This review is for the customer service at the deli department, not the store in general. I always feel like I'm bothering the deli workers there. Last night I had to walk away because of the awful, cringeworthy experience I had. We ended up getting dinner somewhere else. The guy in front of me cut his order in half because apparently slicing salami is too labor intensive the deli worker said. When it was my turn, I got four complaints about the order I was making. Oh I have to cut the meats for that, oh I don't remember what's on that sandwich, oh you're gonna have to remind me, oh we don't have that kind of bread. In a very annoyed tone. I, the customer, felt unwanted, and I walked away. The meat selection they have is excellent over there at the deli too. But the workers make me not want to order at the counter. It's unfortunate. I've felt this way for a while too, last night wasn't my first negative experience. Feeling like I don't want to bother the workers goes back to pre-covid times. I have read similar reviews as well. Where there's smoke, there's fire. read more

This Safeway on the Castro Valley Blvd is the worst Safeway in the area. The workers seem to be very lazy or not doing their job. The freezer items defrost ever night. Un-edible after that. Milk section suspectly not cold. After 9pm isles are packed with restockers that are not pleasant . Store is a joke. Workers seem upset about working. It has been like this for years. Same restockers. Hmm. read more

This Safeway is in walking distance from my sister's house. This is fantastic, because I found out they were out of diapers when I babysat recently. Since I didn't have the car seats, we took a little walking field trip to the store. This location is smaller than the Safeway I shop at in San Jose, but this location was clean and looked relatively new. I didn't take the time to go up and down each isle to really give the store a good once-over, but the diaper section had what I needed, so that was all I was really interested in. I know it's not really Safeway's responsibility, but just so you know, there is no sidewalk out in front of the parking lot by the driveway entrance, so it's kind of tricky maneuvering up to the sidewalk with a 5 and 2 year old. read more

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I have been shopping here since I was a kid up until now (25 years). The customer service in this entire store has declined and I hope management reads this to help coach their employees. Last week I came in to the sandwich department and was treated horribly by a clerk that seemed to not be having a good day. Although the manager comped my meal as a way to compensate for the way I was treated, it still doesn't change the fact that there needs to be some improvements of the attitudes behind the counters. I stopped coming to the Starbucks here for almost 6 months because I got tired of the employees taking their frustrations out on me. I knew more about their irritation with management for shortening their breaks or no breaks at all, not enough coverage so they were forced to work longer shifts, etc. Their irritation was so intense that if you asked for too many modifications or mentioned the drink was incorrect, the loud huffing was enough to make you regret bringing it up. I understand there may be some injustices but its not ok to vent to customers and definitely not ok to take out on them either. I recommended that if management continued to violate the law, then they should pursue that with the appropriate parties like a lawyer or corporate. But things persisted and the attitudes did not improve, so I just took a break from coming to the store altogether. Today, and like many other times, I came in to the deli area and waited to be served. Made eye contact and smiled several times and was ignored. Not a "Hi there, we will be right with you" or anything. I heard the 2 employees that were behind the counter talking about being so board that they almost fell asleep, etc. After waiting for 10 minutes, I was finally greeted and served. My point about this review is that I have come not to expect being treated well when I shop here. Customer service is very lacking here and I hope it gets better. read more

Why did you take down my post? Negative review?? I need to keep an eye on my post to make sure they are not removed and so do you! Your deli is dirty. Counter tops need to be wiped down. If counter tops are filthy ...the kitchen is too! If I save the photos I will repost them. read more

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Deli is freaking ridiculously awful. Zero consistency making sandwiches. Often they use stale bread, walk your lazy employees to bakery every morning and get fresh bread. Employees roll their eyes , next one getting slapped read more

This is by far the best Safeway in the area. They have the best selection for premade sandwiches, cut fruit, bakery, and prepared hot food. The shelves are always properly stocked. They also have a good flower department. I live in Hayward, but come to Castro Valley for the Safeway. read more

Just came from there and was overcharged again for bulk items. Wrong item that's 14.99 lb vs 6.99 a lb. it makes a difference. It was not busy so I don't see what the problem was. Hickory smoked almonds are not 14.99 lb. Come here all the time and will beware, this is the second time. read more

Safeway - Grocery Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Ever since Albertsons bought Safeway it has gone downhill and doesn't look like it's gonna stop falling. Selection is way down, prices have gone higher, put items on ad and don't even have any in the store at 5 am. I used to shop Safeway all the time previous to Albertsons buying them out, but now it's gonna be hello LUCKY'S or Foidsco in Oakland. read more

I'm so over coming here. The lines get crazy and some of the staff are rude and speak in a condescending manner. This has happened multiple times. read more

The new self-service checkout system at Safeway does not show your item discounts until you select "Finish and Pay." It looks to the customer like the items chosen were not eligible for the discounts that were advertised back on the shelves. I wouldn't choose to "Finish and Pay" unless I thought the prices shown were correct, and with this system they don't seem to be. Safeway will have a lot of confused customers and incomplete transactions with the current payment flow. In addition to this technical problem, the staff at Safeway's E. Castro Valley Blvd. location are typically rude and I will not be going back. I'm fine with Safeway generally, as a company, but not this branch. read more

This Safeway may not have everything but it's 100% better then Redwood Road. Everything thing else go to Castro Valley Market.

The worst Safeway location. They are always out of things. The manager Patrick is not fair and he is a terrible manager. He is not customer service oriented. Avoid this store. read more

Customer curbside pick is my savior. I have a disability and walking is challenging. I've shopped here lots and have used store provided electric cart. It helped me a lot and appreciate its available at stores. Last night, I shopped online and picked up curbside this morning. The easiest shopping ever for me with my disability. My new way of shopping from now on and I couldn't be more grateful for making my life as mom a little easier. Thank you, Safeway! read more

I bought a probiotic for $24.99 a bottle on a bye one get one free at the Dublin Safeway problem was they did not have another bottle so they gave me a Safeway rain check for the free bottle said come back so I did days later but still no free bottle or honor the rain check. So I went to the Safeway in Castro Valley found the exact item and at 4:15 who ever is the store manager she refused to take the Safeway raincheck saying it was only good at the Dublin store. The issues that come to mind that Castro Valley has no trouble getting the stuff while Dublin says it is supplier problem. But Dublin would rewrite the rain check if the 90 days passed. Yet Dublin didn't offer to call me or call the supplier. They just kept the money and dumped the responsibility to me to follow up on their sale. More important this borders on financial fraud or deception no matter how small it is too them. Wonder if it was a refill of a prescription. Since has swindelling become legal. It seems practiced daily at Safeway. read more

Safeway - This is their rain check captioned Safeway Raincheck with their logo. - Grocery Near Me - Castro Valley, California

This is normally our home location and often we've had a great experience except for today around 626pm we were meet with abrasiveness and aggression as a female working employee who seemed frustrated that we returned back into the store to swap out some rotten oranges that we failed to notice and also a cheese we purchased that wasn't placed in our bag. Easy and a normal transaction with an oversight by both parties. Not a big deal. The cashier met us with an aggressive tone as to "why we needed to exchange the oranges and that either way we would have to keep the oranges" if this was explained in a reasonable manner and was due to current Covid protocols I would have no problem with that. Her tone was so aggressive that we replied "we're not keeping these oranges" she then replied "if you don't leave here with these oranges then don't ever come back to this store". When I asked to speak to the manager I was informed "you can't speak to him, he is on lunch". As I returned home I called and got the name of the manager which is Jordan so I can follow up with him. I would like to think this transaction doesn't reflect his leadership. Very disappointing as we have went here for years and often bring our entire family in. read more

Safeway here is quite small, the usual departments not present? (didn't look, just a hutch), the restroom and liquor section was all i looked for. this place has lots of liquors, more than CVS. buys: Drake's Dark Robusto (3.99) $2 off. -3 drakes to choose from -smooth, silky brew, 6.3% alc, no bitterness -lot of brews to choose from (usual safeway inventory). drips: -no long lines, checked out quick -last time here, this wasn't a safeway. 3.5 stars for the liquor selection read more

I can always count on this Safeway to be convenient, be open and have what I need. What else could you want? Pro tip is to arrange your own flowers and have them wrap it up with pretty paper and a matching ribbon. It's less busy than ALL other Safeways. read more

The cash register lady name Dorothy Is rude, unfriendly and when she bagged my groceries she threw everything in there smashed my muffins. Put raw meat with my vegetables She's very inconsiderate. read more

This is definitely my go to Safeway in the area for my shopping needs. I was so sad when the PW shut down but then Safeway came in and saved the day. While it is not as large as the one down the way, I find it to be a little less crowded. Even if the parking lot is busy, you can always find a space at this location. What I like: -meat counter: They usually have 1 inch thick bone in rib-eyes already cut. This is something I have to ask to have done at other grocery stores. Their selection of dry rubs is also good- they will add it before they wrap it for you to take away. Makes the BBQing easier when you do not have to do anything except get the grill going. -Marinade selection: This is just me, but I like the location being on the end aisle right after you make your way through the meat area. Makes it intuitive. -Pre-cut veggie selection: For my lazy cooking days. I like all the choices they have- keeps me cooking at home instead of ordering take out. -Service: Friendly cashiers and baggers. ***Super Bonus: There is always a bagger! I am so sick of going to grocery stores and feeling guilty if I do not bag. That is part of what I am paying for at a Safeway, right?*** What I don't like: -The layout of the produce. The organics (which I don't buy) are in the middle of the non-organics. I feel like they put them there to fool me into buying the more expensive stuff. -Lines can get quite long. I find my self pushing the cart one more time around the store to wait until they die down. The extra twenty bucks worth of stuff I thrown in the cart is usually not a good find =) -Biggest Dislike!!!! The layout of the parking lot. The aisles are bi-directional and narrow which means it can be a pain to navigate around the large truck parked and the person driving at you that want to be in the middle of the lane. They repainted or re-paved the lot before they opened so they had the opportunity to fix this problem that was present at the PW. Overall, this is a great place to shop and as long as it is open I can avoid the unnamed grocery near Bay Fair as long as I live here! read more

I was in self checkout and a bottle fell and broke on my foot. The woman at self checkout ask what broke, I told her a bottle of water. She said nothing and kept talking to an employee about watermelon. My foot was bleeding but I waited for them to finish talking and asked for a napkin for my foot. She just looked at me and after a minute handed me a napkin. Then she said "just leave so I can clean it" I usually shop at the other Safeway and incidence like today are why I do. The staff here is short tempered and rude. read more

Well, this Safeway is rather small and in the middle of a somewhat busy and popular shopping plaza. There are a couple entrances that seem really close to each other, All of the departments (bakery, deli, floral, etc.) are really small and tight and the arrangements somehow confused me a few times. However, I was still able to find what I needed (and I don't really buy that much in the first place). Parking is pretty decent on the plus side of things. But overall, not likely a location I would come back to anytime in the near future. read more

The employees here are incredibly rude and confrontational. You'll hear something rude, dimeaning, and condescending everything you go through checkout, guaranteed. I've also felt profiled against on a number occasions. There's clearly something wrong with the way management is running things. It's a lawsuit waiting to happen. We don't want your hate in our neighborhood. Get out! read more

As clean as this Safeway is, I much prefer going to the one downtown... but when in a rush for something, this place will do. Not only do they run out of products quite often, the customer service needs some work. On several occasions that I've asked for help about something, I usually just get pointed in the general direction, "that way" then silence as he/she disappears (an aisle would've been nice). Once when I got red potatoes here, 5 out of the 6 that I bought were rotten in the core. Maybe I just have really bad luck at choose potatoes but 5 out of 6? Another would be recently that there's a Just for you deal for McCormick A to Z or Gourmet Spices ($2 OFF, 0.43 to 3.62- oz, limit 2). I got a McCormick spice and I added it to my list. It didn't work at the register, so I showed it to my cashier but she said that it's only for Gourmet McCormick Spices. I doubled checked it and saw the OR, which she kind of just ignored. At that point, since I already was in a rush to get to a meeting, I didn't bother arguing it with her. It maybe just $2 but every penny saved is a penny earned. I'm just glad I'm only in the area of this Safeway for a few weeks. I'd have my parents go to the one downtown if they can. Final Thoughts: Come ready with coupons memorized and time to point things out. read more

This Safeway has really gone downhill, which is disappointing since it is the location closest to us and the other Castro Valley Safeway is always crowded with long lines. Yesterday when I went, it did not have three of the six items I was looking for in stock and the veggies did not look fresh. On top of that, checking out was a disaster. The cashier was talking with his hands (i.e., not moving the groceries forward) with the one person ahead of me. After this continued for about five minutes, I put my groceries back in the cart and went to a different checkout counter. I will not shop there again. Prefer Lucky, where there is seldom a long line and staff are helpful and work efficiently. read more

Came here to pick up a cake my mom had preordered for my dad's birthday. Since it's so close, I just slipped out of the party and went down the hill real quick. This really helped since a) it was a surprise party and b) we wouldn't have had enough room in the fridge for a half sheet of cake! Upon pick-up, the lady showed us the cake, finished boxing it up and offered us help out. I brought my sister along since we needed to pick up ice cream also, so no help was needed. The cake itself was super cute (see Cars cake photo. It was strawberries with custard and a whipped cream frosting. We have ordered cakes from Chinatown bakeries that have way more strawberries, but for the convenience factor of Safeway, I was pretty impressed! Half a sheet fed our entire party of about 25, with about 5 slices left over. Another bonus of Safeway is that they had a sale going on - buy a half sheet for the cost of quarter sheet! read more

Safeway - Cars themed cake (candle not included) - Grocery Near Me - Castro Valley, California

This store is seriously in need of some customer service training. There was no one at the bakery counter at all and when I asked the deli worker for help, I got "not my department". Then when checking out, if the checker and sacker could give a $&"" that I was even there you wouldn't know it. They were carrying on an in-depth conversation in Spanish and couldn't be bothered. I asked if they could take something back for me I got read the riot act! The most rude employees I've ever experienced. Never going back to this store and likely not any Safeway. Too many stores with good customer service to put up with this! read more

I ordered my cake and flowers for my baby shower at Safeway in Castro Valley and I was not disappointed! Jackie at the floral department and Serena in Bakery did an amazing job! Jackie was amazing because she also decorated my two tier cake with Fresh flowers that I ordered! Absolutely stunning! Please see photo attached! read more

Safeway - Grocery Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Night manager refused service when I declined to allow cashier to swipe my id. Unfortunately, I am obviously over 21. I have never experienced this invasive practice before. I dont believe there is an explanation to justify this. If this is a practice adopted by safeway, I may have to shop at a different market. read more

This Safeway always is my favorite! People are nice, bakeries is good, and place is neat, but tonight experience is kind of awkward and embarrassing. Went to the self-check out line, the lady at the self-check front registry wasn't looking very friendly. After I scanned my items, it came to a bottle of wine, the system glitched and she came at me clicked something and walked away very impolite; then I scanned another bottle and she came at me again, clicked something and walked away again angrily! I thought she fixed it for me, but it turned out she stopped me angrily, jaw dropping, and eye wild opened "you need to pay for the wine"! What???! You should have told me when you were doing something on the system. I decided to drop the wine to her and leave. Very unpleasant experience ever the first time at this Safeway! I hope the Safeway Management can train the self-check employees how to respect and instruct the customers better! read more

I like Safeway than any other grocery stores we have around here in Castro Valley. Lately however, the items that they have on sale are not very fresh. For example, we had bought eggs from them twice when 2 to 3 in a carton of 18 are rotten. read more

This is a good Safeway...much better than the one on Redwood and Castro Valley Boulevard. However, with that being said, there is one cashier who needs to retire. She's rude, abrupt and barks orders at customers. If you happen to say something back, she will in no uncertain terms let you know she could care less. She's African-American and older...maybe it's time to retire if you're not happy doing what you're doing. I shop there on a regular basis and will absolutely not go through this woman's line. I would leave my groceries and come back later if that was my only option. Other than her, great store! read more

They usually have everything I am looking for. I like the late hours, and employees there are always saying hello and asked how we are doing. Since this is a market closest to my mom's house. They always address her by name. Most fruits are very fresh. Deli, fish, meat department are all great. read more

I rarely write reviews and they are bad of course. I wanted to take a few moments to shot out Lisa in the bakery. My daughter was turning 7 and we needed a cake fast. We ordered at safeway E castro valley and the cake came out fabulous! Great Job Lisa my daughter loved the cake! The whole birthday was a success being it was a spooky Halloween theme. It did not only look good it tasted great! I would highly recommend anyone to purchase cakes from this location. It was made within about 48 hours. Thank you! read more

Safeway - Monique Pauly enjoyed her Halloween themed birthday cake! Thanks Safeway bakery you rock! - Grocery Near Me - Castro Valley, California

Was in this Safeway July 4th at 745 AM at the deli counter. No other customers in the area but could not get any of the 8 employees working in the deli to even acknowledge I was standing there much less to take a deli order. read more

This safeway is currently staffed well but not one person to be found at the sandwich bar. You can wait there, wave to staff, but never get a response. Otherwise the store is stocked well and kept clean. They just need better and more responsive staff at the front line. read more

I always forget about this store. It never fails. When I'm leaving my parents' house on Kelly st. in Hayward, despite it being closer, I just never think about turning right to go to the grocery store. This one in particular doesn't pose any real benefit from any other Safeway apart from its proximity from my parents' house. It is a smaller Safeway store, so there might be some limitations in the variety or quantity of certain products. I had one particularly long experience waiting for a sandwich because there was only one person busy making like 6 wraps for this guy. There were three or four people behind her that could have come helped me at any point, but they just kept on doing what they were doing. It was a little frustrating because I was trying to get going, but it turned out being an okay sandwich. read more

Their "fresh" produce is rotten, moldy and pure trash. This photo was taken ~5 hrs after purchase. read more

Safeway - bought these strawberries today and they're all rotten/moldy #nasty #badproduce #pisspoorquality - Grocery Near Me - Castro Valley, California

If your looking to get stuff in a hurry or something specific, don't go here! It will take you longer up top than lower Safeway due to poor staffing and they probably won't have what your looking for! The service here is really poor and I honestly have to say that it used to be better but dropped the ball seemingly overnight! read more

I frequent this location the most as it's the closest to my house. That aside, I must say this location is one of my favorites. It seems a bit smaller than the 2 other close locations (Redwood and Foothill), but they came in after PW shut down so they've made due with what they were given. Another reason I like this location is they carry some products that the other 2 usually don't. Food products seem to always be cycled in and out as needed, and things that need to be fresh are actually fresh. Most of the product has multiple options and not just one brand. The deli and meat area have a plethora of options. Another plus is they know what mortadella is AND they carry it! Their cheeses, deli meats, salads, etc. always look fresh. Meats are plentiful, the fish 9 times out of 10 don't smell fishy (sometimes it does, but not even that bad). Service overall is always pleasant. Some staff have kind of mastered the resting face, but I can usually get them to smile and engage. It's just not pleasant walking up to when I pay out... There are a few clerks who are true gems and I always try to seek them out if I'm not doing self-checkout. One thing I appreciate about the clerks on the express lane is they usually regulate 15 items or less. Big plus - they're NEVER rude about it. My 2.5 complaints are as follows: Some product is locked up, thanks to people who find it OK to steal. So now the rest of us have to suffer and try to find someone to unlock the case. My .5 complaint is that I hardly ever see a staff member walking around the store, which would help in this situation. You have to go to a line and request help, then wait (and sometimes waaaaiiiitttt). My other complaint is that their produce section is often low or completely empty of certain items. I understand that they're ordering based on sales, and don't want to waste money to have produce go bad. Jalapeños though should be stocked pretty heavily. Every time I've gone in, they're low in supply. There are a few other items that tend to be low or out, but overall they're stocked OK. The fruit selection is quite impressive, I must say! Will these concerns make me want to shop elsewhere? Absolutely not. Overall, I really enjoy this location. They're a pretty good model for how Safeways everywhere should be run. read more