Whole Foods Market — Restaurant in St. Matthews

My wife and I do not ordinarily shop at Whole Foods as it is not close to our home and they can be quite pricy. However, my wife received two $50 gift cards for working a local charity, so, we decided to purchase our Christmas dinner steaks there.

Arrived at Whole Foods after shopping on December 23rd around 3:00 pm. This was my last stop, intentionally, because I knew I would have food to get to the fridge. I purchased three NY strips (about 2 1/2 lbs) at $20 /lb from the butcher’s counter. Took them straight home and placed into the fridge.

Almost exactly 48 hours later (Christmas evening) I got the strips back out to prepare for the grill. This is when I noticed greenish colored splotches on the meat that were about one inch in diameter. They had a pungent oder and were tacky to the touch. Despite the December 28th expiration date on the package sticker, they were clearly bad.

Took the steaks back to Whole Foods the next morning at 8:15 and explained my experience. I found nearly zero empathy for a ruined Christmas dinner from the shift manager. He offered to give me an in-store credit. I told him that I had good reason not to shop at this store again and that I would like a refund. I also told him I felt his store should buy back the second $50 gift card we had as well. He said that he could not do that. He did, begrudgingly, attempt to look up the transaction to refund my money for the steaks but when I asked him if the package UPC would help he said “No, I’m going to have to look through all transactions for that register to find without a receipt.” I had taken all receipts out of my wallet after shopping on the 23rd and did not have it with me. So, I decided just to accept the credit for now and await the General Manager’s call (I left my name and number).

As another reviewer correctly alluded to: if you’re going to charge well over market for your products, you had better get everything right. They did not and our family’s Christmas dinner paid the price.

UPDATE: The manager called me the day of my complaint and was very understanding of my frustration and seemed genuinely empathetic. He offered a full refund of the meat and to purchase back the gift cards. I opted to keep one card to give them another chance and cashed...

Good selection, good produce. One of the only places to find organic goods across the board. So, why have I gone from a regular weekly shopper to once a month and less? Employees range from friendly to those who should have no contact with public. A few departments have Wonderful! service (Cheese!), others are rude, some are neutral. That's a pretty big problem when your customers are willing to pay top dollar for good stuff. Someone got the "friendliness memo" and forced themselves to say "hi how are you" without smiling. They were doing what their mgr told them, but it's better to keep busy and say nothing than come across as bored and put upon. Rolling of eyes/sighing has been a problem at this particular store for a long time - from the top down. Again, there are a few standouts who are the epitome of good customer service but they can't make up for everyone else.

When the employee in the parking lot yells at a shopper because he wants to block off a spot that they just pulled into, you've got an employee you can't afford to keep. This attitude crops up regularly. Customers treated as if they're in the way. Oh, checkout may not be the most fun, but look at the customer at least once instead of making it so obvious they've interrupted your conversation about the produce you just stashed away for yourself. You don't have to like us, just be civil and polite. We help make your payroll and we might even be the hr person at the next place you apply for work.

In short, I used to buy EVERYTHING here. Now, only what I can't...

My wife and I usually shop at the Fresh Market off Shelbyville Road due to proximity from residence and product quality.

On my way home today from an event with my 12 year old daughter in Saint Matthews, we decided to stop by Whole Foods to grab dinner. This was the first time I’ve ever been in Whole Foods. We ended up getting grass fed burger meat and maple bacon.

We only bought three items, mind you the meat was $7.99/pound and the bacon $8.99/pound, but I’m a big fan of quality food. The express line had no one waiting so we decided to checkout there. The young customer service lady never said one word to me or my daughter. Didn’t say hello, didn’t say anything. At the end of the transaction, my 12 year old daughter said “do we leave the small shopping basket up here?” Considering the young lady never said anything and the fact I didn’t know where they go, I responded “yes, I guess.” We started to exit and the Whole Foods employee said extremely rude and condescending, “no, you need to take and put the basket back.” I was astonished by her tone and attitude. I looked at my daughter and said let’s go after feeling humiliated. She then asked “what did you say to me?”

By far, worst experience I’ve ever had. Last time I will step foot in a Whole Foods Store. If your customers are willing to pay an above market price for product, you better nail the customer...