AJ's Fine Foods — Local services in Phoenix

THIS LOCATION IS TERRIBLE!

As someone who has been a loyal AJ’s Fine Foods customer for awhile , I’ve always appreciated the quality of their products and the overall experience especially on weekends when I treat myself to their lemonade and a freshly made sandwich from the bistro. It’s been a routine I genuinely look forward to. But after what happened today, I’m not sure I’ll be returning any time soon.

The experience I had at the bistro was, frankly, appalling. The staff was not only incredibly slow but downright rude. I waited patiently to place my order, only to be met with attitude and indifference. It seemed like the employees couldn’t be bothered to provide even basic customer service.

To make matters worse, they were out of most of the bread options. We’re not talking about obscure or specialty items they were out of nearly all the standard choices. When I asked what was available, I got a shrug and a short, unhelpful response as if I was being difficult just by asking.

But the most frustrating part? In the middle of making my sandwich, the employee who had started it clocked out and walked away without a word. No “I’m sorry,” no hand-off to another worker nothing. I was left standing there wondering what was going on, only to have to wait even longer for someone else to pick up where they left off. I’ve never experienced such unprofessionalism in any food service setting, let alone at AJ’s, where I’ve come to expect a certain level of class and care.

This was the worst, most low-class customer service I’ve ever received at any grocery store, period. It felt like the staff had no interest in doing their jobs, let alone in providing the kind of experience AJ’s is supposed to represent. Management needs to take a serious look at what’s happening in their bistro department, because this kind of treatment will drive even your most loyal customers away.

I’m beyond disappointed. AJ’s, you can—and...

I personally love shopping here. I moved here from Chicago 2yrs ago and found this store on accident. Thank goodness too. The other options are Wal-Mart, (worst Wal-Mart I've ever been to) and Frys. The produce is always fresh and the shelves are always stocked. I'm usually in and out with no lines, also they have a eating area with pre-cooked food. They have a great salad bar, 8 soups, pizza area, sushi bar where they make it fresh to order right in front of you and another area that has regular food. The refrigerated area has the best seafood area, crab, lobster, sea bass, tuna, salmon, giant shrimp, telapia, swordfish everything and always fresh...also the meat section is on point too.You have to at least see this place. I will say it's a LITTLE more cost to shop here but WELL WORTH IT!!! If you want high quality meats, seafood, fruits veggies this is the place no exaggeration. They also have a bakery that I've always tried to avoid looking at because if I did I know I would buy something I shouldnt. I seriously walk buy the bakery saying to my self"You don't need it, you don't need it" My boss says he loves that bakery an buys cakes, pies and the pastrys all the time. I'm personally picky about my quality of my food any highly recommend this store. Check it out, you...

I would've given 5 stars if it wasn't for the very rude and sarcastic clerk at the checkout. Signs posted for Utah Yellow Peaches at $.99/lb outside the store and in the produce section. Instead, the peaches rang up at $2.99/lb, the regular price.

Anyway, the comment that bothered me the most was, "You can look at the screen all you want, it's not going to change." I'm Diné (Navajo), but I'm not stupid. When I asked for a refund the clerk seemed even to be upset with that. So he calls for a manager. When the manager arrives, he says, the clerk, "Everyone is getting mad at me because of this." I told him, I didn't get mad. I'm not everyone.

Anyway, the manager did come and he gave me a refund of the difference. I appreciate the manner in which he handled the situation. I don't want the man to lose his job but AJ's has a reputation to protect and uphold. I'll still come back. Besides, I usually go to the Central location. This was just on my way home and I didn't want to take the time for the detour.

One more thing, this store did take me back to the AJ's of old on Central. This store has the wood fired pizza oven and I could smell the scent of the wood used....