Smart & Final

Unilocal challenge 2015 ³²⁷⁄₃₆₅
Kind of the place you shop at when you have a plan and know exactly what you are looking for. Things have came a long way here at SnF. They are no longer the home to bulk and buy without a membership card. Located at Knott and Katella in Stanton with plenty of parking.
Yea, they have a lot of stuff in bulk like burgers, hotdogs, cheese, candy, chips, ect. About 60% is geared to resturants, schools, ect. But they also have your regular single family items that cater to the those who are single to feeding a family of four. Bread, milk, jelly, peanut butter, ect in normal sizes.
Service here is slow. Usually only 2 lanes are open.
#802

This Smart and Final is located on the corner of Katella and Knott Ave.
Just your typical Smart and Final, which is close to work. I prefer to shop elsewhere, but I usually pick up supplies for work-​and close by in a pinch.
I signed up for their loyalty program, and I get emails advertising weekly specials.

I much prefer Costco and rarely, if ever, make a trip to Smart & Final. However, Costco didn’t carry a salad mix that I so desperately needed, so I made the clutch decision to go to Smart & Final. In terms of stock, Smart & Final obviously seems more geared towards food/​restaurant/​hospitality. However, price and selection wise, I still much prefer Costco. The salads I was looking at were all above price value that I usually fork over at Costco.
I do have to say customer service was great — a worker immediately greeted me, asked if I was looking for anything in particular, and informed me where he would be if I did need assistance.

Not very clean not a bug variety here it was a waste if time but maybe they will improve

I love this place when I need large quantities of stuff! They have some really good pre seasoned meats, etc. They have precooked chickens for around $ 6. Overall a great place for me to shop!

Ever go to one of those stores where the cashier picks and chooses who they greet or act friendly to? Well this is one of those.

Wow. A lot of entitled people reviewing this place.
It’s a Smart & Final. It is completely adequate and serves its purpose.
If you feel the need to be treated like royalty for gracing a grocery store with your presence, I suggest you try Bristol Farms. A reality check might be cheaper, though.

Too bad you can’t go lower on the ratings!
I came here to buy a lot of snacks to send to some friends and I dropped almost two bills on stuff here and smart and final and was also hoping to score some boxes to send the snacks to my friends in. Like I assume if I’m buying that much stuff and spending that much money id at least have a chance at getting some boxes. However when I went up to pay, the cashier named Jose gave me a generic, stock response that they «just got rid of all of the boxes» without even checking. I asked if they had any boxes and without skipping a beat told be they were all out. How about actually checking buddy? Whatever they’re paying this guy is way too much because he was extremely incompetent at his job and was extremely rude. I honestly don’t know why I expected better service at this place but maybe a «hello» or «good evening» would have been nice. It also would have been nice if he told me my total before taking my payment. I had to crane my neck to look at his computer screen to see the damage… Incompetence at it’s finest: can’t even be a cashier. Good job smart and final! That will definitely be the final time I come here!

3.5 stars; If a Food for Less & Sam’s club had a kid… this would be it.
Produce is fresh but the sales are typically better else where. Lots of canned, frozen & party supplies /​accessories. There’s a entire section on to go containers & paper /​styrofoam cups. For the latter, this is my go to place I prefer if I’m in need of party supplies.
Still can’t shake that run down feel but today it really warmed my heart when I went into the store. A homeless vet was outside & I asked if he wanted something to drink. He laughed & motioned to the 3 half gallons other patrons had given to him. I got him bananas, a econo sized trail mix & cheetos. He was really excited about it… which really made my day. I should remember to give more when I can!

So today I arrive at the local smart & final on Katella in Stanton, very slow there for good reason. I had to pick up a few quick items. As I walk up to the register the clerk does not even knowledge me! Ok it happens but as she processes the items and gives me the total she drops everything ignores me with Cash in my hand to answer the phone that is ringing! She then talks to the so called customer and leaves to check a freakin price!!! Now there are two more people in line with money right now guaranteed sales and they to are put out as second class citizens! What happened to service or even common courtesy for that matter. The person calling is too lazy to walk in and check a price so they get full priority! Horrible not a fan of smart & final they have no customer service standards at all.

Let me start out with– you don’t go to Smart and Final (or Fart and Smile as we fondly refer to it) for fancy gourmet groceries. I typically go to S&F when I want to pick up bulk meats (like slabs or ribs, or whole briskets) when I am using my smoker. Especially on the weekends when I really don’t want to deal with the throngs of people at Costco.
I am a big fan of S&F’s restaurant packaging department, and often buy stacks of the clear deli cartons in different sizes for saving leftovers.
Their produce department is average, but if you are not looking for anything too fancy, I guess their green beans are as good as the next guys. I also find that they carry some items that my regular grocery store doesn’t, and that their ethnic sections are very well stocked– expecially the cajun section. I also have noticed that the First Street brand (S&F’s generic brand) are really just as good as the name brand products.
So Yeah, I am a fan.

I’ve been coming to this location for years and have never had an issue. I always find what I need for the price I like to pay. My only draw back is one of the cashiers. Short lady with long brown hair. She is so incredibly rude. When I come to the register with 50% off Orange Juice and you don’t scan my 50% off don’t give me the stank eye because I point it out. If I didn’t want the 50% off then I would not have grabbed it. I understand it was mostly likely not noticed but the stank eye when I point it out is incredible. She asks if you found everything ok and that is it till you pay and leave then it is like pulling teeth to get her to say «Have a good day» But while you are waiting she will NOT make casual conversation to save her life. I seriously try to avoid her line at all cost because of how sucky her customer service is. LIGHTEN UP! If you don’t like your job that much, LEAVE, do something you enjoy doing because being a cashier clearly is not your sunshine of fun.

This used to be my closest Abertson’s before it was turned into a Smart & Final. Still technically the closest grocery store to me, I like that it’s a Smart & Final Express. The Express versions are more like typical grocery stores than you average Smart & Final.
They have a great produce section that is always kept looking perfect. It’s small so if you need more exotic items, you’re better off elsewhere. For the basics, this will do just fine.
Smart & Final also doesn’t require a «club card» anymore. When things go on sale… everyone gets the discount. If you don’t have the patience to go to Costco for 1 or 2 bulk items, then come here. The prices for bulk items are more expensive than Costco (usually by a dollar or two) but worth it in a pinch.
I come in for a variety of things. It’s very clean and has plenty of people on staff. Once in a while the cashiers will have conversations that have nothing to do with anything while you’re checking out which can be annoying… but for the most part they are all friendly and professional.

Good prices. I like Smart and Final, but the one near me closed and moved here a few years back. I miss the convenience of it being closer to me. But when I really need something in quantity, I come here. The service is good.

they have a whole half of a aisle dedicated to Vinegar, why?

fast service. just wanted to add it to Unilocal so i can check in since i go here regularly! :)