Reasonably priced items and organized shelves. This place has a friendly staff who are welcoming and hard working. I don't come here often but when I do drop in I leave happy. Produce is fresh and surprisingly cheaper than most major supermarkets. Always worth a visit. read more

LADO! This man needs a raise! I moved to Poway recently and have had the pleasure of having Lado help me everytime I've come in. I especially remember the first time when I saw him run inside bc cashiers were low staffed and he was on it! His hard work DOES NOT go unnoticed. I appreciate him, his kindness and always helping without hesitation. read more

Solid Smart & Final location. Tons of parking. The store is large and bright. Good selection with good prices. Came in for wine and was pleased with their options. Smooth checkout. read more

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Please teach your employees manners and good customer service. Here's what happened. Only one line is open and the people checking out are taking longer than they should. As I approach the line to get in it I see another employee walking toward another check out line and I thought... I bet he's going to open another checkout line. We made eye contact but when he didn't call me over to his line, I assumed I was wrong. But, I turn around and see him motioning for another customer (seemingly same race as him) to come to his line. There is no ifs, ands or buts that he saw me as I entered that long line before he motioned for the other customer to come to his line. RUDE! The employee was a fair skinned average-tall man, kinda stout with brown short & straight hair working the weekday evening shift. I would hate to assume why I wasn't invited to his line considering he saw me before he waved the other customer over. Hmmm.... Do better Smart & Final. I will be contacting whatever regional or corporate office is available to speak with me. read more

I like this store as an alternative to bigo box stores but every time I go there it has gone down hill a little more. 1) Dogs - the last two visits to this store there have been dogs in the store. Not service animals but big, sniff and rub up against everything dogs. Employees were fully aware of dogs and chose to do nothing. This is both gross and illegal in California. 2) Expired items - this happens a lot here. Check the dates on everything as clearly they don't. Most recently I went to buy Pectin for preserving and the first 6 packages I checked were all more than a year expired and one was 2 years expired. 3) Shopping carts - their shopping carts are gross. I don't watch to touch them let alone out my food in them. The kids straps are broken and some of them have graffiti on the kids seat. Please make this store a place where people want to shop again. read more

This may not be the largest Smart & Final Express in San Diego County, but is the nicest ... and it's located conveniently at Pomerado and Poway Roads. The staff is friendly and helpful. Frequently, I can find weekly sale items here that are out-of-stock elsewhere. Produce always looks fresh and inviting. read more

Smart & Final Extra! - Produce Department - Grocery Near Me - Poway, California

Love my smart and final store. Always helpful! Clean and well organized. Know your prices at other stores. read more

I caught wind from a co worker that they had eggs in stock! The other stores I've called have said they won't stock until Wednesday. I've been limiting my time out and at the stores. Luckily I was able to find eggs still left here. They didn't carry cage free eggs but at this point I'll take what I can get. I was happy to see they had signs limiting quantities on products I think all stores should do this. They had most items in stock except paper products. They have a sign posted outside with the items they have out of stock so you don't waste your time walking in or risk walking around. I found that very helpful and considerate. They had bread in stock, meats, eggs, dairy, frozen goods. I even saw pasta and canned goods left on the shelf. I just needed almond milk and eggs. It wasn't very crowded at all and everyone seemed to heed the distance instructions. Staff was very friendly, I appreciate all the workers at the grocery stores coming into work everyday to stock. One worker gave me a very nice compliment, you learn to appreciate the little things more when faced with difficult times like this. Overall the store was well organized, it was stocked. And the staff was great. read more

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They never have sale items in stock. What a shame to use this kind of tactical plans to draw customers in.

They have everything i need and want. Great customer service, great prices, clean store, etc.

Purchased sausage to make spaghetti and when I opened the packaged I saw mold!!! I tried to call the store to repot the issue for almost an hour but no one answered the phone. I was going to run back to the store but then it started raining. After over an hour of continuous redial, I finally got to speak to a live person at the store. His name was Mike. I reported the issue to him, asked what I have to do. He said I can go to any store to return it for an even exchange. Not once did he apologize for the store selling moldy sausage to their customer or for my inconvenience. Such bad service!!! I will not be buying my groceries from here anymore. P.S. it was too much of a hassle to return the moldy product. I didn't need the $5.78 back. I am more disappointed than anything. read more

Smart & Final Extra! - Date product is good till. - Grocery Near Me - Poway, California

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Best Smart & Final Extra in San Diego County Smart & Final Extra are the larger stores with better selection & variety of products. This location in my opinion is the best Smart & Final Extra in the country. I have a Smart & Final closer to me but I drive a bit farther to shop here. The store is clean, organized, well stocked & has better quality products. Produce is fresh, greater selection of frozen food, dairy, business & household supplies. This place is ideal for businesses such as supermarkets, liquor stores, grocery stores & other markets. This place is also good for large families. Smart & Final is a wholesale business but unlike Costco, is not a private club & anyone can shop there without membership fees. This place has specific items which are only available in Smart & Final. Once a while I have to come here to shop because these products, I cannot find anywhere else. For instance, Specific types of frozen Philadelphia cheese steak thin steaks packages, apple soda pops, certain sausage brands, certain gums & candies & household products. I recommend this Smart & Final Extra as one of the best wholesale stores without membership & with good quality products in the San Diego County. read more

I completed some shopping here after realizing I was out of avocados. Fortunately, they had Hass avocados on sale for .50 each. They were not locally grown, but rather imported from Peru. They looked of good quality so I picked up four, and as It turns out, since I ate two of them since they ripened, they were quite good. I browsed the store and picked up a pack of bowls made from sugar cane. I found that interesting, so I had to have them and I needed some. I picked up several other items such as trial mix, a two pack of Guerrero flour tortillas for $4, an 18 count in each package. It was a good deal, because I usually pay $2 for 12 of the same flour tortillas near my home. Although I pretty much already had what I needed, I also picked up some trail mix, balsamic vinegar, and a couple of bags of Sun Chips because they were on sale. The store was pretty organized and stocked, but I do recommend they open up more lanes at the register when there at least four people waiting in line. The store does have very good sale prices, but the regular priced items are average to competitive. read more

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Decent Smart & Final in Poway. I dropped by here a few times to grab something and go. Found out that they don't have the boxed japanese curry after searching high and low and asking the associates. Store associates also were not exactly sure what I was talking about and tried asking around. Later I figured out that the boxed japanese curry I wanted was only found in Asian stores or Vons. Things are decently priced here judging what you are looking for. Their garlics look like they get attacked as when I dropped by on a Thursday evening - it was almost cleaned out and the ones that were left had some purple color to them instead of the white that every one's used to. So keep note - some things run out fast! Carrots in my opinion did not look that fresh. They usually sell things in bulk - which you get a lot for what you purchase. I had found the green box of crispy m&ms and have not regretted my purchase though I still have no finished it. My boyfriend and I are working on it. Crispy M&Ms? That's like a rarity. They do have lots of candy that I haven't seen for a while being sold in bulk so that's pretty cool to go through. Didn't have any problems ever getting anything and the stores pretty neat. Lots of parking. read more

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This is the only Smart & Final Extra that I have been to that regularly has only one check stand open and you usually can not get anything quickly. Expect to be in line. read more

So far so good! Inauguration day, freebies galore. Occupying the space that used to be a not so popular Michaels and just right next a huge 99 c store, this is a great add to Poway. I got the info about the inauguration day and did not want to miss it because it was commented that they will be selling products in the usual huge size (Costco style if you are more familiarized with them) but also 'normal' for one of two people size. And yes, they do! And the prices are incredible. I was greeted by a clerk delivering the shopping cart. All the workers at the market were super friendly (well, it was first day, but impression was very good, very personalized). To the right, the produce section really impressed me. Bananas for 39 cents/lb? wow. 25 lb of juicy carrots for less than $6...unbelievable. Everything was super fresh and good prices. I would recommend this store for their produce. If you want to save money in supplies for the house, such as cleaners, bleach, brooms, detergent, etc, probably you will do cheaper at the 99 cents store next to it. So I am liking this variety now! Also I found very cute that each cashier has the name of a street in Poway. A nice local touch. read more

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Perfect place for party food and supplies. From food to cleaning products, it's a one stop shopping store with great prices.

Love this Smart & Final! Nicer than the ones in Lemon Grove and Point Loma. Many people think S&F is just for business shopping, but that's not really the case. While I can't find as much variety as I do at a "regular" grocery store, S&F has a reasonably good selection of consumer-size items and the prices are great! Definitely worth checking out if you live nearby! read more

I live close to this one, so its convenient. But all the cashiers are rude, unhelpful and they act like they don't want to be there. Never a smile. You might as well replace them with Self-Service Machines. At least the machines won't have an attitude. I am getting ready to drop this store and continue to shop @ Walmart. read more

Pros: Cheap prices. Cons: Very weird store where they always try to make me bag my own groceries every time I go. read more

Stopped in today to grab a quick gallon of milk and saw 2/$1 avocados. So I got 3 bags of 10. When I got to the register, I was informed the AD says "limit 12". Well, I have no reason to look thru some paper while getting milk while happily bagging a good deal. So I take my milk and 12 avocados and leave. Poor customer service/relations. I wonder if one can argue false advertising? Instead of "Every day low price" maybe the sign can read "Every day low limits" read more

Smart & Final Extra! - No "limit 12" notation for avocados - Grocery Near Me - Poway, California

Unacceptable I went there to get condiments for my turkey. While I was at checkout, the cashier asked me if he could check my Carl's Jr. Bag. Like what the hell, how the heck am I going to steal something in my Carl's Jr. Bag. The people in front of me didn't get checked their bags and I was the only one because it was "store policy". I'm pretty sure it was more my color that had to do with him checking my bag. read more

I wanted to stop to get cat food on my 30 minute lunch and the line was wrapped around the store. It took me 10 minutes to get through the line with 1 item because they only had one check stand open. Like, come on. read more

This place has the feel of a mini Costco/grocery store. I've been here once before when I was shopping for items you might find in a wholesale warehouse for coffee suppliers. What I did observe is that this place seems to be very popular among people with large families or business owners. I like that it was not super crowded and that the aisles are very well spaced. One thing that was nice to see is that they sell fresh flowers at the front (so I will remember that if I'm ever in a bind I need to buy some flowers for under $12). I would probably come back here if I needed food for a big barbecue or was hosting something with a lot of people (e.g. an orgy). They are not as big as Costco so naturally they have less stuff, but I will say that it was very easy for me to get in and out of this store. Also they do not have a food court or samples, which are both obvious drawbacks. With that said, I didn't do crazy price comparisons between the two companies. Why? Because I'm lazy and it is Friday and I am still on a mission to buy and drink some sake. Thank you read more

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I would not shop here if it was the last store on Earth there right next to 99 cent store everything I bought in this store I found a lot cheaper at the 99 cent store...I know I should have gone there first but the items that I was looking for I didn't think they had them!!! The tomatoes were $3.49 3 tomatoes I paid $6... Meanwhile I got the same tomatoes 2 for $0.99 plantain 2 for 99 cents... read more

Everyone at this store is wonderful. Employees don't shy away from the customers, they help them find things they need. Marcus the cashier is so honest and helpful. I lost my phone after leaving the store and someone had returned it to the store. When I contacted the store to see if they had my phone, they communicated to multiple people and told me they had it safely in their safe. I was able to swing by right after they closed and Gabriel who was locking up the store graciously took the time to get the phone from the safe that evening. He could have asked me to return in the morning when the store was opening so I felt he went above and beyond to help a loyal customer. Thanks S & F. read more

The only reason I'm giving this store any stars at all are strictly because it's close by and fair prices. Today I was searching for Vegetable Broth in a box and only saw it in a can. So I asked one of the employees and she was very attentive. She immediately said she wasn't sure if they had what I was looking for but would ask. As the gal came back, she brought "what looked like a manager" who's name was Jen and she was rude and didn't want to help. I knew she was a manager, but couldn't believe a manager would be so useless. Jen didn't even try to "act helpful", you could tell she was not interested and didn't care. This made me so frustrated that I will NOT shop here unless I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO! read more

Dropped by on a Wednesday morning. Located in a strip mall next door to the 99 Cents store. Found parking right up front. Store was clean and organized. I grabbed the couple items I needed, prices were all reasonable. Stood in a short line, paid and was out the door. They have a filtered water machine right outside which sells water for 25 cents a gallon, 5-10 cents cheaper than Carmel Mountain/Rancho Bernardo. Hey some people wanna know these things. read more

I think Smart and Final is starting to be movin on up! I never gave them much love due to my costco membership and just getting weekly items from the local grocery stores but S&F is getting it together. They have a lot more locations opening up, they allow you to choose between bulk items and smaller quantity items and they are never really that crowded. i've been into a few locations in the last few weeks and they are all very well stocked, they are clean and the checkouts have not been an issue. Their produce section is pretty well stocked with good looking produce, they have the jumbo roast chickens for just $5.99 and their meat section is pretty good also. They didn't seem to have much in fresh seafood that i'd like to see but I'll bet they start working that side more in the future. Check out the new S&F and you'll see what I mean. read more

I would go out of my way to go to this location because it's the only Smart & Final I know that has their rotisserie chicken for sale at 6 dollars. And it's 3 lbs and I can absolutely assure you it's the best tasting one of all the supermarkets and Costco! Seasoned perfectly! And you can use the left over bones to make chicken stock! Anyways, sometimes you find good deals here and just like every supermarket, keep an eye out for specials, you'll find better deals at any of the locations. I also love how cheap disposable plates and cups and the like are. Not my first choice to buying a roast or rib eye, but for chicken, cooked or not, this is the spot. I guess it's because it's a Smart & Final extra that it's a bit bigger than the other ones? I'm not sure, I just know it got the glorious rotisserie chicken! read more

Just want to give a shout out to the store managers who both went the extra mile for me! Gabriel and Brian! Thank you for the special order and receipt lookup when I lost mine! I appreciate your kindness! read more

There was nothing necessarily wrong with Smart & Final- it was quite busy and very new and clean. I went into this store as it was my first experience with Smart & Final. We usually shop at Stater Brothers as we live closer to it. I walked around the store with my cart expecting to find some great deals but really wasn't impressed. The products (in terms of quantity) were more bulk items like you would find at Costco but the prices were higher. I even went over to the wine section and prices were also the same if not higher compared to the deals at Staters/Albertsons.There was a featured "grand opening/as advertised" wine that they had compared to a price at another grocery store but at the end of the day I would like to have better deals overall...not just on what you want me to drink. Overall,glad that I went in and it is always nice having new business in Poway but there was nothing to push me to go back. read more

I shop at this business almost weekly on my way home from work. In general I think the staff are attentive and helpful and very pleasant. Recently I was picking out some items in the produce section when I dropped a large bunch of broccoli on the floor. A young man working in that area came over and took the broccoli from me, took it over to the hose they use to rinse the veggies, and rinsed it off for me! I was so pleased that he noticed and addressed the issue, even tho I would have rinsed it at home. Terrific customer service! I am disappointed to report, though, that there is a female manager there who was openly critical and condescending to a checker, on 2 different occasions! It was not the same employee, and it was not done privately or politely. Immediately afterwards the employee and other staff commented (in front of customers) that these were not isolated incidents with this manager. It was an uncomfortable situation because although I, too, felt the manager was inappropriate, the employees should not have discussed the situation in front of customers. Certainly there are opportunities for improvement here. read more

Beautiful new store, nice friendly staff, great location, could not be happier about this store. We've been buying supplies for our business at other locations for years. Extremely pleased to have one move in near our us. Just what this area needed. Thanks! read more

Smart & Final Extra! - Grand Opening store front - Grocery Near Me - Poway, California

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I love this Smart and Final! Always has what I need with affordable prices. I also like the staff who are always ready to help.

Cute little grocery store. They don't always have the largest selection but they usually have at least one of what I need. Great place to grab something on the way home from work. read more

I'm disabled, but I decided to brave smart and final without my wheelchair and use cane and lean against the cart. Yeah I get it, with the Corona pandemic everyone's freaking out and rushing to the stores. I walked over to the back by the Gatorade and they were all out of the flavor that I wanted but had some stock on the top shelves. I can't reach up too far because of my knees and balance so i waited for the smart and final employee to finish his conversation with his coworker in the back room as he complained about how busy it was and that there was no one stocking items. I very politely asked him if he could grab me one blue Gatorade from the top shelf and he told me very rudely, "no I cant help you, but if you wait for someone else to pass by they can" dude, you just passed right by me after talking to your coworker for five minutes. You couldnt grab me one drink? All the other workers were great. read more

The perfect store if you're having a big party or BBQ. When you buy in bulk, things get cheaper here. Plenty of parking in the newly paved parking lot and this store is usually never really busy. Pay no club fees and you don't need a loyalty card to get their discounts. read more

manager refused to honor the shelf price. she should read their company policy. i'm sure she would eventually understand it.

I use this market weekly and have always found the staff to be polite, kind, and helpful. I general, this market has lower staffing levels so you need to be a little more patient with checking out. Just know this going in and you'll be fine. The people that work here are very hard working. I've never gotten produce tgat spoils quickly--that seems to happen more at Costco. read more