Grocery shopping. I have found that there are two types of grocery shoppers--people who do it out of necessity and people who relish it. I happen to (usually) be the latter. I LOVE to check out a new grocery store. When I move somewhere, I make it a point to check out all the grocery store options. I'm not the kind of girl who typically is loyal to only one store in town; I'll find the best quality for the best price on an item, and get it there. For example, I am one person living in a small townhouse, and I eat out a LOT; however, I still consider three different grocery stores my "regular" shopping stops. I just want what I like; if I have to go three different places to get it all, that's ok with me. So here, in no particular order, is a rundown of most of the grocery stores I would consider myself pretty experienced with. If you happen to have the chance to go into any of these stores for the first time, you can trust that my opinions here will put you on the right track (I have put a LOT of research into this!). Friends and readers, I bring you Grocery Store Week!
Wegmans: I thought about putting this at the end of the list, sort of "saving the best for last," but let's be honest here: 1. I am all for instant gratification, and 2. By the time you get to the last, you are usually already satisfied with whatever you are in-taking, and the last seems redundant, too much, "no thanks, I've already read about seven other grocery stores (not like I was going to go to any of these anyway), I don't need another" so I didn't want you to miss this one. IF you are lucky enough to have a Wegmans within an hour of you, go to it. It is the best grocery store I have seen in the US. People ask me why--Is it more like a Trader Joe's, more like a Whole Foods? The only answer I can ever come up with is, it's EVERYTHING. Wegmans is family-friendly. It has the bulk chicken legs you need and the pop-ice you know you want. It has a great store brand that is always good, consistent quality. It is organic produce. It is bulk sale. I like that I can weigh and tag my own produce to get through the check-out a little faster. At Wegmans, you can get artisan bread, cheese, and chocolate, but you don't HAVE to. You can get grass-fed, organic beef, or you can get irradiated ground beef in plastic tubes for $1.19/lb (I have been in both financial situations).
There are at least four different places in Wegmans to buy cheese, including their own shop in the middle of the store. Try the Israeli feta. Try the Parisian Feta. Once you do, the feta that comes in the tubs with Greek font will never measure up again. Some have a little wine shop in them. Some have little florist shops. They also have tons of seasonal things that seem out of place for a "grocery store" (I'm sure right now it is lawn shop and bbq goods) and a kitchen section that sells cute dishes and small appliances.
One of the rows I'm allowed to go in but not buy anything is the bulk candy aisle. It's like one of those mall candy shops where they have every candy imaginable by the pound. Except it's Wegmans, so it's bigger than the mall store and therefore has more candy.
There are aisles of food that are imported from all over the world--India, Mexico, Europe (even a UK/Ireland section...go get your salad cream or spotted dick at Wegmans!)
To sum up--not more expensive than any other store, very fresh produce, great selection of everything (did I mention the shelves and shelves of Kosher baked goods?), and I didn't even get to the food court, which, in the newest store in MA rivals the size of a shopping malls with much better food, this is no secret. Wegmans openings draw record crowds for a reason, and if you can go anytime other than the weekend, you should!
Wegmans: I thought about putting this at the end of the list, sort of "saving the best for last," but let's be honest here: 1. I am all for instant gratification, and 2. By the time you get to the last, you are usually already satisfied with whatever you are in-taking, and the last seems redundant, too much, "no thanks, I've already read about seven other grocery stores (not like I was going to go to any of these anyway), I don't need another" so I didn't want you to miss this one. IF you are lucky enough to have a Wegmans within an hour of you, go to it. It is the best grocery store I have seen in the US. People ask me why--Is it more like a Trader Joe's, more like a Whole Foods? The only answer I can ever come up with is, it's EVERYTHING. Wegmans is family-friendly. It has the bulk chicken legs you need and the pop-ice you know you want. It has a great store brand that is always good, consistent quality. It is organic produce. It is bulk sale. I like that I can weigh and tag my own produce to get through the check-out a little faster. At Wegmans, you can get artisan bread, cheese, and chocolate, but you don't HAVE to. You can get grass-fed, organic beef, or you can get irradiated ground beef in plastic tubes for $1.19/lb (I have been in both financial situations).
There are at least four different places in Wegmans to buy cheese, including their own shop in the middle of the store. Try the Israeli feta. Try the Parisian Feta. Once you do, the feta that comes in the tubs with Greek font will never measure up again. Some have a little wine shop in them. Some have little florist shops. They also have tons of seasonal things that seem out of place for a "grocery store" (I'm sure right now it is lawn shop and bbq goods) and a kitchen section that sells cute dishes and small appliances.
One of the rows I'm allowed to go in but not buy anything is the bulk candy aisle. It's like one of those mall candy shops where they have every candy imaginable by the pound. Except it's Wegmans, so it's bigger than the mall store and therefore has more candy.
There are aisles of food that are imported from all over the world--India, Mexico, Europe (even a UK/Ireland section...go get your salad cream or spotted dick at Wegmans!)
To sum up--not more expensive than any other store, very fresh produce, great selection of everything (did I mention the shelves and shelves of Kosher baked goods?), and I didn't even get to the food court, which, in the newest store in MA rivals the size of a shopping malls with much better food, this is no secret. Wegmans openings draw record crowds for a reason, and if you can go anytime other than the weekend, you should!
Hi, Jen. Thank you for this description! I've heard people rejoicing over the fact Wegmans has come to the (greater Boston) area, but I had never heard of it and didn't know why it was such a big deal. Now I have a better idea. :-)
ReplyDelete- Nina
Finally! You have been oogling over this place with no explanation for a long time. Nice write-up. It does sound like a great super market. Too bad I despise food shopping and will never drive there to experience it. You'll have to take pictures. haha
ReplyDeleteAmanda
Nina, you're welcome.
ReplyDeleteAmanda, we have often discussed how you are the opposite of me when it comes to food shopping. I'll shop for your groceries if you will buy all my gifts and clothes and shoes for the year--deal? :-)