(Shopped 07/07/26 TU @ 6:00pm, 05/30/2026 SA @ 1:00pm, 05/25/26 MO @ 11:00pm, and several times…read moreyears ago): Meet my friend Ralphs!
For whatever reasons, I've visited Ralphs' Burbank San Fernando Blvd. location on numerous occasions over the past couple of months. I was usually in the area for business and work, but something triggered me to reintroduce myself to this location I frequented when I worked at Sport Chalet in the Burbank Media Center Mall ages ago. Of all the grocery chains, I favored the Ralphs brand the most initially because my family shopped there all the time, but I also felt that their prices were generally lower than everyone else, they had better promotional sales, and their stores seemed more inviting. After these recent trips, would I continue to foster a bond with this Ralphs location or would I ralph at the idea!?
PURCHASE(S)
07/07/26 TU ($54.76): On this most recent trip, I went crazy and bought six bags of chips because they were all on sale; my favorite Kettle Brand and an Asian brand named Calbee which I really enjoyed on a recent Japan vacation. Their 6pk romaine hearts were always a good deal at $1.00/heart. Their family-sized shredded cheese bag was always a staple for me, and then whatever randomness to fill the cabinets or day-olds for a quick meal.
05/30/26 SA ($25.88): Some bread for mom, more Kettle Brand potato chips, a couple of boxes of my favorite Yogi tea, and any random day-olds I found for quick meals to simply explore.
05/25/26 MO ($8.10): During this review, I've determined what brought me here after all of these years! After an evening of drinking and hanging out at a brewery in the city of San Fernando, I needed some inexpensive food (no fast food) on my way home, and my usual Glendale Ralphs location was out of the way, I hoped this location offered the same options. Thankfully, they did, and so an 8pc Ralphs Home Chef Baked Chicken for $4.95 and a 12oz Kroger Chicken Salad for $3.15 was exactly what I was looking for - boom!
SERVICE
I meticulously roamed the aisles as I tried to reacquaint myself with this updated version of a bygone time, and I found my intended purchases easily thanks to the proper hanging signage and shelf-talkers. Other than the friendly, efficient checkers at the registers, I explored freely as I dealt with no one else which was fine by me - thank you!
PARKING
(FREE) They had their own private lot (a former seafood buffet restaurant that has been closed for years still existed on the property) on a spacious corner, there was plenty of parking - 'nuff said!
ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE
Noticeably smaller than their "standard" stores, this was your basic grocery store layout with multiple uniformed aisles, promotional end-caps, table displays, a floral/gifts area, and cashiers ready to take your money. I think it also housed a pharmacy and possibly the ubiquitous Starbucks. A decent amount of natural lighting came in through the large front glass doors and windows while soul-sucking fluorescent electric ceiling lights filled in the rest. There were no TVs while music played in the background.
ATTIRE
Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops.
OVERALL
Burbank's San Fernando Blvd. Ralphs' location was very convenient in each of these cases, served my immediate needs, and I would certainly shop again. However, because of the smaller footprint, I felt there were less day-old/reduced options. Everything was similar to any other major grocery chain with many familiar brand name products. The prices were comparable if not slightly lower than their competitors (sign up for their FREE rewards program), parking was easy, and the service was straightforward (I couldn't recall if they had self-checkout). I found very good value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $89.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, they accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 4.0 STARS