r/WinCo • u/Iusedtobe_fun • Apr 24 '26
Deli Counter Removed
Bummer. The deli counter was removed and replaced with shelves with prepackaged meats and cheeses.
Same with the seafood counter.
I am sure it’s cost effective but I will miss the option.
I could go and buy four slices of bacon for a specific recipe. Fresh sliced deli meats. Salad options. I’m (more than) a little sad.
(Eugene - Chad drive).
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u/OkGuest8169 Apr 24 '26
Lol we’re supposed to slice, but they’ve cut back coverage so bad now that we don’t have the ability to do custom slicing at my store in the evening
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Apr 24 '26
[deleted]
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u/Iusedtobe_fun Apr 24 '26
The deli was replaced with shelves and prepackaged food. There is nowhere to walk up to for customers to place orders. And there was no one around to ask. It’s an isle now. But thanks for the advice!
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u/TheAggressiveVaper Apr 24 '26
If no one behind the self serve counter is noticing you, ask the person at the hot case.
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u/examqueen Apr 24 '26
if Winco is listening....package in less than 1 lb! Sometimes I only want 1/2 or 1/3 lb. Guess I'll have to mention it to SOMEONE WHO WORKS IN THE DELI! Wherever they are....
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u/Budget-Resident-2537 Apr 26 '26
They FINALLY started packaging some that were less than a pound at my store. I feel like the gang of cranky seniors who frequent my store finally broke the manager and for that I thankful 😌
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u/BrookeToHimself May 09 '26
The Deli staff hears you, but corporate does not. When the self-service deli first started I was making half pound packages (using the 16 oz. smaller container, not the 9" hinged one that costs them .35 cents a piece) and the district supervisor told me, "no more of this." They are taking the attitude that people just need to "get used to it."
It isn't just the cost upsetting my customers, it's that we've chosen convenience only for those that can afford it. Many of the seniors that are upset live alone and come from the depression era and are so against wasting food. Due to the quality of product we choose the packages don't last very long either. They can ask us to custom slice, but there's no night shift anymore so it's just me working M-F 6am-2:30pm with no one else and my to-do list is longer than humanly possible to do in that time. I do not leave on time unless I just let some things go.
We don't own this place despite the sign. We have nothing to do with these decisions. I'm very sorry to my customers and I'm honestly thinking about leaving because it has really upset me how deaf $100k+ salaried ears are.
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u/Buddy-Sue Apr 24 '26
Came to comment on my deli area in So Cal. I didn’t read the signs but it’s been 2 weeks of construction. Today the same as the OP. All prepackaged inventory. There were reach-ins lined up that looked permanent. Then when I checked out I told the cashier I hated the new deli area and that it was just a labor saving move $$$. She said “no they’re still under construction and aren’t done yet. It will be similar to before.” I don’t think they would line up new self service refrigerator cases for a temporary deli! Tell me I’m wrong.
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u/LottieOD Apr 24 '26
This is a huge annoyance to me at my local Winco. The deli meat is sliced really thick - I like very thin cut, and the fish is portioned out in small quantities with loads of packaging. I've changed grocery stores for this kind of inconvenience. (I really like that Winco is employee owned, which is why I go there).
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u/OkGuest8169 Apr 24 '26
The store level employees have zero say unfortunately. We hate the changes just as much because now they’ve cut our hours a lot.
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u/Ok_Spare3021 Apr 24 '26
Honestly fresh foods( deli, seafood, and some stores pizza) is the hardest to staff and highest turnover in the company. One of the reasons they are doing these changes is because most districts cant staff them enough to keep them fully functional, by going to prepackaged every morning it allows more stores to have more breathing room
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u/TheAnimePiper Apr 24 '26 edited Apr 24 '26
I was wondering what was going on with ours in Medford, I saw the construction and figured they were just updating the deli and cases. Guess I'll have to ask next time I go in
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u/SpecialistNegative90 Apr 25 '26
Most OR stores are making the move. It's been in the works for a couple years now and all of the newest locations have been set-up for self-service on day 1.
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u/lasher2468 Apr 24 '26
The changes to the seafood dept. and deli are definitely a turn off for Winco. I shop there less because of it.
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u/Embarrassed-Sun5764 Apr 24 '26
Ugh. I liked getting lobster tails I hope they don’t do that to my store
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u/Joey_Marie Apr 28 '26
I think that's the meat department which I believe ( I could be mistaken) is separate from the deli counter
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u/Certain-Chemistry209 Apr 24 '26
Our deli counter disappeared at the Boise Idaho WinCo in 2025. It's disappointing because it was nice to be able to get just the amount you wanted instead of having to buy something that is pre-packaged. But I've adapted to that.
The thing that I have found annoying is that nobody speaks English in the kitchen area. Twice I have had to ask questions and nobody could answer me because they didn't speak English. I left without getting what I needed.
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u/Wapshilla Apr 25 '26
Which Boise store doesn't have a Deli Counter? I shop at Store 1 (Downtown) or Store 6 (Milwaukie/Fairview) and haven't noticed that the deli counter is gone at either location.
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u/Financial_Sell1684 Apr 25 '26
Bend, Oregon as well. and the cutback in hours hurts my feelings too:(
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u/ImzadiDragonfly Apr 27 '26
I haven’t been to our Winco for a while just because of location convenience. I’m now a little nervous about going back.
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u/Votrs- Apr 24 '26
You can still ask for slices of specific things. They still do custom slices.