user
S mart Grocery Store
1901 Manchester Expy, Columbus, GA 31904, United States
Appearance
S mart Grocery Store
Comments
Ea
Review №1

The authorities need to visit this place. When I walked in, it WREAKED of spoiled fish. I just had to run in very quickly to buy a pack of beer for my brother and I could barely be in there for 5 minutes without gagging. The store is an absolute mess with tons of spoiled produce and animal products. Someone can become severely ill or even die from eating anything from this store. Lastly, there are CHILDREN running the counter! There was no adult in sight! There were 3 kids, my age guesses are 13, 11 & 8 years old. The oldest looking child ran me up and had the nerve to ask for my ID! Poor thing isn’t even old enough to have a legal job, let alone sell me alcohol. Someone needs to report this to the BBB or local authorities asap.

Br
Review №2

This store could use some much need TLC. The produce was rotting on the shelves with countless flies covering them. I can understand a fishy smell if you sell fresh fish, so no harm there. Front of store in general disarray with product stacked indiscriminately by the door. Dry goods selection was decent.This seems like a grocery that is starting to lean more towards a unkempt convenience store. The rotting produce is what turned me out the door.

Se
Review №3

An absolute atrocity to your senses. I’ve been to 3rd world countries who’s wet markets smell better. At least in those countries you have the experience of being abroad. Here your still stuck in Columbus. Lived in a few of the ASEAN countries for a while as well. The people who own it must not have a sense of smell. Just rotten.

Ke
Review №4

I suggest the oriental and gift center at buena vista rd over this place. it has become this places norm to sell expired goods. i have completely stopped going here. Update: Theyve shut down.

Ti
Review №5

Great Asian market, had all my favorite items (except for 菊水 sake 😔) and great prices!

Su
Review №6

I dont ever rate places but this store sells u old expired rotting food that u cant check until your back home.

Ka
Review №7

The owner is always courteous and super helpful. There is a huge selection of products you wont find in your chain grocery stores. They have live seafood and fresh exotic veggies and fruits plus a staggering array of frozen foods. Also...Its FRESH SEAFOOD MARKET!! So prepare yourself for the smell when you walk in the door; however, rest assured that you will get acclimated to the odor and will hardly notice it by the time you get finished browsing and shopping (unless you have a stick up your bum to begin with).

Ca
Review №8

Went in to purchase some Aloe Vera juice. This place smells so bad I left immediately. It smells like rotten Seafood.

Ch
Review №9

I saw the reviews on how this store is kept dirty and unkept, with an over-the-top fish market smell. Well I will not say it isnt true, I will say today when I walked in, there was a very noticeable cleanliness about the store. The fishy smell was tamed down a bit, and the food in the cases looked fresher.

Wi
Review №10

Needs to be cleaned up. Mom and pop store should do better. Dirty live fish tanks

Ta
Review №11

This place has a great selection and I was able to find everything I was looking for. 4 stars for two reasons: first the store had a very limited selection of produce even if the dry goods were great. Second, the seafood section stank a lot more than it shouldve-it appeared some tanks were left to mold/mildew off to the side of the store.

Fa
Review №12

Not to bad, could use some cleaning and be a bit more organized,but I will shop there due to the many choices of ramen

Ke
Review №13

Doesnt deserve a star. Only there because I have to select one to post my comments. Bad experience. The young man at the register was great but the owner kicked us out of store because he didnt want us to check the item we where buying. He told us we can check it when we buy it. This is after we were there over five minutes trying to find a proper one and him just walking into the store on his phone. He was still on his phone when he addressed us. The young man at the register was already being very helpful. The owner is a very aggressive person. We will not go in this store again. The city need to investigate this store. Very bad odor and products are rotting on the shelves.

Tr
Review №14

I have been here often and every time it has been a horrible experience. I understand that stores selling seafood will not have the freshest smell, but this place is rank. The smell of ROTTING fish is extremely overwhelming. The products are often expired. It is completely normal for them to have products on the shelves that are over a year past the expiration date. One time my husband accidentally stepped on a live crab crawling around the store. A male employee made a comment that led us to believe that this happens often and left us assuming that the crushed floor crab would be placed back to be sold.

Ch
Review №15

I’ve been there on 2 separate occasions. First time I bought 2 cases of instant noodles. Came home to realize they were expired by a year and a half! Second time I with with my dad. We are Vietnamese and this place has all the ingredients we needed. Walked it to a terrible smell of bad fish, we later realize all the crawfish in the back were dead and they are trying to sell it! All the vegetables in the refrigerator were rotten with a black milky water. We bought rice noodles because it was out only option. I get home to cook up the noddles and black bugs were infested inside the bag. Do not support this place! My dad made me promise him that i wouldn’t go back there. Don’t support a business that doesn’t care about their customers. I’m telling you, you don’t want to go here.

Ca
Review №16

Ill be back I loved the fresh seafood and great prices for live blue crab!

Te
Review №17

The store doesnt have all Asian foods but they have enough for our daily basis.The owner is very friendly and helpful. He walked out of his counter to help us for rice bags.Some comments mentioned the cleanliness issue but I didnt see anything wrong. The store was clean very clean and organized. The only thing needs to be improved is to put signs at each aisle to show what items they have so that the shoppers can find what they need.

An
Review №18

Usually drive my mom there to get seasoning since this is the one closer to our house. I almost never come in because I can’t stand the smell and the degree of cleanliness inside. My mom came out one day with some bottles of fish sauce and soy sauce, which we found out later were ALL expired, back to 2018, some were 2017. We came back and complained, but were treated as if we’re the one who picked those expired stuffs and should be held responsible for it, and if we don’t like it here, then we can go somewhere else.Don’t shop at this place, unless you’re in a most deadly emergency need 😷😷😷 like we were.

an
Review №19

I went to the store to get something sweet, the first thing I noticed before I entered the store was the smell of fish and ammonia. The store has this terrible smell. The second thing I observed in the store was that most of their products are expired. Please check the dates of your items before you buy. This store needs to be evaluated for it conditions of the store and how they sell their products.

Ge
Review №20

Amazing selection of Asian foods of all kind. They even have live seasonal seafood.

Am
Review №21

We are moving from Columbus GA and this is definitely one of the things we will miss! Good prices. I stock up on ramen and curry sauces from here. Good prices.

Vi
Review №22

Lot of unique products

Wi
Review №23

Terrible. Store is always a mess, and it reeks of old fish. Not like fish in a fish market, but fish that has gone bad. Makes the entire strip mall smell. Staff is rude and always seems impatient. Also, they got in trouble for dumping hundreds of pounds of old dead crab in the nearby river. Cant support a business that has complete disregard for the environment. Oriental Food Gift and More on Buena Vista Rd is where its at.

Zo
Review №24

Best place to get fresh food! They have the best customer service. They also have lots of oriental stuff! I love this place so much!

Mi
Review №25

Third time at the store, the first 2 visits werent bad, cashiers were nice. Tried to get some Asian vegetables today, a lot of them were moldy. A bunch of products on the shelf was expired, simply asked the cashier if theyll get new shipments coming. Then the owner came to me and said dont accuse them with the expired products, he asked me to point out the expired items. Showed him all the expired things that I saw, all he said was its Chinese products, indicated not his problem. (Therere non Chinese products as well) Also a bunch of products were put in places with the wrong price tags, very misleading. I mean not checking the inventory, not putting the right price tags for the products at the store that you run is not your responsibility right? Full disclosure, not gonna go back ever again. Very disappointed with the experience today.

ci
Review №26

Great selection of food. Little disappointed they disnt have a lot of fresh veggies but Im sure that now its spring they will have alot more. Lots of fresh sea food. Will be going back for sure

S.
Review №27

Rotten produce, children running the cash register, and a godawful, pungent stench that permeates the entire store. Freezers/coolers are well below proper temperatures. Scared to buy the packaged food for fear that its compromised. Definitely a front for something more lucrative than spoiled persimmons.

Ly
Review №28

If you need certain Asian ingredients you may have to shop here - it is small and expensive so I only go in a pinch if I don’t have time for a bigger trip to Atlanta. Otherwise I try to plan ahead and go up to HMart or one of the other numerous Asian supermarkets around Atlanta for huge selection and better prices. I thought the kids working the register were nice :)

Ev
Review №29

This place smells TERRIBLE!! The food is expired and the produce is moldy. The only thing good to buy here is ramen. Dont waste your time. Look elsewhere!

20
Review №30

Great seafood selection, both fresh and frozen. Wide range of asian seasonings and an entire aisle dedicated to every type of ramen soup imaginable!

An
Review №31

Cant find miso paste anywhere in Columbus. They have nothing but expired and moldy miso paste. Even the packaging was molding. Definitely not going to buy anything here ever. The whole place was dirty and unorganized. Filing a health complaint against this place.

Ja
Review №32

The guy in the back seemed like he genuinely wanted to help but the store was just so dirty. I bought some fish and he gutted them for me but I dont think Ill be back. Most of the stuff seemed like it had been there a VERY long time

T
Review №33

Horrible smell & very little selection. Seemed dirty & unsanitary, items like seafood sitting on counters without refrigeration or temperature control, so only purchased dried items to be safe. Obviously locally owned but no greeting, acknowledgement, or offer of assistance when there, they just ring up the purchase and youre on your way.

je
Review №34

Worst place and service ever. I bought frozen dumplings from this place not knowing that they sell expired food .. got a stomache ache.. came back with the bag and receipt and the asian dude was being extremely rude. Would not give me even a refund. Don’t come here unless you want to get food poisoning and a whole lecture of why the buyer is wrong for buying dumplings from this store in the first place. 0 STARS

Jo
Review №35

Hold your nose before you enter, as the smell is overwhelming--something that should tell anyone in their right mind to turn around and leave immediately. This is undoubtedly one of the most disgusting, filthy, smelly establishments encountered in the Columbus GA area and products from its grocery are actually dangerous. The produce is moldy, fish and seafood spoiled and slimy, yet the help staff seem to have zero concern about any of it when these problems are pointed out to them. It is absolutely unbelievable that the health department has allowed this cesspool to stay in business.

je
Review №36

This place makes little ceasers smell like bad seafood !!!

Ma
Review №37

Used to be much better with former management. Bought two bags of noodles and a container of roasted seaweed here today and when I got home the noodles were infested with weevils and the seaweed had expired 4 months ago.

Ch
Review №38

Used to shop here when the old owners ran it. Back then it was an okay little Asian market (albeit overpriced and unkempt). New owners are worse. Store is dirty and looks dreary on the inside. Owner/Manager is constantly on his phone screaming in Chinese. Theyve raised the prices but the quality control has gone down the hill. Stopped by here on two separate occasions (5+ months apart) to pick up a box of melon bars ice cream. Both times the entire box had already been melted and refrozen. This is the case with all their ice cream. Something that wasnt a problem with the old owners. This is on top of paying a ridiculous price. If youre in need of Asian market, go to the Korean owned store on Buena Vista Road or make the drive to H mart in Atlanta. Im done with this place.

Mo
Review №39

They have more asian veggie variety than the oriental store. But dont cant anything without looking at the expression date

Su
Review №40

As all the other reviews have stated before me, save your money and head to the Oriental store on Buena Vista. Their prices here are higher, VERY small selection, and they put stuff in different areas so when u ring up its alot higher then it actually is!! They even lie about the product to get u to buy it even its not what u were looking for in the first place!! Shame on S Mart brand to have a store like this!!

Ch
Review №41

Just found this gem!!! Didnt know about it....Its a must shop for seafood. Visit it, do not let this spot close Columbus!!! Friendly staff and great selection. Thank you!!!

Wa
Review №42

Wide noodle selection andSheepshead in fish cooler. Good stuff

Ja
Review №43

Great place for hard to find grocery items. Very nice staff.

Fi
Review №44

Best selection and prices in Columbus! They have my favorite barley tea.

Gr
Review №45

First of all, 90% of the items available are expired! Sauces from 2017 for sale in 2020? This store doesnt deserve to be open!!! Absolute garbage. Should do us all a favor and close now!!!!!

An
Review №46

Its good to have this option for Asian groceries. Too many things were not priced so i decided to not buy anything rather than be price shocked at the register.

DW
Review №47

Nice people great Asian food

Ro
Review №48

Never disappointed shopping at Smart. Quite a drive from Columbus to Atlanta, but well worth it.

Tr
Review №49

Over priced and many items are out of dates. Fruits and veggies are rotten with bugs crawling/flying around.

Me
Review №50

Very unprofessional went with a coupon and thry refuse to honor it... saying it was more than what was on the coupon...poor customer service

ch
Review №51

Has a lot of oriental foods fresh and canned, love the smell of the crabs in the back, so nostalgic of my childhood

fa
Review №52

It smells bad and very limited quantity of Indian grocery.

Br
Review №53

Lots of ramen to choose from. Even sell beer.

Ro
Review №54

Nasty place! The food inspector should go in and see the filth and disorganization. Children are behind the counter on their phones while inventory is stacked up. Meat lays on the floor going bad. This place is a nightmare!

Me
Review №55

It always stinks the employs are lazy af all they do is okay cards all day lol like whats going on in here get up and work, the help wanted sign is always up??? (Confusion strikes again) they always have my tofu, but the oriental market on Buena vista Rd is much more enjoyable to shop at.

mi
Review №56

Thank you Smart, I dont have to drive to Atlanta anymore

In
Review №57

Just purchased crabs from this place, got home steamed them and as they cooked they started to smell so bad. The odor smelled somewhat like poisonous amonia...I have all of my doors and windows open to try to get rid of the awful smell. yuck yuck yuck!! Hubby is currently in route to take them stanky things back!!

Me
Review №58

Variety of Asian products. Lots of frozen and packaged items.

Ri
Review №59

Didnt know what it was at time, but nice place.

Co
Review №60

My daughter of loves drinks and snacks.

Vi
Review №61

Horrible smelling. Lots of stuff out of date. Didnt buy anything.

Em
Review №62

The manager is really great and helping customers.

Jo
Review №63

Great place to go find local oriental food

Ho
Review №64

This place is permanently closed

Ra
Review №65

Good place to find Asian food. Service ok

Ab
Review №66

Staff was friendly and helpful. Prices are reasonable.

An
Review №67

Vegetables are almost always molded here. This Asian market needs more of a variety of teas, and beverages.

ca
Review №68

Always fresh blue crabs, fish and shrimps

cl
Review №69

Need to move back to their country and pollute their on waters and stay out of Bibb city. Will not ever buy crabs from them again.

Bi
Review №70

Nice selection of products but a horrible smell from the seafood section I believe it was the fish tank. Peewoo 🐟

Ja
Review №71

Most of the can foods were expired years ago and they still sell it on the shelves.

Me
Review №72

Being a seafood lover, I find the S mart grocery a one stop variety store that fulfills all my seafood cravings.

Ka
Review №73

Disgusting. What little produce they had was covered in bugs or majorly wilted. The fish tanks are coated in grime & the meat area looked dirty as well.

Vi
Review №74

Good little Asian store with friendly staff. Sometimes I question the freshness of the produce.

DO
Review №75

Great customer service

ka
Review №76

Bought some stuff out of here, didnt care for it...

Al
Review №77

Good selection of Ramune and pocky,

An
Review №78

Poor smell and poorly kept refrigerator of spill blood inside the refrigerator...

Sa
Review №79

Great live seafood!

Ne
Review №80

Pro: Has Asian foodsCon: Smells like Creed Bratton sprouting mung beans in his desk drawer.

Br
Review №81

I came in for the first time today and when I brought my item to the register there was nobody to check me out .

De
Review №82

Nice place for seafood.

Je
Review №83

Clean, good prices, high selection

Mi
Review №84

Some of the items are expired and so filthy!

Da
Review №85

Great asian store

Ke
Review №86

They have live Crawfish.

Ma
Review №87

Cool

je
Review №88

Fantastic selection

El
Review №89

Dont just dont

Re
Review №90

I really the Variety

Mi
Review №91

Nice people

Me
Review №92

Very disappointed, bad food .

Ke
Review №93

No respect

Da
Review №94

Super nice

Ti
Review №95

Scary

Da
Review №96

Expired food

Sh
Review №97

Nice

As
Review №98

Crabs

Information
22 Photos
98 Comments
3 Rating
  • Address:1901 Manchester Expy, Columbus, GA 31904, United States
  • Phone:+1 762-821-3071
Categories
  • Asian grocery store
Working hours
  • Monday:10AM–9PM
  • Tuesday:10AM–9PM
  • Wednesday:10AM–9PM
  • Thursday:10AM–9PM
  • Friday:10AM–9PM
  • Saturday:10AM–9PM
  • Sunday:10AM–9PM
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible parking lot:Yes
Similar organizations