Store - great. Clean, well stocked, easy to find things. Read your receipt and use the coupons - there are some good ones. Location easy to get to. Open 24 hours. Pharmacy - staff are polite and professional, but often can't find all of my prescriptions when I come to pick them up. Even if the online system says your prescriptions are ready for pickup, call first (and be prepared to sit on Hold for a long time). Sometimes only some of them are ready, sometimes one is misfiled, and I've even had one "sent back" (???) because I didn't pick it up within a set number of days. Very disorganized, and long waits are common. My impression is that this pharmacy is woefully understaffed, and their computer system prone to inconsistencies. Also, this location is overrun with rude, hyperentitled Cambridge jerks who unabashedly cut line, often by starting a second line (and play dumb when you call them on it, because, after all, there are two windows open). Or they just step in front of you when you stand far enough back to respect other customers' privacy, because "they're in a hurry" (as if you don't have a train to catch too). Be prepared to stand up to them or wait another 20 minutes (or both, as peasants like you should know their place and defer to more important people.) read more

Multiple times I have made a point to call the pharmacy and ask if my prescription is ready. Each time they say it will be ready in 30 minutes, and I tell them that's great and I will be there in hour or two. When I arrive it is NEVER ready. I am told to wait 5 minutes and end up waiting at least 30 minutes. I am understanding and would not be upset if told upfront the true wait time, or even if I was treated with the absolute baseline of kindness that one expects as a customer. I really would love for the pharmacists so take a more customer-centric approach..I know others who feel the same. read more

The 24-hour pharmacy alone is worthy of a 5-star review. The overnight pharmacist is really respectful if you come in sweaty,disheveled and traumatized asking for Plan B. read more

Normally I would argue that there is nothing to distinguish one CVS from another, but I have to say, the pharmacists at this CVS are super nice, and it regularly adds to my experience. One time I needed a prescription in advance because I was going on a trip, and the pharmacist took care of the whole thing for me with my insurance company! Thanks! Also, extra points for having a minute clinic, although it makes me a little afraid when I go in there. Do any of those people have swine flu?!?? But seriously, it's good. read more

I love this CVS. It's clean, well lit and 24 hours. The employees are pleasant and I can always get what I want. Parking too! read more

This is a review for the Minute Clinic at this location. I was weary of dropping in here but I was leaving for vacation in a few hours and had an earache that I didn't want to worsen and felt better having it checked out. I loved the NP - clearly someone who loves her job and is happy to be where she is and doing what she is doing. Friendly, personable, caring and with great suggestions. She helped me pick out a natural and affordable home remedy to help me for the next few days and told me to come back within 5 days for a follow up and let me know that if it is within 5 days, I will not have to pay another co-pay. I will definitely be back here for any minor medical needs! Convenient, accepts my insurance (but is still affordable if you do not have insurance) and with a caring and eager provider. read more

So I love the fact it's open 24 hrs -- and if you actually buy stuff when it's on "Sale" for CVS extracare members, the prices are fairly decent. Plus their aisle of random stuff has provided some hilarious gifts. Where else can I get a cheeseboard and a knife that says "cheese" or a fondue pot in the shape of a giant heart!? Pharmacy wise, I've never dealt with lines that long and I usually can get a prescription filled in 15 minutes or less. Only thing that's mildly irksome is the HUGE receipt you get after checking out. Yes, all the coupons are great but I rarely end up using them and they must go through so much paper. I wish they were like shaws and only gave me coupons for things I actually bought. read more

Unprofessional and not deserving of the one star you need. They would not honor my nurse practitioners okay of a prescription he is licensed to renew. They would not honor the actual law. They refused me my medication. They refused me my medicine. They did not honor the law of the approval because the woman who called didn't like that i didn't like that they questioned my filling multiple prescriptions at one time after i'd done i there over 20 times previously - and legally, and normally - with no problem. I know their PR firm - matter communications - and they do good work so i feel bad for them because i'm calling my connections at the Boston Globe and CBS News in New York to report a national chain denying medicine and refusing to honor the authorization of a licensed, authorized professional. I won't ever buy a q-tip here again. The worst, most insulting and horrifying abuse of power I have ever been involved with. read more

Worst experience ever with Minute clinic... I think the nurses here have little very poor work ethics. This review is only for minute clinic, not the other staff members, some of whom are great. I needed minute clinic for immigration purpose only, and it's a 2 visit test. During my 1st visit, the nurse took exceptionally long time with the patient ahead of me, maybe she was chit chatting with her. She opened the room only after I knocked the door. I personally felt it was unprofessional of me to knock on the door. Also, she was suppose to make a follow-up appointment for 2nd visit, which she did not do (as I learned later). 2nd visit, the nurse closed the appointment at 6:15 pm itself, whereas the stores are suppose to stay open till 7 pm. There are just too many unsaid rules here, like you must knock on the door to register, come 45 minutes early but still reservations can be closed. Also, nobody informed me that 2nd continuation visit can be performed at other CVS store. I wish if Management makes notice & improve CVS service. read more

OK Let me just say that it is highly unlike me to Yelp about a Cvs.. Cvs has always either overwhelmed me with crap on top of more crap OR underwhelmed me by waiting in line or buying a can of pringles with half missing. No, a place like CVS never would have made it on my lists but oh my lord I was floored by the service today that I would feel guilty not telling the damn world about it. I recently went on a camping trip of sorts this past weekend and caught the plague ( flu/sinus/temp the whole 9 yards) and had to miss a day of work. On my deathbed at 6pm the boss-man asks me to bring in a docs note and I'm thinking " wow the economy is bad but this is crazy" Sooo after freaking out because I am WITHOUT a docs note I dig through the brambles of advice given to me in the past ... something about a Minute clinic? Hmmm... google time.... CVS has a CLINIC?? Next day before I go to work I go to this CVS and find a little mini clinic inside the place.. It felt like Alice in Wonderland seriously! Heather, the Nurse P there was the NICEST, sweetest, Coolest lady and she made the whole check in, (easy with or without Health Insurance FYI) visit and prescription process soo smooth and at the same time was very thorough with making sure I took the best damn care of myself before I left! You don't feel like you are out in the open in the room itself, it actually feels like an exam room in any hospital/clinic just about anywhere ( and surprisingly cleaner too!) I was in and out of the place in UNDER AN HOUR with scrip in hand , cough drops, and even a bag of Doritoes (cuz why the fuck not?) Oh and of course the doctor's note... I asked Heather for a note for my employer and she printed out a 10 page report! She even looked up my Primary care Physician in her database and put her name on it too! I can't speak highly enough about the care I got, the FAST service I got and the way I was treated by everyone at the clinic/pharmacy this morning. All other CVS stores in my book are closed ! read more

Particularly rude male Pharmacist working on the overnight shift. Has a particular problem releasing some prescribed medications. Also the only pharmacist that charges for a bag to carry medications. Although I have complained to the pharmacy manager there has been no change. I was told that some of the pharmacists have a problem releasing prescribed controlled substances and the pharmacy did nor understand the reason why. I would change pharmacies but this is the only one in the area open 24 hours and the overnight hours are often the most convenient for my schedule. read more

1 star for the prescription service. 5 stars for the minute clinic. 2 stars for the check-out. 4 stars for the passport photo service. 4 stars for the rest of the store. 5 stars for location and parking. Try to avoid doing prescriptions here. I have tried 3 or 4 times, and each time it was a disaster. Not even once did it go smoothly! I have finally given up with these guys. Go to Skenderian, or somewhere else. The Minute Clinic is one of my favorite things about CVS. I have actually only used the service once, but I love that they can do so much without having to go to the hospital. If you have a killer sore throat on the weekend, this is the place to go. Insurance companies like it, too, so you don't have to pay much. I actually just paid my regular $10 primary care copay and they billed insurance and dealt with the rest all on their own. They even called me 2 days later to follow up. I really appreciated that. If you're looking for a late evening passport photo, this is the place to go. 15 minutes and you're set. You just have to track down one of the photo guys (just ask). The check-out part annoys me because they have so many self-check-outs, and so few real people. But the wait isn't usually too long... They also sell Odwalla bars, which I appreciate. read more

Long story short, my pharmacy is Rite Aid but when they didn't have my prescription on site, they sent the order over to CVS in Porter Square. Fine, no big deal. I stood in line for 20 minutes & when I finally got to the counter, they said my prescription wasn't ready yet. Okay, I'm definitely annoyed but fine. They were busy, so I understood. So I occupied myself for the next 15 minutes or so. Then, my name was called. I went up to the counter and was told I had to wait in line again. Now, I'm definitely annoyed. So, another 10 minutes goes by. Now, it's my turn and the guy tells me I don't have insurance. I inform him that I do have insurance, give him my insurance card and wait for him to come out of the back from doing whatever he's doing on the computer with my insurance card. He comes back and tells me he can't do anything with this card, I need my pharmacy card (which I don't have with CVS because I use Rite Aid as my pharmacy) & then tries to charge me $160! When I asked why my information wasn't transferred over with the prescription, he said "Oh we don't do that. It only works CVS to CVS, not an outside pharmacy to CVS. Well, wouldn't it have been nice, and a hell of a time saver, had they told me that to begin with!? Needless to say, I walked out of there without my prescription & I will never use them for anything pharmacy related ever again. Such a waste of time and absolutely no communication. read more

The entrance closest to Mass Ave is locked pretty early in the evening. It's the most fun to stand near and watch confused people try to walk in, complain about how its supposed to be 24 hours and then walk away frustrated. Other than that, this is the most normal CVS ever. Pharmacy can be a bit busy, but that's what happens at stores. read more

My review is about the CVS Porter Square Minute Clinic. Can we first off call it a 90 Minute Clinic? That's how long I waited with 4 people in front of me. I think I was expecting a shorter wait due to the general nature of "I have a strep throat/water retention/pink eye" type of ailments they treat. I wasn't too upset over it. I went grocery shopping at the Shaw's next door and came back with two folks in front of me. What stunned me was when I saw the girl resident in attendance, she let me know the fact that no Minute Clinics in Massachusetts prescribe antibiotics for bronchitis. "Their research has shown that for most people it goes away on its own," the girl told me. That's fabulous, because I get bronchitis every year, at least once. I've accepted this terrible fact. The one time I didn't get antibiotics for my bronchitis it developed in pneumonia. That was a great progressively deteriorating health two and a half months. Study abroad kids, it helps to sneak forbidden medication. I try to explain my situation. The girl says if my symptoms show bronchitis and I ::really:: want the antibiotics, they could do a "refer out" where they can send me to an outside source where I can get them, without a charge on my part. At this time it was later Friday afternoon, and the clinics I knew of were already closed, and wouldn't reopen until Monday. I rather not wipe out my savings due to corporate foolery so I can't go to an E.R.. I ask and take the things she ::can:: give me, which is basically symptom relief. An inhaler and cough syrup with codeine, because I'm not sleeping due to the cough. The visit costs me $89, and the prescriptions about $64. Where this review loses points is during the instances where i would tell the girl MEDICAL INFORMATION, and she not fill in the electronic form asking about that particular piece of information. This includes previous medical conditions and symptoms I was describing to her. How the hell are you not remembering me telling you asthma and basic symptoms. The girl on duty oozed incompetence and I can only hope now, reflecting back, I was prescribed the right SYMPTOMATIC RELIEF. After all, actually fixing my illness would be too much to ask, wouldn't it CVS/Minute Clinic Corporate. Monday cannot come fast enough. read more

CVS porter walks the fine line between "kill me now" and "you are my everything". the pros: open 24 hours *rarely* out of anything right off the T minute clinic great savings with your rewards card 2 self checkout aisles the cons: everyone knows about the pros so it is almost always crowded. the line at the pharmacy is always long and always slow moving read more

I havent been to a doctor's office in a couple of years. I went to this location because trying to set up an appointment with a primary care physician in Boston was VERY annoying. Hands down, this doctor was fantastic. She gave me a full screening for strep throat, checked my temperature, breathing, heart rate, blood pressure. There was no line, she was super professional and kind. It was 65$ for the appt. And about 15$ for the quick strep test, $30 for the lab test. Go here! read more

My gym is right above CVS and I've been coming in for years. I'm fine with the inventory and there are great sales; my beef is the store design. I never really thought much about the cramped aisles (or the fact that there are boxes of unpacked inventory piled up later on the evening) until my husband was recovering from surgery and was on crutches for nearly two months. He was treated rudely by a couple of shoppers, who made it clear that being on crutches was no excuse for not moving more quickly out of their way. That's not the store's fault, but they just had a big re-design and it's still the same cramped place. I don't know what exactly they did other than to swap some aisles and put milk cases up at the front. The aisles are tight for two able-bodied people, and I think it's kind of odd that a pharmacy, of all places, didn't consider wider aisles for the less physically able when making changes. I think we'll stick to our store in the burbs. read more

Order some photo prints. The prints are totally unacceptable but the photo lab supervisor denied my refund request. This is my first print at CVS photo and I feel so bad for this shopping experience. Their 100% satisfaction guarantee is a joke. read more

Yesterday, I went to CVS and asked one of the workers where gauze was, one of the employees said he would show me, we walked and he showed me dental guards, I was looking at the employee; and the man said can you please stop starring at me I am disabled and I don't like it. I apologized and said I was deaf and I couldn't hear him. He said he didn't know what I was saying when I said gauze. So I asked two more employees and they did the same thing and was going to get a key for it. One employee was on his phone... while I was trying to talk to him.... read more

Somewhat difficult layout - not exactly sure how to enter, whether you go from the T side or the Shaw's market side. Otherwise, pretty much just like other CVSes. read more

This one is a larger CVS/Pharmacy that is located in a nice shopping plaza. It is great because the Pharmacy is huge with a lot of pharmacists working and there's also a minute clinic inside which I frequent when in need of shots for school. It's also a 24 hour establishment which is always convenient. A lot of other reviewers have talked about bad service or long lines but I've not come across that at all. If anything, I always thought that their was a lack of traffic inside? The shelves are always stocked at this location. The best parts are that it has a huge parking lot that is shared by a lot of other stores which I also shop at. Though I have to admit.. the parking spots for cars are very small.. I'm always afraid someone will ding my car when they open their doors or something you know? The minute clinic is the best here. Rarely do they ever have a line of more than 3 people waiting, a lot of times there's no one. It's also good because you don't need an appointment, just a walk in which is very convenient. read more

Normally I consider myself biased in favor of CVS because I worked at a few CVS's in my high school and college days. So in general I really like CVS and all their extra care coupons and discounts. But this store itself only gets 3 stars because it is not one of the better CVS's. The people who work the registers are very slow and are never happy to be there, except of course when they are chatting with someone for 10 minutes holding up the line. And if you go most of the time during the day, there will be a line. So I guess the good thing about it being a 24 hour store is that you can get your shopping done at midnight because that is when you wont have to worry about encountering a line. I try to use the self-check out when available but that usually has a long line too and sometimes only one of them is turned on. I also have the constant problem that they are frequently out of things I need and they do not carry some random items that they have at most CVS's. I also really dislike the store's layout. The main candy/seasonal aisle runs all the way from the front to the back of the store without the center aisle to walk through. This prevents people from being able to easily walk from one end of the store to other without dealing with the crazy lines in the front and the crowds by the pharmacy. I know it may sound like a petty complaint, but during busy times where the front of the store is like a mob scene, it gets annoying to have to fight through the crowd rather than just cut through the middle. read more

Given that this is a CVS, certain low standards already apply, the most irritating of which is the narrow high-shelf aisle layout mandated by Corporate, a layout that makes you feel that you are a little mouse running through a maze; I can't count the number of times I've found myself moving in circles. Thanks to Caremark's attempt to vertically integrate prescription services, my Caremark insurance financially penalizes you by imposing higher co-payments if you take your business to a store that tries to adapt more flexibly to the neighborhood around it. So much for the free market. For a few years I really tried to use CVS pharmacy services but in the end I just couldn't take it anymore. The last straw was the Great Flu Shot Cluster of 2013 which befell the Porter Square CVS. During flu season one weekday in January, people flocked in droves to this CVS waiting for a simple shot. The place was such a mess that the pharmacists started handing out pieces of paper that they had scribbled numbers on. I got number three-hundred-and-something. They were on number fourteen at the time and only one pharmacist was giving the shots. You'd think with the amount of loot that CVS was taking in that night, they would bring in another pharmacist or two, but they were too busy filling other prescriptions. People actually went selling and buying numbers. I thought I was in a bread line in Hooverville. Three hours later it was announced that they had run out of shots. So, if you like being treated like cattle, keep using this CVS. read more

This one is about my local CVS. I like the discount coupons. Despite all their candy there's no PEZ! But they have overpriced croutons. Logo aside , CVS and Walgreens look the same. And Target is trying really hard. This red, white and Helvetica overuse is lame. Writing about CVS makes me feel like a fucktard. read more

I was just waiting at the minute clinic for over an hour, and the nurse skipped over me to attend to other patients and her grouchiness was very apparent. I was no longer able to wait and left without being attended to. It was really unfortunate to feel unsupported by the medical staff. read more

My review is for the CVS Minute Clinic. I needed to visit the Minute Clinic in order to quickly get a TB test required for a new job. When I walked into CVS, I quickly found the location of the Minute Clinic. However, I walked by the check-in kiosk so the customer who came in behind me got in the que first. Thus, my wait time was set for about 40 minutes. Grrr. Once inside the clinic, the nurses administered the test quickly and efficiently. I had to pay $27 out of pocket as the Clinic doesn't take insurance for TB tests. Others services are covered. On my return visit to have the test read, I had a shorter wait time (about 5-10 minutes) and was out of the clinic with official documentation of my test results in about another 5 minutes. My only complaints about the CVS Minute Clinic are that the wait times can be long if you arrive after other patients (because the clinic itself is only one small room with 1-2 staff), and that the nurses on my first visit told me the wrong hours! The website has accurate clinic hours. The CVS Minute Clinic is worth checking out if you need general services fast and/or don't have a primary care physician who is able to see you. read more

Wish can give this Cvs 0 star. Only because this short hair mid 20's unhappy miserable girl working as cashier. Every time she helps me on the register is just such an unpleasant moment. No hi, no bye, not even a tiny smile...Glad Target open at Porter. Def switching stores... sorry, not sorry CVS!! read more

Chillingly numb big corporation sending out blizzards of bait and switch coupons. Telling that it has no customer service number. Clueless store employees try to explain deliberate stock outs and in store premium prices on couponed items. I don't blame them. This is an evil, manipulative company. Hope covid makes them pay. read more

The pharmacy wait times here are far too long. The staff is ok. Not bad, not great. I They always seem to be short staffed though. read more

I was in line at the Porter Square CVS. I was behind a gentleman who was being helped by an associate at the pharmacy, who I later learned the employee name was John. The cvs associate was very rude and inpatient with the customer. He said in a loud tone which we could all hear in line that he had to pay 300.00. In which time the customer then explained he had insurance. read more

I have been coming to this particular CVS for almost four years now and have rarely ever had problems. The pharmacy staff has always been friendly and polite and once a month always has my prescription on time. I don't understand where all these bad reviews of the pharmacy are coming from. I always call my prescription in at least an hour before I go to pick it up and it's always ready. I've never seen the line with more than two people in front of me (even at noon or just after leaving work when it's usually busy) I would give the pharmacy five stars. I have been to the minute clinic here only once and probably would not go again unless I had no other choice. The wait was horrific, almost three hours even with an appointment. So if you have an actual problem or are in serious pain, consider just going to a real emergency clinic or the ER. The doctor was rude, distracted, and did not seem to take my problem seriously. She seemed completely unconcerned and actually rather annoyed and did not diagnose anything or even do anything to alleviate my symptoms. She recommended I just take an ibuprofen, which I had told her I'd already taken three. A complete waste of time and a copay. I ended up just going to a real clinic the next day for actual help. Zero stars for the clinic. As far as the store itself is concerned, it's alright. It's convenient because it's right in Porter Square, next to the train station, plenty of parking for those who need it, and they're open 24hrs. They have 4 self checkout lanes beside the normal registers. The only issue I've had with the store is the staff can sometimes be suffocating. If you go in late at night (like between 11:30pm and 4am), sometimes the staff will just leave the register and blatantly just follow you down the isles and pretend to count stock in the shelves while side eyeing you, as if you are going to try to steal something. It has made me feel very unwelcome at times but it happens rarely. The greeter who works there is also rather a nuisance. I understand his purpose in the store and why they hired him but he is the most annoying person that works there. He constantly gets in the way of people trying to enter and exit the store as he will literally step directly into your path and violate your personal space in order to greet you, and then he will continue to follow you several steps into the store to ask how your day was and what you're looking for, even as you are obviously trying to just get away from him and into the store. I just want to buy my stuff quickly and leave. He also seems incapable of reading when people simply do not want help or to be bothered. Sometimes I am in a rush and he goes out of his way to stop me and try to start conversation. I have seen other customers spot him and turn right around to use the other exit in order to avoid him. Not everyone wants to talk to the store greeter and management needs to explain that to him. Especially near the self checkout. I use the self checkout because sometimes I just don't want to interact with anyone and have to fake pleasantries. I just want to pay for my stuff and go home. Leave the self checkout customers alone! Three stars for the store. Two stars on the days they have the greeter working. Also it would be nice if the store was a little more strict about the homeless people who hang around by the door out front. They can be particularly aggressive and rude some days, catcalling women and harassing people who don't want to buy one of their newspapers or give them change. This also only happens on occasion but I would find it hard to believe if CVS haven't gotten complaints about it. read more

Pharmacists are good people, but the rest of the store is run by buffoons. How can they consistently make simple purchases such a complicated and painful process? Its hard to say, but they accomplish it every time. The real fun is in the queueing process, sort of Saigon airlift meets DMV. This place might just be a reality TV experimental pilot inspired by Andy Kaufman. Enjoy. read more

This is probably the best CVS I have been to because they have great customer service. Even my dog likes to come here because the people are so nice to him! read more

First of all, the place is open 24 hours, so that's awesome. The pharmacists here are never too busy to take the time to talk with patients, and they always seem to have my prescriptions filled when I arrive, so I would recommend it even though it's a very busy store. read more

Routinely runs out of my (very common) monthly prescription. Does not notify me, blames supplier, worst customer service. Find a local or more client-centric pharmacy. read more

The actual pharmacy at this CVS is horrendous. Every time I go, there are 8 people working but only 1 manning the register. And half the time that 1 person seems stoned. When I need to pick up a prescription, I need to carve out at least 15 minutes just to wait in line. I might switch try another CVS very soon but I'll give this one more try because it's the most convenient location for me. URGH! read more

Horrible! I've been going here for a few years because of lack of options, and they seem to always disappoint! From being unorganized, unprofessional, and sometimes incredibly rude, its time to try the new Walgreens across the street. Not to mention that there have been a few occassions when they couldn't even fill my prescription fully, and never notified me in advance. This CVS has turned into a real dump! If you want to be aggravated, on top of whatever ailment you're having, go there! And that's just the pharmacy section, the store itself isn't great either. People are less than helpful, and honestly a little "off". read more

I'm sitting here struggling to breath waiting for my inhaler. I've had the same insurance for six years and they claim I have a new one. Do you know how heart breaking it is for someone to tell you they won't give you your medication that keeps you alive. read more

Otherwise known as that CVS in Porter Square. I love everything about this CVS. Wonderful selection, huge upscale foreign skin products, large magazine section, & 24-hour service. I could hang out here all evening long. read more