Do you think there's much difference between Giant and Safeway?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:While I don't love either, in my neck of the woods (NWDC), I have found Safeway to be consistently more expensive than Safeway.

I meant Giant!

You know, that really didn't clarify anything.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since it seems like we have settled safeway v giant, can I ask if I am the only one who doesn't understand harris teeter? I'm in moco if that matters for booze reasons. Basically it is an upscale giant for 125% of the price. It doesn't tough wegmans for prepared foods, and doesn't have whole foods or trader joes selections of organic or cool stuff. I really am trying to understand why people shop there unless strictly convenience.

Agreed, I don't get Harris Teeter it at all. The prepared foods are not WF or Wegmans quality. I suppose they are a tad nicer than Giant in this regard. However, I don't get any other reason to go there unless you are totally into olive bars, mediocre "fancy cheeses", sandwiches.

The Safeway is always a depressing experience. They built that big new one in Bethesda. You can dress it up fancy, but it's still Lucerne.
The one at Little Falls shopping center is a total disaster, I don't know how it stays open. This might be what PP was referencing when she mentioned 40 minute waits at the check stand. Yes, Ms. Crystal is nice, but that is about all that place has going for it!

You couldn't pay me to buy a piece of "fresh fish" at any of these places. Defrosted orange roughy from China...no thanks!

That was me. The 40-minute wait was in Greenbelt, although I'm not surprised that any Safeway is slow.

Something else worth mentioning -- the Giant in Greenbelt is in Beltway Plaza, which is a really crummy mall (decent Target there, however) and still has a far better selection of cheeses, organic products, and meats than the Safeway in a "nicer" plaza.

Also surprised no one mentioned Rosslyn's good old basement Safeway. I work nearby and the place is a disaster.

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty neutral between the two. I think certain stores in each chain have strengths or weaknesses, like a better produce department, wine section or bakery. I tend to go to Safeway because it's near me, but if I'm somewhere there's a Giant, I'll go there instead. Occasionally I shake things up by hitting Harris Teeter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since it seems like we have settled safeway v giant, can I ask if I am the only one who doesn't understand harris teeter? I'm in moco if that matters for booze reasons. Basically it is an upscale giant for 125% of the price. It doesn't tough wegmans for prepared foods, and doesn't have whole foods or trader joes selections of organic or cool stuff. I really am trying to understand why people shop there unless strictly convenience.

Agreed, I don't get Harris Teeter it at all. The prepared foods are not WF or Wegmans quality. I suppose they are a tad nicer than Giant in this regard. However, I don't get any other reason to go there unless you are totally into olive bars, mediocre "fancy cheeses", sandwiches.

The Safeway is always a depressing experience. They built that big new one in Bethesda. You can dress it up fancy, but it's still Lucerne.
The one at Little Falls shopping center is a total disaster, I don't know how it stays open. This might be what PP was referencing when she mentioned 40 minute waits at the check stand. Yes, Ms. Crystal is nice, but that is about all that place has going for it!

You couldn't pay me to buy a piece of "fresh fish" at any of these places. Defrosted orange roughy from China...no thanks!

I left that store once after a couple of aisles of shopping because it was apparent it was going to take me longer to check out at Safeway than to drive to Giant and use the self check out. Too bad, because I like the convenience of the smaller store and the idea of being able to run in and pick up a few things but it always takes twice as long as it should.

[Anonymous]

I once herard a Giant cashier tell a customer that she shops for her meats at Safeway because they are cheaper. Interesting...

I never pay attention to meat prices because I do my meat shopping at commissary...much cheaper and so nice and clean.

When I do have to buy fresh items, the Giant near me seems to have most items that I want/need and the produce seems mostly fresh. I love the new Giant on H St NE now, so that is where I will go. The Adams Morgan Safeway is disgusting...I don't know why all those folks with million dollar homes and expensive condos shop there. Ugh

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since it seems like we have settled safeway v giant, can I ask if I am the only one who doesn't understand harris teeter? I'm in moco if that matters for booze reasons. Basically it is an upscale giant for 125% of the price. It doesn't tough wegmans for prepared foods, and doesn't have whole foods or trader joes selections of organic or cool stuff. I really am trying to understand why people shop there unless strictly convenience.

Agreed, I don't get Harris Teeter it at all. The prepared foods are not WF or Wegmans quality. I suppose they are a tad nicer than Giant in this regard. However, I don't get any other reason to go there unless you are totally into olive bars, mediocre "fancy cheeses", sandwiches.

The Safeway is always a depressing experience. They built that big new one in Bethesda. You can dress it up fancy, but it's still Lucerne.
The one at Little Falls shopping center is a total disaster, I don't know how it stays open. This might be what PP was referencing when she mentioned 40 minute waits at the check stand. Yes, Ms. Crystal is nice, but that is about all that place has going for it!

You couldn't pay me to buy a piece of "fresh fish" at any of these places. Defrosted orange roughy from China...no thanks!

I left that store once after a couple of aisles of shopping because it was apparent it was going to take me longer to check out at Safeway than to drive to Giant and use the self check out. Too bad, because I like the convenience of the smaller store and the idea of being able to run in and pick up a few things but it always takes twice as long as it should.

This exactly. There is not "picking up a few things" at that store that doesn't require a 10 minute wait time for checking out.

[Anonymous]

We have both, but I feel like I can find more of what I want at Giant. Like, DD likes a particular flavor of yogurt. They always have it at Giant, but I've never seen it at Safeway.

Giant also has a better organic selection of dairy (milk/yogurt).

[Anonymous]

Having grown up here I'm always amazed at how safeway has continued to bring the suck for over 40 years. The same staffing issues people talk about today were present in the late 70s, maybe before. And how long has giant had self scan? 3-4 years? And nothing from Safeway?

[Anonymous]

Safeway is more expensive and has the grossest cakes. I love a buttercream from Giant. The kind everyone had as birthday cakes when I was growing up. The hard roses in the corner and all.

[Anonymous]

Better service and not as crowded at Safeway in McLean, better selection at Giant

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the location. In my area, the employees at Giant are far friendlier and much nicer. They hire special needs adults who seem to never make a mistake, are fast and friendly. The Safeway hires regular employees who are not helpful. I've learned to pay closer attention at Safeway because they ring up the items wrong. When you point it out to the cashier, you get a blank look and then they say they can't fix but you can go to the customer service at the end of the transaction. They really hope you will not bother. Its a PITA to wait at the customer service desk for a few dollars but its also stupid to pay 400% for a piece of produce because they rang up the wrong type. This is happened a few times.

I think this is true - it depends on location. The staff at the Giant in Bethesda (Woodmont) are horrible. The staff at the McLean Giant could not be more different. Does anyone know if the Giant in Maryland is unionized whereas not in VA? That's just been my reasoning for the difference. Could be management differences, too, I suppose.

[Anonymous]

And the Safeway in McLean is the absolute worst. I won't go in there anymore. You have to beg the deli person to come out from hiding to get anything sliced and then they act like it's a big deal to slice a pound of turkey for you. Dark, too.

[Anonymous]

I only buy things on sale and Safeway has better sales. I use the online Just for You program. It sends you special prices based on the items you buy. Coupons on produce, etc. Now they have the gas program which saved me a $1 per gallon on my last gas purchase.

[Anonymous]

Giant has had the gas program for 2 yrs. Safeway finally caught on. Kind of shows where the two chains are...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Giant has had the gas program for 2 yrs. Safeway finally caught on. Kind of shows where the two chains are...

Yes, but the gas stations that took the Giant rewards program are no where near me or the Giant I shop at. It was useless.