Safeway

I’m often at this Safeway because it’s so close to my office. I’d have to give this Safeway 3 stars if I’m only basing my rating on the times I’ve gone during the workday. I come here with my coworkers to grab hot entrees like Zippy’s chili, beef stew, curry, etc. I’ve also bought meatloaf, mashed potatoes or other larger (to share) meals. Other options include fresh sandwiches, salads, fried chicken, corndogs, seasoned potato wedges, bean burritos, pizza sticks and more! It’s great for grabbing groceries or a bottle of wine for a dinner party after work too!
So why the 2 stars? I’ve come in the evening in hopes of getting something quickly but the lines for the cash registers are usually more than 5 people deep with people standing in line in the aisles! When I’ve counted, there have only been 3 registers open at a time and they don’t open any more. I’m not sure if they just don’t have the staffing to do so but I really wish they’d add more cashiers in the evening.
Overall a great convenient location. They just need to improve the wait time during the evening to go through the cashier lines.

Close to home, short staffed, long lines but very apologetic when we had to wait.

Love the regular security available here. The guy is on it. Loathe the after work lines. Five lanes closed, only three open.

Strange set up, can never find anything, and never enough cashiers.

Customer service is clearly a priority at this location. Every single time I visit, people remember me and ask how I’m doing and comment on what I’m buying. They are never negative or rude. Okay, there was one rude lady a long time ago, but I haven’t seen her in a long time. Anyway, they are quick to help you and quick to correct any mistakes.
The other customers are amazing! I always end up chatting to people while shopping or waiting in line. One time, a homeless man assaulted me outside the store and a customer ran out to help me. You have to understand that I’m a short white girl and this homeless man was screaming at me and about to hit me when this large black man ran over and yelled at the homeless dude until he left. Then the customer asked me how I was and if I was hurt in any way. I wasn’t, but I was so touched by the feeling of community around this area. Yeah, it’s next to downtown and a bunch of weirdos hang out nearby, but most of the time they are harmless.
Sales are always great! I’ve been here so often that I know where all the «manager special» buckets are and they are not hard to find. They always have great deals for hungry college students like me.
Finally, it’s right next to Long’s. I can get all my shopping done in pretty much one trip and that saves me time and gas.
Yeah, this isn’t the prettiest Safeway around but it isn’t their fault that corporate has not upgraded the store. Yeah, the bakery could be better. I don’t think any of that matters. They have gone above and beyond so many times that I cannot imagine how I could justify giving them any less than five stars.
P. S. Look for Bob, he’s awesome!

Not a pleasant experience last 3 trips here to Pali Safeway… Always a 10 – 20 person line and all they do is open 2 – 3 lanes. I just moved into area and not use to the understaffed circus. Sad. Having to wait upwards of 10 min although a 1^st world problem is still bad customer service in today’s market. Would recommend food land up the street. Added bonus food land employees greet you with a hi.

After searching every safe way in honolulu, I finally found a deli that will slice bologna. The staff was all very friend, more friendly than the other stores.
My new grocery store of choice

Despite the fact that this grocery store is just two blocks from where we live, we avoid it if at all possible! The checkers, except for one lady who was in training, all provide the worst customer service I’ve ever seen at any grocery store. Instead of focusing on the customer in front of them and getting ‘em in and out ASAP, they talk amongst themselves, BS with customers, work as slowly as possible. They suck.

The lines move incredibly slow for no apparent reason. Avoid if possible, there are much better stores around.

So I shopped here today and got two poke bowls. I’ve gotten these poke bowls for over 2 years at all different locations. Never have I seen someone measure the fish and rice to leave the container half full. Either I’ve been getting really luck for two years or this guy just didn’t like me.
He wears glasses and is Asian and works in the seafood area. You see him? Don’t order a poke bowl. He will literally give you the smallest like bowl you’ve ever seen.
From here on out I am never coming to this location for a poke bowl or to do any other shopping. I live two blocks away and rather drive to a different safeway or food land.
Ps: I was so mad I made this Unilocal just to make this review. Mahalo to everyone and safe shopping. Hope this helps.

Worst grocery store I’ve ever been in in my life. Long, long, long wait times any time of day mixed with inadequate stock. Also, you have better luck winning the lottery than getting an 8 piece of fried chicken. I will never use their store again and recommend you don’t either.

This is an older safeway. Not brand new. There’s no Starbucks or Bank of Hawaii at this location. But it still has all of what Safeway has to sale. This one is closer to my house but I prefer shopping at South Beretania.
I don’t know what it is about check out but whenever I go here I get so frustrated and I just leave. The cashiers take forever and the customers in front of me take even longer.
It is clean and there’s plenty of parking though.
Reminds me of the Safeway in Lahaina. But much smaller.

I like Safeway as they have good sales and personalized deals on my club card, but sometimes they really throw me for a loop. Sometimes the store smells kinda old and in need of renovations.
Produce is usually really fresh and nicely displayed.
On this trip, I stopped in the Pali location for apples on my way home from work. (Caused a minor avalanche as the apple I really wanted was beneath the top layer. Oops!) I ended up getting way more than just apples. Hence the phrase, «don’t go grocery shopping when you’re hungry.»
I got a tub of Cool Whip for $ 3.39 or something like that, then found it for $ 1.99 right next door at Longs. :-O Really??? Ugh! Should I return the now thawed out tub of creamy goo or just take it as a lesson learned and walk away? I walked away. I figured it would take too much time to be processed through Safeway’s customer service, and I just want to get out of Dodge.
I also wanted a Stouffer’s Chicken Pot Pie for my dinner, but lo and behold, they don’t stock it. Again, really!!! A mainland store doesn’t stock ALL Stouffer’s items, but stock every single flavor and style of Nabisco cookies and crackers.
The highlight of my sustenance expedition was being expedited through the checkout without having some creepy, wierd guy breathing on my back while standing 6 inches away from me, and mumbling random odd things.

Slow
Almost always a slow moving line to check out and not enough cashiers
On a good note; the variety and selection are good on products

I have a choice between Safeway and Times Supermarket when I’m near Chinatown and my go-​to is always Safeway! Not only is it closer, but they also partner with Chevron so I end saving around 20 cents per gallon on gas. Every $ 100 spent earns this reward. Redeeming it is easy with all that is required is you use your Safeway Club Card at Safeway and then inputting your phone number associated with that card at the pump.
I really like how fresh the food is here. They have fresh produce, a variety of goodies at the deli, alcohol, fresh cuts of meat, and lots more.
One thing that you have to careful of is the large amount of displays that seem to randomly hang off of doors and shelves. I wasn’t paying attention and accidentally tore one off a door when I turned around. I tried to put it back but couldn’t figure it out. I ended up leaving it on the floor because I couldn’t find a worker.
Parking is plentiful with a large lot that is shared with Longs. The employees are very professional, but they haven’t engaged in conversation with me. They just ring up your food, collect your money, and bag everything.
Safeway is a good place to shop for food. They have a wide variety of items and there are always lots of sales! Sometimes there’s strange people that hang out front, but it isn’t too bad.

I am writing this review as I am standing in line. Every time I go shopping here, there is ALWAYS a ridiculous line and only like 2 stations open. Seriously, I am almost better off driving to a farther location rather than have to wait for 10 – 15 minutes.

Sometimes I come in here to get some random groceries whenever I am in the near area or I go and check it out along with the Longs Drugs that is next door. There was one time when I had to pee really bad and I remembered that Safeway had open public restrooms but when I went to this one, it was closed so I was like you fakas! Anyways, this location is alright. I think and feel that this is one of the more decent sized/​smaller Safeways on the island. The customer service is ok and the prices are your typical Safeway prices where they have sales on certain items with your Safeway club card. There is a lot of parking right in front of the supermarket and it is conveniently located right on the intersection of Pali Hwy and vineyard blvd. This place makes a good late night run for some munchies though.

Closest safeway to home and they still had water! We bought 3 cases of water and lots of soda for my booze since booze and soda are in liquid form and beggars can’t be choosy!
I love this Safeway though it’s not as fancy as the ones on kapahulu or beretania but they’re convenient and I see lots of interesting characters in the hood! Where else can you go get your food then find a hooker all on one block!
I recommend this place for convenience and entertainment!

One of the few places I can park and run in to get something when I’m in a rush and downtown. Luckily right next to a Longs drug store if there is something that Safeway doesn’t carry that is needed (I’m thinking medicine) as I don’t have a heath plan that uses the Safeway system of pharmacy.
Even though Safeway at Beritania and Waikiki branches are remodeled– this one is still on the older side. I am thinking of the restrooms that need to be fixed– I don’[t go to grocery shop and plan to use the bathroom but it happens every now and then — and if families have kids I know it is important to know where the nearest bathroom. But it is not clean and not new looking here. Partly it could be the homeless/​drug/​prost. problems in the downtown area but normally it is a normal crowd shopping like a normal family need.
Normally there is always a line to pay. Many times there is a bagger/​expaditer but usually there are long lines. Part of this could be that it is a downtown slower store than Beritania and that at night time it slowsssssss down but as others mentioned– yes there are normally long lines here.
There is still all of the normal produce, but in a smaller selection than other stores that are more modern and brightly lit– but the soda/​chips section still is fully stocked.
Still– I go here and shop and that is really all I expect. I know longer lines, slightly less selection, and less clean/​shiny store over all look.
Maybe they will remodel this store later– we can only hope.

Camel: «Uh oh! Guess what day it is? Guess … what … day … it… is?»
«Eh! Anybody?»
«Val! Hey guess what day it is?
„Aw, come on. I know you can hear me!“
„Brian! Brian! Brian! Brian! Brian! Brian! What day is it Brian?“
„Ha ha ha ha ha!“
„Listen! Guess what day today is?“
Brian: „Sigh! It’s Safeway’s Five Dollar Friday!!“
Val: „Wah hoo!!! (Jumping up and down. yelling and screaming!) Y-​E-​E-​EAH!!“
Camel: „Val! Val! Val! Val! Val! Safeway Signature Café All American Sub: $ 5.00 on Five Dollar Friday!“
Val: „Those things are huge. Regular price is $ 8.99! (Jumping up and down. yelling and screaming… crying tears of happiness!) ALRIGHT!!“
Camel: „Val! Val! Val! Val! Val! Boston Cream Fresh Strawberry Topped Cake: $ 5.00 on Five Dollar Friday.“
Val: „I saw that! 8“ diameter cake with fresh strawberries. Regular price is $ 9.99.
Got to the Beretania Safeway at 5:30 P.M. The cakes were sold out! So I went and got a rain check for the cake at the Customer Service Station.
Then I went to the Pali Safeway. They had two Boston Cream Cakes left. I bought one cake. I’m saving the rain check that I got for our family’s next get together. (Jumping up and down. yelling and screaming… crying tears of happiness… hugging strangers!) THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!!»
Camel: «Val! Val! Val! Val! Val! 16 ounce Tony Roma’s Pork Loin Ribs in BBQ Sauce: $ 5.00 each on Five Dollar Friday!»
Val: «So unbelievable! Regular price $ 9.99 a package! I bought four packages! The ribs were delicious! A super bargain!!! (Jumping up and down. yelling and screaming… crying tears of happiness, …hugging strangers… popping bottle of champagne!) YAHOO!!»
Camel: «Val! Val! Val! Val! Val! Listen to this! Bone-​in New York steak: $ 5.00/lb on Five Dollar Friday!»
Val: «Regular price $ 9.99/lb. Good quality meat! Thickness the way I like it! I bought five pounds! (Jumping up and down. yelling and screaming… hugging strangers… popping bottle of champagne… setting off a 16,000 count row of fireworks!) BOOM!!!»
Camel: «Val! Val! Val! Val! Val! Package of 12 double rolls of Angel Soft Toilet Tissue: $ 5.00 each on Five Dollar Friday!»
Val: «Regular price for these is $ 11.99. The ones I bought had a 60% bonus; which translates to 60% more sheets per roll. I bought five packages. I can wipe my butt for so cheap; and for a long, long time because of this bargain!!! (Jumping up and down. yelling and screaming… hugging strangers… popping bottle of champagne… setting off a 16,000 count row of fireworks! …crossing heart, looking up and pointing index fingers to heaven!) YOU DA MAN! YES!!!»
Brian: «Val! How happy are people that save hundreds of dollars shopping at Safeway on Five Dollar Friday’s?»
Val: «I’d say happier than a male camel at a female, two hump camel, Christian Mingle meeting on a Wednesday!»
Male Camel: «Hey beautiful! Did you escape from the zoo? Because you bring out the animal in me!!! (Jumping up and down. yelling and screaming… hugging wild female camels… popping bottle of champagne… setting off a 16,000 count row of fireworks… and a cherry bomb! …crossing heart, looking up and pointing two toed feet to heaven!) YOU DA MAN! HUMP DAY! Y-​E-​E-​A-​A-​AHH!!!»
P. S. Five Dollar Friday ad is in Mid-​Week or Sunday Star Advertiser.
P. P. S. Safeway Club Card required for Five Dollar Friday and all Safeway specials.
P.P.P.S. Donut Special: One dozen assorted donuts for $ 6.49, with Safeway card. (Jumping up and down. yelling and screaming… hugging strangers… popping bottle of champagne… setting off a 16,000 count row of fireworks! …crossing heart, looking up and pointing index fingers to heaven!) «YOU REALLY ARE DA MAN… BOOM!!»