Metcalfe's Market

I live in Milwaukee, but today I was in Madison. I stopped into Metcalfe's to pick up a few things and, when I got home, realized I'd left one bag behind. Nobody called or texted me to let me know this. So I called them, asking if, since I didn't know when I'd be back in Madison, they could just refund my left-behind purchases back to my card. The girl who answered the phone said no, but they could leave my groceries at the counter for me to pick up. I explained- a few times- that I was in Milwaukee, I didn't know when I'd be back, and leaving perishable food behind their counter for God-knows-how long wouldn't work. She didn't offer to help in any other way, so I asked to speak to the manager. The manager, Scott, could not have been more rude and clearly put out by my issue. You can always tell someone shouldn't be in customer service when they act like you're a drain on their time and don't volunteer any suggestions for resolving the problem. After a ridiculous, drawn out back and forth he told me 1.) They can't refund my money, 2.) He didn't have a record of my purchase because apparently they don't keep records of purchases (Really I hope no shoplifters are reading this.) 3.) He pushed back on the gift card solution I suggested (leave one at the customer service desk for the amount purchased for the next time I'm in the area, whenever that is) by saying, "Well, how long is it going to have to sit up front?" like it was a huge issue. (I'm assuming it's just a piece of paper they can put in a drawer. Or do they stamp their gift cards on large chunks of moldy bread?). When he finally agreed on a gift card, he made me tell him how much everything was because he "didn't know" because remember, they don't keep records. Then he said he was doing this because I was - dripping with sarcasm- "such a valued customer". When I read him the amount plus tax, he said, "Tax? You're going to quibble about a few cents"? (Normally I wouldn't, but I was so tired of his condescending attitude that I said yes.) All this over fourteen bucks and change. So they're only holding my gift card for two weeks. I better make special plans to go out of my way to come back to Madison asap, because if I don't, they'll just keep my money and give me nothing in return. At least I can get back sometime, but what if I had been visiting from, say, Florida, and had charged over a hundred bucks? From what Scott inferred, it sounds like that would just be too bad. I used to love this place, but after this, when I'm in Madison, I'm never shopping there again.

I normally don’t write reviews like this, but I feel it’s important to speak up about what I’ve noticed at this grocery store. The food here is good, clean, and well-organized, but the real problem is how some people treat customers. Actions are louder than words, and the way people are stared at or treated differently is not okay. Just because someone has a different skin color or speaks another language doesn’t mean they should be made to feel uncomfortable. I’ve personally noticed this behavior, and my friends have too. They used to shop here but stopped coming because of the constant stares and the way they were treated. They told me about their experiences a few weeks ago, and I’ve seen it myself. This kind of behavior is unacceptable. No one should be treated differently, whether they share the same skin color, language, or background or not. We are all human, and everyone deserves respect. End racism.

I live in Tampa, Fl. I stopped here while visiting the area and I loved it! Great staff, local, and the smells! Everything is so fresh you can feel and smell it! Plus they have roses at the cashier! Nice touch:)

I’m glad to be the 1000th review of this place! This use to be my go to spot to get Sprecher’s Root Beer (and I would grab groceries while I was here). Then they jacked the prices up on the root beer by **25%**… not cool. No need to come here anymore. Edit: Prices are back down! 4 stars

My husband wandered around this grocery store as I shopped at Hildale. We had to go back on our way out of town so he could purchase some of his unique finds. He was over the moon excited about alligator steaks and octopus. I purchased Stella’s cheese bread, iykyk, and boars head lunch meat. I was super impressed when the lady slicing my meat asked if we wanted a sample of it before she sliced my order to make sure we liked it. My oldest son was very excited about this. If we lived closer we would shop here often. The staff was friendly, the environment clean, and the variety unique and well stocked.

The Best Grocery Store Sushi!! I couldn’t recommend it more - also Win & Tin who make the sushi are the sweetest people. I was a regular getting sushi weekly for the past year, and though I enjoyed the sushi so much, I also really enjoyed chatting with Win & Tin every week. Definitely try the sushi and stop by to say hi to them!

I didn't have a lot of time today but I love this market! The variety and quality was wonderful! From Asian meals, sushi, seafood, cheese, bread, wines and spirits, confectionary bakery, freshly baked breads, a wide array of meats, produce, deli delights even local artisian wares on display...the floral department, the hot bar, local items from around Madison, greater Wisconsin, and many other areas. I am certain I missed much during my stealth reconnaissance first fly by visit. The staff is friendly and quite helpful! Special kudos to the random staff lady who helped me find the Babcock ice cream even though it clearly wasn't her area. Also thanks to the check out staff who went out of their way to assist me and make my experience a positive one! The selection layout and display is appealing and inviting, enticing me to return. Parking is close to entrance. Other alluring shops at Hilldale Shopping Center are just moments away, as well. I hope to get a chance to visit again soon!

Sunday morning, we came for the hot bar, but the breakfast burrito is just a tortilla, and the burger is just a burnt husk of crunchy meat. Fine, we got spaghetti ingredients too (including the small jar of Rao’s for $9.79. Yeah) - and here I am the very next evening with moldy mushrooms, and “Italian sausage” that literally has no smell. How in the world do you achieve that with raw meat? What an expensive mistake this stop was.