Steve’s Quality Market

Steve’s Quality Market has been more impressive as time has gone on.
So much cleaner on a regular basis! Appreciated!
Their celery was so fresh recently, my guests commented! I already mentioned how fresh the bananas are in my previous review. Never bruised.
I think I’ll be shopping here more often!
Still friendly people at the register who realize you’re in a rush, and don’t dilly dally. Very nice treatment every time. Thank you!

The only reason I am giving this place one star is that for the most part is has all the food you need. BUT the WORST service I have had anywhere in my life. The checkout lady was seriously either had mental problems or was on heavy drugs. She was 0% at her job. And the other lady just stared at her. I seriously have no idea what’s wrong with the employees there but they have serious issues. I was so mad walking out of there. My advice? Get in and get out if you have to go there. Otherwise go somewhere else.

I love Steve’s, especially Deli and meats. Meats are fresh, nicely cut, and trimmed… nothing hidden. They also carry things I’ve had a hard time finding elsewhere locally.
The people who work there are hard working folks who have to put up with a lot of crap. I can hardly believe some of the things I’ve witnessed people doing and saying. like give me exactly $ 1.00 worth of some deli meat and yelling if it’s 2c over. Or people ordering 3 slices of x and 2 slices of y and… on and on for 6 or 7 different items. Who the hell wouldn’t get grumpy with this self centered BS when the real buying customers are backing up at the counter. The women at the deli counter are saints just for putting up with the crazies who come in. And when you are nice to them (what a concept) they are extremely nice back.
It’s an old fashioned neighborhood market with prices of meat, cooked foods, and deli that match or better Market Basket’s. I love going there and often come home with some delightful surprise from my youth… some ethnic thing they carry from local sources.
Parking can be difficult, so go before the rush. I’m so happy I found this place. Originally went there because I learned that they carry a particular cheese we like (saw on the manufacturer’s distribution list) and have been a regular ever since. Enjoy the vibe rather than to judge the shininess of the fixtures.
P. S. I recently tried their store made corned beef brisket. Cook it in pickling spice with a few cloves of peeled whole garlic, a dozen peppercorns and a large onion, and you’ll not find a better corned beef anywhere… AND it’s not salty!

It doesn’t have the modern look of a Shaw’s but they carry everything you need for basic supplies. The deli and meat market are great and have the quality of any big name grocer. They are so much more cost effective. It is a hidden gem and you just have to get beyond the rough exterior. The

Tiny market that has the basics if you need to run out and grab something quickly. Small inventory and crowded since the building is small. It’s kind of like a 711 grocery store.

Ignore my prior review. I’m a fan of Steve’s Quality Market, after a number of trips. Me and all the local alcoholics.
They have a really good assortment of stuff, quite decent prices (I’m focusing on the produce — where they have a surprisingly varied selection, fresher than Shaw’s easily).
They’re near my house and have good hours.
Good stuff

I base my review on the whole experience. I primarily go to Steve’s for the deli meat and cheeses. Great assortment and even better prices. Never have to wait very long, and the line moves relatively quickly. The smoked turkey is fantastic as is the Virginia Ham. I really liked the egg salad although it needed a bit of salt — easy fix. They have a great bread selection, and the meat department looks pretty good with a decent selection (haven’t bought meat or produce yet). The checkers can be a bit surly, but I chalk it up to the whole experience. There’s certainly an interesting clientele that frequents that corner of Salem, but again — it’s part of the experience.
To come full circle, the deli is where it’s at. MB used to be my go-​to for deli, but not anymore. Even if MB rises from the ashes, I’m on Team Steve now.

It’s like walking right back into 1975. Steve’s has the freshest meats, and an amazing deli boasting the best chicken pot pie you’ve ever had, hands down! You have to try it! Steve’s also has the best prices of any market in Salem and they’re open til 11 most nights!

This place has the general grocery items — and for way cheaper than you’ll find across the street at Walgreens or CVS. But they always seem to be out of what I went in there to get…

I take it all back. Well. Maybe not all of it — it still feels like 1978 in here, and it might not be my first stop in search of exotic produce, but I shamefully woefully pre-​judged Steve’s. Their meat. Oh my. Carnivores, unite. Fantastic. Just wonderful. And that Italian bread I was dissing before? I am now hooked. Hot from the oven all damn day. It’s my Friday night go to. Sorry I was cranky before, Steve’s. I’m over it and now a have a little crush on you. No longer grungy, but rather delightfully quirky.

If you are looking for luxury Steve’s market is not the place for you. Once you get past the old décor, creepy old homeless men out front and the miscreants of society working in the store you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The prices are fantastic ESP at the deli and on meat. Then there is the fresh hot bread. Let me pause a moment while the angels finishing singing their praises about that bread. It’s so good and addicting it makes you wonder if they put a bit of crack in it.

This is a very good, but singular bread store. they have very nice, fresh bread, but only one kind. surrounding the bread they have other foods to go with it, but not a great selection. but, the hot bread, for those that like that sort of this, it really is the sort of thing we like.

It served its purpose while I was staying at Salem and it was walking distance and they had what I needed — milk, cheese, cold cuts, meat and soda. Everyone is super nice and helpful. There is a warm bread next to the register and all kinds of cheeses and even Polish hrust. Oh yeah… the ladies at the register are pretty old but its all good.

I love Steve’s! Yes, the lady with the curly hair has yelled at me. No, the staff is in general not the happiest out there. I go there a few times a week to get deli meat, and regular meats. Everything is super cheap (only items on the perimeter of the store– go to Market Basket for canned goods and cereal.) They have everything packaged so if you aren’t cooking for 6 you aren’t wasting food. I love that.
All in all the staff has been very accomodating. They have gone out of their way for me, and I enjoy seeing familiar faces there every day. Once you go there often they are friendly!

Where do old baggers go to die? Steve’s Quality Market. Steve’s: It is the House of Pain… the Market of Misery… the Den of Depression. Walk into this place and the first thing that you see is, well, everyone is miserable! They seem to be just plodding through their day. This place has its cast of characters. The head honcho, the «Steve» character perhaps, looks a bit like Joe Paterno. (That could explain a bit.) Then there’s the grouchy lady with the tight dark curls, ready to pounce upon you if you ask a question. The sweet but s-​l-​o-​w bald guy in the Deli. The seasoned but ever-​so-​bored veteran lunch ladies who work with him. There are two hints of light in this dull and dreary deli. There’s the bubbly blond lady who loves to quip (we like her!) and the tall, thin, pleasant Nietzsche-​reading clerk who will say «hi» to you. I made the mistake of approaching a new worker today. I said, «Can you use fewer than more bags?» No answer. So I said, «Excuse me?» «What!?», she replied. I repeated my question, but by that time she already seemed offended. I didn’t mean to offend, really!
I’ve been going to Steve’s for years. Why do I go? There are only two grocery stores in downtown Salem. What one doesn’t have the other has, and vice-​versa. Good meats at Steve’s. And some good prepared food for people who, well, like that sort of thing (I do). But if you go, better make sure you have taken your antidepressants. This place can make you sad.

Good: Cheapest meat around
The warm bread at the cash registers
The cornbread at the cash registers
Open till 11 PM Monday-​Saturday
Shepherds pie days
Local flavor
In downtown Salem, where there aren’t any other options
Bad: Really limited, unappetizing produce
Some stuff is pretty darn expensive
Close really early on Sundays
It’s perfect for when you run out of milk, or want some cheap chicken or beef, but isn’t really going to be your weekly supermarket.

Five stars for the deli/​emeat section and the BREAD! YUMM! Get there right around 5pm after work– fresh hot out of oven and melts in your mouth. 1 star for being kind of dirty store and the staff is not the friendliest. It is in a decent location in downtown Salem. Not a huge store but it is local and they do give back to the community.

Quality is definitely not what this store is about/​Their canned goods and dry goods are always dusty… the store is always filthy and the staff are the rudest I ever encountered. Having been in this dirty store thousands of times, not once have I ever seen a single smile from anyone working there. Want fresh produce? Don’t count on it. what you’ll get is fruit flies and wilted brown crud… Pretty much the only thing good about this store is the deli and meats if you exclude the junk food which is probably the freshest item in the store other than their fresh baked bread, which is a very good bread and often hot. I don’t like giving them one star since I’ve been in here countless times over the last couple decades, but the store is dirty, the produce is never fresh and the staff are awful.

Steve’s Market has the best meat department and deli around and the prices cannot be beat. $ 3.50 for a pork tenderloin, $ 8.00 for TWO cuts of filet mignon that melt in your mouth, etc. Their «store cooked» roast beef and turkey are delicious, but plan to eat it within a couple of days — no preservatives here to extend the shelf life. And don’t knock the produce, either! It’s all fresh, tasty, and the prices are a fraction of what you’ll pay at Crosby’s or Stop and Shop. Don’t be fooled by it’s old-​school appearance and packaging, or by the less-​than-​savory clientele. It’s a great place to shop!

If you live right in Salem, this is great to run in for bread, milk, butter, or other key essentials. I certainly wouldn’t plan on going here for fresh produce, though.
It’s a little neighborhood store that has survived the onslaught of Shaw’s, Stop-​N-​Shop, and the other megamarts. That has to count for something.