Dominick’s – CLOSED

I was in this store just a few days before it officially closed. I had no idea how empty it would be. I purchased a few greeting cards and gift cards because that was basically all that was left.
The bad news is that I discovered that the gift cards I purchased had no value on them. I went to my local Dominick’s (still open at the time) to resolve the issue.
It took nearly an hour to correct the problem. The biggest challenge was the fact that the original store I went to had already closed for good at noon that day… and the records had tone pulled from corporate.
Good riddens!

Actually zero stars to Safeway for running what was once a nice local chain into the ground. I’ve shopped the Elmhurst location for 20 years with mostly good experiences. Seeing the devastation after this weekend’s 50% off closing sale was sad. Too bad for the employees at this location that will be without jobs. Merry f-​ing Christmas from Safeway!

Quality better than Jewels and Walmart. Though it is pricy.
My rating system for grocery:
Sams Club/​Costco– priciest quality best in bulk
Marianos– quality average and pricy
Dominicks– pricy but quality medium grade
Jewels– little cheap but quality low grade
Walmart– cheap quality BAD
WHolefoods/​trader joes– healthiest food options though little pricy

I’m never one to shop at Dominicks on purpose. Everyone knows their prices are kind of cray cray compared to other places. But it seems like whenever you need «a couple of things» there’s a Dominick’s nearby. In fact, I’d almost go so far as to say they position their stores in super-​convenient high-​traffic areas for just that purpose.
Anyhoo, the Elmhurst location is my favorite. And if you go there early morning, like before 9 the shelves are well-​stocked, the store is relatively empty and you can get in/​get out quickly.
This location also has a nice selection of prepared foods, massive deli counter, fresh sushi and hot soups. I often stop here for lunch since I work only a couple blocks away.

Coming from the Southside, a Dominick’s is a rare find these days. I think they’re all over the downtown area, but I never see them in the burbs anymore. So color me shocked when I see one in Elmhurst. I haven’t stepped foot in a Dominicks since I was about 12. However, I was over in this strip mall making a few other stops and just needed three things, so I said, hey what the heck, I’ll just get it here instead of going to Jewel. Mistake.
The store itself looks very nice and pleasing to the eye. That’s where the great stuff ends. I was looking for breakfast bars and it took me forever to find them thanks to their cutesy aisle labeling. It was something stupid like «Good morning» or «Lunch time» instead of just telling me what the heck is there. So you have to look at that idiotic signage, and then the secondary signs in the aisle that tells you what is actually there. I didn’t know if snack bars would be with the snacks, or breakfast. Answer: under «cereal.» I then picked up a gallon of milk and a pack of cheese. My grand total was: $ 10. For three things. I almost lost my sh*t.
I can’t believe Jewel is actually cheaper than Dominicks. At least at Jewel, if you don’t have your preferred card, they’ll scan one for you so you can still get the savings. Not so here. And I’m not about to sign up for one either. Apparently, even if you have a card, you still have to sign up for your coupons ahead of time, either online or in the store, so you better plan everything you need. Obviously not a good model if you just need to run in for something, which is most people 80% of the time. If you don’t do that, you’re S.O.L. At Jewel, those three items would have cost me $ 6.
The cashier was nice, but we were both annoyed at the girl who had already paid for her stuff, but was loitering in line. I had to say «excuse me» so she could get off the credit card machine. The cashier actually had to swivel it around so I could use it. I was just fed up with Dominicks when I left. I have no plans to go back. Good luck staying open.

I had to grab some things before church, so I decided to stop at Dominick’s which was on the way. Before I left for the store, I made sure I went online and registered all my sales and price matches. I don’t understand this requirement, I have a Valuecard so I would think I would get all the sales, but no, you need to register for some sales. By the way, this is difficult for my 90 year old MIL who does not have a computer. Even with the Value Card and registering my sales and my price matches, the milk was still rather pricey. Now it’s time to find marshmallows. Where can they be? They are not near the hot chocolate (with a day as cold and icky as this day was, I would think hot chocolate and marshmallows on an end cap would be a big hit.) Not in the snack aisle. I find an employee working in the produce section and ask him. He has no idea where they would be, but he said he would help me find them. They were in the cooking section. Okay, I don’t do much cooking, but besides using them to make rice krispie treats, why else would you cook with marshmallows? He then tells me he thinks the person who came up with the store plan was on something, since it does not make any sense. I now have everything and go to the self checkout. There is no obvious place to put the arm shopping baskets so I ask the woman looking over the self checkouts and she says she will take the basket. The woman does not smile at all! I thought to myself, if it’s 9:30 a.m. and you are this crabby, you are going to have a bad day!

Who should you see when you can’t find what you need?!
1) Tom — he hosts the cheese/​deli sample table on Saturdays. We always end up sampling and buying hummus, pita chips or something cheesy. Behind the deli counter, he is the fast one with the big smile that helps you figure out which lunch meat to get.
2) Kanta– She is a gem! If you spot her in the aisles and need to find a product or figure out how to substitute something in a recipe to make it healthier (or if Dominick’s doesn’t have the product you need… flax oil, etc) she is your go to lady!
3) Checkout with Melanie or Stephanie or the woman with the reddish color hair with bangs (can’t remember her name!!) — they are FAST and friendly!
Love the hardwood floors and bright lights in this Dominicks. Super clean, pretty decent produce section. Love their new Deal Match and Personalized Deal program. Seriously… sign up online and take the time to put the special deals on your Dominicks card. You will save A LOT of cash!
Minus one star for lack of consistency in products carried (could you consistently stock the Marzetti Otria Cucumber Dill dip?!!) and for not having an organized and well stocked health food aisle (quinoa, flax flour, wheat germ, etc, etc).

Let me start by saying that I feel a little lame reviewing a grocery stores sandwich counter. But here goes.
Me — Enter Dominicks and walk up to sandwich counter in deli to «quickly» get lunch for work.
Dominicks –ENTIRE deli staff starts feverishly slicing meat and refuses to make eye contact.
Me — Walk around deli counter hoping to get someones attention.
Dominicks –HALF of deli staff dissapears into walk in cooler.
Me — NICELY ask in an elevated voice if someone can please help me.
Dominicks — Deli staff nervously eyes each other and then one defeated team member slowly slumbers over to make sandwich.
Ok, honestly I get the impression that the entire Dominicks deli team got their day ruined when corporate decided to install sandwich counters! No one wants to make a sandwich here. You pretty much have to beg someone to help you. And the poor person that does finally help you acts like you have just ruined their day. It is odd! Not only that, but getting a sandwich turns into a 20 minute adventure.
During one visit a Dominicks employee in a dress shirt and tie came walking by while I was pleading with the meat slicers for a sandwich. A manager maybe? He looked at me waiting, and kept walking. Disappointing.
In Dominicks defense, the last couple times I have stopped in there has been ONE friendly lady behind the sandwich counter as long as I show up during normal «lunch» hours and some other customer hasn’t already snatched her up.
Otherwise the store itself is nice. It looks recently remolded. I have picked up good produce here. I always use the self check out so I can’t really speak to lines being bad.

Now that I’ve lived in the area a few months and tried all the local groceries and bodegas, I would say this is a clean, fairly pleasurable store to shop at. Last weekend I picked up my son’s cupcake-​cake for his birthday and everyone in the bakery was friendly and helpful and it tasted great and didn’t cost a fortune. They seem to have a staffing problem at times. I mean, how hard is it to figure out that you need a lot of cashiers and checkout open when it is almost 5pm on weekday?

In the world of Elmhurst grocery stores there is a lot to be desired.
Can’t we get a Whole Foods?
Guess not.
When your only real options are Dominick’s or Jewel… Dominick’s wins hands down.
Clean + bright + large + Starbucks = best option in Elmhurst

It’s the only good store better than jewel but it’s not the best

I go here every once in awhile to get food for my rabbit. It’s like any other Dominick’s, really, except for the deli. The deli is where you will find Tom, who is super friendly and, coincidentally, super awesome. Seriously, this guy makes my day every time I come in here. He’s funny, knows his stuff, and is always very helpful. Most people here are always really friendly, there has only been one time where I was totally miffed out by this one crotchety, old cashier hag but that has only happened once.

Dominick’s is one of my favorite grocery and drug stores at all times of day. When fresh, quality groceries at a good price is what you need, Dominick’s offers a wide selection, variety, and a homemade, oven-​roasted menu ready to eat meal, in the time the oven takes to warm up your choice. Just For You prices are designed for the Dominick’s customer with a savings card registration at the store or online by email. All kinds of cooking utensils, personal items, toiletries, prescriptions, and miscellaneous things you could never find anywhere else but at Dominick’s, anytime you need to go to the store. Dominick’s is a convenient place to get what you need. The freshest fruit tarts to celebrate special occasions.

I love this Dominick’s. This Dominick’s is my everything. I get my coffee inside at the Starbuck’s. I get lunch there and I do after work last minute grocery shopping. I am so shocked by how many deals I find at this place. I have absolutely given up on Jewel-​osco. Living in chicago, I have noticed the huge difference in prices between the Dominick’s. Also, I never see the same deals at the one in Chicago. So I stick to groceries after work.
I get my coffee at the starbucks in the morning. Rosa remembers my order and is good to go.
For lunch my co-​workers use it as our goto spot! They have delicious freshly made sandwiches for $ 5. Move over subway. They use fresh baked bread and cuts of meat. Will toast it right there. They have a variety of different combinations to make. After 7 sandwiches you get a free one. Sometime, they’ll even have a BOGO free offer! Score! Other times they will give you free chips and pop.
They also have sushi made fresh in the mornings. Decent and reasonably priced.
Its a good spot and very versatile. I really make good use of it, I’m going to miss it once I am done working in Elmhurst this summer :(sadface.

I am so done with Dominick’s. As a 20 year customer they just lost a previous loyal customer due to their new check writing policy. For the most of the 20 years shopping a this location, I have paid with my debit card every week, buying about $ 100-​$ 200 per week. The one day that I don’t bring it and want to write a check, they said they would not approve because I don’t have a check writing history with them. (By the way, this took almost 45 minutes to tell me) But they were willing to take my money every week if I pay by credit/​debit. What ever happened to customer service, know your customers, and get off your lazy but and see what type of customer they were about to loose? I understand that there are dead beats out there writing bad checks, but to assume every customer is a potential dead beat is just plain stupid.

We have been going there for a few years. yes it has a Starbuck’s, yes they have a great produce area and yes their meat department is awesome (don’t pass up the clearance area… let me tell you, great finds!)… But… they are very much so lacking in the service area. they never open enough lanes, they never have enough baggers. and then when you make a complaint to management they just brush you off.
I was just there the other evening (around 10ish) and there was one lane open and the cashier was nowhere to be found, I waited a few minutes… walked around to the office area. the door was wide open and not a soul was there… it was just stupid. Now by this time more people were waiting for the cashier… and now she slowly, the cashier, strolls up to us and gave us a look as if «What is your problem?» and continued to cop an attitude… I’m sorry if you don’t want to be there but this is your job and I know many a person who would love to have it.
I will be back due to the convenience of being close to home. but they better check the customer service part of their employee handbook again quite soon!

I been living right by this Dominicks for about 2 years now and its great! For me what makes it great is the people. The employees there are soo incredibly friendly and helpful!
There is one gentleman in particular who is just great, i needed to find carpet cleaner and he asked me what happened so he could tell me what i need and why because I had no idea what I was doing. Another time I asked the same guy where a specific brand of some food item was and he literally gave me a play by play of what aisle, how far down, what shelf and what side it was on. Sure enough he was dead on!

NO LONGER 24 HOURS!!!
That said I don’t mind Dominick’s usually but I am not a fan. I’ve been here a few times when it was last option or be late convenient. The staff is mildly informed on the location of items and some actually show concern where as a couple actually gave me an «uhmidunno.»
The only thing this particular location had going for it was the 24 hours, now its the typical 6am — 1am. Ah well now to find another middle of the night grocery shop.

I LOVE the newly remodeled Dominick’s! I am not a typical girl — I usually don’t like shopping for too long… but when I’m at Dominick’s, I swear I can take about 3 hours just circling the entire store.
I love how the bank I use, my favorite coffee, and FOOD are all in the same place. The staff is definitely friendly, and will help you out if you need it. (Can’t say the same for some other places, though.)

This location is newly remodeled, and they now have a STARBUCKS! I was in here around 1am last night and picked up a few groceries and was THRILLED to see they have a huge selection of gift cards for sale from places like McDonald’s, The Body Shop, Bath and Body Works, Nordstrom, Gap, and tons of other places. This was perfect for all those last minute gifts! You can’t go wrong with a gift card. They even had those American Express gift cards that the recipient can use anywhere like a credit card.
This location is open 24 hours which is really convenient. I tend to go at night when they aren’t crowded-​it can get pretty bad during the day…
The produce is usually fresh and the bakery is nice, too. If you go in at like 3−4am you can get the first batch of hot, fresh donuts!