Giant Food Store

After 30ish great experiences ordering cakes at Giant in Havertown, I've bought my last one. The man taking my order was extremely rude the whole time. He spent 5 minutes arguing why he shouldn't write down several basic instructions instead of the 5 seconds it would take to do so. Ultimately, the cake was wrong because he refused to write down what I was asking him to do. Done with Giant bakery.

This is one of the largest and busiest Giant Food Stores in the PA division. It has everything you need: a great grocery department, a gas station to redeem your gas points from the Giant BonusCard rewards programs, health/​beauty/​pharmacy needs, frozen, dairy, bakery, deli and a great selection of prepared foods. And best of all, a department to buy 6pks and 12pks of Beer.
If you are someone that likes to avoid crowds, then this is probably not the store for you. You’ll be amazed how busy the store gets, especially on weekends, and the days leading up holidays and extreme weather (snow). The parking lot, even though it’s huge, fills up rather quickly.
Another great part of this store is that, compared to a lot of the other Giant Food Stores in the area, the aisles are wide and don’t get too congested.

Each department within this Giant has its own quirks, some departments are fantastic, some are horrible. I’ll go with the good bad then the ugly.
Good: The beer garden is a great add. I was in a pinch the other week when a few friends decided to drop by a few hours before the games on Sunday and I had no beer. PA liquor laws left me scrambling, but once I remembered this spot I was in the clear. The organic and specialty foods are excellent too. I love that I can buy my Aero Chocolates I used to buy in London or that I have a great selection of tofu’s and organic greek yogurts as well as organic baby foods to choose from. Their bakery fulfilled my son’s birthday cake order to my exact needs. All of these items deserve 5 stars.
The Bad-​Their produce. Yes they have a good selection, but I have bought some produce there at a super high price out of convenience only to come home and find some of it rotting. Strawberries, boxed tomatoes and raspberries to name a few. I give this section a 2 – 3 star simply because they do have a very good selection.
The Ugly-​Their pharmacy. The staff here is nice but really super sloppy, which is a terrible trait when you have someone handling your prescriptions. First occasion I dropped off, came back to pick up and the pharmacy tech only gave me one of my 3 prescriptions. I didn’t realize until I was home and had to make a special trip out there. She was very apologetic, but come on. Second occasion I came to pick up my prescriptions. The pharmacy hours posted aer from 9 – 5. I came in at 8:55 and waited until 9:15 for the pharmacy to open before I threw in the towel and decided to come back. Guess hours posted for them are strictly a suggestion. Time number 3 I came to pick up a prescription after I called and was told they were ready. When I arrived an hour later, the pharmacist was calling my doctor’s office to try and get preauthorization to have my prescription, that was supposed to be ready filled. Told me I could get my prescription today but without insurance it would cost me $ 450+. You don’t think you could mention this when I ask if its ready that its only sort of ready? I mean, I guess it was shame on me for giving them three shots, but come on…

I use to love this giant especially since it’s so close to home but lately I’ve notciced a huge difference in the customer service and the products. Management please tell your vendors to be more careful with your crackers since this is the third time that majority of the crackers break apart in the box. I don’t have that problem at all with Acme so now do I have to buy all my crackers from Acme? I have years of experience in customer service and this Giant definitely needs to approve on thier customer service. Compared to the Giant in St. David’s they are far behind. I stood at the seafood counter for over 10 minutes one day and ended up leaving and going to Acme in Bryn Mawr who helped me right away. This Giant does a lot of business but will loss customers if it doesn’t improve.

An excellent grocery store. Clean, well-​lighted, great seafood and beef selection. Even beer take-​out. What more could you ask for?

Omg I loveeee !! I live in Havertown and it’s so close to my house, I love their deals and the store card ! Every time I use it I save money on gas !

Self check out employees = Terrible.
I was trying to scan a barcode that was around the can and it wasn’t picking up on the scanner. I asked the 3 (one of who was a manager) giant employees for help. None of them moved a muscle. After they were done their conversation the manager rudely asked if I needed help. I explained my situation. She said you have to hit Start. I told her I already did hit start. She went back to talking.
It was just so rude. Unbelievably terrible customer service. Literally never going into that place again.

It seriously pains me to be writing this update. I LOVED this Giant. Like, in an emotional way. And I still love that it’s clean and has a lot of variety and great sale prices, so on and so forth and what have you. However, I’m sorry to say that I can no longer frequent this store due to its poor customer service. I don’t know if they got a new manager or what, but in the past few months things there have gone seriously downhill.
There are rarely people available to bag groceries, which in turn slows checkout lines while the cashier and customer both try to do it. More than once I’ve gotten in a line with a bagger only to have that person walk away after finishing up with a customer.
In this same time period they have also gotten into the habit of stocking shelves during high traffic times — like Sunday’s at 11. I get that items need to be on shelves, but I’ve seen them rearranging shelves during this time too — not necessary. It doesn’t appear that they’re just filling up on out of stock items — there are big carts and empty boxes in nearly every aisle at times. It causes so much traffic in the aisles and too many times you can’t reach what you need.
My biggest complaint is about the deli, though. One of my favorite things about this store is the ability to order your deli items from a kiosk, do all of your shopping, and then whip around and pick up your items — no need to grab a number and wait. This kiosk allows you to specify how you want your items sliced. I always choose Very Thin, and I used to get it. For several months now, however, my meat has been cut so thick that even my carnivore husband is grossed out by it. Yesterday I had enough and just left it there, going then to a different store for those items.
I wish this store had maintained the high quality experience it had in the beginning, but unfortunately it hasn’t and as a result, it’s former biggest fan will be shopping elsewhere.

This is my local giant, this is where I go when I don’t go to Trader Joe’s. I love the gas rewards program that they have. It can really save you some money, only complaint is that gas rewards points expire so use them or lose them.
The produce section is varied and fresh. Prices are really good most of the time (eat in the season people). Giant as has fresh flowers at a decent price. A bakery, and deli is available too. They have hot and cold food for take out or eat in. They also offer a beer garden that has a good selection all things considered. If you buy a meal and eat it in house you can also buy one 22oz or 2 12oz beers to drink with your meal but you can’t just buy a beer and sit and drink it (we aren’t in Europe people)
Parking lot can get a little hectic so do yourself a favor and just park towards the back of the lot, you’ll save yourself time because its faster to just walk in than it is driving around looking for a spot or waiting for pedestrians to cross or people to back out of spaces. This giant is ²⁴⁄₇ but keep in mind early mornings they are short staffed on the registers (why they close down self check out I’ll never know) because I often wait in line to check out if I stop before work.

In March I had written a review about an ugly encounter I had with a Giant employee. I incorrectly named Ed Betts as that employee.
Today, while checking my groceries out by Ed Betts I extended an apology which he graciously accepted. This young man is the polar opposite of the older Ed that worked the meat station.
I want to extend my apologies to Ed Betts again, his parents and family. It’s obvious he was raised exceptionally well. I’m ashamed I was reckless in writing a post of that nature not ensuring I knew 100% the employees name.
My post has been taken down but it was up for an extended period of time. I don’t know who may have kept it. I’ll provide Ed anything needed to rectify the situation so he can have in hand the fact that that was in error. Please message me through face book.
I’m sorry. I should have know better. I do not know where my head so I cannot offer you an explanation which you deserve but I can assure you I’ll never make a mistake like that again.
Sincerely, Laurie McAdams

I really love this Giant. We shop there on the regular.
Perks:
Starbucks
Fresh fruit and veggies
Beer Garden (you can drink up to 3 beers on the premises)
Normally lots of open checkout lines
Nutritionist on site that does tours and will host events.
$.10 off on their gas for every $ 100 you spend within a time frame with no cap. So share your card!
Cons:
Baggers overfill the bags and they rip. Watch them as they bag.
They no longer will offer to scan the store card for you like they use to. You must now ask. I know it’s a way to make money but it seems a bit deceptive. And it always felt like good customer service that they were trying to help you. Now they’re trying to just make you spend more.

Clean, good prices, big, has a beer garden, has a florist, has prepared food, has a bakery, has a gas station… just all around very nice and new and big and clean. I would definitely go back.

Okay, I’m just reviewing regarding my last visit to the store, last night 9÷29÷14. Last night it was raining, idiots were everywhere and it was crowded in the store. I have to admit, I was surprised because it was 7pm on a Monday night, not the usual night and time for a packed house at the grocery store. I have to complain about the lack of stock available, or should I say, not available, as well as the employees standing around like a bump on a log.
I understand that the stockers are there to stock product, but why are they allowed to wear headphones? How am I suppose to be able to interact with them regarding said products or questions about where something is? I just feel like it’s inappropriate to be wearing headphones while on the floor.
Now, why is it Monday night and you are still two days out of the same products? Shouldn’t the products have come in already for the beginning of the week? Shouldn’t you be ordering MORE product for the fact that you know it’s constantly sold out? Obviously it’s a popular product and sells well, so order more!
Finally, when I see an older manager and a young blonde employee standing in the same spot for well over 10 mins, and they literally aren’t doing ANYTHING, one has to wondering what they really ARE doing. Perhaps you could move the empty U boat out of the way so I can get to the product you actually do have in stock? Thanks, you’re a peach.

These food stores tend to be big but pricey compared to other supermarkets in the area. Just my perception?
My favorite thing about THIS location is the beer garden! Beer beer beer!
They have a large selection of craft beers and I love it! I even found my favorite beer here (Rogue Hazelnut) which I have had trouble finding on the west coast!
I also find that when I come here I am drawn to the sushi section, fo no particular reason at all. I mean pre-​packaged sushi is never as good as the freshly prepared stuff. In any event, I got suckered in (again) to getting a sushi roll (see pic). It was decent considering it was prepackaged and all and it sure was pretty to look at.
I will obviously continue to frequent this venue.

The name is apt.
I love the fact that one can purchase beer here — and fun ones at that. I’m not a beer drinker so it’s nice to be able to stop in here for a few bottles for those times that my beer drinking friends stop by.
I also like the pre-​made food section. My partner and I enjoy cooking, but for when being a student as well as an educator gets in the way of normal life, it’s great to have this as an option outside of delivery.
The store is wonderfully clean too! I worked in a grocery store as a kid and know the common dirty areas and this one meets my white glove test :)

This review is exclusively for the bakery. (The rest of the grocery, produce/​meat, etc are great!!) the bakery has terrible service. The people were nice enough. I ordered a cake 4 days ago. Was called the day of to be told they didn’t have the flavor we ordered. Then went to pick it up & the name was spelled wrong (it was an online order so it was typed out correctly). The poor girl tried her best to fix it but it still looked terrible. Redeeming factor — I got ½ off for my terrible cake. Very disappointed. Will not order or recommend.

I love this store. I live in Havertown very close to Super Fresh and shop mainly at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods and now this new Giant. It is 5 minutes from my house. their selection of organic food is outstanding. Their fish and meat departments are always fresh and full. They have a nice selection of fresh artisan breads and baked goods. The customer service is so good even when it is very busy, you hardly have to wait. All the employees are friendly and helpful. So-​o glad they opened up here.

I’m really glad this Giant came to be so close to my place. It’s clean, large, and is usually well-​stocked. Best of all, it has a beer garden with a good selection of craft beers for a build-​your-​own six pack. Awesome!

The new Giant is now firing on all cylinders. Giant has good prices, outstanding customer service and a broad selection. I have gone to the Giant in Springfield for a few years and am so happy to have this store a few blocks away. I paid $ 2.49 for gas last week with bonus points. You can’t beat that!
I don’t wish anyone ill will but I will be happy to see Super fresh bite the big one with their understaffed and overpriced store. Giant gets it right.

They have Chinese pork buns! Tasty looking sushi, soups, and already hot lunches. And seating outside. This option might be just as good as the Chipotle or Panera Bread next door.

I agree with my good Unilocal friend Teri R. It’s hard to judge a grocery store when it first opens. You would expect everything to be bright and new and it is. You would expect the shelves to be beautifully stocked and they are. You would expect all kinds of grand Opening Specials and they’re everywhere.
The grocery market in Havertown is about to get interesting. A few tenths of a mile one way is Acme and a few tenths another way is Super Fresh. These folks are right in the middle. BTW, it’s hard not to compare this store to the Wegmans in KOP. It’s clear they are going for the same look and feel. There are a few things about this store I really like already.
There is a licensed Starbucks inside. I’ll definitely make use of them.
There is a nicely organized and extensive section of craft beers they call the Beer Garden. Don’t thing this is like the Pub at Wegmans. It’s not a place to sit and drink but to buy beer to-​go.
They have those mini-​carts similar to those at Wegmans. I love them.
They are open ²⁴⁄₇.
They aisles are very wide and it’s easy to maneuver. The signage is also very good.
As we move forward past the Grand Opening the bottom line is going to be prices, freshness and customer service. Only time will tell. For now I’m going for three stars.