How many grocery stores do you frequent?

[kimmurphy94]

I must be a total nut! I think there are at least 5 different grocery stores that I go to! It seems that there is something that each of them has that I just can't get at the others. And each week I go to a different one and stock up on that particular store's stuff. Its crazy!

There is Trader Joes (They are so cheap and I love their bread whole wheat pretzels and a few other things...);
Whole Foods for all the natural and organic stuff
My 2 local grocery stores (Kings and Stop n Shop) for day to day stuff that I forget to get every where else!
And if I need a lot of general stuff or want to entertain my kids, I'll make a trek to Wegman's (they love to push the button's on the scales!)

And this doesn't even include going to BJ's, which I do also every other month or so.

Does anyone else have this addiction

[Angela]

I voted 1.
But we did just get a membership to Costco and I'm sure we will be buying a lot of food there. I also go to Fresh Field's and TJ's, but only a couple times a year and I don't buy that much so they don't really count.

[aliwally]

Unfortunately, I have no choices - it's Publix, Publix or Publix. And how I dream for my grocery stores (supermarkets) from England where the variety and choices were amazing in comparison. We have a Whole Foods nearby'ish - and I went there a week ago and was pleasantly suprised. But the only other grocery store chain here is Kroger, and it's no better or worse than Publix.

Is there anyone else out there who either lived, or is from the UK, that can join with me in dreaming about Sainsbury's or Tesco's???

[lhall]

Well, I voted 2, but should have been 3.

Mostly it's Publix. There are somethings I get at Sam's, and somethings at the Super Wal-mart (diapers!).

Aliwally, actually Atlanta has a lot of grocery store chains. Publix, Kroger, Ingles, Shoprite (was Winn Dixie), Whole Foods, Harry's, Food Depot....granted some of them are lower end stores, but at one point not long ago there were 13 different grocery chains in Atlanta.

I personally drive by 4 chains and 5 stores (all one when the Aldi Foods opens) on the way home from work.

Leigh

[Carolina68]

Living in a small town, I have to shop at several grocery stores to find everything that I am looking for. I probably go to BiLo or Winn Dixie the most, and I also visit Sam's Club about once a month.

[aliwally]

lhall - I have discovered Harry's Farmers Market, was there yesterday and love that place. However, I haven't seen any of those others places you mention nearby (I'm in Dunwoody).

I grumble so much because UK grocery store chains are ALL like Harry's - tons of ethnic goods and ingredients. I find myself driving round to three stores to get all my ingredients here and that sometimes takes the fun out of cooking the meal!

[Melman]

I voted 5 or more. ;-)

I mainly shop at one (Publix)...but do general grocery shopping about every 2 or 3 weeks at Walmart. Depending on what I'm trying to find or who has the best sales, I also go to Garner's, Earthfare, or the Fresh Market. THEN...I figured I had to take at least one whole vote for when I'm out of town and go to Harris-Teeter, Harry's Market, Whole Foods, and any grocery store better than what we have available.

[Jewel]

I'm definitely in the 3-4 category! I shop at Trader Joe's for my nutrition bars and cheeses, plus I love their meringue cookies, peanut butter, olive oil, milk, balsamic vinegar and jarred pasta sauce! As for 'regular' grocery stores, it's almost laughable how many stores I have to go to. DH has yet to figure out how I shop, and it's confusing him:

DH: We need to stop at the store, we need milk and bread.
ME: OK, stop by Trader Joe's first.
DH: What do you mean 'first'?
ME: I can buy the milk at TJ's but I have to buy the bread at Market Place 'cause it's the best French Bread.
DH: OK, but we also need some bell peppers, chicken and whole wheat pasta.
ME: OK, I can get the produce at Market Place, but then stop by Albertsons to get the chicken, and then by QFC (Kroger) so I can buy the WW pasta in bulk, it's cheaper.
DH: (rolling eyes...) Why can't you buy the chicken at QFC?
ME: (gasping) Because QFC's regular price on B/S chicken breasts is $4.99/lb!! Albertsons is better chicken and it's only $2.99/lb.
DH: And we can't buy the produce at Albertsons or QFC because...?
ME: Market Place has the best produce at the cheapest prices.
DH: We also need paper towels, toilet paper, coffee and napkins.
ME: Grab the Costco card and we'll take the truck. ;)
DH: Why can't you buy everything at Costco?
ME: (rolling eyes...) Because Costco chicken breasts can't compare with Albertson's quality! I will buy the pork tenderloin, Chuck Roasts and 20 lb bag of potatoes there though.
DH: I thought you said Market Place had the best produce...
ME: Trust me!!!! :rolleyes:

They never know what we go through to make the household work... ;)

[RunnerKim]

Grocery shopping is a major adventure for us. it's either Safeway or Fred Meyers for the regular stuff. New Seasons, Natures (Wild Oats) or now Whole Foods since it came to town. A trip to Trader Joes every 2-3 weeks. It's well into spring here and in another month that'll add the Farmer's Market. Lots of options and it varies on which I'll stop at. Trader Joe's is close to Natures for example, but the Farmer's market I like is in the other direction and near Whole Foods. It's always a logistical challenge!

Kim

[cookinator]

I vote 3-4 because I always have to go to TJ's (it's 2blocks away) but for staples I head to Albertson's. It's a huge store with lots of variety. I also go to Mother's Market for bulk vegetarian bin food. Costco is dangerous because I tend to buy so much junk. Whatever I save on toilet paper I blow on stuff I could live without.

[lhall]

Originally posted by aliwally
lhall - I have discovered Harry's Farmers Market, was there yesterday and love that place. However, I haven't seen any of those others places you mention nearby (I'm in Dunwoody).

I grumble so much because UK grocery store chains are ALL like Harry's - tons of ethnic goods and ingredients. I find myself driving round to three stores to get all my ingredients here and that sometimes takes the fun out of cooking the meal!

Emilycat would be able to tell you what stores are close to you I think she lives in Dunwoody, there are a few other BBers in your area too. I would imagine you have nice stores in Dunwoody.

I wonder, is the Dekalb Farmer's Market still around? I've only been once, but it was better than Harry's for ethnic stuff. Story I heard is it's run by Harry's brother and they had a disagreement thus we have Harry's.

Leigh

[emilycat]

Hey! Leigh's right, I do live in that area (was in Dunwoody, moved to Sandy Springs), but I don't really mind driving 20-25 minutes to Harry's every week, since I love it so much.
I go every Saturday for my "big grocery store trip;" it's where I get my seafood (I do fish on Saturday nights), all my produce, cheeses, wines, ethnic ingredients, spices...
I also take a weekly trip to Whole Foods 'cause I like their soy milk, tofu, tempeh and yogurt, and I get all my bulk grains there. They also have an awesome selection of whole wheat pastas, and the occasional fruit sale -- I got beautiful strawberries yesterday for 1.50/pound!
I also make a trip to Publix each week (we need a "blech" smiley -- I cannot stand mainstream supermarkets) for Kellogg's wheat bran flakes, Post Grape Nut's flakes, Earthgrains bagels and Smucker's natural peanut butter.
I tried to find the DeKalb Farmer's market one weekend, but I got lost :rolleyes: Maybe that'll be my project this Sunday.

Aliwally, I can't give you any guidance for other "supermarkets," 'cause I avoid them when at all possible, but I'm quite happy with Whole Foods and Harry's, since they're really not that far away. If you're interested, though, there is a really neat Italian market on Mt. Vernon that has wonderful imports -- maybe check that out one day. There's also a Middle Eastern market on Roswell that has a bunch of cool stuff. Also, although not a grocery store, Cost Plus on Ashford-Dunwoody has a good selection of ethnic ingredients.

[gertdog]

I voted 3-4, but maybe it should have been 5+?

Locally, I'm pretty loyal to Wegman's. I make one large trip per week.

When the local farmer's market is open, I go there once per week just before my Wegman's trip.

In Philly, where DF lives, we have a Costco membership and buy some food items there on a regular basis. We also purchase certain items at Trader Joe's regularly (veggie burgers, veggie sausages, pasta sauce, various frozen raviolis, Luna Bars, jasmine rice, pine nuts, etc.) And we go to Whole Foods too (breads, more vegetarian foods, balsamic vinegar, better than bouillion vegetarian flavor, etc.).

But I find the regular supermarkets in Philly to be far inferior to Wegman's, and DF does a lot of his grocery shopping when he visits me in Ithaca!

[jphilg]

Asian supermarket every week for produce, produce, produce! And spectacular seafood.

Safeway every other week for meats for the freezer, and whatever staples I need.

TJs on the opposite weeks, for olives, cheeses, wine, canned tomatoes, Cabot dairy products, and all of the wonderful other things they sell.

Plus the occasional stop at the Lebanese or Indian markets for specialty products I can't find elsewhere.

I love grocery shopping. It is a treat to me.

Jen

[Searcher]

I voted 5 or more.
My regular grocery shopping is done at Stop and Shop. I go once a week there and to a small neighborhood store, Highland Park Market, where I get most of my meat and deli items. Then I go to Shaws when they have something I need that's on sale, to Shopright for veggies. There's a new (to me) meat market in West Hartford I'd like to visit once to see if their meat is nice. And I go to Wild Oats in West Hartford or in Westport. If I'm in Westport I'll also go to Whole Foods and Trader Joe's (and Penzey's!!!). We belong to Costco too, so go there...there are three of them inside our usual travel circle.

[Terrytx]

I'm a 5 or more also.

There is HEB for that hard to find produce. Randall's if I need extra cash or a prescription filled. Albertson's for everyday shopping. Then once a month or so there's Whole Food's or Central Market for the other hard to find things. Costco or Sams for meat and seafood.

[Dewey]

Well, I voted for "Faithful to 1" but that's only because I live in the boondocks and there are only 2 supermarkets close by. I go to the King Soopers (Krogers chain) since it's really new, has big aisles, and great selection. You can't drag me into the Safeway, it's older, crowded aisles, and has zero selection.

[ebobbitt]

I voted for "1" because we don't have a huge selection here. I'd love it if we had a Trader Joe's and a Whole Foods.

[AndreaU]

Shop Rite is closer, so if I'm in a rush I'll go there.

Hannaford is all of 10 miles away so usually I shop there- my new favorite. I LOVE their bakery!


I do miss Wegmans... :( (If you can hear me, Danny, please build one here!!!)

[funnybone]

There are 4 that I go to and then Costco as well. I agree, you can't get everything in one store.

[nmody]

I chose 5 (or more):

--regular grocery shopping at Schnuck's or Dierbergs (local supermarkets)
--Whole Foods or Wild Oats for organic/health foodie stuff
--Global Foods for anything ethnic (see my other post)
--Indian store for some hard to find stuff
--Soulard Produce market on weekends for fruits/veggies
--Sam's club for a variety of stuff

I think it takes me one whole day to do the shopping every week! Thank goodness a majority of the stores are less than 5 miles from home!

[lorilei]

I wouldn't normally go to more than one store on any given day, but I definitely frequent at least 3-4 different supermarkets...


A natural food store for organic produce/dairy/etc.
A gourmet grocer for unique/imported ingredients
A regular grocery for things like sugar, which are just "bad for you" in general (and which it doesn't pay, IMHO, to buy organic)
A super discount grocer for things like paper towels and the occasional sale item (I generally check here about once a month)


If you want to count it as "grocery" shopping, I also frequent a farmer's market during the summer months and a spice market periodically for spices...

[kwormann]

Well, I go to Whole Foods every week for organic produce, bread, crackers, cheese, soy products, frozen foods, free range eggs etc. I go to Randalls OR HEB (whichever I am nearest to) for things you cant get at Whole Foods (cheep fat free cottge cheese, 2% Kraft etc) and once in awhile to Central Market for their huge bar that has dips, salsas, aiolis, etc

SO, I guess you could say 2 per week, but not always the same two.....

Emilycat, Ive BEEN to DeKalb market. When I visited my cousins a few years ago, that was, of course, one of the sights I HAD to see:D....

[beckms]

I think it's perfectly fine to go to 5 or more (my vote). I can never find everything I need in just one store, hence the need for:

Stop and Shop (good for big shopping trips)

Foodmaster (kind of shady, but it's close, so good for things like milk and eggs)

Wild Oats (close by, and good for gourmet stuff that I can't find at conventional stores)

Whole Foods (less convenient than Wild Oats, but greater selection and I know they'll have wacky ingredients like chantarelles)

Trader Joe's (do I really need a reason? :p )

If I lived near a Wegman's, though, I'd be pretty much all set. I wish they would find their way to Boston!

I frequently can be found cruising the aisles on a Saturday night when everyone else is out partying!

:D

[RobinC]

I go to about 4 stores in the area regularly for grocers - Haggen, Fred Meyer, Albertson's, and Safeway. I also go to Trader Joes and Natures (it's a lot like Whole Foods). Of course Costco is in the mix too. Then there is Uwajimaya - they have the best and most fresh seafood. So many grocery stores, so little time. ;)

[jena]

Aliwallly!!! I just got back from a giant 'super-store' Tesco an hour ago - but I dream of Publix!!! I used to live in Atlanta, near the giant one in Ansley Mall. I guess it's depends on what you're used to because I feel exactly the same as you! (only the reverse :p ). In particular, I miss lots of low-fat or light items I can't find here - especially cheeses. New ones are coming out here all the time, but I still can't find light mozzerella which is killing me! And no canned blackbeans anywhere, no baked tortilla chips! No apple cider! Can't find escarole! No canned broth!! We should trade. What are the things you miss from here, that I should be taking advantage of having?

[Alisa]

I should get DH to read this thread - then he'd understand why it takes me so long to "run out and pick up a few things"!!!

- Health food store (pasta, Luna bars, tahini, spices, Kashi etc etc)
- The local butcher for free range/organic meat
- One of the major grocery chains (I only like one) for obvious stuff - they have a great organics line!
- "The Fish Guy" who sells from a truck at the end of my street
- The fish store because "The fish guy" doesn't do good sushi fish
- Farm market for veggies& fruit
- Asian Grocery (rice, sushi fixins, etc etc)

And...believe it or not I feel like I'm forgetting something...oh yes my local grocery store if I'm REALLY desperate - and only then. Blech.

[SueK]

I go to one chain for "regular" stuff, but also stop at a little gourmet type place for unusual ingredients, game meats, etc. I also periodically shop at a local health food market as well.

Of course, our Wegman's opens on May 20th, and after that, I'll probably be there every day. I can't wait!!!!

[jena]

Aliwally - just remembered - what about the Dekalb Farmer's Market, (is that still there anyone?) It's gigantic. I don't remember about ethnic foods, but I do remember it was great for spices. Maybe worth a try if you're anywhere near there. Atlanta is pretty spread out I know.

[Janet K]

We're military so I try to do major shopping at the commissary to save $, but seems like i find myself at the regular grocery store several times a week also.

Laurie (Dewey) - I wonder if you shop at the same King Soopers as I do... Shoot I'm there so much I've probably seen you and don't know it. I'm amazed at some of the stuff they carry that i never thought to look for there. Like King Arthrur Flour, picholine olives etc. etc.

There's also a nice little gourmet market not too far from me called Par Avion which has lots of imported and hard to find stuff and a HUGE selection of cheeses.

There's Wild Oats, which is ok - kind of old though. There's an awesome Whole Foods up in Denver (Cherry Creek) that I love to go into if we're up there...

Janet

[JHolcomb]

Wellspring (WholeFoods) for organic milk, eggs, meat, fish, poutry, veggies...you get the idea once a week on Saturday

Harris Teeter for paper goods, grapefruit juice (DH likes this one particular brand that only HT carries), turkey pepperoni and wine. Also on Saturday.

Food Lion which I can walk to (right across the street) for anything I may have forgotten at any of the other places. Maybe 2 or 3 very short trips a week.

Asian grocery maybe once a month

Farmers market weekly in the late spring and summer.

[Curleytop]

JEWEL: I also get my chicken breasts in Albertson, but the most I have to pay is $1.99 per #. Often it is only #1.69! Those are the full boneless breasts, no skin, no bones. I cut the breasts down the center, put them in a ziploc 2 @ a time and freeze them!

[Nirak]

I would have said 5 or more if we had 5 or more stores here! I split my shopping between the two grocery chains, depending on what is on sale. I do BJ's a few times a quarter but mostly for cleaning products. In the summer I do try to support the farmers market.

[wallycat]

First, let me just say how jealous I am of you with Trader Joes and WHole foods with miles between you. WHole FOods--Madison, WI (about 1-1/2 HOURS away) and Trader Joe's ...2-1/2 hours (chicago area)...UGH....

I voted 5+...
I usually check out the flyers in the paper and see what i need and what is on sale. THen, I place my 1/month order with my coop, then there are 2 health food stores in the area. Plus there are 3-4 major grocery stores within 10 minutes. Of course, there are the "gourmet" stores--2 or 3 of those...and special delis....
and the Asian market, the Mexican market, the speciality butcher....does having organic eggs delivered to your door count as a food store stop???:o :o :o :o :o

What's really horrible is I love doing it!:D ;)
Oh, and can't wait for the farmer's markets!!!

[Grace]

5+ for me. Dominicks for most "regular" stuff, Cub Foods for stock up stuff (canned beans, juice, canned tomatoes, cleaning supplies, etc.), Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, Jerry's Fruit Market (HUGE produce center! I LOVE it! Every kind of fruit and veggie known to man!!! Plus a lot of "wierd" ethnic stuff), occasionally Whole Foods (way too overpriced, and I can usually find the same stuff elsewhere for cheaper). And then there's the occasional trip to the Asian market, farmer's market, Cost Plus (even though that's not a grocery store), a place called Fox and Obel in Chicago - very fancy-schmancy stuff - and equally fancy-schmancy price tags!! But it's fun to snoop around and find that one item you can't get anywhere else! Oh, and I forgot Costco....can't forget Costco!! :D

I LOVE GROCERY SHOPPING! The big joke in my family is that if I won the lottery, I'd go grocery shopping first!! :rolleyes: :D

[AD]

There is not much choice here. I guess Tom Thumb only exists in North Texas. That's where I do almost ALL my shopping. It is the same chain or company as Safeway, Randall's, and Simon David. Anyway, Kroger is only 5 minutes from my house. They have a good organic/natural foods selection. They're also the only one that carries River Queen peanuts that I like.

Whole Foods is in a high-traffic area, and it's not worth it. The only thing I have to get there is barley malt syrup. I have to stock up since I only go there once every month or two.

Albertson's is farther from my house, and they don't carry anything that I can't get closer, so I never go there.

So to answer the question, I only "frequent" Tom Thumb and Kroger.

[KristaMB]

I voted for 3-4. I usually hit Vons (standard super-market stuff), Trader Joes, Costco, and Henry's Market (for bin foods and produce).

[Varaile]

WOW! You guys are dedicated! :eek: :eek: :eek: I am impressed!

I go to 1 store: Cub. That's it. Nothing else. I go once a week (unless it is a really screwy week with company or something) and I get everything there.

I have found Cub to be the cheapest place with the best variety and it's only 20-30 min. from my house. Now that I live "in the country" I really hate going into town when I don't need to and I seldom go "downtown" (even further). My other options are Super 1 and Jubilee.

Every once in a great while I'll hit the co-op for steel cut oats or the meat market for a specific cut of meat/fish for a special occasion; but it is so infrequent that I hardly qualify it as another place I shop.

I guess it boils down to the fact that I detest multiple stops! :rolleyes: :D

[HRJ]

Originally posted by beckms
I think it's perfectly fine to go to 5 or more (my vote). I can never find everything I need in just one store, hence the need for:

Stop and Shop (good for big shopping trips)

Foodmaster (kind of shady, but it's close, so good for things like milk and eggs)

Wild Oats (close by, and good for gourmet stuff that I can't find at conventional stores)

Whole Foods (less convenient than Wild Oats, but greater selection and I know they'll have wacky ingredients like chantarelles)

Trader Joe's (do I really need a reason? :p )

I frequently can be found cruising the aisles on a Saturday night when everyone else is out partying!

:D

Rebecca -- I'm sure we must have passed each other on a Saturday night at the Stop and Shop -- isn't that the place to "see and be seen" in Arlington?

I'm obsessed with grocery shopping -- it's my second career. I frequent most of the stores Rebecca mentioned above:

-- at least once a week, a conventional supermarket like Stop and Shop -- in January, they opened a Roche Brothers not far from here, so I'll go there sometimes if they're advertising better specials.

-- at least once a week, a "natural" supermarket, like Wild Oats or Bread & Circus/Whole Foods. Wild Oats is very convenient for me -- I get my fish, chicken, organic dairy, eggs, cereal, etc., as well as "unusual" ingredients there. B&C has a better selection overall, better produce, also a great cheese department and a wider selection of breads from local bakeries.

-- Trader Joe's, also at least once a week -- it's within walking distance, so I'm always finding I need something there when I go by.

--every couple of weeks, I go to Wilson Farms for extraordinary produce. (Rebecca -- you must, must, must check out Wilson Farms. You will love it.)

-- And in the summer, I go once a week to the Arlington Farmer's Market.

I'm almost glad there are no Costco's or BJ's that are convenient for me -- I'd have to quit my job and devote my whole life to purchasing food.

Helene

[val e girl]

I love to grocery shop at Byerlys---it's only a mile away. They are beautiful stores that have everything! If they don't have it, they'll order it for you. However, on my drive home from work I pass a Super Target and Lakewinds Coop, both of which I frequently stop. I like the variety at Super Target (plus I get a discount there) but I love the organic foods and "coziness" of the coop.

[Holly in KC]

I voted 3 - 4

Price Chopper is the standard for non-perishables, cleaning supplies, etc. Great prices, decent selection. PC also has pretty good produce, but it can be iffy.

Hen House is the standard for most meat/poultry. Produce is usually pathetic - I'll buy here if it looks ok, but more often than not, I'll pass. Non-perishables are more expensive, so if I can complete my shopping for the day, I'll pick 'em up. If I have to stop by PC to get produce, I'll but them there.

Both are close by... within 10 minutes.

Wild Oats is about 30 minutes away. I probably go once every 2 weeks or so. Organic produce, organic meats/sausages, international foods, grains, etc.

Whole Foods just opened their first store in KC - unfortunately, its about 45 minutes away. But - fantastic produce, unbelievable seafood (for the midwest). I work near the store, so I need to start planning weeknight shopping trips on my way home.

[SusieO]

I go to three stores, and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one!

I go to Central Market for things like whole grains and spices in their bulk section. They also have good prices on some frozen foods and dairy products. And the best tofu at the best prices.

I buy produce at Fiesta and everything else at Kroger. I try to limit my Kroger purchases to less than 15 items so I can use the u-scan. I have no problem with the store, but their cashiers are worthless, and often very rude.

[Kaki.Harrison]

All time Philly favorites are:
Reading Terminal Mkt in Philly (old Reading Train shed,)with many merchants: the Amish bakers, vegetarian stalls, Thai, food, Korean grngrocers, Fishmongers, Muellers chocolates, Fosters for gourmet cooking items, organic poultry, Termini Bros for Cannollis, Pearl's Oyster Bar
Flourtown Farmers Mkt on Bethlehem Pk - an indoor yr round Thurs-Sat confab. Butcher w/homemade sausages, a caterer, Middleastern Food, Mexican specialties, cheese shop, coffee merchant, flowers, Beck's Bakers with items sourced from all over-bagels&breads&foccacia&pastries&tarts, petit fours, the fresh pasta guy, Pam's dried flowers
Maple Acres Farms in Center Pte - the best, bar none, produce like fresh limas, varieties of heritage apples, homemade applesauce & black bean salsa 6 year old cannot live without

[aliwally]

Jena & Emilycat

I'm going to go to Dekalb Farmer's Market this weekend - it's still there I'm told by numerous work colleagues, and supposed to be fantastic, so I'm very excited about that.

Jena - I can't believe you miss Publix!! Don't you think, compared to Tesco's for instance, that Public looks like its interior designer is stuck in the 1960s or 1970s - what's wrong with these places? Publix here in Atlanta (at three of them no less) had never heard of marscapone cheese when I went in search of it one day for White Russian Tiramisu - I finally found it myself in the gourmet cheese section - this is staple stuff in the UK. There's no Indian sauces or products here - gotta shop on the internet for that - and I so miss Sainsbury's healthier eating range of foods - low fat sausages - low fat hummus - low fat hot cross buns - I can't tell you how much I wanted to cry last Easter Sunday!

I agree on the black bean front - I love the Mexican range of foods I can get here and the ability to pick up fresh fish on my drive home. I used to live in inner-city London where you couldn't do that! But overall - UK grocery stores knock the absolute pants of Publix, Kroger etc. I did a big shop once every two weeks at one store and that was it - here in Atlanta I'm off twice a week to about three different stores to get what I need - and that's frustrating at times.

[Little Bit]

Originally posted by Jewel
They never know what we go through to make the household work... ;) [/B]

Ain't it the truth?

As for me, I shop at whichever grocery stores in the area haven't gone bankrupt.
(Jitney Jungle merged with Delchamps a few years ago, the whole thing went kaflooey, and Winn-Dixie bought a bunch of their stores. :( Also, Albertson's recently closed their only store in my area a few months back.)

Broome's has seemingly gotten over their "oh, well, we don't have any (insert name of essential ingredient, like celery, here) today." phase. They re-did the produce section so that it's better stocked than it used to be. Their meat isn't bad, though.

Winn-Dixie is, well, Winn-Dixie. (not even a super store, which we have about 15 minutes away) Too close to the house to reject completely.

Wal-Mart, is, well, Wal-Mart. Good for drygoods, but not so good for produce or meat.

[jena]

Aliwally, I can understand. My guess is when we return to the states, I'll have gotten (or have got :) ) used to things here, and will miss Tesco too! As for Sainsbury's, the one here in the city center is teeny tiny and so always so packed, that I can never manage to wedge myself into the mass of bodies far enough to fight for food. Thank God our friend just got a car! Tesco is rather futuristic now that you mention it. The Ansley Publix in Midtown was built not too long before I moved in early 98, so it always appeared rather shiny and new to me, but I get your point about designers from the 1970's. Big painted cartoon fruit on the walls and astroturf in the meat case and what not.

You miss Indian, I miss Mexican! Hopefully they'll start to carry mascarpone sometime soon. Perhaps you should make a request!

Good luck at the Farmer's Market.

[Gail]

How funny! I'd almost started this poll at least three times, but kept thinking, "Nah... they'll all think I'm INSANE shopping all over the way I do..."

The problem is that I like what I like. And if my store doesn't have it, I don't want to settle, so I go somewhere else. To wit:

Fish, some meats, some breads, produce and other items come from Whole Foods.
Other fish, specialty meats, gourmet items and occasional produce come from Bristol Farms.
General market items come from Ralph's-- BUT-- I may go to one Ralphs, then another because one carries better plantains or because one carries better Yukon Golds than the other.
...but then Pavilions has awfully tasty cakes and muffins. And it's close if I need to pick up something.
...and Von's is even closer, so occasionally I'll go there if I remember I need a lemon or a can of beans.
...then the Whole Foods across town has better wines than the one two minutes away. Plus they have better low-fat cheese.
...and there's the Gelson's in Marina del Rey which is the only one which sells Dares (yes, you Canadians, I MUST have Dares now and then.)
...and there's Vallarta in the Valley when I want Latin products (though we have a few little markets locally.)

I have even been known to drive into West LA (about 40 minutes from my house) to Wild Oats for a particular shampoo or to The Wine Store in the same general area.

My husband has long since learned that if I say I'm going to do the marketing, I'm liable to be gone for hours at a time, bouncing from one store to another to another...

[clarksmom]

Ralphs for the most part. Gelson's for things like "saffron" and whoel foods or costco for big healthystuff in bulk. That's not too often though.

[BosunsWife]

I mainly shop the Commissary so I have a choice of two that are close by. One I will only go to if I need to pick up one or two things - its old, nasty, smells and has narrow aisles - but thankfully they are building a new one to be ready this summer.

The other one I go to is on the airforce base and its rather modern and spacious.

I will occasionally hit a local market for things I absolutely cannot find in the Commissaries, but not very often. The prices are almost double that of the military commissaries. Can you imagine paying almost $6.00 for a gallon of milk :eek: ! Unfortunately its the only place I can find such things as Chipotle peppers ($2.00 a can for a tiny can), etc.

I shop at Costco or Sam's for meat, some fruits and veggies and speciality breads.

Food shopping is the only thing I miss about living on the mainland.

[wonderwoman]

Safeway and Trader Joe's for most stuff, although occasionally I'll also go to Albertson's because it is 2 only blocks away.

We have a year-round farmer's market, so I go to that every week if I can.

Whole Foods or Oakville Grocery for specialty items.

And Ranch 99 (an Asian grocery chain) for seafood, Asian produce, rice noodles, soy sauce, etc.

Grace, I had to smile at your post because I enjoy grocery shopping, too. Usually DH will go with me, too, although I don't know if he enjoys it or just figures that's a good way to spend a chunk of time together on the weekends. :D

[Mackenzie]

I go to Albertson's and Whole Foods every week.

[Kahlico]

If we're counting farmer's markets and bakeries, about 6 total. I shop a couple of family owned natural food stores (I like to support small business), a tiny chain natural food store called Akins (they have one here in the city, one in tulsa and a few in kansas and missouri, nothing over 10 stores), Albertsons for TP and cheaper prices on Organic milk, Big Sky for bread (DH is addicted to the baguette) and the local farmer's market on Saturday mornings. The line for the tomato people at the farmer's market is seriously out the door before they open.

[JaneStarr]

Originally posted by Searcher
I voted 5 or more.
My regular grocery shopping is done at Stop and Shop. I go once a week there and to a small neighborhood store, Highland Park Market, where I get most of my meat and deli items. Then I go to Shaws when they have something I need that's on sale, to Shopright for veggies. There's a new (to me) meat market in West Hartford I'd like to visit once to see if their meat is nice. And I go to Wild Oats in West Hartford or in Westport. If I'm in Westport I'll also go to Whole Foods and Trader Joe's (and Penzey's!!!). We belong to Costco too, so go there...there are three of them inside our usual travel circle.

I'll bet I've passed you many times without even knowing it in our travels. We seem to shop at all the same markets (except that I haven't made it to Westport and our membership is at BJ's).

BTW, it's the Farmington Highland Park Market where I get our meats and deli. My husband sometimes plays guitar at Wild Oats, so I shop there on those nights.

Jane

[mjg]

Originally posted by Jewel
ME: (rolling eyes...) Because Costco chicken breasts can't compare with Albertson's quality!

Jewel: Why do you think Albertson's has better chicken breasts than Costco. I have gone back and forth between the two stores on this. Lately I have been buying them at Costco - the Foster Farms fresh, not frozen.

I am a 3-4 store shopper:

Costco for the most things

Winco for the grocery items that aren't at Costco - they are the cheapest

Albertson's for the in-between stuff - closest

Trader Joe's for those "have to have" items that are only available there.

[britneyelise]

Yet another grocery store junkie checking in! I would rather go grocery shopping than to a crappy movie anyday (I say crappy because nothing reallllllllyyyy good has come out lately, i can't wait until october for RED DRAGON!!!!!!!!)

*Anyways!

I go to the grocery store about everyday.

Sometimes Kroger, sometimes big bear, meijer, or the Superwalmart for regular items, depending on what's cheapest or best quality.

I recently (about 2 months ago) discovered Wild Oats, and i am in love with it. I go their every oppurtunity i get. I heard that their is a Trader JOes in columbus somewhere, but i have not yet been.

I also go to about 2 different Farmers Market and also a marketplace in downtown columbus that has pastries, fresh flowers, and really fresh fish, but the name escapes me right now. If their were more, i am sure that i would go to them too!

[Mickey17]

Well right now it is 3 but it is soon to increase as soon as I find a good place to buy produce.

Costco - Most everything except produce (and even some of that)

Safeway - Flavored coffees, the sugarfree popsicles that Albertson's never has

Albertson's - The "cow" sour cream that Safeway doesn't carry. Any fish needed, Used to be the produce stop but it is getting really crappy and I am on the look out for a replacement produce venue.

[sunberst]

meijer, jewel, aldi, trader joes & whole foods!

[drloverde]

I am laughing that there are people out there as nuts as I am about markets. I shop at three markets (minimum) Ralphs (the good one, I pass three others to get to it), Whole Foods, and Trader Joes.

I love them all for the different things I get there...

Dena.

[prncesspkp]

I voted 3-4, but I mainly go to 1
I go to the regular grocery store (savemart-our local chain) at least once a week for the normal stuff.
I also go to Costco every couple weeks to stock up on stuff!
There's also Trader Joe's and Whole Foods that I like to frequent when I have the time!