Safeway

Solid market — came here two times on our week long trip to stock up on some goodies.
I like the layout of this market — similar to any Albertson’s or Acme grocery stores, and for me it had a very familiar vibe. Not as huge a selection or ingredients or brands as I’m accustomed to compared with Super Stop and Shops or other big name markets, but it really had everything we needed or wanted. We got grass fed Angus beef, delicious look rib-​eye steaks, organic salads and grape tomatoes, pasta and Nathan’s hot dogs, salami, Applegate turkey, swiss cheese, Hawaiian sweet rolls, Charmin toilet paper, Neutrogena acne cream, hand soap. Everything was reasonably priced and lots of the items were on sale.
Donuts and rolls/​bagels looked really delicious and since we came at night both times, they were still remarkably fresh. Of course there wasn’t a lot of them left, but what was there was still soft. I admit, I did the squeeze test first.
The bathroom is kind of dirty and messy, but I wouldn’t expect much more from a grocery bathroom.
On our second trip here, noticed police on bicycles outside (around 2 – 3) stationed outside near one entrance, and one officer inside the store upon entering. A bit weird — didn’t think the crime was a huge issue here. The inside and outside looked safe, but then again I wouldn’t really know how it is here on a day to day basis. Very large parking lot, plenty of spots. The lot is a bit dark — they don’t have a lot of lights distributed throughout the space.
The Starbucks here was cozy and had several tables — usually two were always occupied but I did notice the people looked a little worse for wear.
Hot foods station: Super unappealing food. Deep fried chicken, old looking Asian style dishes and spring/​egg rolls.
Prepared foods — plenty of pizzas, sandwiches, and roasted chicken available right as you walk in.
I applied for a Safeway card here to get some savings — hey a few bucks is a few bucks in my pocket! The woman with her green hair and bright nails was super friendly and helpful, walking me through everything. As for the rest of the cashiers, nothing to write home about, but they weren’t rude or nasty so I take that as a win!
Also have a gas station here.

Beware this is a dangerous location. Crack dealers in the parking lot, gang bangers all over the store. I was told white people weren’t welcome there and to go back to Bellevue. I’ve filed a formal complaint with Safeway corporate for the racism that was directed at me and for their employees doing nothing to help.

I go to this Safeway all the time because it’s so close to my house, but I keep reminding myself to start driving further to a better store. The service is slower and not as professional as I’ve experienced at all of the other Safeway stores I’ve visited. I try to visit the store before 3pm or so — after that it gets more rowdy. Usually I encounter at least one person half-​belligerently yelling across the store or the parking lot. And of course there’s the gunfire — there have been many shootings here in the past couple of years. The now-​permanent presence of a police van in the parking lot doesn’t seem to help. Today there was the strong odor of pot at the front door (generally fine with me, but please not in my grocery store). For these reasons, we call it Unsafeway.

I didn’t realize how lucky I was to have this be my local Safeway store until I went to another location that was lacking what I was so used to having: spacious Starbucks seating, gas station, wider selection of items (chips!!!), pharmacy, floral department, and aisles of items that make sense being in the same aisle. Looking at you Othello, chips and baby products do not belong in the same aisle.
There’s not much more to say about a grocery/​supermarket chain. It will most likely have whatever you are looking for.

Kudos to Asmeret, Joseph and Roderick here at Safeway Rainier Beach.
Joseph answered my questions with a friendly smile. Asmeret was engaged with me to have the great experience with shopping here. Roderick was very helpful too. I wish I live near your store.
May I add, thank you for having a Gluten Free section.
Thank you all for making my day.

It’s great to be a regular! Even at your local grocery store. This Safeway has a food bar that’s decent and a nice Deli. Fill a takeaway container from a wide selection of hot cooked foods or salads — they price it by the pound so the heavier your container the higher the cost. Precooked rotisserie chicken, salads, a deli, a Starbucks just about everything. This Safeway is also walking distance from where I lived.

1 star for the deli service. One person working the entire deli. Food at least looks presentable. Someone needs to help figure out the staffing schedule with every single department especially the deli, and starbucks.

It’s not Trader Joe’s, but it’ll do. I recently moved into the area after living in a place that had a Trader Joe’s just a couple minutes from my house. While I continue to love the cheap prices at TJ’s, the wine selection and the quality of their quick lunch-​type items, I’ve found a decent replacement in my local neighborhood Safeway.
Firstly, let’s deal with the issue of the neighborhood that I keep seeing in the other reviews. Is it the safest area in Seattle? Let’s be honest. No. There have been multiple shootings in the parking lot or the adjacent areas over the years, but there’s a lot of crime in the city these days. I don’t feel unsafe going here. To their credit, the security officer and added patrols in the area DO help with that.
The employees inside are mostly helpful. Sure, there are a couple of the cashiers that you can tell hate their job, but they’re not rude. They’re just not all that pleasant. It’s an acceptable apathy because they still continue to check you out quickly and do that thing where they try to pronounce your last name and then give up on doing it correctly. It’s always good fun.
The produce section is quality. I enjoy having a lot of organic options available.
The bakery is kind of hit or miss. I love their bagels, but the pies do leave a little to be desired. That being said, I ate one of their Dutch apple pies the other night with a speed that could be compared to that of an eating competition.
The wine selection leaves a lot to be desired. Trader Joe’s kills this place by comparison. Even QFC makes this selection seem miniscule. There are some decent finds in there, though, but you have to look hard to find them.
The attached gas station is a win despite concerns about the quality of the gas being raised. I can’t imagine that it’s much worse than Arco and the ten cents off a gallon really helps!
Overall, I’m happy with this as my neighborhood store. I can see myself traveling down to the new PCC on occasion after it’s built, but for now, this place is my staple.

This safe way is just like the freeway. From 4 – 6 ish the lines are super packed! So you are warned!
Other wise its just a normal safe way, not much else to say. I live within a mile of this place so I will usually go here for things. They do have a security guard/​police man that is always at the front door, not sure if this is supposed to make me feel secure or is maybe some foreshadowing as to what usually happens here. Luckily I’ve never been involved or around here to see that, but just letting you know. THis place is just ok.

Worse managed Safeway I’ve ever been to since the early 90s spanning multiple countries (even England). I stood in line for 30 minutes because 6 employees were missing and the stock guys had to check everyone out. No on could buy produce because they didn’t know how to scan it, so we all had to put our produce to the side. After the line of 20 people, I couldn’t even cook the meal I planned since I had no produce, so I got a pizza down the street instead.

bittersweet. there is much more to choose from but you’ll risk getting shot.

Another two stars are warranted — the employees have really stepped up their game. And by that, I don’t just mean new employees, some of the ones who’ve previously had some attitude problems have been consistently helpful, friendly and seemingly patient with even the most difficult customers.
There’s still issues: having to carefully check the expiration dates for even dry goods isn’t my favorite but I don’t know if it’s much different elsewhere.
I find that they’re almost always better at keeping things in stock, the prices are consistently low and overall, I am not sad this is my local store so yeah, I’m a fan for sure.

Probably due to it being rather larger than the Othello location nearby, their munchies (namely the chips) have more diversity — especially a few more ‘natural/​organic’ stuff.
Late-​nite, daylight… I still feel pretty safe. Just do your business and all is good. The store is still very decent, overall, after all these years… holding down Rainier Beach.
It’s good to note sometimes late they may only have 1 cashier working. Perhaps before you shop, glance over there to see how many are at the moment.

I would say that the area is pretty sketch so I wouldn’t recommend coming here late at night. But I’ve been accosted by people selling hot dvd’s and God knows what else. That being said, it’s pretty regular, the tellars are eh, got attitude but like I said, the area is pretty sketch. Does the job, plain and simple. If you don’t want convenience go to the Trader Joe’s that’s up near UW.

Poor selection of wilting produce. I guess us poor people in the hood shouldn’t care. Safeway, do you really want the 2 safeways in this neighborhood to represent you? Both are terrible. Really, it makes you seem as though the stores in the poor neighborhood aren’t important to you.

Only go here if you want to wait in line for outrageous amounts of time. Despite my being friendly, everyone that comes here is cranky pants. If you want service with a smile, go elsewhere. Try Trader Joe’s!

Lameway. That’s the name of this location because it’s lame.
It always feels like the lights are dimly lit in here. I’m used to Safeways with bright lighting and a clean feeling. I get neither from here. the lighting is low and it always feels dirty to me.
The layout of the store is also weird and unintuitive. I always end up wandering about aimlessly looking at the aisle signs to figure out where I want to go. Why aren’t a gallon of ketchup, mini condoms, a bag of pretzels and plastic plates all in the same aisle?! But seriously… did the Seattle city planners create the floor plan for this store?
The absolute worst thing about this store and the reason why I will do my very best to not come here unless I have no choice is the wait to check out.
The last 3 visits here have seen the self checkout closed and only one cashier working. THAT. IS. FACKING. STUPID. My last visit… which happens to be last night saw the one line of people waiting to buy their products and GTFO starting at the cashier and going across the walkway into one of the aisles and reaching about halfway down it. I personally saw two separate people toss their items down on the nearest open shelf and walk away in disgust when they saw the line. Talk about horrible customer service… can you make it any more clear that your store doesn’t value it’s clients’ time?
From now on I’ll drive the extra 5 minutes to the QFC in West Seattle… it’s open 24 hours so it also has that going for it.
Not a fan.

Dear Safeway, for those of us who are unfamiliar with the no plastic bags in Seattle policy it would be really nice if your PAPER bags had handles on them like they do in other stores, so I could carry the bag with ONE hand instead of making 17 trips between the car and house to unload my groceries and so my chicken doesn’t drip juice all over my canned goods. Just a thought. Also, can your deli please get with the mac and cheese program? I really love your mac and cheese so not having it around lunch time (1pm) is a little confusing. Thanks.

Are you willing to get groceries despite the fact that there are bums outside? Brave the problems outside, and come in to buy your groceries. This isn’t a discount grocery, same prices here that you get in upmarket neighborhoods. You feel safe inside, as there is always a city cop at the door, making sure that people don’t steal loaves of bread and vodka bottles (now available at the grocery store!).
I think I’ll stick to the asian markets, where prices are low, and no bums outside and cops inside.

Enough with all the idiots calling it a «ghetto» store/​area/​safeway cause honestly Seattle doesn’t have ghettos or projects. Our «ghettos» are luxury areas compared to what the rest of the countries ghettos look like. I won’t even touch the racist undertones attached to that word and its constant MISUSE by uneducated individuals… moving along…
Anyways, this store is just like any other safeway you’ll run across fully stocked, friendly associates, and a starbucks. Ample parking, gas, and liquor store, as well as phở and a laundry place in the same lot. I can’t complain and won’t complain.