Do you have a favorite grocery store?

[Natasha]

SusanL posted about favorite restaurants and planning vacations with them in mind. I can certainly understand that! On a somewhat-related note, I don t plan vacations around where the good grocery stores and gourmet shops are (surprise, surprise), but I do enjoy a quick browse in such stores when on vacation. I know that sounds crazy http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/eek.gif , but you find such different items in diverse regions!

So - what are your favorites? Maybe we can all learn about some must-try places in our own area/region and elsewhere.

[This message has been edited by Natasha (edited 02-04-2001).]

[lindrusso]

Great topic Natasha! Well, I can't say that there are any must-tries here in Indiana - our town only had one grocery store up until almost a year ago!

It's hard to pick one, because I've never found one place that has everything. For everyday shopping, I have always liked Genaurdi's in PA. It has the everyday stuff plus more. Like shrimp that is shelled and deveined at a good price - love it!

However, my all-time favorite place to shop would be Central Markets in Austin, TX. It has the biggest fresh seafood counter I've ever seen. It has other wonderful things like 6 different types of fresh wild mushrooms - in bulk bins no less - not those tiny expensive packages!!! I'm not usually big on prepared food, but when you're talking 6 different kinds of pesto or fresh wild mushroom raviolis, I'm all for it! The funniest part of CM is that it's owned by HEB - a grocery store that is only average at best.

A close second is the Whole Foods in Austin. Very much like Central Markets but much smaller. Both CM and WF have wonderful cafés with GREAT food like a grilled veggie sandwich with Fontina cheese on homemade rosemary sourdough (WF) or pizza with artichokes, pesto and mushrooms (CM) - better than many restaurants I've been to - but you do give up atmosphere.

If you are EVER in Austin, TX don't miss Central Markets!!!! Can you tell that I miss these places dearly?????

[This message has been edited by lindrusso (edited 02-04-2001).]

[sneezles]

When I lived in Houston, I shopped almost exclusively at Randall's Flagship Stores. They carry a great variety of products. Then the chain of Rice Supermarkets sort of changed their look and name and became Rice Epicurian-great place to find exotic stuff; such as fruit salsas, exotic produce (mushrooms I've never heard of nor seen a recipe for), even some unique gift items (although overpriced on daily items). Next came Kroger Signatures Stores-lots of fun in the fresh bakery-so many different breads to choose from-I loved to sample and then go home and find a recipe!

Of course, now I'm a country girl and stuck shopping at HEB-YUCK!!!! So I make a monthly trip back to Houston to restock on all my necessities of cooking!

[sneezles]

lindrusso
I had forgotten about WholeFoods! They opened a BEAUTIFUL store in Houston on Kirby and Westheimer. When my friend form Scotland came to visit we spent 2 days in there-way to many wonderful things to mention!

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by sneezles:
Of course, now I'm a country girl and stuck shopping at HEB-YUCK!!!!

Sneezles - I see you share my opinion of HEB. What do you expect from a store where the "B" stands for "Butt"??? http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif Poor man, having a last name of Butt.

[sneezles]

lindrusso
I am LOL...course I should have known with the first name Harold ( of course my kids shorten it to Harry) have always wondered what the E stands for!

[This message has been edited by sneezles (edited 02-04-2001).]

[cdm]

I like alot of you love Whole Foods. We have two in the San Diego area. Second would be Henrys Marketplace. Great produce deals. 2 Heads of Romaine for $1 etc. I think alot of their stuff is locally grown too. One thing I wish Whole Foods doesnt have that Henrys has is Ground sirloin.

[cryskie]

I have to cast my vote for Central Market in Austin, too! We try to make weekly visits there (we live about 30 miles away). I love the bulk bins and the HUGE produce section. Beautiful fresh flowers, lots of organic produce, and helpful staff. Great place.

Crystal

[DanaSD]

Out here in San Diego:
Whole Foods
Trader Joes
Henrys
Costco

Whole Foods is my favorite but a little pricey. I shop at Henrys a few times a week to pick up fruits and vegetables - excellent prices. Also good beef and seafood.

Whole Foods has an excellent selection of meats - New Zealand meats and the only place I can find ground pork and lamb. Also great selection of cheese and wines. I buy a lot of the wines that that they recommend and they've been yummy!

Genuardi's in PA - I'm orginally from PA ans they're a great all around grocery store. Anyone on Long Island - Wild By Nature (kind of like a Whole Foods) in Setauket - excellent breads.

[ama47369]

Central Market is just awesome! When we used to go there, it was such a treat. They have wonderful flavored tortillas(we used for wraps), produce, a wide variety of freshly made salsas and the flowers.....The Central Market Cafe is really good, too. I also like Tom Thumb(even though it's a bit pricey)

[ama47369]

Central Market is just awesome! When we used to go there, it was such a treat. They have wonderful flavored tortillas(we used for wraps), produce, a wide variety of freshly made salsas and the flowers.....The Central Market Cafe is really good, too. I also like Tom Thumb(even though it's a bit pricey)

[MrsReber]

Well, here in NJ, I actually prefer my Grand Union. People will say I'm crazy- they're overpriced, etc. However, I can find almost any gourmet item in their aisles. They have a fresh seafood counter and a butcher counter. I know the meat they sell is all very very fresh and I see them taking the old packages of meat and the old produce off the shelves all the time. It's amazing. I tried Pathmark and Edwards (now Stop and Shop) and they didn't have anything I wanted- plus they're futher away from my house. So if I use my coupons and my club card and buy the sale items, I really don't spend any more than I'd spend at another store.

Also, for us central Jersey folks, there is Delicious Orchards. They have fresh baked breads and pies, a deli counter, lots of cheeses and all sorts of fresh, beautiful produce. I can stop there on my way home from work, too! That's usually where I go on those few occasions that I can't find what I need in my supermarket. During the summer months, there are so many farm markets around, too.

[emilycat]

Susann will back me up here, I'm sure... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Here in Atlanta, I adore Harry's Farmers Market! Oh, how I love thee... seriously, I'm completely enamoured by the place. I can find almost every kind of produce imaginable there at all times of the year -- it means a great deal to me to be able to buy lovely arugula and pretty shiitakes in the middle of winter. And if I ever need any out of the ordinary ingredient, I know I'll find it there.

When I don't have time to drive 20 minutes to Harry's each weekend, I'll just hop over to Whole Foods, which is wonderful, too, but the selection is lacking greatly in comparison.

[pammy]

Here in Allentown, Pennsylvania (where it is currently snowing profusely) we have a piece of nirvana called Wegman's. It is the most incredible grocery store I have ever been in, and I spend at least 3-4 hours in it each week, just exploring and finding new things.

It has a fresh sushi counter complete with authentic sushi chefs. Incredible bread baked in a wood burning oven. Incredible pastry, which I usually try to walk past without looking too often. Produce to die for - I have not counted how many types of fresh mushrooms, but there are at least 10. Any type of fresh herb or pepper you can imagine. A very decent organic produce section. Nature's Marketplace: You can find just about any type of organic, whole food that is produced in the Northeast. And my favorite part of the store - cheeses and other savories (such as olives, roasted peppers, hummus, etc.). Cheese is probably my greatest downfall, and Wegman's has the most diverse selection.

All of this within walking distance of my home. This makes me a very happy food person!!!

[Beth H]

Two favorites: Harris Teeter is my favorite big chain store, and a local place called "Fresh Market" is just a wonderful, gourmet place.

[SueK]

Pammy- We are due to get a Wegman's here in Central PA sometime by 2002. I cannot WAIT! I have heard so many great things about it, and our grocery stores around here are sorely lacking in great stuff like you listed.

[AndreaU]

Pammy- color me jealous that you have a Wegmans near you! I grew up in Buffalo and worked in Wegmans in high school. I make a point of stocking up whenever I go back to visit my parents. I love everything about Wegmans- I've written letters to convince them to open a store near me (60 miles north of NYC). Keeping my fingers crossed. But for now, I make do with Hannaford. They're based
out of Maine and they seem to do a nice job, especially with produce, prepared foods, basically anything fresh. Their prices are also very competitive.

[hhcowgirl]

BY FAR I have to say Dean & Deluca, in Charlotte, NC, Washington, DC and NYC. I used to live right beside the one in Charlotte and bought dinner from there literally every night. In Nashville, I like Wild Oats.

[KellyD]

For those of you in Houston - we'll be getting our own Central Market here soon. It's on Westheimer - around the corner from the new Whole Foods on Kirby.

[Susann]

It is me-the co-president of the Harry's fan club! That place just makes me so happy!!!!

One place I will eventually get to is Pikes in Seattle. I saw it on a cooking show a few years and ever since then have had a strong desire to take a trip there!

[BarrieCov]

I'm so glad you guys posted about Wegman's!

I grew up with this store in Fairport, NY and watched it develop into a great place to shop - great fresh food, wonderful, interesting condiments, etc. etc.

I mostly shop now in New York City, and even with all of the specialty stores here, I miss that Wegman's!!!

[Gail]

Since you're going to be in the Bay Area soon, let's see... there's the Oakville Grocery (or is it Grocers or Market? Heck! I NEVER remember) in either Oakville or Healdsburg, for a WONDERFUL gourmet experience, fabulous foods, and a terrific wine section; I also have a fondness for the Mill Valley (Marin County, a few minutes north of the Golden Gate) edition of Whole Foods (very "California" in feel...lots of plants, high ceilings, great deli counter, interesting selection of wines); and locally (here in Southern CA) my favorite is Bristol Farms Market, another gourmet grocer with almost everything-- great produce, seafoods, meats, bakery, deli case, wines, and a large assortment of hard-to-find items. (Also the only market I've ever visited with a food/cup rack on shopping carts so you can sip coffee or snack while you shop!) In my general area (South Bay) we have 3 such markets, the Manhattan Beach market being best-- in addition to coffee, they frequently have samples to munch while you explore the aisles.

Having grown up in LA, practically spitting distance from THE Farmer's Market-- the one that backs on CBS Televsion City-- I tend not to even think about the place. Sure it's touristy and it's gone sadly downhill in recent years, but it's still fun to wander from stall to stall and check out the original portion where the grocery stalls are. Plus, if you're really a glutton for punishment, you can wander Fairfax Boulevard from there and check out local institutions like Canter's Delicatessen or Diamond's Bakery if you're in the mood for corned beef, gefilte fish or some terrific baked goods (definitely breads.)

[Curleytop]

I live in Southern California. I love Trader Joe's, Ralph's Fresh Fare, Pavillions,
Wholefoods and Costco.

[JHolcomb]

In Winston-Salem, NC, I like to shop at Wellspring (it's related very, very closely to Whole Foods-not sure how, but I think it's basically the same store with a different name). The best thing about them is that they carry some local foods that are really hard to find otherwise. Like Goat Lady cheese, which they sometimes sell at our farmer's market, but only during certain times of the year. Anyway, I do really like their cheeses-they have the best selection around here, and being a cheese-freak, this makes Wellspring a frequent stop for me. Plus it's only a mile from my house.

For basic, everday stuff I like the Teeter. They have a good variety of foodstuffs for a fairly reasonable price-not as cheap as say, Food Lion, but much, much cleaner. At least it's cleaner than the one by our house-my husband says the ones in VA weren't so bad.

[pammy]

Okay, I have to admit to being a bit of a grocery store fanatic. Gail, I loved the Oakville Grocery in Healdsburg when I was there on vacation this past summer. Natasha, this is one more reason to consider visiting Sonoma County. We stopped one morning on our way out to the wineries and packed a backpack full of bread, locally produced cheese, olives and fruit. Went to the Sonoma Lake Winery which has a great deck that overlooks the Dry Creek Valley and had a wonderful picnic lunch. That was a great little store!!!

[claire]

My favorite store is Whole Foods. I only wish I had a store located closer to me. A couple of times a year I visit a store about 2 hours from me. Currently, I am working on my list and will be visiting in a few weeks. Can't wait!

[emilycat]

Oh, Susann, Pike's is wonderful!

Every time I'm in Seattle I make sure to make a trip there...I've never seen so many beautiful fruits and vegetables in my life! And the blackberries, the blackberries! In the past, we've bought pounds of Ranier cherries to bring back home, since they're like, 8 dollars a pound down here.

And don't even get me started on the seafood...oh, my...it's time for another trip out there!

Emily

[Natasha]

Thank you for your replies!

I love Wegmans too. Great store!

Gail, thanks for your Bay Area suggestions. I'm getting more excited about the trip every day! Pammy, you're definitely convincing me to go to Sonoma. I don't have much time and don't know how much we'll be touring around, but I am really going to try!

[Zinnia]

I can only dream of the stores you are all talking about! I love these & I shop at:
*Safeway-for general groceries, on-sale stuff
*Costco-bulk foods
*New Sagaya City Market-Seafood & Asian items
*Taco-Loco-for fresh tortillas/chips
*Cafe Europa-Breads/pastries
*Mr. Prime Beef or *Alaska Sausage-for meats & specialty sausages. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif Zinnia

[Trixie]

Well, here in the Pacific NW, I have heard of very few of the stores that have been mentioned, although we did get a Whole Foods here a couple years back...but I live too far to make it a regular stop. Larry's Markets are wonderful...a must visit before cooking anything beyond the basics. Also, I love Trader Joes as a regular haunt, and QFC is a good one too, in a pinch. Yes, Pike Place Market is a gem, but unfortunately too far away to be convenient. But I used to work just blocks from the Market and lunched there almost everyday...the delis are great, the produce sublime!

[JLS]

What a great post ! I am always curious about this question...b/c I used to work in this industry !!!

I like Publix (although I have never lived in an area that had one.)

I LOVE Wegmans and the Queen Anne Thriftways in WA state.

(Having lived in Seattle, I agree that Pike Place Market is great to visit, but it actually was a hassle to go to on the weekends b/c of the crowds and parking. It also closes around 5pm. Seattle has a number of high quality grocery stores (QA Thriftways as I mentioned, Larry's and PCC's were all great, that there really wasn't a need to fight all the crowds to head downtown.)

[This message has been edited by JLS (edited 02-06-2001).]

[This message has been edited by JLS (edited 02-06-2001).]

[Susann]

Emily-great minds think alike! I am so envious that you have been to Pike's. But your description makes me want to go even more.

[LUCYT]

Gail,

Where in the South Bay is the Manhattan Beach Market? It sounds interesting.