Publix At Dadeland, Miami

Located in an ever darkening concrete cavern encompassed by the Dadeland Marriott, the Datran Center and an urban "village" currently under construction, Publix at Dadeland offers the shopper an above-average selection of imported cheeses, gourmet dips and appetizers, deli, produce, baked goods and wine, as well as handy take-out selections ideal for a commuter on the run in one direction or another, or a hotel guest weary of restaurants. For a consumer who resides nearby, shopping is any but "a pleasure."

Since the store opened I have repeatedly brought to the department manager's attention the fact that the coolers in the produce section, particularly the organic refrigerator case and the fruit area where the cut-up melons are found, are either set much too cold or do not work properly, as the produce kept in them is often partially frozen. Once, the produce manager shrugged and said that he had reported it numerous times to the store management which had refused to do anything about it, and my attempts to personally convince the store manager that there is a problem with the produce cases haven't worked either. The seafood dept. is consistently high-priced compared to other Publix stores that frequently offer "store only" specials. Customer service, except at the front counter, is almost non-existent--hardly any of the store's on-floor staff speaks sufficient English to answer even the most basic of questions about the location of merchandise in the store, and most non-management store personnel range from indifferent to hostile regarding the possibility of exerting themselves in any way to assist customers. If you've got wheels, you are much better off further down the road at the Publix on US1 around 147 St.