My work office recently moved to Issaquah, so I'm having fun exploring the area. (I'm LOVING Issaquah, btw! Wow, has this city changed in the past 10 years. It has a LOT to offer! But I digress...). I had to do some grocery shopping and I found myself in this store. I do my usual grocery shopping in Safeways in Redmond or Kirkland, so it was interesting to discover a new SW. All I can say is, wow. WOW! First, the "good": this store is looks and feels brand new. I know it is not, but it has the feel of a brand new store. It's spotless clean, the interior is huge (way larger than the other SWs I go to), the aisles are wide, the store is super-organized and well laid-out, and it's beautiful. I went up and down every aisle. The lay-out is extremely different than the other stores I go to (it would be nice if there was some consistency) but the signage over the aisles was so clear, and each individual department was so clearly delineated and marked, that I was easily able to find everything I came in for. The deli counter is way longer than those in other SW's and more well-stocked. The wine and liquor department is beautiful. The bakery department had unbelievably gorgeous cakes, the likes of which I have never seen in any grocery store in the PNW (for real). They also stocked breads I've never seen for sale elsewhere (like specialty fold-over thin breads and specialty wraps, and there was just a larger selection of everything). The packaged muffins and sweets and Danishes were pretty amazing; there were some delish-looking things that, I'm embarrassed to admit, I've never even heard of (and this, from a food lover who's pretty much had most sweets and treats her whole life and used to carry the poundage to prove it! lol). The meats and fish counters and islands are larger with more diverse products than other grocery stores. The produce area was gorgeous with a large organic area and shelves of exotic and tropical fruits I've never seen before. They also had packaged wrapped veggies for baking or sautéing or for making fajitas or hamburgers, or stuffed portabella mushroom caps or stuffed jalapeno peppers (stuffed with cheeses and other tasty foods, for grilling or baking). I've never seen the sheer selection of these types of packaged, freshly cut produce in any SF, or even at the nicer QFC's. Sure, I've seen some, but not like this. The floral department was lovely, and although I didn't check it out, it sounds like the pharmacy here is fantastic (reading the reviews). And the health care aisle was impressive, with the usual fare alongside some very high-end hair and skin-care products. Oh, I should note that there is a fantastic Starbucks coffee shop attached to this store, opening up into the SF interior. Now to the "bad": this is a picky point, but the parking lot sure could use more "parking corrals" for the shopping carts. They also could use more employees in the store. (I was here from roughly 6-7:30pm and it was pretty quiet, but there was only 1 employee in the baking department and a bunch of us needed assistance there at the same time, and one guy was in the middle of a lengthy exchange with her about a cake order). And there were only a few cashiers open and the lines were relatively long to check out. Now to the "ugly": I had the coldest and slowest check-out clerk in the history of check-out clerks. I said hi and smiled at her three times when I moved up in her lane, to no response. Granted, she was older and perhaps hard of hearing (but I don't think so). Her ringing up my order and packing and then re-packing and then re-re-packing my items into the tote bags I brought in with me took and inordinately long time. Then she had to look through the super long register receipt to make sure I purchased 2 Belvitas when I handed her 2 coupons for them (she couldn't find them on the receipt and didn't remember ringing them up). This took about 10 minutes and people in line were getting quite antsy. The lady told me this would not have happened if I had given her the coupons prior to her ringing me up. (What? I noted that I always shop and SF and this has never happened to me before and I was never told to give my coupons first, before the clerk scanned the items). Then 2 free yogurts didn't register. Anyhow, the saga continued. It was awkward, time-consuming and unpleasant. (If it hadn't been for this experience at check-out, hand's down this store whould have gotten 5 stars). All in all, this is a pretty amazing grocery store. If I shopped here regularly, I'd know whose check-out lanes to go in and whose to avoid. read more

This review is for the Chinese food only. I have no review about the store itself. Ran in there today and grabbed the Supreme combo of fried rice, orange chicken and asparagus chicken. It looked pretty good in the counter. I took it to go and went back to the office. For the first time I can say, the Chinese food was horrible. The rice was bland and undercooked. The orange chicken was also bland and goopey. The saving grace was the asparagus chicken which was decent at best. This is the first and last time I go there for lunch. read more

I've been coming to this location ever since I moved to Issaquah. There's a sign that says open from 1-5AM, but as far as I know from experience, the doors are always opened... even at the hours that they said they're closed. Mainly because they don't actually have the main floor staff at those hours, but they still run business anyways, so if you do come in to do a little late/early shopping, don't expect hasty service. With that said, I think this shop don't get enough attention, and there are always great deals on their clearance isle. And not to mention they have beer on sale more often than the Bellevue locations... probably cus there are more drinkers in that area? Their produce is pretty fresh, and I haven't had any complain so far besides the slow AM service... I'm a fan. read more

I bought Patagonian shrimp here several times. A total of 4 times I cooked the shrimp and it had a strong ammonia smell which meant it was decomposing. I will never buy any seafood at this store. I love those shrimp but now I can't stand the thought of them. I don't think they know how to store them or they just keep them forever and they go bad. Be Aware! read more

Occasion: Grocery shopping I don't think this location ever closes which honestly is a great thing. Since there are no Walmarts in the area, Safeway will have to do. :) I've found this Safeway to always be clean and I believe this location is bigger than most. read more

deli department Everyone has a "my safeway" Mine is Issaquah. Mine is the best Safeway. Now mine is the best Safeway except the DELI department. PLEASE get some help for the staff there! "We have to close we can not find anyone to work!!!!" "sorry I am the only one here, e can't find anybody" Hire a manager that takes care of their staff and you will have staff that wants to work! It is a very sad deli to go. Out of product for dinner, waiting and waiting and waiting. "Sorry dont know how to run register" was last night. Come on people!!! Get it together! read more

The worst grocery store I have ever been to. I have had 3 separate instances where I have bought meat and came home to cook it and then realized it was multiple days past it's expiration date. Another instance, I bought kind salmon which was a big filet and a smaller one under the big one. When I opened the package I realized the hidden filet was a completely different color and type of salmon. On top of all of this, they never have enough checkers and always have huge lines. Avoid this location at all costs and Safeway, figure out how to run a grocery store. read more

I experienced sexual harassment by one of the produce clerks and my previous review has been lifted. He told me that I had a mature body and that he'd like to take me out. The store manager did nothing as nothing from Corporate. Women watch out! Be careful for teenage girls! read more

Forced to do self checkout with massive basket of groceries - no full service checker option

Hey, I usually don't post stuff about other businesses. I own a small business myself and I think most of the reviews are BS. This Safeway deli here on Gilman in Issaquah needs some help. With all the scariness going on with the Corina Virus.. the manager of the deli cut my order with no gloves on. Actually touched and fingered the cheese I ordered..gloveless! Fumbling around to stuff a pound of cheese in a snack bag sized Ziplock..With 2 or three black painted fingernails. I have nothing against the painted nails...they just looked dirty. You only get one chance to make a first impression...and this guy failed. read more

This is the worst grocery store in the area due to incompetent management. The shelves are never stocked full, they run out of shopping carts and you wait longer to check out than you do to shop. The best part: the employees don't seem to care. read more

Don't even know why I still shop here. Produce is over-priced and sh*t quality. There are always other problems, too. Today, 3 U-scan machines not working, yet only 2 lines for clerk check-out open. Staff DNGAF. Nor do I. I'm done.... read more

My review doesn't stray much from the Tacoma Safeway... Big and clean, friendly people working there, same great deals and huge selection. Quick in, Quick out. I never have complaints with Safeway, except that the line to get gas is always pretty heinous. No fault of theirs, though, only speaks to the good deals when you buy a lot of groceries. Good spot. read more

Unfortunately, this place has gone downhill. Where have all the cashiers gone? They have one employee overseeing the self-checkout registers and the poor guy is always running around like a chicken with its head cut off. No fault of his own when they only employ one regular cashier at peak times. read more

driving around downtown issaquah i noticed there isnt a 7-11 or ampm or circle K or anything of the sort. so for that late night nick for munchies and dranks you gotta flex to a one of the few supermarkets. not quite the place to buy hard liquor because only the state of washington sells such products. but for munchies and beers they pack heat! copped some sourcream and cheddar ruffles, white cheddar popcorn, jack links teriyaki beef jerky, and some bold chex mix. this matched with your choice of indica or sativa dominant strain and youre set to watch movies for a good 24 hours without interuption. read more

This review pertains solely to the meat and fish department at Safeway on Gilman Blvd. Please train your fishmongers and butchers to properly debone, skin and slice. It's very upsetting and unprofessional to unwrap expensive fish and meat at home and find a mess. read more

I do not shop here frequently but was visiting a friend. Did some shopping and spent quite a bit of money. I didn't realize that they are charging for regular grocery bags like Seattle but the cashier gave us "complementary bags" which was half the size of normal bags and just about as thin as writing paper. Yeah...fail. Then I get home to look at the receipt and they over-charged me. Not a huge deal in the amt of money but how do you charge me for garlic when I never bought any?? And they added an extra yogurt to the bill. Makes me wonder if this Safeway has a habit of "accidentally" over-charging every customer. Glad I'm not a regular customer. read more

Weekend mornings, they are too slow and late to open their self-check out lanes. Their one cashier is backed up and doesn't page for another cashier and management has not opened the self-check out line. Should do it earlier than they do right now to get people in and out quicker. read more

I love safeway. I just appreciate bring able to buy organic foods for an affordable price. Also, this location has a samba juice and my safeway card features a buy 7 and get the 8th free. Thank you. The only part that sucks is having to drive to Renton to get a fuel discount. Oh well. They have a great wine selection too. Last time I was there someone walled me through several wine selections and easily had me buying 6 new bottles for home. read more

I tried to order a birthday cake for my son, by phone. I spent 15 minutes discussing the cake and types of fillings with the bakery. I could hardly understand the woman describing the fillings, had to ask her to repeat several times. After all the discussing and pricing, she informed me, that they could not do it, since they did not have a cake decorator on Tuesdays!! Wow! Great Bakery, no decorator available, and they are a bakery???? Perhaps, also, they need someone who can speak distinct English on the phone also!! NEXT!!! read more

Stopped by today at 1:15 to get a drink from Jamba Juice. I rang the bell and was told: I'm on break right now, come back in fifteen minutes..." read more

Unfortunately, I've had some not so great service at this Safeway. I feel like they throw all the trainees in this store, which would normally be fine, but it takes almost 15-20 mins to get through the checkout line. I probably won't be back to this location if this keeps up. read more

Unfortunately I have not been having good experiences at this Safeway lately, I used to go to this one a lot but lately I have not been getting good service. Most of the time the only problems I have with this Safeway is their deli counter. The last few times I have gone to this Safeway I would go to the deli counter and end up waiting 5-10 minutes to get the 2 things that I wanted. Most of the time i have seen people look at me and still not come up to help or say anything or they would say they will be right with me and then never come back. I would also defiantly recommend checking your receipt before you leave because I have been overcharged there more than a few times. Other than their deli counter I do like this Safeway they have a Jamba Juice inside this Safeway which is really good and has good service. They also have a Starbucks that is connected to it but is not a Safeway Starbucks but is a real Starbucks. In addition to those benefits I like that they have two lanes of self checkouts, and it is a pretty big store. They usually have good sales especially if you have their just for you app, which is extremely easy to use. Generally I like shopping at Safeway but this location needs some customer service training. read more

Pharmacy is the best in Issaquah. Keep up the great work!!! They set the bar high and other pharmacies might want to follow suit. They take care of our kids very well! Nice they care about our family as if their own. read more

Not a bad place I suppose, a little slow at times behind the checkout line, but other than that it's not bad.

I recently ordered my wedding cake from this Safeway because they were very close to my wedding venue at the Pickering Barn. I knew I wanted an "inexpensive" wedding cake but not at the cost of it looking bad! The cake was completely lopsided! We were able to turn it a certain way to not be as noticable (thank goodness) but I was extremely dissappointed. It was sloppy and looked like my mother baked it in her kitchen...and she isn't even a good baker! My moms cake may have turned out better, in fact. After my wedding day, I called to express my dissappointment in the cake and after being accidently hung up on then waiting on hold for a bit, I was given an apology and $50 refund. Big whoop! Although this cake was much less expensive than a "specialty" bakery, it was most certainly not worth what I paid for in the end. I highly advise any bride to look elsewhere for a wedding cake. read more

I had a terrible experience at this location-- the girl overseeing self-checkout should be fired! Hopefully management will see this review and act on it. I wish I had checked her nametag, but will describe her as a tall, asian girl with heavy makeup, working self checkout around 11am on October 11th 2017. I came to self checkout carrying only a few items with my young daughter (note: my daughter is autistic). As I was scanning my items, my daughter was pacing the floor around me with a loaf of bread in her hands. The clerk came over and rudely asked her if "she was going to pay for that", then began accusing my daughter of attempting to shoplift! I clearly explained to her that she was with me and that we had no intent of not paying for our items. She proceeded to be extremely rude and snotty to me, causing a reaction from my daughter. I quickly paid and left the store as I didn't want my daughter in that negative environment. Now my daughter refuses to go shopping with me at this location in fear of this employee yelling at her again! I decided to give this location one more chance as I was in the area and only needed one item. Again I went to self checkout and the same clerk was there. The elderly lady using the register across from me was having trouble working the machine. Once again this clerk was SO rude. I watched in disbelief as she was rolling her eyes while the lady was clearly confused and needed help. Her tone of voice was extremely condescending as she "helped" the customer. She had no patience whatsoever! I felt so terrible for this lady and could tell she felt bad about the encounter as well. All in all, this clerk should NEVER be allowed to work on the floor or near customers as she is the very reason why I will never come shop here again!! An extremely rude and arrogant human being. read more

Not sure what it is about this place since they re-designed it but it makes me feel like I have dementia. Nothing feels like it's where it's supposed to be. I see people shopping in here wearing pajamas. I basically try not to go here and go to QFC and Trader Joe's. read more

This review is exclusively directed towards the Chinese take out. (Otherwise I love most other things about this Safeway and would rate this store 5 stars overall) I was in Safeway tonight and wanted something quick to munch on for dinner. Saw the Chinese take out and thought I'd give it a try. I've eaten Chinese take out from other Safeway stores and they always seem to lack quality. But looks alone the food looked halfway decent so I thought I'd give it a try. I got the option for two entree, rice/chow mein and egg roll/2pot stickers. I went with the chicken teriyaki and chicken and vegetable with black bean sauce, chow mein and 2 pot stickers. Got home. Ate. Or at least tried to. Holy ****, the only part of the meal that was even palatable was the chicken teriyaki. The chow mien sucked so bad I can't believe how they can manage to serve food that tastes this bad. How can you screw up noodles?!?! The pot stickers tasted like hard cardboard, LITERALLY. If I had to guess, based on flavor alone, I would have said that the pot stickers were cooked (deep fried) a few days ago. The meat on the inside was completely dried out and lacked any flavor. Moral of the story: Get your crap together Safeway and cook some decent Chinese food! read more

well four stars are only for Megan the cashier @ Safeway Gilman Blvd . She is so nice cute with perfect smile and well mannered.

I'm being generous with the "4", 3.5 is maybe more like it. Big store, so good selection. Could use more checkers. Prices are good when things are on sale, but the things on sale are too often NOT THERE. When one flavor is a constant hole in the otherwise full shelf AND I special-order it repeatedly AND the cashier even tells me by name of others in town who special-order the same flavor WHY DON'T THEY TAKE A HINT and stock more? read more

Really enjoy the sales when using our Safeway card. Decent selection on groceries and other needed items. Unfortunately their to-go food isn't good (tried the fried chicken and Asian). read more

I've been calling around to find sugar cookies for my son's kindergarten class room to decorate without any luck. I finally called Safeway on Gilman and the gal in the bakery was super helpful. She found what I needed and set them aside for me to pick up later. Appreciate the customer service. read more