. However, its horrible inside especially with customer service. For example - David who is a manager was either having a really bad day or prejudice against people of color. I noticed he was helpful with the general public but was not kind to me and another minority after waiting for help. I decided not to purchase items here moving forward. read more

Decent selection for being such a small-scale store. Vons has always been a favorite of mine and I'm glad that there are still a few in town. This location actually has only been around for a few years, but became the replacement for the now-closed La Cumbre and Downtown locations for those in Santa Barbara proper. This is a very small and crowded store. As such, it doesn't offer the same selections as the other two locations in town. That said, one can still find a pretty decent variety here, and I feel that the produce section is still exceptional in its shrunken state. I came here the other day with two third-party gift cards I'd printed from the Internet. The printouts had vague instructions for the cashier which I couldn't even decipher. I felt that my cashier, Kiernan, did a good job at patiently reading and following the instructions - and he was able to get them both to tender without issue. The store is in a small shopping center just as shrunken and crowded as the interior. Parking can be tight and is often filled up. If you decide to shop here, I'd recommend doing so either early morning or sometime in the evening when the neighboring businesses are closed, so that you'll be able to find a decent parking spot close by! read more

The cashiers here have issues, everyone is always in a bad mood and rude/short. This is the worst vons, it's smaller store so they are always out of everything. Too expensive of a store to have rude staff, lack of products and the exact same stuff you find at other places, but at a higher price. Nothing like the Vons in Goleta(turnpike) which is great. read more

Personally for my every day groceries, I prefer to shop at VONS! I have always liked the fresh produce and delicious, perfectly-cut deli meats. It's close to my work, so it's super convenient for me. I often come on my lunch break to grab a sammy from the deli counter. The employees here are always ready to help you with whatever you need, from fresh cut deli meat and cheese, to figuring out what aisle has what you need. I'm surely never running around like a chicken with its head cut off in this grocery store, because help is everywhere! Also, I've noticed that the last couple of times that I have been to this Vons location, they are stocked with the freshest and prettiest flowers. I can't help myself whenever I walk by them, I HAVE to purchase the cutest set I can find. Was never a fan of the grocery store that was here prior. Happy this Vons is here! read more

I am concerned about the health and safety of the people who patronize and work at the store. I recently shopped here for my grandmother and left with tears in my eyes. I will not shop again no matter how convenient. It was a free for all. During a time of social distancing, the store was very crowded. Two customers were nipping at each other about space. Some of the employees were not wearing masks, gloves any type of protective gear and when asked one man just pushed hand sanitizer towards me. Really?  When I called to expressed my concerned a man named David said he was the assistant manager and "he wasn't aware because he was at lunch". The next day, a second try Brad the store manager raised his voice stating ALL his employees. I felt bullied. Why would call and make this up? Vons get it together! read more

Great local store! For quick, easy groceries at reasonable prices. Many of the staff and customers have been there for years. Strong "Mesa" neighbor that contributes to local schools. This is a great little store compared to other Vons. read more

It's a Vons. Way better than Albertsons, cheaper than Lazy Acres but not as cheap as Trader Joe's. That said, they do have Coca Cola and single jalapeños. Enjoy. read more

I avoid this place at all costs possible, and I live one minute down the street. The produce selection is pitiful in terms of freshness and quality. My dry/pantry products are damaged, everything inside the container is cracked/crumpled, and the packaging of somehow soggy/crumpled/sticky EVERY time I have to shop there, no matter how picky I try to be. The staff couldn't give half a crap and are completely disengaged if not rude. Limited and sporadic availability of items. The lines are usually ridiculously long to the point I walk in and just walk right out because driving all the way to Ralph's would end up being quicker. Normally, I love Vons. But this location is a joke. read more

Vons has great employees they have some of the best deals like $5 Friday. They employees are always so friendly and go out of their way to help out customers that's the only location I care to go to read more

Today I came for my lunch break and ordered food at the deli area. My helper was Bobby and he did not seem friendly or happy to be at work. It looked like he did not know what he was doing. The staff in that area were moving super slow. The deli area needs more training or more stuff. read more

Cashier ignored us at first and was reading the paper while we were standing in front of him for quite some time. He finally put his paper down and started laughing and joking with his coworkers and did not even say hi, acknowledge us, or apologize for making us wait while he was scanning our items. Very unfriendly and unhelpful experience at this store. read more

Poorly managed. Always slow checkout. Inattentive to customer service. Having said that, other than Lazy Acres, which is a great store...just expensive, it's all there is for standard grocery shopping on the Mesa. read more

Limited selection. Picked up a wine bottle and there was sticky residue on the bottom that stained my jacket. Couldn't find guac. 10 people in line for 1 check out person. Left store. read more

I feel unsafe shopping in this store. I am a young girl who shops on her own, and on 2 separate occasions now (one being last year and one being yesterday) an older male staff member with white hair followed me around the store and insisted on touching me. It started out as him trying to give me high fives, then working his way up to trying to give me numerous hugs when he greeted me. This already made me uncomfortable, but it felt predatory as I soon noticed he followed me down each and every aisle I went. Our interaction last year made me feel so uncomfortable, I felt unsafe walking to my car. Because of this interaction, I haven't gone to this grocery store in a year, but I had to go yesterday out of necessity and the same interaction happened on a smaller scale. Seeing as this has happened to me twice, I can only assume it has happened to others too. Being a young girl and shopping on your own can already be scary, but when an older male on the staff will not leave you alone unless he gets to touch you, you're shopping experience quickly becomes something short of a horror film. read more

Don't shop here during times of social distancing -- you won't find it here. Other than standing apart in the check out line, it's crowded and not a good experience. Employees don't heed 6 foot guidelines, either. Skip it! read more

This has been my neighborhood grocery for 22 years through several name changes and a remodeling. I know the employees by face and by name. They are friendly and helpful. But they are unfortunately not doing a good job with masks during the pandemic! On my last visit even the supervisor had his mask under his nose. C'mon guys. Do better, please. read more

They definitely need better customer service training for their employees. An older white gentleman had a stink face the entire time he was ringing up my items. He would toss them after scanning each one. I asked him how I can sign up for the rewards card and he tossed me the rewards card telling me to call the number on the back. read more

I love this store. It is reliable and cheap and always has what you are looking for. I am so happy to have a real grocery store back on the Mesa! read more

You will stand for 10 minutes at the meat counter while everybody stares at each other and the so-called supervisor on floor likes to explain how he just got back from lunch and knows nothing about what's going on. Great customer service Vons. I left and went to Ralph's. read more

So grateful to have a regular grocery store option back on the Mesa. Small location, smaller selection, but always find what I need and employees are kind. read more

I like the weird looking brown kid at the front the cleans the carts I can always count on him to keep my hands away from the virus

I used to like shopping here, until they relocated almost all their best staff to other locations. Now there's only about 2 people there I like that can carry on a coherent sentence. One guy with a goatee, showers and brushes his teeth so infrequently, I can smell him across the store in the deli section. One time I was forced to checkout at his register, and I paid direly. His breath was so bad, it melted my glasses and singed my nose hairs; the good news is, I doubt they'll ever have to fumigate the building. Some of the workers there (the ones from before) are by far outstanding people and should all be given a raise. They're the only reason I still go there. read more

just stopped by and james gave us the best helping hands, not only was he helpful in bagging our foods but he also laugh at jokes. he seems not as miserable as the rest. 5 star read more