Safeway

I went to this location because I needed to get some things from the store and I wanted something from Starbucks. I ordered a «Grande Mocha Frappuccino» and the worker there (I don’t remember his name) said «What the f**k. Why is everybody ordering frappuccinos today? It is f**c**g cold outside.» I don’t think I have ever heard an employee anywhere say that to me or in general. I hope that this never happens again because that was very rude and in called for.

The best grocery store ever (including other safeways). They have the best customer service ever. Everyone is always so helpful. The butchers help you find the right cuts for your meal, the fruit and veggie stocker personal help explain rare fruit taste. the freshly made breakfast and lunch sandwiches are awesome. Even the cash register clerks are helpful every time. I went to wegmans and left to go to my Safeway I missed the customer service I get.

This is a really bad Safeway. The produce is always bad. So bad in fact, that I’ve seen rotten herbs in the fresh herbs section. Do not buy the badge lettuce! The service is also bad. The last time I went in, I had a coupon that didn’t work and the cashier had to call the manager 4 times before she showed up. I waited 5 minutes and there was a long line behind me. I would have just left but it was a $ 2.50 coupon. This place is fine if you need to run in quick and grab a couple staples but I would not recommend it be the place for your weekly shop.

typical Safeway. checkout was friendly and speedy. best thing about Safeways/​Vons, they are all laid out the same way… so things are easy to find — especially if you’re from out of town (as we were).

Eight check-​out lanes and I’ve never seen more than 3 in use and I’ve been (unfortunately) coming here for years due to it’s proximity to home. My advice: Bring a book. Seriously, you can put down a couple novels while waiting in line.
I type this while waiting in line for the ONE open checkout lane. I’m about 8 customers deep.

This Safeway has the basics you need in a number of areas. I love the meat department here and they will work with you. Can’t say that about every place I shop. There’s a Starbucks inside which is extremely handy.

So this Safeway was newly updated and nice not that long ago. Preferable to shoppers and giant and the other two smaller safeways nearby. Then they remodeled the belleview one and are clearly phasing this one out. More of a sketchy parking lot and not as nicely maintained. Still most of what you need though.
So why the two stars? They almost always have one or two lines open and no more. Even during the after work rush or pre-​football Sunday rush, etc. I have waited literally 45 minutes before. No self pay units or anything. Not worth it.

Basically I’m going to start off by saying what I like about this Safeway at the 8646 Richmond Hwy location. It is the closest grocery store to where I live (until they possibly finish that road that goes to Telegraph road — then I will be going to the Giant on Telegraph all day). The prices are decent. The lines aren’t bad if you go in the evenings. Never had a problem with the staff.
Now for the bad. First of all, it seems run-​down. I think I was spoiled in other cities I have lived in in VA and outside the state where I was treated to 5-​star grocery stores that were spotless with the highest quality food and service. There are some of those in Alexandria, just not on Route 1. This Safeway is definitely not spotless. It is in somewhat a run-​down, old shopping area. The parking lot is a mess and unpaved. There always seems to be police in the parking lot or across the street. You will often find loiters and beggers if you go late at night right outside the store doors. It is hit or miss when it comes to food — produce, veggies, fruits, and meats. Sometimes they are stocked and sometimes they are empty (I mean literally empty). For example, I never have seen a grocery store be 100% out of chicken on a weekday evening. The already-​cooked section (Signature Café) is decent. Overall, if you mainly are looking for fresh foods and usually stay away from the center portion of grocery stores (cookies, junk food, and processed cans), then this Safeway location is pretty mediocre.
All I’m saying is that if that road gets finished, I probably won’t be going to this Safeway again.

Worst Safeway on the planet. This is the only grocery store close to my house I’d rather go all the way down Rt 1 to giant or wegmans in Woodbridge. Lines are awful, management and staff are rude and unhelpful. Employees are always taking a break or conversing with each other. There are never carts available either!

Does anyone remember that episode of «Good Times» when Florida buys the bad roast from Morgans? This store sells bad meat and seafood. I made the mistake of shopping while hungry. I make my ya to the frozen seafood section and stumble upon a «bargain» bundle of crab legs for 6 bucks (perhaps my first error). I got excited and realized I didn’t have a nutcracker so I conveniently found one for 7 dollars (error number 2). I then said hey I don’t have any butter for these crab legs so I bought a pack of butter… I get home and realize the damn things are rotten and they bathed them in bleach to slow the decomposition process (I chalk this up to my own greediness and take one for the team). Anyone that lives in the area would know that this store is prone to floods and power loss that last for days on end. Long story short, and much like Florida, I found out that after a power outage this store’s meat selection was completely brown and spoiling. After remembering my crab leg experience I found a person that identified himself as a manager and informed him that all the meat is brown and should not be sold. His response was one of extreme indifference and «thanked» me for my concern… I dislike coming to this store or Safeway in general. Besides the nasty manager with the bad attitude and the local union badge (just so you know she doesn’t give a shit) and the extremely high prices, I avoid this place at all costs.

This place is OK in a pinch, but I seriously never shop here without waiting FOREVER to check out.
And there’s never anyone in the deli meat dept when I need it.

The produce section here is disgusting. I can’t believe there’s actually a person who gets paid to maintain this place. Whoever they are, no matter what they’re being paid to do the job, it’s too much. The rest of the store is respectable, but no matter what you want in the produce section, chances are it’s either A) out of stock, B) in various states of decay, C) damaged, or D) some or all of the above. We make it a point to drive the extra couple of miles up the road to Giant; not out of brand loyalty, but rather out of desire to avoid vomiting when attempting to purchase produce.

I guess I have had much better luck at this store than the other 2 reviewers. When I worked down the street at Fort Belvoir, this place was my go-​to lunch break destination. Not always for buying lunch, but sometimes to pick up a few items that would survive the over-​stuffed refrigerator at my workplace for a few hours until I could take them home.
It is correct to say that this isn’t the largest or most well-​stocked grocery store in the area, but it does have all the necessary staples, and I have always enjoyed the friendly demeanor of the employees. I have many fond memories of heading over to this store and hoping my favorite Starbucks barista would be there to fulfill my mid-​afternoon coffee needs.

This Safeway is seriously horrible. It’s a lot smaller than other stores so they don’t carry as many products. Sometimes their produce selection isn’t all that great
The worst part is the checkout because they usually have just one person working so the lines are long about 90% of the time
The best thing about this Safeway is the girl that works at the Starbucks on weekday mornings. She’s the best

I cannot decide which supermarket in the NOVA area I like best or least. This one does a fair job but is has not wowed me that’s for sure.