Stater Bros. Markets — Local services in Garden Grove

It seemed like a regular grocery store, until you want to purchase alcohol. According to their chain's policy, as confirmed by speaking to a lady from their corporate office, you can only purchase alcohol with a valid military ID or a valid California ID or license. This is the most absurd policy I've ever heard. My friends and I are from out of state and tried to purchase alcohol. Upon presenting a valid Florida license, my friend was declined the sale. We spoke with the assistant manager, who was kind and respectful, but still stood firm on their policy. We had another friend with us, from California, who was able to make the purchase. However, we were informed that he would need to provide his own payment and any payment we may have offered or given him would invalidate the entire group. Upon leaving, we spoke with a lady from their corporate office and were further informed that their chain actually only accepts valid California IDs/licenses and valid military IDs. NO PASSPORTS. NO OUT OF STATE IDS OR LICENSES. This particular store is in West Anaheim. They have over a hundred stores in Southern California. I find their policy specifically troubling, due to the fact Southern California is a major tourist destination. Given the rise in the number of vacation rental homes in the area, this could cause potential problems for their chain. I believe this policy to be antiquated and can be directly linked to poor, or nonexistent cashier training. Sure, there is a responsibility that comes with being a cashier, who sells alcohol. Limiting your alcohol sales to (basically) locals only will hurt your business.

TLDR: California IDs ONLY, if you want to buy alcohol at Stater Brothers...

We are frequent Stater Bros shoppers and went to Store #32, 8888 Chapman Ave, to purchase some money orders. At about 7pm we were instructed by a cashier at register #1 to go to the last register, (register #6), where they process money orders. We were also told that the manager on duty (Ignacio) would be able to assist us. It just so happened that Ignacio was at register #6 where we needed to be, so we asked if he could assist with a money order. He looked us up and down and told us to wait on a cashiers line that was a little backed up (register #4), and that we would be helped.

He then left register #6, and after approximately 5 minutes, proceeded to open another register and check people out. The cashier whose line he sent us to, (Josefina at register 4) was helpful, but her line was long behind us. She asked the manager (Ignacio) to assist us before Ignacio opened his lane and it was obvious that he was hesitant, to which she then told him "nevermind". It seemed as if she realized he did not want to help us with our transaction so she took care of it herself.

I find it totally unacceptable that the manager on duty picks and chooses who he wants to help, and it is very unfair that other customers as well as the cashiers had to wait close to 5 minutes when at the time, he was available and the lines were not long. I would like to receive a correspondence in regards to how to rectify such blatant disregard for certain customers and to avoid a situation like this from happening in the future. Please...

Unfortunately not a notable experience. It was Father's Day. Actually fairly busy and the checkout was not the issue at all. I was in line and out in no time.

The issue was produce quality wasn't super. The employee working produce was less then helpful with items in stock or out of stock. Several out of stocks. Which isn't necessarily fair, they were just items I needed so that may have not impacted others.

The butcher was pretty busy. Which I will say for a butcher to be on the block still is pretty nice. Probably had I waited for his service this review would have been different. I bought pre packed meat. Date was 5 days out. So freshly packed. What showed on the top side of the round center eye cuts was clean. However when unpacked there was soooo much fat on the back side. Also thin sliced sirloin was the same thing. It just didn't sit well to know on the one hand the meat looked totally enjoyable but in reality it was not the quality that was displayed.

I will not be back. This is probably a practice for retailers of this caliber, vons, Ralph's, smart and final etc. So for that it's my fault for not going to a more trusted retailer.

None the less, if you have to go to stater bros in a pinch for meat. Utilize the butcher counter but be leary of the quality.

I'm sorry to leave a negative review. My Mom loved stater Bros. But I can't share that sentiment. Misleading presentation, out of stocks. general disheveled mess in random aisles. I can't recommend this particular...