Giant Eagle

Yes, this Giant Eagle is comparable to Wegmans, more in its layout and overall feel than in its products. Wegmans is untouchable in that aspect, particularly in its hot foods, coffee bar, and bakery. Giant Eagle’s main advantage over Wegmans is the Eagle’s Nest, which is invaluable to parents of eligible children. The Eagle’s Nest staff is exceptional at this location (not every GE has an Eagle’s Nest).
Another reviewer who said that the store has declined in product quality, particularly butcher and produce, since opening in this location is right. Service remains very good.
The international section has become more limited (when I asked, employees in-​store told me that it was due to the supplier’s choices, not Giant Eagle’s). Difficult-​to-​find items can sometimes be found here but not consistently. The overall product selection is the best of any grocery store in the area. The bakery is good and there’s a nice selection at the deli. Hot foods is hit-​or-​miss (I recommend skipping the salad/​olive bar; I once got sick from it) and seems to be closed completely on Sundays since installation of the beer area and that register’s uses for alcohol purchases.
The store is usually clean, including restrooms. Checkout wait times are relatively short and cashiers are brought in with ease.
Seasonal food items usually sell out quickly and once they’re gone, they’re gone.
If you need more than what this store has, Wegmans is a short drive away in State College (we do visit Wegmans frequently to fill in the gaps this store leaves). For basics in an acceptable environment, this store fits the bill. Remembering what Altoona’s grocery stores offered before this location opened, I’m thankful that it’s here. But like other reviewers said, this should’ve been a Market District store.

Best supermarket in Altoona.

They should have just made this a Market District. Honestly for as big as it is on the inside they might as we have taken the time to just put a little extra here and made it what it should have been all along.
The floor layout makes it a breeze to walk through here and easy to find what you need if you are coming here for a sprint shopping spree.

I’m surprised that the previous reviewer has the audacity to try and compare Giant Eagle’s to Wegman’s.
Wegman’s is FAR BETTER than this place!!!
This is a typical large chain supermarket. They stock the common, standard-​fare food products that most people come to expect in a super market. If you are looking for a variety of foods, whether that be local or international, DON’T GO HERE — you won’t find it!
While they do carry a slightly larger selection than say Wal-​Mart, you won’t be totally wowed if you’ve ever shopped at a Wegman’s. Giant Eagle’s prices are definitely higher and you will quickly notice that as you walk around the store.
As for customer service, this place is the pits! In other words, horrible customer service. I recently had an incident where one of their stock aisle flunkies put the wrong signage out in the potato chip aisle, and then when I got to the check out, the prices were all wrong and they tried to tell me that *I* was wrong! I quickly left my food on the belt and walked back to the aisle where the sign was and snapped a picture of it with my cellphone. Instead of making an adjustment at the register, I was forced to pay for my groceries and then have to take and appeal my case to the customer service desk. What a fiasco that was! They tried to tell me that I misinterpreted the sign. I asked how can ANYONE misinterpret «buy one, get one free». I was told that it was only for select flavors of chips in that brand. So, I go back to the aisle to take the paper sign that was posted, in order to show the service desk witch that it did not state anywhere on the sign that it was only for specified flavors. Well, guess what? Those sneaky managers quickly took the sign down and when I got there is was GONE! Luckily, I snapped a picture of it with my cell. Long story shortened, I demanded to speak with the store manager and I unloaded on her on what she was trying to pull. Once I showed her the cellphone picture and the date/​time stamp, she backed down, BUT… that didn’t stop her from saying that THEY made a mistake but still couldn’t give me the bags of chips for the advertised price. Giant Eagle is a big scam! I ended up receiving a call from the district manager and in order to try and make it right, he wanted to send me a box of 10 bags of potato chips for my trouble. I asked him where the logic was in sending me 10 free bags of chips when all I really wanted was for them to honor the «buy one, get one free» advertised special. He couldn’t answer me. He told me that I «didn’t understand»…that it would be far easier to send me 10 free bags of chips. This had slimy, underhandedness written all over it. So, I tell him which 10 free bags I want and he could’ve even do that. He wanted to send me 10 bags of chips as long as they were the same 10 bags. I told him «no». That if he truly wanted to make this right, no more conditions — like their disappearing in-​store signage. He reluctantly agreed.
Shop here if you must, but this place does not put the customer ahead of its own greedy profits. I avoid this place like the plague!

I know what you’re thinking. This chick’s nuts. Reviewing motels, supermarkets and Chinese take out. I’ve really lost it totally. Regardless, this stands to be said.
This market rocks hardcore. It rocks so hardcore in fact, I would literally make the 45 minute drive every other Saturday from State College just to do my groceries. Imagine a Wegmans, Wholefoods, CVS, bakery, café and ticket master all in one convenient location nestled across from a Kohl’s, Barnes and Nobles, Panera and Home Depot. Open until 12 am. Yuppers. 12 friggin am.
This place has absolutely everything all wrapped up in a tidy, organized and clean package. Their «mini» café is actually as large as most small deli’s in Rhode Island with ample seating, tasty treats and of course, all on the super cheap. The produce section is also huge, carrying the typical, necessary items as well as exotic, organic and harder to find varieties all again, at reasonable prices. In addition they also have a rather large specialty section divided up into several aisles, shelves and freezer cases. I’ve found some unbelievably great products here for much cheaper than Wegmans or the local markets. For those with the sweet tooth, there are also plenty of guilty pleasure in their candy bar and bakery: their homemade cream puffs are simply to die for and at a buck and some change, they’re a delectable treat my wallet can afford (but certainly not my waist). The customer service on all occasions was totally suitable and helpful although I almost always opted for the self check out (I’m particular with how my groceries are bagged).
And get this. They have diet strawberry soda for a dollar each. I literally died and went to fruity, fizzy heaven. (I would seriously buy like, ten bucks worth every couple weeks.)
I cannot recommend this market enough. Living in State College was massively dull for me and our weekend shopping trips were usually the highlight of my month. On the plus, 45 minutes is a small price to pay for better quality produce, meat and yummy little extras. (Still not convinced? Use it as an excuse for a mini retail excursion at the mall!)