This store sells moldy food. Bread and fruit, potatoes. You can't see it until you get home and use it. They are the only store in town and in the area so it seems like they don't care about the quality of their food or the customers. We need another store like Fred Myers to come to town. We live here now and the other Safeway's we have on the west side are 10 times better. Wake up Safeway. read more

I love Safeway no matter what, so automatic 3 stars. This is what I would call a vintage Safeway. I stopped here to pick up a pumpkin for my little brother on the way to CWU. Most of the pumpkins were ugly, broke, or no stem :/ (hmmm sounds like...) So I am not sure if they were just picked over or they got a bad selection. Anyways, thanks for the pumpkin Cle Elum Safeway! I am sure my brother will either smash you or forget you outside on his deck for the next 5months. Club Card Elite for life. read more

The deli was closing and I was trying to get a plastic spoon for my ice cream since I am staying at a hotel. The gal at the deli was super friendly and made sure I got what I was looking for. I didn't initially give her any eye contact but she went out of her way to reach out to me. I was very impressed by the stellar service. The closer on Saturday night. I wish I got her name. I really appreciate it when people go out of their way to help customers especially when they have a lot to do to wrap up their day. The safeway here is well stocked and very clean considering how busy they are. read more

We always stop at this Safeway when we head over to our place in Leavenworth from Seattle. We stop to get supplies and use the restrooms which, as of this writing, were just remodeled (nice because they used to be pretty skanky). The store is not like a Whole Foods or Metropolitan Market but they always have what we need and the people who work there are always friendly. read more

Five stars for customer service- this team went out of their way to make my shopping experience fantastic. literally everyone, up to the store director (leading by example!) helped out. Special thanks to Leah (sp?) and the other folks who really really REALLY put the customer first. read more

Quite a few customers were not wearing masks at this store. I was afraid to go through the checking lines, so went to customer service to purchase my items. Stores are legally suppose to mandate customers to wear masks in Washington State. When I complained to the manager, she stood two feet from me but didn't bother to pull her mask up over her nose. I would recommend Roslyn grocery or Trader Joe's in Issaquah if you want to be safe while shopping. read more

I have to agree with another reviewer (Karen I.). As a resident of Cle Elum I only shop at our local Safeway because it is the only grocery store to shop at. Noted for being the highest priced Safeway in Washington (and apparently proud of this) it is still a bit cheaper than making 50 mile round trips for milk and meat. Barely! Being a high tourist/freeway traffic store you would imagine that this would be a full-service shop or what Safeway calls a "Lifestyle" store. Not even close. No bakery, no seafood dept., limited deli, no pharmacy, and barely any floral dept.. Housed in a very old building, it has an inadequate parking lot and poorly placed entrance. Lack of expansion has created tight maneuvering room down aisles and around floor displays. Now, jump to June 2012 and the addition of liquor sales and "Yikes!" hardly even describes the situation. To make room for this high profit item, Safeway Co. decided that we could do with even less selection and so cut certain areas of their products to almost nothing. What is left is the bare bones in most departments; your choices now limited to 4 products rather than the old 8-10. Gone are specialty items and loads of non-food items (cosmetics, personal hygiene, school/office supplies, magazines/books, baby care, seasonal). In addition, the store is woefully understaffed during peak/busy times and, again, down to bare-bones staffing the rest of the time. Up side: There are some really nice, friendly employees here! Down side: Hope you get one! What with being expected to get the normal amount of work done in half the time, scrabbling for enough hours to survive on and bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo, the rest of the staff can't be blamed for being grouchy, frustrated, and defeated. Shop on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday and you will find loads of empty shelves from the previous weekend that just haven't been restocked yet. Wait till Friday and you will fight LONG lines, slow shop time, and, oh, the same empty shelves - because the product left after making room for liquor sales isn't readily available for ordering and hasn't come in yet! So, my final determination? Stop here if you have to for gas or bathroom breaks. You can pick up headache medication if the kids are driving you crazy or a box of crackers (plan on paying about 20% more). Oh, yeah - and don't forget your alcohol! But if you are looking for selection, out-standing service, super fresh items, or just need something different, well, you might want to try Safeway in Ellensburg (a Lifestyle store) or North Bend. At least if you want to keep your positive image of Safeway stores as a whole. read more

Safeway Pharmacist, Emily is and was aaaaaaamazing! It's true! Because of problems with communication with my health care provider, my prescription wasn't called in. Emily overheard my concerns with the Safeway Tech and jumped in to save the day for me! She personally called my health care providers AND gave me 5 day supply of my medication so I could leave that morning for my trip. Upon my return my RXs (minus my 5 day supply) were waiting for pick up. Now that is service! Thank you Emily and Safe way Pharmacy! read more

This place is such a college town! So... Before I go on, I'll give you another warning. I am a BOLD critique writer, and I review everything in details! If you can't handle it, don't bother reading, let alone find honesty in humanity. I brought 14 of my friends on a wine tour for the weekend, and we came here for grocery for the weekend we're staying at the mansion. Holy shit, it's a twig! It's smaller than we had expected, and they didn't have a larger selection in the meat section. There was no counter for meat and seafood. So, freshness has to only come from what's available inside the fridge section. I don't know if the folks ever maintain to clean the floors or stock up the shelves, but we had a bit of a hard time finding things around. When you ask one of the staff...they pretty much don't care about what's gonna happen next. Well, we didn't have much choice, as far as the closest grocery store to go to. Luckily it was our first AND our last! Holy shit people, if you really need to hate your job, QUIT! For goodness sake! Don't put your miserable work life into something you don't enjoy doing. Simple! read more

So I really like Safeway and shop there all the time, however last night I stopped because they had crab at a pretty good price. I asked for the carbs to be cleaned and the fellow said he would but it would be a dollar more a pound, I'm in my early seventies and in all my life I have never been asked by any store to pay to have crab cleaned. Is there no longer customer service left in this country or is it just about the almighty dollar. Very disappointed. read more

Gas is 20 cents cheaper here with your club card. This is my routine stop on my way to see the parents in Lake Chelan.

Thank you for your service in this trying time. In all this, the staff was helpful and nice when i could not find the season section.

Have you ever been to a gas station before? Me too! This one is just like all the others. The only difference is if you have to deal with the person in the booth be prepared to wait behind 4 people who either a) don't know what they want or how to do something or b) are local and chat about their kids or house or something. Once you do get to the booth you will be talking through fort Knox like security with all items passed through a bomb proof tray. Apparently Cle Elum is a mecca of scum and villainy. read more

Worst Safeway in Washington Never enough checkers always out of food and the food the do have is usually rotten

The deli section is a buffet of chicken wings twenty ways, fried chicken, rotisserie chicken, and a lot of mayonnaise based "salads" and I'm over here wondering like, where's the vegan stuff? They do have vegan cheese for a laughable $8 per lil packet and vegan sausage which I thought was Very Cool and Nice. The people shopping here fall into one of two categories: Very Vanilla or Scary Face Tattoos so that's pretty weird I guess. The mustard selection is PATHETIC, only like four types of mustard and in America it is essential we have so many options that we are confused and disheartened and in this case I felt like my hand was forced when it came to my mustard selection, cause I'm not buying the french's or whatever that trash is. read more

I am a Cle Elum resident and I strongly dislike the Cle Elum Safeway. It is the only grocery store in Cle Elum so residents are forced to shop here if they cannot make the sixty mile round trip to Ellensburg. I believe Safeway takes advantage of its position by financially gouging the community with horrible over pricing of nearly everything in the store, especially what seems like 2nd rate quality produce. There is no bakery other than a display stand out front that has over processed mass produced basic low quality pound cakes, pies, brownies and cookies, nothing fresh. On top of that, Safeway Corp. has discontinued allowing local organizations from holding very popular bake sales out front because Safeway doesn't want the competition with their "bakery." These community bake sales were the staple fund raiser for local organizations and the one noticeable community support the store had going for it. Safeway Corp. considers the display stand of 3 or 4 choices of items as its "bakery" and doesn't want any competition for that stand of gooey low quality items. The organic produce section has a ridiculous lack of choice offered at obscene prices. A family that depended on organic produce for heath reasons would have a disappointing and difficult time doing so. The Cle Elum Safeway is sorely behind the times in their offering of organic options. The Cle Elum Safeway is the least satisfactory in providing an aesthetic or well-organized shopping experience. In addition to being one of the highest priced Safeway stores, if not THE highest priced stores, this is one of the few Safeway's that has not been updated as the other corporation's storefronts have been. It is very crowded at the one entrance/exit due to the posts just inside the entry that make getting in and out with a shopping cart challenging, especially during high traffic periods and with all the seasonal display stands crowding the entrance the already cramped entry. The unusually tall grocery shelves that make up the rows make it impossible to find what one is looking for. View of the isle signs is blocked because of the tall shelving. It is obvious for the above reasons, that the Safeway Corporation is focused on profit rather than providing a quality store that appreciates it's position in our community. I am guessing, but I would not be surprised to learn that this store is sucking millions of dollars in profit out of our tiny community, "because they can," rather than balancing profit with equitable prices, high quality service and community support. I have shopped at the Safeway in Ellensburg, 30 miles further east and found the prices far lower for the same items at the Cle Elum store. Shame on you, Safeway, you are biting the hand that feeds you. Karen Ingalls Cle Elum, WA resident read more

They were under manned especially in the deli. Because of that the employees were a bit grumpy. One lady I assume was a supervisor was standing around not accomplishing anything while folks we're standing in line. Also how does the deli run out of key ingredients in the sandwiches. Epic failure. This isn't new for this location. They will be extremely busy over the weekends man up. read more

This safeway is a joke. I seriously think everyone working here is stoned. Stopped in on our way to Chelan. It took 15 minutes to even be greeted at the deli while me and 3 other customers waited. While someone stood there fiddling with the scale the whole time. No acknowledgment. Then it took an additional 20 minutes for them to make a flimsy cold sandwich. Then I had to stand in line for another 15 minutes while the cashier scanned the items as slow as possible so he could keep flirting with the underage bag girl. I understand this is a small town. But I know how busy it can get with people travelling through. Step your game up, come on. read more

Worst, worst, worst customer service I have ever received. My husband and I ran to Safeway around 8pm one night for a few late night snacks. We grabbed some ice cream, and some pineapple for our 1yo toddler. When we went up to the lines to pay there was only one line open. We waited in line behind a woman with a small basket of groceries. To the right of us, another cashier stepped in to open up another isle. She turned around, looked at my husband and I, she didn't appear to be rude at all, she simple smiled and proceeded to check out other customers. I was kind of annoyed she never said "I can help who is next." But instead her line filled up with other customers. All the while our cashier is talking; using hand motions, and going on and on to the "customer" in front of us. Turns out the this lady buying groceries in front of us was actually an employee!!!!!! Our toddler is getting uneasy at this point- my husband says "it's fine, we aren't in a hurry." But we still just stood there with our 2 items for about 10 minutes; and our cashier never once glanced at us or said a thing. My husband finally asked "will it be much longer?" The cashier DID NOT LOOK AT US/ RESPOND. Instead the lady buying her groceries said "sorry we have a new system."! My mind was blown that the cashier didn't even look at us. We waited. The line next to us was backed up. We here the cashier/ other employee discussing the amount of change she received. The lady said "there's no way that cost $20..." And then they are trying to resolve where/ what her actual change was. My husband says: "we are actually going to head out. Thanks" Neither of them look at us. My husband again: "we are going to head out now, and no longer get the items here" Again, not the cashier, but the other employee nodded and that was it. No "sorry for the wait" After we left I was so mad!!! I called them, asked for the manager and a nice Hispanic woman said she was the only manager available. But turns out this is the same exact lady that opened the line next to us was on the phone. I have her my complaint, she just cut me off over and over at this point "Sorry. Sorry. Sorry, you can call manager tomorrow." Worst customer service we've ever received. read more

Stopped here on our way home from Eastern Washington because of horrendous traffic on the 90. 2 hours to go 16 miles, and so we were low on gas. You know this place is in BFE when you are forced to pay $4 a gallon. Boo. read more

I live here, and while this Safeway lacks ALOT it's better than nothing. However, the Safeway in Ellensburg is often 10-15% cheaper on the same item. Yes, they have the cheapest gas in town -- which is to say the gas is $.35 - $.45 more than other towns. read more

Go elsewhere for a florist!! We had the florist at Safeway do flowers for our wedding and it was a big mistake. We gave plenty of advance notice and direction and expected this florist to order dedicated flowers specifically for our event. However, that was not the case. She seemed to choose whatever was currently in inventory no matter how old or cheep the flowers were and we ended up competing with several graduation orders - shortcutting us ! As far as the work, even though I provided a picture of the beautiful bouquet I wanted, what I got was 1/3 of the size of closed rose buds of newer and older (wilted) roses. The bouquet was so minimal - even the bridesmaid bouquets were bigger. If this florist knew what she was doing, she would have allowed time for the flowers to open a bit and used 18 to 24 roses. I was up at midnight taking it apart and adding the roses for my cake into the bouquet and rewrapping it in the white satin ribbon I had originally asked for. Even the groom's boutonniere was terribly done. The side length of the ribbon was frayed making it look cheep and shabby. It was almost like she had done it on purpose!!! Shame! Do not use this florist for any special event!!! read more

Finally!!! A safeway that has "thick" steaks! Stopped at this store to stock up for deer camp. I live in the tacoma area and it's hard pressed to get a thick steak here unless you go to a butcher! Staff was awesome, they even replaced a bottle of liquor that got dropped in the parking lot, went back into to replace it and the clerk overhead the razzing going on over dropping it and replaced it!! That's customer service! By the way,for you folks that deem us hunters as evil... No deer were harmed this year by myself or our camp!!! Though we did have some tasty rabbit and grouse! read more

This safeway is old school, and dated. No Starbucks. Pretty bad selection comparatively to the one I live by in Seattle. I can't recommended this place but if you live here i guess you don't have another option... bummer read more

Awesome customer service. Friendly & informative staff. I was working the Jolly Mountain fire & the staff was incredible, especially 2 of the cashiers. A younger red head ( just wished she smiled more (although she did smile) & another lady seemed so busy & were always working. I've stopped by a few times since going through town & the staff is always polite, courteous & friendly. Keep up the great work. I appreciate it very much. Thank you read more

In my experience...check out staff/courtesy clerks are always friendly and helpful, I'm usually in and out, try to avoid going in on Fridays as very busy but understandable for area. read more

The cle elum safeway --especially the deli- has the rudest help anywhere. You can't even get help when You interrupt them they are so busy talking and complaining to each other. You are never ever greeted. Seems like like a lot of trouble to be waited on. I'm so tired of Being treated so unkindly! read more

Phamarcy in particular is SO SLOW and UNHELPFUL! Irritating! The other day I stood at the front desk of the pharmacy for almost 45 minutes just so the lady could figure out how to input an updated insurance card into the system. I went in to get two topical prescriptions and walked away with only one of them because the lady didn't doublecheck. I even asked her about it multiple times - she was clearly not well trained. Then today I got a call from the pharmacy saying my prescription was ready to get picked up I called back and talked to someone on the phone saying I could swing in and get it 30 minutes.... then right when I was about to leave (which is not a convenient drive for me by the way) I got a call saying it wasn't ready and couldn't get it for a couple days. Talk about poor communication across the board! Poor customer service. read more

OK, this is the only real grocery store in town, having said that, it is a very decent store: good selection, prices are ok, the sales are great, and a helpful, very nice group of workers.. Most of the employees are great, some of the nicest hard working folks I have interacted with. The only exception is the manager. Not nice. read more

Safeway in Cle Elum and Ellensburg? I have lived in Cle Elum for over 40 years so I know a little about our Safeways. It has been great mostly. This is in the mountains and a small town. Locals know to not go there on a three day weekend. probably 10s of 1000s of visitors coming through that are SOO welcome!! They may not be able to always guess what all the masses of people will want that weekend. Cle Elum store has been a blessing when the pass closes so we can still eat and yes they may occasionally run out of some items Some regular prices tend to be higher. But they always have all the same sales. I like the you special prices on what I buy. I check the markdown areas of all Safeway stores. People complain about them having sales on old meat at Safeway. It is illegal to sell past date meat but them marking down meat coming close to that date helps many people I know to be able to afford a little meat. This is probably the best Safeway in the state that can have 5 or more feet of snow outside, that can on busy weekends have all stands open with 15 or 20 people in each line, 30 miles from any other grocery store, and closed off many times in the winter. WE LIVE IN THE WILDERNESS IN A TINY TOWN IN THE MOUNTAINS. No I or none of my family work there. I shop else ware sometimes but usually at Safeway. It is friendly,clean, and I think they do a pretty great job under sometimes crazy or unusual circumstances. Ellensburg Safeway store is in a bigger town. Has a little more. They do a good job too! read more

The Safeway Pharmacy is generally crowded and there is no place to wait. Today 6 people are in line and the Pharmacy Clerk offers to check out a ladies cart of groceries after filling her medicine. The six people just looked at each other in disbelief. I have heard numerous complaints about the working conditions at the pharmacy and the store. I hope Cle Elum gets another Pharmacy as this monopoly is not the best for Cle Elum. I asked the store manager to call me and no call. The store was out of eggs the other day. How can that happen? read more

We special ordered many many items for our wedding events over three days and the manager and assistant managers Christina and Jeremy were fabulous. They coordinated with the Safeway bakery in Ellensburg and Jeremy picked up the baked goods for us in Ellensburg and personally drove them to the Cle Elum store. They special ordered big tubs of ice cream for us and They also coordinated all the deli items and grocery items and had them ready to go at the various pick up times. They went beyond the call of duty. Kudos to service and items. Thanks so much. read more

It was good to find s full scale grocery store since we were planning to cook our own meals while staying in Ronald for a couple of nights.

hi there was a really nice young guy who is a bagger at safe way and i want to know his name thx