Maybe it's fallen from grace, or maybe I am spoiled by the dozens of gourmet specialty shops in the area, but my first grown-up trip to Balducci's was quite underwhelming in terms of exploration/discovery. I did not find it much different from a trip to Whole Foods, Fresh Market, or Mom's Organic and found a lot of Safeway-esque sprinkled within. Store was quite empty, hot food bar looked picked over, and their bakery section was lackluster. Luckily their prepared section won me over. My best friend and I picked up a few roasted chickens and sides for a Sunday night family dinner and were surprised by how tasty everything was! The salad and cut fruit were super fresh, crisp, and tasty. The creamed spinach was steakhouse quality. And our rotisserie chickens blew Whole Foods dry-as-the-Sahara birds out the window. Each bite was so moist and well flavored that I thought about it for a few days afterwards, I guess there is a reason why Balducci's catering is so legendary. I'll definitely be looking into their menu more as the holidays roll around. read more

Mclean Store... Horrible place .. no-one helps you and if you ask a question they have horrible attitudes.. horrible cashiers.. rude and just throws your product food in the worst way in the bag.. the buffet is awful looks picked over and tastes bad!.. the moved the food around and its nice and organized cleaner than it used to be but better customer service in the past and nicer people and fresh food.. very expensive food even the buffet is very expensive and not worth it...i must say tho they have alot of products that are unusual and hard to find..i will NEVER shop there again.. read more

The checkout staff is extremely rude and unhelpful. My wife on separate occasions experienced same rude behavior. It is a shame as this used to be the place to shop for good items,quality and SERVICE. Checkout staff ate now busy chatting with themselves. Rolling if eyes to ask for help. Will not come back as there are.many many options in Mclean now. read more

This store has a real customer service problem. The check out staff are not customer friendly, including the "Supervisor." I twice tried to get the sales price on a product and twice was not able to get the correct price at check out. Unlike all other stores, they require you to "clip" coupons in an app to get sales price vs. just giving you the price when you use your phone number. And when the app did not have the sales price, I was reluctantly given a refund. When the manager came over, she seemed annoyed at me and could have cared less. Unacceptable for such a high end store. I would avoid it. read more

Really after the purchase of the store by Safeway chain the service is disgusting very nasty unfriended especially on checkout there are two Ethiopian employees very unfriendly and helpful and I asked where's the pepper for for the salad you know you bought the open salad bar yeah we didn't have pepper what do you mean the Wegmans they have a olive oil right there when you you eat you bought the stuff from your salad bar why you don't have it it is nasty place and this business is going to go out to a business because McLean Virginia people deserve better enter this is long time resident of McLean have a wonderful town since 1989 the service was never so bad like today all of the stores Safeway Giant Balducci has a problem with the service and quality and the prices went up so much but you don't deliver what you charge for shame on your read more

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Found bones in the salmon sashimi from the sushi section sad. Photo for proof and be wary of the sushi area i guess read more

Balducci's - gross especially for the price. - Grocery Near Me - McLean, Virginia

My husband and I were doing Instacart and one of the batches sent us to this location. We will never accept another batch from this store. I went over to the lady cashier over at the self checkout to simply ask, "Where can I find certain items?" She helped me with a few things, however when I couldn't find another items, I went back over to ask a female customer who looked as if she shopped there frequently and the male cashier that I later learned is named, "Ryan," was insanely rude. As I was speaking with the customer and she gave me insight as to where I may find the items I'm seeking, "Ryan" blurted out, "I'm busy!! Go ask someone else!!" I expressed to the young man that I wasn't talking to him. The lady cashier that assisted me earlier tried to make excuses for the young man and I am simply not having it. I also didn't like the fact that the male Hispanic employee kept following me and my husband around the store. Hindsight, based on the other stores we've shopped at doing Instacart, Balducci's is trash. read more

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Sandwiches have REALLY gone downhill. Way less meat and they don't even cut the sammies in half anymore. On the bright side, they did raise the price... read more

I was charged twice for two croissants, first by an automatic checkout machine which said I had a problem. I called for assistance but after waiting five minutes I went to a checkout counter. When I got home I saw that I had been charged twice, once by machine that said I had a problem. I went back and showed the manager my receipts on my cellphone but he said he I needed the paper receipt (which I left at home) and that he couldn't give me anything. It was hardly worth another 30 minutes of my time for something that cost $4.02. read more

Balduccis has really become one of my go-to stores, and it's truly because of the staff. A huge shout out to "my fish guy" Kendrick. Kendrick provides excellent customer service - he's fast, friendly, manages a long line with a calm demeanor (and always with a smile), and he goes out of his way to cut/package the seafood exactly the way you like, often hand delivering it to you around the counter instead of making you reach up over it. Shopping can sometimes be stressful, but never when you actually look forward to placing an order with Kendrick. read more

I think it's time I post this review. This store is ok with overcharging customets but they are not ok when you point out issues like moldy veggies and fruits. We got butternut squash today and it was covered with mold. Not the first time. Shame on the management. They do not care about customers satisfaction. read more

Balducci's - Grocery Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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I visit balducci's seldom for their hot bar and fresh foods. They have a variety of items. They also have fresh pizza which is pretty good. For groceries, I tend to stay away given the prices. Their fresh bar is about 12-13/lb for both cold and hot items. They switch this up daily. I love that it's different every time I go. My favorite item on the hot bar is their quiche. It's so good! I also do love the dolmeh from the cold bar. They also do have prepared foods but last time we got a meal with 2 sides, it was almost $30. I remember during Covid they had better deals that ran about $14-15. Overall, I recommend, just be wary it can be pricier. Parking is also easy in a lot and this is located in downtown McLean. Note, if you go around a busier holiday it will be busy and hectic. read more

Balducci's - Hot bar + cold bar food - shrimp salad, potato salad, chicken wings, Mac and cheese, meatballs, quich, beans, tomato cucumber salad, dolmeh. - Grocery Near Me - McLean, Virginia

shopping carts covered in bird shit is a disgrace. store remodelled but still old bathrooms invariably occupied by staff. read more

It is certainly a different grocery store. I do wish you luck, getting in and out of here. This part of town is unique. They have some amazing fish to choose from. The prices are shockingly high. Then again it's a gourmet store. This location caters to the high rollers. They have quite an impressive lunch bar. It will cost a lot, but quality is super. Also much appreciated to the cleanliness. Friendly employees make a difference. This is best for those who make the big bucks. read more

There is no reason to shop there. The food isn't gourmet anymore. The prices are 20-50% higher than anywhere else. And they have no service anymore because it's all self checkout. I used to love this store but will not go back. read more

This store in McLean VA is a conundrum. How does this beautiful store with the highest of quality foods, meats and seafood survive when staffed by people who just seem not to be at all happy to work or be at this store ?! I've been more than once and the experience is always the same. I look forward to knowing I will walk out with the best quality of food ( with an equally matched price ) but what can I expect in service and attitude- finally I had to share with the yelp community. I sure wish leadership was better and I sure wish people were either trained better, happier or paid better because it us disappointing. Too many stories to tell but all about the same as it ends up with just not happy with the way you are treated or appreciated. Just one opinion. I hope someday it will change. I'd rather support a Wegmans where the culture is different. read more

I had bookmarked this place in my list of places to go for the longest time. Yesterday, I finally got around to go there and check it out. Unfortunately, I was disappointed and underwhelmed. Expectations: upscale Italian imports grocery/ deli with a wide variety of products to choose from. Reality: dull-looking store with over priced generic items that are sold elsewhere plus some unimpressive Italian stuff that's also over-priced for its value. I asked one staff about "truffle sauce", but he didn't seem to know what it is (he was also a bit aggressive and loud in his exchange with me)! He asked what it's used for, I said pasta. He took me to the pasta isle and I found one lonely small jar of truffle. No variety of products. No knowledge among staff. No impressive Italian imports. I'll continue on my hunt for authentic Italian stores in the DMV. read more

Cyndy's Bottom Line: A large variety of gourmet items *Parking lot with ample parking *Deli, bakery, meats, and fish counters *Wine & champagne and caviar *Large selection of hot and prepared foods *Great selection of convenience items *Beautiful fresh vegetables *Olive bar *Sushi to go *Large selection of cheeses *Chocolates *Fresh cut flowers If you are looking for a gourmet item this is the place to shop. read more

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The staff eating food with hand at open buffet? I noticed this on multiple occasions! Ladies on preparing food behind pizza counter are very nice and clean. The cashier very rude when asking questions as if they don't care . No manager to be found if you have issues. This is a gourmet grocery and used to be a lot nicer. I hope someone in corporate reads this . Make sure buffet and bathroom are being kept clean and hygienic. You are dealing with food and charging too dollars & your staff needs to be more polite & professional. read more

The guy behind the cake counter was rude. The lady at the self checkout was rude to my friend when she asked if she could buy a slice of the chocolate cake and she said oh we don't do that here! read more

Ordered a full meal for 8 from Catering. Everything, from the entree to the sides and even desert, was great. It was delivered on time - at the very beginning of the selected time window. No complaints. Will definitely do it again. read more

Balducci's is a high end grocery store. They have a wide selection of quality items from sushi to hot prepared food to chopped liver and everything in-between. I bought prepared salmon sushi but if you don't see what you want on display, just ask. It's all fresh. read more

Balducci's - the entrance to the store - Grocery Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Meh. This is supposedly a very fancy schmamcy place. No one could help us get a simple jelly for our lamb. The butcher was trying to be helpful but he, like us, was being ignored by his colleagues. At one point an employee just flat out said no one can help you. That's what the mark-up gets us at Bal-Gucci's? Save your money and go somewhere else! read more

This store is awesome. If you wanted to pack a wonderful picnic or make a special gift basket, this would be the place to find unique items. You can custom create your own salad dressing (I sobbed with joy). The produce is awesome. There were lots of specialty items I didn't know was available. The seafood department had fresh and interesting items. You can grab a meal from the hot bar and take home flowers. I wouldn't buy $8 dessert yogurt but I enjoyed looking at all of the amazing items. The only thing missing is a cafe and sitting area. read more

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After it had been acquired, it's gone horribly downhill. I get automating systems to reduce costs. But charging more for less quantity food? Horrible. The Rueben Sandwich used to be an example that gave Balducci's credibility. My guess is, they've changed every ingredient to lower costs. I'm done. Yuk read more

What a waste!! All that money for a renovation and the store has gone down hill. They still have superb fish and some of the bakery department is excellent (don't buy the bialys...they are too often hard and we have had two packages turn moldy the next day). We went for fish and birthday cake. Previous staff was more helpful and certainly more knowledgable. Don't try to do a real shopping here, because there is no one to check you out. As a senior citizen, the fact that a young man stood with his hands behind his back and made me use self checkout was a travesty. My arthritis on a rainy day is not good. He did not help. Did not help me lift bags. He watched me work. At the prices they charge here, this is truly shameful. There should always be one checkout. We are an older community. I could have lived without the renovation which has rendered the store poorly laid out and hard to navigate. What I need is good service and someone to check me out. Is that too much to ask? read more

Birthday celebrant specifically wanted the mango mousse cake from Balducci's so we drove to this gourmet shop. They only had a 6" cake so we also got a chocolate strawberry truffle cake. One cake is $26.99. Even though it's overpriced, it was yummy! Would certainly recommend their cakes. read more

Balducci's - Chocolate strawberry truffle and mango mousse cake - Grocery Near Me - McLean, Virginia

I honestly didn't know grocery stores like this existed. I felt like I had walked into a whole new world when I came here, desperately searching for truffle butter and schmaltz! That said, this place is expensiveeee. If Whole Foods is where you spend a whole check, Balducci's is where you bring spend big bank (cheesy joke haha). This should be somewhat expected, though, considering the sort of food the sell. They have lots of gourmet items, specialty prepared foods, super fresh produce/seafood/meat, and a gorgeous selection of bouquets. The wine selection is definitely a step up from most grocery store wine assortments! If I lived closer by I would definitely come here for a few hard to find items! read more

Balducci's - Cheese selection - Grocery Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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Wow! Great selection!! Lots of my favorite drinks and foods. This spot is no that big. It's perfect for the people who wanna shop great stuff quickly.m Quality: Awesome! Price: Higher. Just like wholefoods. Samples: Cheese and fig jam. Staff: Friendly enough. Parking: Free. There are many unique fruits and vegetables. I'll go back there again soon:) read more

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Balducci's in McLean is now a shell of its former self. I previously was willing to pay premium prices for premium quality foods at Balducci's. However, the quality of many of the food items is now no better than Safeway or Giant, but they continue to charge premium prices, eg, including fruit, ground beef, and fish. The buyers and management must think we're stupid and won't notice. But they are wrong, which is why we've quit shopping at Balducci's. read more

Always love Balduci's, all the unique items they carry. Not hungry after the organic butcher so went over to Balducci's to grab a sandwich. Turkey with avocado on wheat sourdough was delicious. Bought Irish potato chips to go along with the sandwich. Perfect pair for lunch. Also needed arrowroot powder for the paleo bread and found a small jar so I was very happy. I also found natural sea salt flakes for tasty chocolate chip/walnut cookies. Can't wait to bake paleo bread using arrowroot powder and the sea salt flakes. read more

The young cashier was an obnoxious, rude young man, very disappointing, I called the management office to train him or he at least pretend to be nicer to customers. Please shop other stores, prices are too high and this cashier is unbelievably rude and nasty , he thinks he is too good for this job, if so go find another job, stupid idiot. read more

I love the selection of high quality, unique, and delicious foods. Anything I buy there is always a big hit. The staff is always nice and helpful. read more

What an amazing boutique store! They have an array of products that are not what you would find in a regular grocery store. Even their hot food bar and pizza counter is above par. The pizza and soups are incredible. They are a bit pricier than a Safeway or Harris Teeter, I still love shopping there for out of the main stream items and yes they have specials just like the store you are used to going to. Wonderfully run and clean with a decent parking lot. The Store Director Jing is down to earth and always willing to help as is her courteous and friendly staff. It's well worth the drive if you are looking for items that are a cut above the norm. read more

I used to love Balduccis . It used to be such a pleasant shopping experience with beautiful meats and produce. Not any longer. It's depressing and dark with empty shelves. Why does everything have to change and, in this case, not for the better! read more

The food quality is impeccable. I cannot say enough positive remarks about this grocery/food supplier.

Since their purchase by the grocery chain Albertson's, Balducci has gone downhill rapidly. From a $35 a pound NY strip steak that was cut from the end of the strip, full of gristle and fat, to a Dolly's Sin cake that was stale with purple writing on chocolate frosting (couldn't read the message), we have very little good to say about this store anymore. Not going back. read more

This place usually hits the spot for specialty items. Great selection of chocolate bars and bulk Jelly Belly candies -- Ronald Reagan would be proud. Previous comments on wine and cheese ring true. The prepared foods in the deli section are pretty meh and not worth it. Overall, Balducci's has served an important role during the pandemic, as its prices have filtered out the proletariat masses and ensured greater social distancing between fewer customers -- look at the higher prices as a premium for your health. read more

Saturday turned out to be a McLean day for us. So, we figured it was time to check out Balducci's. Years ago, there used to be one in Reston. I would go from time to time in order to buy ingredients for new recipies, that were not easily found in regular supermarkets. One day, I went to shop there and it was closed. It must have been a recent closing at the time because another woman also showed up to shop and we both forlornly read the sign that told us to go to the one in McLean. I never did go, as I discovered that I could get what I wanted by ordering online from Dean and DeLuca. So, we finally got there. When entering, I noticed that it had almost the exact same layout as the one in Reston. Upon first entering, you encounter the produce section. I like browsing the produce sections in gourmet and ethnic markets. Usually, I end up buying something different. This time I found mango nectarines and bought two of them. I tried them today. They are juicy plus both sweet and tart at the same time. We had hoped to buy some hard sopressata. Balducci's was a letdown in this area. All they had was a few hard salamis. Dean and DeLuca, on the other hand, has a very wide selection. However, we did see a package of speck. I once came across a recipe that called for speck, which I hadn't heard of before (it's a type of meat). Now I know that if I ever want to try that recipe, I know where to find speck. We're visiting our daughter next week. She asked if we could bring some Route 11 potato chips. Yes, Balducci's had some. Even though the selection was somewhat depleted, we still found what we wanted. The selection of olive oils was a disappointment. I would have expected to see a larger variety. The cheese selection was varied. Some cheeses had cards next to them that described the cheese, yet other varieties had no cards. There needs to be consistency in this area. My husband was impressed with the wine selection. He often likes to browse the Malbec selections in stores but never buys any. This time he surprised me. Among the impressive amounts of Malbecs, he actually found one he wanted---a Catena Malbec. He had had it before when we dined out and liked it. Plus the price was reasonable, $19.99 per bottle. I noticed that this Balducci's has an area where people can arrange catering for office parties---and there was actually someone sitting at the table waiting to help customers. I guess that lots of local companies use Balducci's for this purpose. Recession? What recession? LOL! Overall, we were underwhelmed. When I shop at a gourmet grocery store, I expect that store to have a wide variety of items that can't be found in regular supermarkets. In some ways, Balducci's rose to that challenge, yet in other areas, it fell flat. Needless to say, we don't plan on going out of our way to shop here since we can easily avail ourselves of Dean and DeLuca's online ordering, if necessary. read more

One of my favorite gourmet grocery store.. I can just hang out here for hours .. lots of different imported items like vinegars andregionally produced items like SoCo ice-cream..and THE deli.. ahhh... I love Baducci's deli.. Crab meat filled avocado is really good. Chunks of crab meat filled up in half-cut avocado. I do not like avocado so I won't eat it but I still get this combo for awesome crab-meat. Then there is bakery... One of the best bakery in DC area.. Freshly baked pastries, good baguettes and rolls... and CAKE... very pretty looking cakes and cupcakes... I tried red velvet cupcake and tiramisu cupcake. Devine.. so moist and light texture. Much better than The infamous Georgetown cupcake.. I give two thumbs up to Balducci's. It's a bit far from my house so I can only go there on the weekend but I make time to go there almost every weekend. It's worth it. read more

Balducci's - Balducci's-Red Velvet cupcake - Grocery Near Me - McLean, Virginia

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