I cannot write this review based on the grocery store as a whole because truth be told, my family & I do not regularly shop at Safeway. I will, however, write this review based upon the only reason why I go to Safeway and that is due to their sushi. In other words, I cannot comment on the length of their lines, their lack of cashiers or store cleanliness. I'm not stating those things are not of any importance, but for the sake of my review - that's simply not part of what I intend to base my liking on.
I go to Safeway once a week for their sushi. The best in Arizona? ...not by a long shot, but if we're talking about grocery store sushi - then I'm willing to stake my reputation on the fact that Safeway can outdo Fry's sushi any day or time of the week. Anywhere. Period. I've never gotten bad sushi from Safeway, but I have, however, gotten bad sushi from Fry's. How bad? ...praying to the porcelain Gods all night long bad.
Safeway sushi is fresh. It tastes fresh. It smells fresh. Their itamae (sushi chefs) are excellent at what they do and their ingredients are the freshest around. Again, I'm not going to sit here and tell you that the sushi you can buy from Safeway on Happy Valley in their little plastic container is better than what you're going to get from a 4-star restaurant in Scottsdale. God knows I've had better... BUT for grocery store sushi, it's pretty darn good. :) Check my pics! Their sake is excellent. Their maguro is phenomenal. Their poke is good and their ebi is sweet. Their prices are more than fair. Just how I like it.
If you've not yet had the opportunity to try their sushi at Safeway on Happy Valley or perhaps you've walked past it while heading over to the bread aisle, do me a favor and check it out. You won't be disappointed.