Albertson’s

Discovered that the lousy landlord of this shopping center is an absentee owner who lives in China. He won’t invest in his property, to the detriment of our neighborhood. I’m sure a nice market would move in if he would spend a little money to update the property. I bet that’s why Albertson’s never updated their store at this location. No support from the landlord, who obviously sees this shopping center as an investment and nothing else.

Sure, it was a little dilapidated and technologically pre-​modern (no automatic check stands), but it was very convenient for those of us in north-​east Pasadena, and Sierra Madre, and the walk-​in beer cooler was like none other I’ve seen. It’s closed now; I just drove by (Nov 6 2014) and it’s all boarded up. So sad, the shopping center it was in (also dilapidated) looks like a ghost town. I hope a nice new food market moves there soon, you’d think a nice area like ours could support it.

So sad our little neighborhood store is closing down! Yes, it’s still decorated like we’re in the 70’s/80’s…but it was just so dang cute, cozy, a little ragged, but all around a small town supermarket. I’ll miss smelling the weekend BBQ’s too! I hope they put another grocery store into this location… it’s so convenient for us mountain folk!
PS hours are 8 to 8 until they permanently close early November

This market is closest to my house, but I go elsewhere, like to the Ralphs in Arcadia. Store looks tired and dirty. The «rumor» that it’s closing is true. There are big signs announcing an inventory sale hanging outside above the front door. Just kind of wonder what will fill this building when Albertson’s is gone…

im thinking this one shouldve closed with most of the rest of the chain.
its very outdated, old and dirty.
thery still have the round conveyor system like when i was a kid.
prices are a bit higher than other places, i get it.
i do like some of the buy one get one in the meat dept.
i usually just go here to avoid the crowds at other markets. ‘which confuses me cuz its not too busy but theres always a line. i see a bunch of employees but they never open the other registers.
and im always hearing the employess argue with a manager about a schedule or how thewy dont want to take an hour lunch, they want to take half and leave early. im like whos is the boss here?!? sheesh.
i also like the discounted stuff in the back near the meat dept. tho they could just toss some stuff. things sit there for a while and i can tell that theyre inedible.
overall its ok, but i think its run has come to an end. or remodel and get some new emplyees, theyre burned out there.
i think they mainly sell alcohol to cover costs. lol
side note, i miss the old soda machine that used to sell the store brand sodas for .25 cents.

I always heard that Albertson’s is a less expensive market where you can get pretty much the same things… but I beg to differ, at least at this store.
For instance, their meat specials come in one form: two for one. So if you buy a 3 ib package of chicken breast, you have to buy another to get it free. This makes for a lot of meat packs.
There are also discounts on packaged bread… but the cheaper bread is awful, and who wants to eat cheap bread everyday for a week to save 99 cents.
The deli is) ust okay, but the liquor section is pretty good. Its the same as Ralph’s but not so extreme. Here if you buy 4 bottle of certain things you get the discount.
The producer section here is way over priced… and there is no bakery, so NEVER order your cakes here.
For the
bucks off my bill at the end… I’d rather shop at the Ralph’s less than
miles away.

Stopped by here before grabbing dinner nearby.
The market itself is an older one, both on the outside and inside. The selection of items is okay. Items are a bit pricey.
Lines are long and service is slow. There’s signs in the place that say 3’s a crowd and they’ll open more lines, but they didn’t. I’m guessing they were understaffed but lines were 10 – 12 people deep.

This Albertson’s is really janky looking from the outside but their alcohol selection is legit. They have a variety of beers, wines, hard liquor, and they even have a walk-​in cooler — very cool. Minus one star for jacking up Stella Rosa prices.

Kinda pricey but these people don’t act like they hate their jobs. Kinda small and up the hill but it’s nicer than some iv been to

The five stars is for the fried chicken! The best in Pasadena, maybe LA.

Right now, i’m totally in love with this store.
I looked all over Pasadena, trying to buy mincemeat to bake into a Thanksgiving pie. I tried seven different stores (four Vons, one Ralphs, one Trader Joe’s, one giganto Whole Foods) but no luck. (In fact, after not finding it at each store, I would ask for it, only to be told: «What’s that?» «Um, maybe it’s with the meat?» «Uh, I don’t know, it might be in the baking aisle.» «Oh, we forgot to order it this year.» «Oh, isn’t it in stock yet? It usually is by this time.» «Maybe in a few days?» «Maybe try the one down the street?»)
But this Albertson’s has mincemeat — two kinds! And they have lots of other interesting old-​fashioned baking things, and a variety of foods that other stores have stopped stocking because they’re not trendy enough. (Like Stouffer’s Welsh Rarebit! Mmmm, so good, and so hard to find.)
Plus, this store has a middle aisle, which makes life much easier.
What’s more, the baggers KNOW HOW TO BAG! This is so rare nowadays. Plus, they’re friendly.
So basically, picture a nice supermarket from twenty years ago (good customer service!), with modern additions (I bought a basil plant and decaf tea).

I moved up to this area back in ’94, and the store seemed like a relic even then. I don’t think it’s changed much, but I like that. It’s not slick. The staff is super friendly. My daughters love shopping there, especially grazing the samples.

Friendly neighborhood store. Cashiers are nice and make conversations with you.
For the poor student living on a budget, I recommend getting the poor boy’s sandwiches. Decent, filling, and only like $ 1.50. =)

Market itself = 3 stars.
Summertime BBQ out front = 5 stars.
Every weekend through summer, the boys from the butcher block are doing BBQ in front of the store. Whole tri-​tip and rack of ribs at really reasonable prices, or just get yourself a sammich for $ 3. The meat is amazing. Cash only!

Though it’s just down the street, I rarely go here. Why? The selection is limited, and the place «feels» dirty.
When shopping for groceries, I stick to Trader Joe’s and Super King.

Okay. Why on God’s green earth am I writing a review on a store that is a part of a grocery chain? Well, I’ll tell you if you quit bellyaching about it.
There is hardly ever anyone in the store and I rarely have to stand in line. It is a mystery to me how they stay in business. But all I have to say is, Hallelujah. I love me some Sierra Madre Blvd. Albertson’s. You can move on now. Thank you.

This is a grocery store I end up visiting frequently, but am never impressed with. I think a lot of that has to do with the store’s condition: I don’t think it’s been remodeled in at least 15 years, which makes it appear run-​down and shoddy (I also remember seeing on the news that supermarkets with newer renovations and whatnot are generally cleaner). The store isn’t very big, there isn’t even a bakery section, although you can find fresh pies/​cookies/​etc. on a table near the produce. Overall, selection is ok, produce is acceptable, and there are often cereals I like on special. It also seems like different types of ice cream are frequently on sale. It’s a perfectly fine place to go for basics, but if you’re looking for lesser-​known brands or a selection of, say, fancy vegetables, this Albertsons is NOT for you.