Food Lion — Local services in Raleigh

Not the shining examples Food Lion corporate offices undoubtedly hoped for. It's a grocery store that's reasonably well stocked (although the meat section leaves a LOT to be desired) and reasonably clean. What earns this place the 3 star review is the people. Yes, I know working at Food Lion is not the peak career most people working there hope for. That doesn't mean they shouldn't strive to do a good job. The attitude of the people working here (in general...I'm sure there are a few stars in the darkness) is apathy. They don't seem to care. I asked one person stocking the shelves for help finding the "international foods" section and got, "I dunno" in response. No attempt to find out. Just "I dunno" and back to stocking the shelves.

The meat counter (I refuse to call them butchers because they're not even close to being real butchers) is just as apathetic. Ask for a special cut and you'll be treated to an attitude of near disbelief that you'd impose on their time, then you'll get a flat refusal because "we don't do that" (this in response to a request of a 4lb chuck roast).

The check out lines are populated with people who seem to be working on autopilot. They do their jobs, but their disposition is far from sunny. I don't believe I've ever received "service with a smile"...hell, I don't think I've ever been told "have a nice day" either. Saying "hello" to them seems to be wasted breath because, in the rare occasions where "hello" is even acknowledged, the reply is flat and automated.

Yesterday, when I got to the checkout with my single 12-pack of beer, the person at the register was having a conversation with another employee who was leaning on the counter about 6" from the credit card scanner (you know, where most people stand to pay and pick up their groceries). After continuing their conversation for a good 30 seconds, I started to walk to another register when the person at the register picks up my beer and scans it....not a word of hello or apology...just scans it like I had just arrived. The employee leaning on the counter just stayed there, looking through her phone. The person at the register told me the total and went back to chatting with the employee at the counter, leaving me to wonder if I should ask the employee to move or what. Ultimately, I had to turn the credit card machine as far as it would go towards me (which still put me standing 6" from the employee at the counter) to use my card. Once the transaction was done, the person at the checkout slid my beer to where most people would pick up their groceries...directly in front of the person standing at the counter. I had to walk around to the other side to pick it up!

The examples above are all examples of the service you'll get here. You can get your groceries and get em home. The place is reasonably clean and well stocked. Just don't expect the employees there to give a damn about your experience. Whenever possible, I go to another grocery store to get my groceries. The fact this place is about a mile from my home means I'm here often, but I make sure to adjust my expectations before I walk in, because I know they're gonna be apathetic and/or...

Staff is always friendly and helpful, the store is clean, the lines move fairly quickly, and the prices are good. Although, I have noticed that the chicken breasts that I had bought just one day prior, had a funky smell and I had to throw it away. 🤦🏾‍♀️ Unfortunately, no matter how clean it is or how nice they are, it doesn’t minimize the fact that the meat was bad. This has happened to me on more than one occasion.

Also, today I bought an in-stored cooked spicy chicken sandwich that wasn’t done and I’m now feeling ill. I called the store immediately after arriving home and the manager said that he would double my money back. I’m just praying that it’s hunger making me feel nauseous and not the sandwich.

UPDATE The sandwich caused me to have food poisoning and I never went back to get a refund. I’ve just chosen not...

5 STARS for Ladonya! She was making sure everyone had a membership for discounts and opened three extra lanes when two became backed up. All with a smile on her face!

Update: The store seems to have new management. It almost seems like a new store. The reason it matters that more than 2 lanes are open is bc they have no self check out but now anytime mgmt sees lines backing up they open up others right away! No self checkout and lack of space for more grocery options and a few moldy produce is the reason for a 3 star.

Old:Only two lanes are usually open, no online ordering, small selection compared to most grocery stores, and a lot of customers hitting on the cashiers. But it’s the closest grocery store and is...