Pino's Get Fresh - Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Heady B.

Excellent

David V.

Spent some time in the Sault, and someone recommended their Italian sausage on a bun, and it did not disappoint. It’s also a fantastic value, pricing is great, flavour is great, I got a combo with the a drink and a slice of pizza, which was also fantastic. A bit of a New York style pizza with a nice thin crust with the puffed up ends, no undercarriage flop (for those who know NY pizza reviews), nice sauce, the cheese is golden, honestly was very pleasantly surprised at the level of pizza as well. Definitely will return for a quick bite next time I’m in town.

Beth

This place blew my mind. I was visiting the Soo this weekend and stopped in here for dessert. I could not believe the selection and eye catching displays. I ended up purchasing a cheese cake and some donuts which were both the best Ive ever had. Sault Ste Marie is lucky to have this place to shop!

Mitchel

I have been going to Pinos for years even before my highschool years when we would go there for lunch and split a pizza and wedges between friends. Unfortunately it seems that quality has gone down.

Food
- hot food counter 5/10 wedges are something the quality has gone down. Almost every time I order this there is always one wedge that I bite into and it tastes like mould. Not sure about their quality control there for the cleaning/ cutting process. The fried chicken is good. Wish they cooked some past 7pm though. Even though the counter is open until 9 they stop making any at 7.
- bakery 7/10 the selection/ quality is good for baked items. Not sure if it’s just a timing issue but the sandwich buns I like are never in stock. Pastries are good and a fair price.
- raw skinless/ boneless chicken 2/10 I am not sure why but the chicken is different here in taste as well as the butchering. Ive had cheap Walmart chicken that needs less trimming than this.
- sausages & meats 9/10 the Pinos sausage are always something we grab when I go here. Amazing taste and quality. The beef selection is also great and the ground beef is a good quality and price.
- fresh produce 3/10 although they sometimes have good selection and prices the quality could be better. I know it’s hard when it’s fresh but I’ve pulled products with mould out of here. Also their fresh made salads I don’t know why it’s assumed everyone likes onions. Maybe because I’m not the biggest fan I just find most store made things contain onions so either I’m removing them or just avoiding the product. The lettuce in these salads is terrible quality and seems like they only use the stem of the lettuce. Not sure where any of the leaves actually end up.
- pizza 3/10 although the pizza taste at first seems good I have gotten sick a couple times from eating here. Always ask for them to cook it a little longer. Also silly that they won’t let me buy a full pizza they have ready under the warmers. I have to order one and wait 10-15 minutes or pay “by the slice” the for ready made one which would cost over double.
- deli counter 8/10 aside from them not having stock all the time or possibly the staff not wanting to cut some it is a good selection.
- dry foods 6/10 the selection is good but this is where you want to watch the flyers. I’ve noticed that these prices seem to be higher than other stores.
- frozen foods 7/10 the selection could be better and prices are not always the best.
- other things I’ve noticed are a lack of selection of basic medicine/ first aid supplies as well as throat lozenges. I know it’s not a pharmacy but in my opinion they could have a bit better selection.

You can also get beer, wine and flowers here as well.

Service 8/10
Their staff is always friendly and helpful. The cashiers are always great to deal with and a nod to them for buying little stickers to hand out to the kids. These little details can really boost the customer experience. My kid always loves to go to pinos and gets excited when he gets a sticker. You will also find the owner around almost every visit. He is a very nice, personable hardworking man.

Overall this store seems geared to people who don’t flyer shop and simply don’t want to waste the time going to another store so they are willing to pay the higher price to save on gas/ the trip. They are opening another store on Great Northern road across from Walmart so we will see how that store is set up. Hopefully there will be more space at the hot foods counter so it doesn’t crowd up the entrance for people walking in/ trying to get a cart. Could definitely be more organized for efficiency.

N D.

Had such a horrible experience with a butcher, I'm considering never going back again. I'm staying somewhere with limited ways to cut chicken. I picked a pack of chicken breasts and went to the butcher at the counter and asked if they could cut them in small pieces for me. I've never had issues asking a butcher such task before in my life. It's what they've trained for.
First he was short with me. Asked me what I needed the small pieces for. I explained that I wanted to make a meal. He asked why I couldn't cut it myself, and I explained that I'm staying somewhere with no real kitchen. He said they don't do that. To never go back again to ask. Said he was gonna do it. He proceeded to cut it, but when I explained what I needed he said no. That I wasting his time. I was left speechless at the rudeness. A man, dressed in a butcher white coat, refusing the help a customer with a butcher related task. I felt so bad and shocked I took the chicken cut the wrong way and left. I had heard of Pino's being a superior grocery store. Absolutely not. Not when it comes to good service!

Bruce C.

The meat is always fresh from the onsite butcher/meat dept! Don't forget to pick up the inhouse prepared porketta or famous Pino's sausages! Many hot meal options to go from pizza to fried chicken an so many other options! Selections from the deli counter are always well priced, although other common grocery options may be a bit pricier compared to large grocery chains but it feels so good to support local whenever I can!

Dan L.

Love this place, it has the feel and charm of an old-school grocery store before everything was taken over by corporate consolidation like the rest of them. Fresh donuts, fresh pizza, great sausages and meat, flowers, ready to eat meals, great deli, this place has it all! Even the staff members wear the shirt and tie with apron, very professional look to everything and everyone, highly recommend even if you're just passing through.

Duke D.

The most amazing grocery store I've been in! I travel for work, all across north America, this place is so awesome, if you get the chance and you're even passing through the Soo, stop just for the experience!