Smith’s

Sorry, but I’m not used to such sloppy management of a supermarket. Time and again I find that I have been overcharged. The registers ring up a price higher than the one marked on the shelf/​bin. The mistakes in price are always higher, not sure what this co-​relation proves, but I have never seen a wrong price that is lower than what was marked!
If the difference is worth my time I do go and get the amount overcharged refunded, without problems, but this is a ridiculous way to have to shop.
I’m going to Albertsons, the small discount on gas I get from Smith’s is not worth all this!

I’ve been going to Smith’s locations my entire adult life in various states. This is by far the worst one I’ve ever stepped into. The employees will constantly block off aisles and then leave it unattended, so you can’t go around easily or even get to certain items. Frequently there is only 1 check-​out line open, and if you choose to not use the self checkout lanes the employees will yell at you until you either ignore them or go use the self checkout. Also make sure to secure your car very well before going inside. There are a lot of alcoholics and addicts that hang around and they love to break in even for a handful of change.
Do yourself a favor and drive up an extra mile or two to go to a cleaner store.

This store has really bad customer service. Today it happened again like it has happene end in the past. A manager came and started bagging my items put two things in the bag then walked off. This has happened three other times before. None of the cashiers greet you or smile. You ask for help with something and you are made to feel like you did something wrong.

They call this «the ghetto Smiths.» Well, guess I’m ghetto, too, because I love this place!
Alright, I’ll admit that for a while their produce section, especially the organic produce, was underwhelming. Since maybe about March, 2015, they have expanded the organic section and improved the care of the produce such that it’s all VERY fresh.
And we all know Smith’s prices cannot be beat.
Personally, I am enjoying some majorly luxurious afternoons eating Smith’s mini watermelons (2 for 1 while supplies last), white nectarines and 2/​$ 5.00 berries outside on my porch.
And let’s not even get into my newfound love for Cotton Candy Grapes!

I’ve had terrific experiences shopping here. It’s not fancy, but it has a terrific selection and I always find what I’m looking for. Produce are fresh. Prices are terrific, too.
Staff consistently go above and beyond. They offer friendly greetings, sincere thank you’s and give a cheerful goodbye. They do a great job packing my groceries. I enjoy shopping here. It’s not such a great neighborhood, but whatever, I’m fine with it.

Oh, Howie K., how you’ve hit it on the nose. This sweet Smith’s location is definitely «the one and only Ghetto Smith’s»
Living down the street and around the corner from this location is treat. It’s close to most, and is priced the way most Smith’s/Kroger/Fry’s tend to be.
The parking lot tends to be slight shenanigans during peak hours so choose your times wisely.
But all the above, from the deli, produce, dairy, and other products, Ooohhhh! Mexican Cokes, they have those, but shouldn’t they??? But wait! That’s not what I was trying to get at, and not why this location is grand.
Are you ready?
It’s the people and the people watching. Lawd! It’s good, oh, so, good! There is many a character that wanders this store on a daily basis. I’m half tempted to work here for a few hours a week in order to bask in the glory that are the customers here.
Anywho, I digress, it has decent produce, and as I’m a fan of Simple Truth products I’m at home here. It’s close to the casa, and that suits me. Hopefully it suits you as well. Happy Smith-​ing, and if you’re into characters then this is your store.
In the words of myself, Howie K., and I’m sure many others. «It’s the one and only Ghetto Smith’s.»

Look at all the San Franciscans before me who wrote reviews on this place! (Okay, so I’m from the East Bay, not SF itself)
On the small side, but stocked with stuff you can’t find anywhere else. They have the Nads body wax kits that I couldn’t find at several different Wal-​Mart and Walgreens locations. Added bonus: it was on sale! They also have the same Nature’s Path Organic Toaster Pastries (aka healthy Pop-​Tarts) for about 20% less than you’d pay at Sprouts. The health food section is good for such a small store and for a chain that doesn’t specialize in healthy and alternative foods. The prices are reasonable too.
Yup, students all around and yup, Friday nights have the you waiting in long lines while they buy their beer, ice cream, and potato chips. What do you expect when it’s within walking distance from UNM, retirees lining up to cash their social security checks???

Looks like the produce is out partying at the Smith’s on Carlisle. What remains: a happy family of avocados, essential fruits (apples, bananas, oranges), and a forlorn selection of greens. Perfect for the five minute blitz around the store, but unsatisfying for anything more than the fundamentals.
Frequent ice cream sales and rapid moving check out lines make this Smith’s an attractive and desirable place to obtain food. Closest and cheapest, the red glare of the Smith’s sign creates a strong magnetism for empty stomachs.

An old school ode to a one-​time second home of mine, the one and only Ghetto Smiths:
Friday night, school’s out, I’m livin’ in the Student Ghetto and there’s a party going on somewhere, doesn’t matter where, all I need is a six pack and my sneakers, I’ll find it. Don’t need a car, I’m just down the street. Everybody’s just down the street, and hey, there’s Eli from Modern Lit, he’s grabbin’ a bag of the fake Froot Loops, damn right. Give him a pound. What’s that? Party on Princeton? I’m there.
The night is still young, there’s time for ramen. Think I’ll spruce it up with a loaf of that garlic bread that comes in the oven foil; for a couple bucks, it’ll soak up whatever I’m drinking tonight. Best buy in the entire spot, and I’m a connoisseur. Gotta get some donuts for the morning, some OJ. And bacon. Hopin’ I might be cooking someone breakfast in bed. Chasin’ the roaches out of the corners of the room.
I don’t have a conscience about what I’m eating because my options are all right here, in front of me. Somebody once told me this particular location was the highest-​grossing store of the entire franchise. Makes sense. Makes me think the organic/​health food section is a pittance of recognition that some of us students care about what we eat, so I somehow respect it. Not that I’m buying any of it, hey, I’m a student. But props to those Smiths folks.
Time to grab beer. I think I’ll stand in front of the cooler for the next 20 minutes in the hopes of finding some new brew, which inevitably won’t be found. Wondering why they won’t improve the brew selection here. Glad I’m not buying the hard stuff, because that would require alerting some overworked staffer to unlock the shelf. This must be the only liquor section I know of, in the entire city, that keeps those bottles locked away.
Finally, my favorite ritual: the checkout. Weekends are insane, yo. If this store even competes for big profits, you’d never know it staring at these lines. This place could use a serious remodel, but that’ll never happen.
But all is good when I get my chance to pay for my OJ, my bacon, donuts, bread and beer. Before me stands an icon of this cathedral, a middle-​aged tatted and pierced woman who may offer an iced expression but retains her status as one of so many, many great employees who for some reason never seek another job. Bravo to you, tatted and pierced woman, and all of your co-​workers, for your devotion to the Ghetto Smiths.
I’ll be back tomorrow and everyday following that until I either move out of the Ghetto or earn my degree. In the meantime, I’m looking forward to my Italian feast this evening, the endless good times to come, and staying up all night Sunday, studying.

I feel like I need to to explain something to our transplanted friends. This is called the «Ghetto Smith’s» because it’s in the area known to locals as the «Student Ghetto.» It’s actually nicer than other Smith’s locations I’ve been to. The staff is friendly and when you shop the sale items, the prices are pretty good– especially if you’re not spending money on gas to get there.
This is MY hood and can seem a little rough. But, I’ve never had a problem here. Besides, if rough trips you out, what are you doing in ‘Burque anyhow?

Any grocery store that isn’t Trader Joe’s or Sprouts/​Sunflower can’t get higher than 3 stars, so I’ll just come out and say that immediately. However, this place isn’t that bad really, especially for it’s proximity to my house and to UNM and CNM, and for selling beer later than Jubilation of Quarters.
There’s really not much else you can say about a place like this. They do sell plenty of local favorites like salsas, tortillas and Hatch green chile, so that’s appreciated, and it’s nice to find some New Belgium beers among bottled urine they sell, otherwise this place is run-​of-​the-​mill.
Two good reasons to come here ever are that it’s pretty easy to get in and out of almost always — especially considering they have those job-​killing registers where one can ring him/​herself up — and they are open pretty late (12 I think?).

This place is really not that bad. It’s on the small side for a Smith’s, sure, but they still have deli, liquor, and produce departments, and the store is pretty well organized in what space they have available. Parking is spacious for the neighborhood. It’s not actually DANGEROUS – you might see a drunk or a panhandler hanging around outside, but they have security posted all the time.
They recently got a small self check-​out section which is nice. But I try to go through the staffed checkouts to keep people in a job. The cashiers here are always friendly, especially the older blonde lady who calls everybody «my dear» and «my love.»
If you live south of UNM, you coooooould drive up to the Smith’s on Carlisle and Constitution if you want a bigger store with a slightly better selction… But the Smith’s on Yale is just so much closer and more convenient.
As befits a university-​area store, the liquor section at this store tends towards wine coolers, premixed flavored drinks, beer, and cheap wine. There is a small liquor selection that you have to ask a staff member to unlock for you.

Stopped in for toothbrushes left at home in San Francisco. Great deals, nice staff.

You won’t find a local who doesn’t refer to this as «Ghetto Smiths», and the reasons are obvious…
Don’t get me wrong, the place is safe, but you do NOT want to go there.

This place is huge! Coming from San Francisco, we’re used to small grocery stores, so walking into this place is impressive. They have pretty much anything you’d want. The place is organized and clean and staff is fairly attentive.