Cioffi's Meat Market & Deli

Fantastic!

very cheap high quality products

Walk down the street and go to rockys, they have the best meat and customer service . Its a small mom and pop shop with reasonable prices and great quality. The owners are really nice people, who care about their customers.

I resent being followed around in this store. If they have an issue with theft
perhaps they need to do a better job of aquainting themselves with their clientelle. Prices have gone up significantly. In regards to home made sausages they now carry the highest percent fat and sodium content of any I have ever had from an Italian meat market. Furthermore, don't squish them up
with your hands at packing time. Service - well - I find it is not consistent and tends to be slipping of late.

I have been going to Cioffi's since I was a little girl. You cannot beat their meats! They have always been nice and FAST. I live in kits now and travel there on a bus to get their food. It's just so good! Please support them. They are top quality!

I agree with Ducato. I buy my sausages from Columbus and they stay very fresh for up to 49 hours. Reno is so full of it.

If sausage is made with fresh meat it can easily stay refrigerated 48 hrs.
My parents make homemade sausage and they use FRESH pork, lots of salt and some spices. Sausage tends to be heavily salted & that also acts as a preservative.
That is nonsense that you can't keep fresh sausage in the fridge overnight. My parents also don't use any preservatives other than the salt and no additives & I have kept it in the fridge for 48 hrs on many occasions & it never spoiled.
I too have had the experience of purchasing meat from Cioffi's that has been less than fresh. Cioffi's meat used to be good but that hasn't been my experience lately.
Regarding the staff, yes some are very nice & others not so much. To the nice ones thank you for your courtesy and excellent service and to the bad ones, remember you need your customers more than they need you-there are plenty of other stores out there that are more than happy to take our money. Also, don't treat your customers like garbage when they come into the store to return bad merchandise and treat them as if their complaints are not legit and that they are trying to pull one over on you. Most of us are honest and if we are returning something it is because we have a legitimate reason -we have better things to do with our day other than argue with Cioffi's staff.

Just a comment for the person who had their sausages go bad. ALL of our sausages are made daily and with no preservatives whatsoever. All our pork is natural and antibiotic free. This means that if you leave it over night in your fridge, it will go bad. There are signs posted in the meat shop letting all customers know this. If you intend to purchase and travel with the fresh Italian sausages, you would need to freeze them beforehand.

I don't understand all the negativity towards Cioffi's. The staff as a whole is always friendly and helpful. I'm sure you have all had days, or moments when you aren't the happiest, or perhaps you're tired, your feet hurt, or maybe someone has just said something rude to you. It's horrible to judge the whole store on the attitude of one employee. They carry tons of different kinds of food - walking through the doors is like walking into a unknown world with so much to discover. I have friends that work[ed] at Bosa, and that is a store where customers should watch out for expiration dates. I have heard first hand stories of taking items out of their packages to but into different bags because the expiration date has passed. Think twice before posting a rude-ass review you're just acting like those employees you hate so much. What goes around comes around.

Read the jobfreeway, they keep looking for a deli worker, this italian family is very unsatisfied.

This italian family and their human resource are very picky when they hear that your Food safe certificate is older than 2 years, they are not willing to pay mine in order to satisfy their needs. For the Canadian Food Inspection, my Food safe certificate is valid and updated but for them.... nevertheless !!!!

Neighbors and Public in general who are very very supportive and informative about with what is going on at the bizarre italian market Cioffi's Meat Market $ Deli at 4156 hastings street, Burnaby, BC.
I want to let you know that this italian family does not want to interview any future candidate worker for their store, but their old friend is in charge to represent them now, their phone number is 778- 389 6536. He will answer the questions that you need to know. He says he is the human resources from Cioffi's Meat Market & Deli.

The butchers at Cioffi's are simply the best, and I have dealt with all of them now. They are knowledgeable, friendly and willing to do custom work. I drive way out of my way - from Poco - to buy there!!

I can't believe what I'm reading - all this whining about oh if you're not Italian then don't expect good service at Cioffi's... Give me a break! So should I also rag on the Asians because when I go to T&T I don't get a smile at the till???!!! I've had rude cashiers at Save-On-Foods, and Superstore!

Everyone has their preference of where to shop - if you don't like it then go somewhere else! Put yourself in the staff's shoes - would you like to be serving grumpy, difficult and often rude customers, on your feet for 8 hours a day - how easy is it to keep smiling when someone you're serving is treating you rudely??! Everyone has good and bad days - it's 2010 people - enough with the racial comments!

Although some would disagree, I personally like shopping at Cioffi's - I enjoy their selection and that is why I keep going back. And just an FYI - more than half of the staff are not Italian - so get your facts straight before you judge)

Maybe some of these complaining people should try smiling at their server, it works for me. I love the place. I come from West vancouver and its worth the drive. I have never had a problem with outdated meat. Our turkey last Xmas was amazing. They have cuts of meat I can't find anywhere else. The staff are always helpful and friendly.....I can't understand all the negative reviews. I am not Italian.

This store needs better management, very rude and not frendly at all.
walk down the street to rockys meats the service and friendliness is awsome.
They have the best sausages and meat, great prices and fresh products.
Ill never shop at cioffis again

Visited here on the way through town. The place has taken a bit of a slide. The selection is still great but the prices are all over the map. There are some good deals though in the oil, vinegar, pasta, cheese and canned goods area but also some things that are clearly an attempted rip-off so be a wise shopper and compare.
I had a choice between here and Rockys for some sausage and should have walked the extra block. When I unwrapped the sausage this morning it smelled like a gut wagon had upset on it. I live on the island so no chance of returning this now so I'm out $50. I may still visit here for packaged goods but won't trust their meat again. Italian sausage is the cornerstone of any good Italian deli and/or meat market. Their's left me very disappointed. They will be loosing some of their loyal clientele if their quality is not given a higher regard.

I am a regular Cioffi's customer and consider myself a bit of a foodie... I have shopped extensively throuout the lowermainland and can simply say that, Cioffis has the best selection of deli meats, specialty meats, imported foods and prepared foods in the lower mainland. They are a bit smaller than some but they only carry the best and have great prices that makes buying easy.

You can rely on Cioffi's to help you provide a gourmet experience without having a heavy price associated with it.

Highly recommended, good service and great selection!

I have to agree with 'Hines'. BOSA is my place of choice. BOSA respects expiration dates on their products and definitely on their meat. BOSA has a clean, neat layout. BOSA merchandise is easy to find. BOSA staff is very friendly and courteous. BOSA's service is ALWAYS consistent. Consistency is key in a business - whether you are running a deli, restaurant, or shoe store...

I just moved into the Burnaby Heights area and found this little gem. What an authentic Italian experience! Great selection of products....reminds me of my trip to Italy. It's always super busy, but that lends to its charm. The staff are tons of fun and very helpful. I'll be back soon!

Lots of comments here about rude staff,....yes, their staff aren't as nice as they used to be, but they have had some employee churn over the last couple of years. Some of their better staff went to BOSA foods just off of Boundary Rd in Vancouver, and the one's that stayed at Cioffi's aren't the best.

I would agree that the two brothers that run the place now aren't the most friendly. I think that the current attitude in the shop is probably due to them.

As for products, they have a great selection of deli meats that probably aren't matched by any of the local grocery stores also, a good selection of olive oils, vinegars, cheeses, and pasta. But, their meats have been better in the past. I have bought spoiled meat (pork & chicken) from them in the past three years and Reno didn't really do much to appease me when I came in to complain about it. Being a long term customer I was expecting better. I've heard similar stories from other ex-customers too.

I don't frequent Cioffi's much anymore and from what I see and from what I've heard they are getting less return long term clients coming in. We'll see if they can buy the Yum Yum Shushi place and Bob's Sporting Good's place next door so they can have a much larger store that doesn't require you go our from one store and into the other. There is alot of potential with this place, but not sure Reno and his brother are the guys that are going to make it happen.

Anyway, long story short, there's better places out there to chose from BOSA Foods on Boundary Rd near 1st Ave, Rocky's Meats (for meats only,...great Italian Sausages by the way), and Columbus Meat Market, which is up on Renfrew and 1st Ave, which is a little out the way for folks who live in the Burnaby Heights area.

Smell your meat before you buy it just to be on the safe side. You can't trust Reno to get the freshest quality anymore.

I have been to Cioffi's once or twice on the recommendation of friends! I am not Ittalian and I am not a frequent shopper. The store is busy, small and somewhat congested but I don't mind - it's authentic and their products are excellent. I love the experience of going there. I have not one complaint about Cioffi's in my two visits - the staff were very friendly and helpful and I'm going there today to get my groceries for a lovely Italian dinner.

Cioffi's is real, Bosa is getting too big and is losing it's intimate appeal.

Whoever says that the staff at Cioffi's are not friendly, they're on another planet. To complain about the place at all is comparable to complaining about winning the lottery. Don't believe the blurbs about unfriendly staff rather, the staff are extremely friendly, and extremely helpful in every way, in both store locations. The selection and quality of products is superior but the prices remain lower than most other stores. Cioffi's is an excellent market and deli and I pray that it stays around for a long, long time.

I have been into Coiffis many times, and I agree, the staff are not particularily friendly, especially the guy at the till. He has never once cracked a smile.

For all the people who say that Coiffis gives excellent service, if that were true, there would be nothing but rave reviews, BUT THIS IS NOT THE CASE, because they dont give excellent customer service. It isn't a personal thing customers make up. Some employees do, and some dont give good service. Its up to management to see that everyone is treated well, so that nothing but good reviews are written. The fact that there are bad reviews here is a direct reflection of the service given.

the staff are extremely the rudest that have ever met ...the owners should be ashamed of themselves for having such emloyees as they do have alot of competition

i love to bbq and they have best meat around . compared the prices against windsor meats on north shore and they were way cheaper , the butchers are very helpful and i just love going on saturdays to see the people getting excited about thier purchases ,

I have been shopping nearly every week for mmmm...five or six years...can't remember but what I do remember are the reasons why I have become such a loyal client for this great company. The quality and variety of the products is always refreshed, appealing, always something on special and of very high quality. The second reason I always shop at Cioffi's (even though I have to drive there from north Burnaby) is that the staff at both the deli and the meat market are really committed to offering high quality service...they are also very knowledgeable and as they come to know you as a 'regular' they embrace you into the 'Cioffi family'. I am not Italian or even of Italian descent but I appreciate very much their committment to high quality service and products. There are not too many of these family-style authentic shops left and I adore the congestion on Saturdays and Sundays!!! Keep up the good work, Pamela

Great old fashion Deli and Meat Market,,,,Italian-Canadian with meats from around the world. *****

the prices cover a wide range. certain items are a fantastic deal. you've gotta know your stuff.

staff is also varied. they're good to me tho i've seen them treat others only lukewarmly... management might benefit from setting some good examples & selecting good staff.

fun to shop here. & it's across from my mom's!

Big improvement--
I have been going for over ten years because they do carry a good selection of products. I notice that there is preferential treatment towards customers. I am certainly not one of them. What ever attitude is behind this, however, is slowly changing lately, I have notice that customers from different backgrounds are being treated with more respect than in the past.


As for prices, there are some good buys and some more expensive items. All in all, the variety is good.

The prices are good and the selection is excellent. I also find the staff to be friendly. I am Italian, but I don't look it and my married name isn't, so all the comments about being rude to non-italians is not accurate. My only issue is that a few of the pre-packaged meats and olive oil I have purchased have been expired, which surpises me considering their high volume. Overall, it is the place I prefer to go to for my Italian deli meats, veal and Italian specialty items. Also, the meat market is great. It is one of the only places I can find ground veal and veal chops.

I find Cioffi's staff a lot nicer than Bosa's. I refuse to shop at Bosa's anymore because they are so rude.

If you think their staff is rude, pray you don't run into their driver!!
Their proudly decorated van with CIOFFI 1 vanity plates came howling down Terminal Avenue today doing about 90 in the fast lane, then cut across 3 lanes to make the right turn onto Main St forcing me to stand on my brakes and hit the curb.
Then, when I reached for my cell phone to call the cops, the aggressive young punk (wearing a ball cap and hoodie inside the truck!!) comes to a full stop in the middle lane in Main Street and priceeds to give me the finger!!!
Bad employees are a symptom of bad management.

Amazing variety of products! I come all the way from West Van and it's a real treat. The staff is so helpful and always smiling! Keep up the good work!

I find Cioffi's more expensive than other Italian delicatessen. The staff always seem to be arrogant, impatient and rude. The size of the shop is small for the amount of inventory, so it's tight getting around. Much prefer Bossa, where the prices seem lower and the selection and size of the shop so much larger. The Bossa staff are always so friendly and patient!

This is my favorite store for 15 years,
been in Bosa, and Cioffi is lot better,staff is friendly and prices are slightly lower than in Bosa.
Next door meat store is great...
All the best.
I am not Italian and I love this store the most.
I think that people with negative reviews are just over sensitive.
Cioffi is the best...

Cioffi's made a mistake with my order and they called back and apologized for the error the next day. Great market, and great customer service. Thank you.

This is classic Italian customer service philosophy The customer is unaware that he is an idiot and it is your job to emphatically inform him of this fact!

You have to be careful what you buy there. Just bought packaged meat that was expired. Don't understand why they don't have someone checking!!! Won't go back.

Great place to buy food

great staff

meat isn't plactic lick bosa's

Great place to buy food

great staff

meat isn't plactic lick bosa's

The dopest dope I've ever smoked!

The selection of food is not really exciting and it is expensive. But the overall quality is pretty good.
The store is small, crowded, it looks like a maze, and you think you're kicking something off the shelves every time you turn a corner.
The staff is particularly rude - unless they know you, you don't get a smile or a

Very rude staff, always gossiping and have no respect whatsoever.

Love Cioffi's market. The pesto is amazing as are breads, meats, pastas. I have never been treated disrespectfully. Maybe those who feel that the staff is rude should have a look at their own demeanor.

Cheers!

Love the store but agree that the cashier needs to take some customer service training. Very rude with a perma sneer on his face. Definitely detracts from the shopping experience. Perhaps a different line of work???

I picked up a De-Boned Turkey for Christmas this year from Cioffi's. The butchers are Magicians. They didnt even cut all the way through the skin, they gave me back the carcass to make soup and I cant believe how little meat was left on the bones. The turkey was delicious. Thank you Cioffis.

great selection too bad they did not take as much time in selecting their choice of cashier.

look people stop bringing up the italian thing they treat everyone the same you cant be like this because it is racist i know people that work there that are black, chinese, and even other white races so if you feel offended by their style you are probably overly sensitive.

I dont understand the negativity. I am not Italian and have always been treated well. They have a wonderful stock and can answer any questions you have. Please understand this is a very busy hectic store, be patient and appreciate what you have in this store one day it could disappear like so many others.

I was at Cioffis Market yesterday, and at first was so shocked to see the meat counter at the back wasnt there. I loaded up on other products that I love to get from there (Olive Oil, pastas, cheese, and those wafer cookies) and was then happily advised that the Meat portion had moved to a new location 2 doors down! The new meat market is excellent! I am surprised to hear comments about non Italians being treated poorly. I am not Italian, and have never been treated any differently from other customers in the store. I noticed the butcher behind the counter in the meat shop helped an older Italian customer and I with the same friendly, helpful manner. I live in Langley, so only make it to Cioffis once a month, but it is a monthly shopping trip I will continue!
James

For those of you who are giving cioffi's low ratings and comments, keep in mind that their products and service have been a success to the point where they have expanded to cater to the high volume of customers.

quality,service, & price are all what makes cioffi's a top notch place to shop at..

I would never shop aat Cioffi's again. The prices are ridiculously high. The owners are absolute snobs and arrogant, especially to those who are not Italian. The store is crowded and messy. Oh by the way Bossa has much fresher meat and friendlier staff.
Carla Davita

I can't believe some of the reviews! I love Cioffi's...their selection is amazing and the staff are very helpful! I have been shopping there for about 6 years now and I've always had a wonderful experience. Keep up the good work!

CONCERNED CIOFFI'S STAFF COMMENTS
In response to the posts below.... We as Cioffi's employees try to serve ALL customers equally. The comments being made as to the fact that we only serve fellow Italians well is hard for us to believe because 50% of the staff here at Cioffi's are not even Italian... We try here to make Cioffi's a store that is friendly and an enjoyabkle place for you the customer to shop. At times however our store is very busy and we do feel stressed to a point. We are listening to the customers comments not only on web pages such as this but in general and we are trying to meet the needs of customers. Some people may think that this job is EASY but at times it is quite difficult to mamage such a high volume business with a smile every minute of every day. COME JOIN US - good or bad and you would see how hard it is to please the public. Also please understand that not all customers are the same. Some are great and we really enjoy serving them.but others are quite difficult!! We smile and try to give the best customer service possible. Cioffi's has been a community store for the last 20 years and some of our customers are like familyas we've known them since the business opened. Please when you come in and you see us talking with some customers in a more

I have a lot of respect for some of the hard working employees that work at cioffis. The store is only as good as the employees in it. One person does not make the business go. I find the owners are rude and love catering to the so called high class people. Otherwise, ill keep shopping there because SUBWAY is across the street.

very rude people working at cioffies especially if your not an italian customer, seems like the cater to their own, and others are second class.
also check his grade of meats not always grade a

Their new store is absolutely beautiful and the staff is super friendly. They have a huge selection of meat with great prices. I live in the area and I love that they now sell Island Farms Milk! Now, I don't have to go all the way to Choices to get it!

I have been supporting Cioffi's for 8 years. This morning, while trying to place an order over the phone, (which I always do)I was rudely informed that something I was attempting to order did not exist. I was bewildered, as I've been ordering a particular type of salami for 8 years. He went on to say that he is the owner and that I don't know what I'm talking about. When I responded by reminding him that I've been spending my money in his store for 8 years, he did not change his attitude one iota. He snapped at me, and was so incredibly rude, that I got off the phone in tears. I guess I should have explained that I am Italian - maybe he would have backed off, but I didn't feel it was relevent at all.

I am so angry right now. Let's do the math Once a week, for a family of 5, for 8 years adds up to about 30 thousand dollars. Talk about a kick in the teeth. I have shopped at Cioffi's for convenience - but the experience has always been a negative one stressed out people behind the counter, a store that is badly laid out, and the snarly guy at the cashier who is probably the owner's son. There has never been a sense that my patronage is appreciated. Cioffi's can go to hell. I will now support the competition.

We love Cioffi's!! We especially love Rino and his hot sausages! Rino is a stallion!

Good Food. But if you're not Italian then expect to be treated like a second class citizen.

I Luv it!
Always crowded..I wonder why!? -)
Get there early to avoid the lineups!

The sooner next door opens the better!!!!!great place to shop , great place to work , and that i have!!!!!! just to crowed both sides,but its all worth the effort,Rino goes more than the xtra mile to please,as a meat cutter i can promise you are getting nothing but the best!!! well done team.

Cioffi's is my home.

Great owners, nice people, very good service, but too crowded!

Love the amazing food and unique shopping experience!

I found things here I even had to search out in Italy! They have the best of all regions!!

Excellent

The Best Italian market, no question. Huge selction of vinegars, goods, meat, cheeses and oils. Rino Cioffe is the man to see for high quality meats.

Note Cafe Artigiano Coffee is 4 dollars cheaper per pund than west 41st stores!

Daniel d. Lewis

I also disagree with the last comment made. I think the whole experience is wonderful. Especially the hard working staff. Well done Cioffi's!

Absolutely disagree with previous comment. Best meat, best food, best selection, best prices and best staff!!! Never been disappointed.

Cioffi's Meat Market was the worst experience that I encountered in my whole entire life. The owners are rude and staff itself are snobby. Hopefully Bosa Foods will be opening soon in burnaby and I will definetly shop there.

What a gem of a market! I return to Cioffi's again and again and again, all the way from Vancouver's West End. Why? Because Cioffi's is stocked from floor to ceiling with authentic imported goods that can be very difficult to find anywhere else. From antipasta through dolce and espresso, you'll find everything you need for that 7-course Italian dinner you're creating, or simply outstanding pasta you'll need for Wednesday night supper on your own. The selection, quality, and service are terrific. Trips to Cioffi's are not an errand but one of life's great pleasures.

Not a restaurant, but definitely a place to return to again and again. When we lived within walking distance of Cioffi's, we bought meat, deli, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and many other foods there every other day. Now that we live in New West, we have to limit our Cioffi's excursions to once a week. Even so, it's worth it. We've seen people from even farther away loading up hundreds of dollars worth of Cioffi's wonderful products. The store is small and nearly always crowded you have to get into what we call the Zen of Cioffi's to have a reasonable shopping experience. But when you do, you'll feel like you've stepped into a real Italian market -- and you'll be very, very happy with the outcome.