Save A Lot

Showed up at the store at 8:30 pm only to find all of the case freezers had been covered in cardboard getting ready for close. As if this wasn’t enough the lights were turned off at 8:44 PM before I had an opportunity to make my way though the isles and I was ushered to the register. I commented to the cashier «closing early tonight?» Which she responded to «No, we’re tired». I guess they aren’t open until 10 pm as their Google listing states, which is fine they close at 9 but last I checked closed at 9pm doesn’t mean cases covered, drawer counted down, lights off and locking the door behind you. To me closed at 9pm means you can shop as usual and closing down activities will start once posted hours have elapsed and the doors are locked after the last customer leaves the store.

My hubby loves this place. He buys our orange juice there. I stopped in one day to check it out — and to stock up on OJ along with a few other things. OK selection and well layed out. Here’s my gripe. I always take in my own bags. When I went to check out I handed the clerk my bag which he just tossed it back in the cart along with my checked groceries. So apparently you fill your own bags. All he had to do was tell me that. He barely made I contact. Really unfriendly experience. Not going back

The selection of Mexican food items is very good to excellent.
Need a 1# bag of dried chiles? They have it.
I found it weird that all the signs are in a single language: English.
This can be a good place to shop:
1. for certain items (the Tipton OJ not from concentrate)
2. if you have the prices at other stores memorized
If you like shopping at «dollar» stores, then you will like Sav-​a-​Lot.

You really do save a lot here. Really great prices and a selection just like the big chains.

Bargains, or are they? No, Save A Lot simply marks-​up their inventory consistently. Meaning… you are going to pay 5%-10% over costs on ALL their selections. The big-​chain grocery stores hose you/​screw you on all non «A» items. You can buy a 8oz container of whole pepper corn for .99cents at SAL, at Safeway, it’s literally $ 8.69 for the exact amount, at SAL, avocado’s are always .50cents each, at King Soopers, it’s $ 1 each without a sale, the examples are endless, it’s working out to be a huge savings for our family.

Here in WNY I went for first time. Amazing prices, (1.49 lb butterball turkey nreast), and fresh local veggies. I shop all around, and am seriously tired of huge pricey places (Wegmans) that just have 2 darn much stuff.

They had a lot of great veggies — mostly lots of key ingredients in Mexican food (tons of peppers, garlic, tomatillos, napolitos). I’m definitely stopping here next time I make a batch of green chile! That being said, I wasn’t as impressed with their selection of fruit. However, I think this place makes up for it by the great deals especially if you are shopping in bulk. My biggest criticism of this place is that they don’t have good backup support for their cashiers or an express checkout. Maybe this wouldn’t be an issue during the slow times of the day, but some people are not kidding around when they come to this store to shop. There were multiple people with shopping carts completely full — and then little old me stuck behind them with a $ 10.86 purchase.
But everyone there was friendly and if you are realistic about your expectations from this place, I don’t think you will be let down.

I stop in here once or twice a year for the adventure, as Cassie put it. I always feel a little guilty and my parents would probably be horrified to know I ever cross these doors. It’s a different experience from Safeway or Sunflower to say the very least BUT if you are ever throwing a party and need various throw-​away sauces and condiments for crockpot meatballs, you can find anything your heart desires for under $ 2 a bottle. Maybe you need a bunch of kool-​aid packets for a large vat of spiked punch? The best variety of flavors are here and they are under a quarter or sometimes even a dime. You can often get a dozen limes for a buck. Some obscure brands from Mexico can easily be found here as well as super cheap but fresh tortillas! This quickly nixed my idea of ever making my own from scratch. I have no need to brave the meat or dairy departments but can go crazy in the gum and candy aisle if the mood strikes. Just don’t forget to bring your own grocery bags, you don’t want to use up all your savings paying for their flimsy, hole-​y bags at checkout.

I think the biggest reason I’m a huge fan of bargain shopping is that it is always an adventure. You never know who or what you will run into at a place like Biglots or Family Dollar. There’s always that air of mystery. What is that strange meat? What could that smell be? Why is that lady talking into the frozen food case?
Sav-​A-​Lot is definitely an adventure– there are exotic groceries from Mexico and beyond, a varied and colorful clientele and you get to purchase your own grocery bags (but who goes to the store without their own these days anyway?)
I got outta Sav-​A-​Lot yesterday with about 2 weeks worth of food for myself and my roommate– most of it fresh veggies and meats– for $ 60. There is the rush of excitement that goes with shopping off the beaten path and THEN, the rush of spending about half what you would at the very Caucasian Sunflower Market just up the street. How can you argue with that?

Well, what can I say about Save A Lot. It’s a sort of offbrand grocery store that looks pretty sketchy at first glance. However, there are many treasures to be found within this humble market.
You can get some cheap stuff at Save A Lot, especially if you just want generic basics like toilet paper, bread, and so on. They actually have some great prices on produce here and there as well — go here for cheap avocados, artichokes, and more.
You can find a lot of Mexican brands here, especially items like cookies and snacks. You can also find some crazy-​ass meat items like whole pigs heads. There is a brand of fresh tortillas kept in a cooler near the regular tortilla display that you should check out. They’re much better than anything you would get in the normal grocery store.
Either bring your own shopping bags or expect to pay for bags. Don’t shop here if you’re looking for foofy organic high-​end stuff.
Verdict: Save A Lot delivers value and offbeat Mexican foods!