Most and Least Favorite Grocery Stores

One of the Best: Publix

Reader MHFaith320 says:
I have only been in one Publix in my life ... My girlfriend and I had gone in to [just] get a few items and we were there for almost an hour ... noticing that they carry all sorts of items that we used to be able to get 20 years ago [and] that we thought were discontinued ... It was refreshing to see an extremely clean store that carries all different kinds of brands, new and old, and a wide variety of items. We thought for a minute that we should move to Florida just to be able to have a Publix nearby.

Next: One of the Worst

One of the Best: Wegmans

Reader Tewrealtor says:
Wegmans is an experience! I live in Allentown, Pa. and I am a realtor. In every area tour for relocatees, I include a stop at Wegmans. (Usually for lunch). It usually seals the decision for these people to agree to move here. Thank you Wegmans! ... P.S. Their barbequed chickens are the best anywhere and the most reasonably priced. They make a great quick, last-minute low-cost dinner.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Worst: Wal-Mart

Reader Abusymomof4 says:
The absolute worst place hands down is Wal-mart! Now, normally, we don't shop there -- however, my husband needed something that he couldn't find anywhere else, so ... in we went ... and out we walked! We had about 3 items that we were carrying and they had 3 registers open with about 20 customers in each line. They were not even bothering to try to open up any other lanes. We gave the merchandise to one of the employees and told her we will NOT wait in these lines.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Jungle Jim's International Market

Reader HoneyRaeBeMe says:
Jungle Jim's is a destination place [in Fairfield, Ohio]. It's a great grocery but has an almost amusement part feel to it. I'm fortunate that I only live a forty-minute drive from it. I try to make it down there every few months or so. If I lived closer, I would be there weekly. The produce and seafood departments are unbeatable. Take a few minutes and check out their Web site [www.junglejims.com]. The place is a hoot!

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Jerry's Foods

Reader Lolitabite says:
I would have to go far to match Jerry's on Sanibel Island in Florida -- [it's the] cleanest and greatest displayed shopping market ever. All categories seem to be out of a picture.



Next: One of the Worst

One of the Worst: Price Chopper

Reader Mocon22237 says:
Price Chopper has the rudest employees and they insist that you have to have one of their cards to get the bargain price.



Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Penn Dutch Food Center

Reader Crlynhmrdng says:
I live in Hollywood, Fla. and I love Penn Dutch. It is clean, people are friendly, and most of the prices are great. The produce is fresh and the meat is awesome and always fresh. I could go on and on about it. The store is great!


Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: HyVee

Reader Pano99 says:
HyVee is employee-owned. The meat market can't be beat. The prices can give Wal-Mart a run for the money. [I shop at the one in Osage Beach, Mo.]



Next: One of the Worst

One of the Worst: WinCo

Reader AntelopeCA says:
... The layout of the store is [in] complete shambles ... the aisles are also narrow, resulting in frequent gridlocks among various shoppers. They also insist on bringing in and deploying their stocking employees throughout the store during regular shopping hours -- this results in aisles blocked by crates of various groceries which does little to alleviate the problem already created by narrow aisles ...

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Raley's

Reader DunnLaoghaire says:
I have shopped in several Raley's stores and all have been clean, orderly, and well stocked. And their employees are the most polite, pleasant and helpful of any I have encountered. Even if they are a few cents higher than Wal-Mart, it is well worth it.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Vons

Reader A5150w says:
This is an incredible store [3rd & Vermont, Los Angeles, Calif.]. It's beautiful, immaculate, they have everything you need. And the employees are extremely helpful. It's a lot more expensive than other markets, but if you want top quality meats and groceries, this is the place. I believe Safeway owns Vons.

Next: One of the Worst

One of the Worst: Stop and Shop

Reader DMande6304 says:
... I've never ever gone shopping and found a register with less then three people waiting to check out. The prices are outrageous and the refrigerated items are not rotated so that the new stuff goes in the back. Both stores have "I don't wanna hear it" managers [who] can rarely be found anyway ...

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Ukrops

Reader Jdtjhtstx says:
... I lived in the U.S. Virgin Islands for 14 years (I moved back last year) and YOU CAN'T IMAGINE what produce is like there. I missed [the] Ukrops [in Richmond, Va.] so much that my family always gave me gift certificates at Christmas and I would ship back boxes of things I couldnt find in St Croix -- I would even pack perishables that I froze in my carrry-on! Here's to Ukrops!

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Trader Joe's

Reader Wildlifecenter says:
Trader Joe's is a wonderful "chain" (if you want to call it that) grocery store. Not only do they have decent prices, but also a friendly staff and good products. I won't live anywhere I can't access a store within one hour. They encourage eco-friendliness. [My] only complaint is they are fairly small stores and really do not cater to families large than about four. Oh, and they are only in selected states, so there may not be one in your area. Still [I] love the store and would suggest a visit to anyone.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Worst: Food Lion

Reader Shylock1957 says:
[At the Thurmont, Md. store] ... I have gotten meat that would make a poor-grade dog food, fruits and vegetables that should have been in the dumpster and pastries that were molded. And to top that, you need to audit your sales receipt to make sure that the items are priced correctly ... Even when you have pointed out the errors in prices you need to get a lawyer to get the price corrected ... They need to add some [cameras] that prevent the managers from ripping off the customers.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Aldi

Reader Harringtontulsa says:
... I can really appreciate the low prices and they do a great job on keeping prices on the produce down. And ... it is good, fresh produce.

Reader Canoe719 says:
Aldi has saved our family money. We have cut our grocery bill by two-thirds ... True, they don't carry everything, but what you have to buy elsewhere is certainly minimal. Their double quarantee is great too!!

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Whole Foods

Reader Patroonski says:
All the produce is beyond excellent quality, quantity, flavor, size, etc. ... The staff are totally efficient, present everywhere, friendly and fun as well. Another fun part ... is the samples to test around every corner ... Also convenient are the individual amounts you're able to purchase of the unpackaged foods, [so] you can try it without breaking the bank. They are a community-friendly store and always encourage shoppers to purchase local foods by having a "local farmers night" where you can speak with growers in your state.

Next: One of the Worst

One of the Worst: Pathmark

Reader HeyLady122 says:
I used to love Pathmark ... Now they rarely have anything that is on sale. You get a raincheck from them that expires in 60 days. If the sale is good you can guarantee you won't see that item before 60 days. Items constantly ring up the wrong price, when you bring it to the customer service desk they are so rude to you and also won't correct the price. I am not talking sale price I am talking reg price. One item that I was buying every week consistantly rang up $1. more. The girl was so rude after I had the nerve to ask for my money and never had management correct the problem.
Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Stew Leonard's

Reader Cherub1956 says:
Stews is the Disneyland of grocery stores, although they are listed as a dairy store. My family goes out of the way here in Conn. to visit one of the three stores within an hour or so of our home. They have costumed cows walking around, robotic aminations, fresh foods and much more. My grandson begs to go shopping with us as soon as we mention Stews. Just don't go on the weekend, it gets crazy in there!

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Winn Dixie

Reader Ddadstrick says:
Come back to North Carolina! Thank you, we love you!

Reader Fritzki2 says:
You can't beat it's two-for-one sales all the time ... Now that's my kind of store.

Next: One of the Worst

One of the Worst: Giant Eagle

Reader Marfar573 says:
[The one I shop at in Ohio is] ... overpriced, doesn't have my favorite brands, and has absolutely the most horrible meat in the world. I tried to shop there, but was spending about twice what I normally would for the same or comparable items, since they don't carry some of the name brands items [I use]. Every package of beef I purchased was tough and flavorless ... and their store brand, while cheaper, is very poor quality.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Fiesta Mart

Reader LFTPRT123 says:
The store [in Arlington, Texas] is always very clean. The carts are always in working condition and roll the way you want them to ... There are many lanes open with real people checking you out ... The only problem I had ever had was finding a parking spot. Even though the lot is rather big, there are other people who apparently find this store [to be] their favorite.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Gelson's

Reader Vickila12 says:
The most superb markets I have ever been in are Gelson's, based in the Los Angeles area. Nothing else can compare to the overall scenario of this small chain. The prices are often comparable or less than mainstream supermarkets and the whole shopping experience is almost pleasurable! The bakery ... is without question one of the finest around ... magnificent fresh flowers ... deli foods are beyond description ... cashiers and baggers are obviously concerned with good service ... I only wish we had one in the Palm Springs area where I now live. Nothing can compare. Really!
Next: One of the Worst

One of the Worst: Shaw's

Reader Crowsflyover says:
Shaw's [in Brockton, Mass.] is the worst place I've ever shopped. Every time I go there, whether it's morning or night, there's never any help to bag your groceries. The store is filthy, and I've observed rodents on numerous occasions near the pet food aisle. One can only wonder what happens at night when the store closes and the rodents can run amuck.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: West Point Market

Reader WHMZCL says:
In Fairlawn, Ohio, there is the best place to shop that I have ever been ... I wish it was a chain but that is probably why it is so good ... It is clean [and] classy. It's well-lit, but not bright, the produce is beautiful, and even the canned goods look better in this store. The meat department and deli are a shopping experience. The bakery is to die for. I only wish I still lived near this store.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: H-E-B in Texas

Reader Cbjm29 says:
[At H-E-B stores in Texs] ... the employees are extremely nice, helpful and friendly. Their return policy is great. Yay, HEB!

Reader ranortx says:
I agree! ... The variety of food, especially in the produce area, is great. The employees are courteous, friendly -- they go out of their way to assist the shoppers. They even offer to take our groceries to the car!

Next: One of the Worst

One of the Worst: Bristol Farms

Reader Etv7955 says:
[Bristol Frams is] over-priced and [has] overrated service. Very rude staff especially [at the] Rolling hills and Redondo Beach locations.



Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Big Y

Reader KWEnglish says:
I'm a fan of the Big Y chain in New England. The stores are consistantly clean, there's a good selection of products, and the customer service is excellent. I especially like the meat department sales ... if you have a freezer, these are a great way to stock up! I've been shopping there for about 15 years and it remains my favorite grocery store.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Martin's

[Martin's] ... sells just about everything you need for your pantry or refrigerator to keep a family happy ... It is located on Wilma Rudolph Blvd. in a part of Clarksville, Tenn. known as St. Bethlehem. The workers in the store still carry out your grocedries for you and place them in your car. If you visit them often enough they begin to know you like family.

Next: One of the Worst

One of the Worst: Marsh Supermarket

Reader Nicsdad247 says:
Why do I dislike Marsh in Indiana? Easy: Half [of] the time when I go there, either they're out of what I'm looking for or simply don't carry it. Another reason is their prices. I've been a shopper for a while and know pretty much what I pay for my usual items, but when I go to Marsh, their prices are typically 15% higher than what I pay elsewhere. I will go out of my way to go to a different store, like Super Target.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Hannaford

Reader Petuniua says:
Hannaford in Waltham, Mass., is the best supermarket. The produce is beautiful and they have a good variety of ethnic foods. Also, their staff is really friendly and helpful.

Next: One of the Worst

One of the Worst: Hannaford

Reader ElmireRod1919 says:
[Their] meat tastes like dog food, the fish like Clorox bleach and Nine Lives. It's always filthy in there, and I [have even] seen a mouse in the cat food aisle once.

Next: One of the Worst

One of the Best: Nugget Market

Reader RTodd18907 says:
According to Fortune magazine, this company is the 13th best company in America to work for! Their prices are low and customer service is impeccable!

Next: One of the Best

One of the Worst: Safeway

Reader CHERACON2 says:
Safeway is so overpriced. I don't understand why anyone shops there. Raley's, right across the street, is way cheaper. Example: The same liter of olive oil is $24.97 at Raley's, but $32.95 at Safeway. This is just a sampling. It is the same all over the store.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Dierbergs

Reader RufusWoods says:
I can't believe no one mentioned Dierbergs in St. Louis. It is a destination in itself.

Next: One of the Worst

One of the Worst: Seller Brothers

Reader Trisha6341 says:
I used to live in Houston and had to shop at Seller Brothers and the meat has so much fat in it that it is hardly even pink. You could not buy [their meat] one day and cook it the next, unless you put it in the freezer (not the fridge). If only I had known then.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Lunds

Reader Donaldkolson says:
When we are traveling through Minnesota, we always make sure that we stop a Lunds. They are always extremely clean and the selection is incredible, especially the "gourmet" areas. The displays are always very attractive. I wish we had something as nice in Southern California.

Next: One of the Worst

One of the Best: Harris Teeter

Reader GailGthompson says:
A former North Carolina native, I still miss the cleanliness, variety and yes, the curb side service at Harris Teeter. There are not many stores that I am aware of that allow you to drive up to a loading station where attendants load your groceries into your vehicle. Right on, Harris Teeter!

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Eby's

Reader JoePIE48 says:
Eby's Meat Market in South Bend, Indiana is a small locally-owned store. All their meat is hand cut, chopped Sirloin Patties (hamburgers) are made by hand, on demand. Special orders taken. Outstanding!

Next: One of the Worst

One of the Worst: Shaw's

Reader PSJRI2 says:
The Shaw's in Warwick, Rhode Island are ridiculously over priced. Even is you visit the store on the of their sales, they NEVER have [the sale items] in stock ( especially their Lakewood store). I guarantee you will be waiting in the check out line for 30 minutes on any given day, as they normally only have 3 registers open. However, their store employees are very friendly, polite, and professional.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Fred Meyer

Reader Bjflat says:
I love Fred Meyer. It's clean, neat, never out of stock, has great employees, great service and just a nice store!

Next: One of the Worst

One of the Worst: Homeland

Reader Maryblum112 says:
In Oklahoma, the majority of the stores are owned by the Homeland chain. You have basically Homelands or Wal-Mart -- which means grocery shopping is a terrible experience. The clerks are rude and ineffective. The lines are long and no one cares. There are few choices, poor quality and high prices. Shopping in other states is the best alternative that I have found.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Dominick's

Reader Jglendab says:
If I had a choice between the two supermarkets in the Chicagoland area, the best one to shop at is Dominick's. Their meat is fresh and not over priced. Their produce is really good, but is sometimes over priced.

Next: One of the Worst

One of the Worst: Tops Market

Reader TCDESALVO says:
Need some disappointment? Go to this store. The meat is almost always within 3 days of its expiration date. Soda in 12-pack boxes are nearly guaranteed to be dented, and store brands that rival the introduction of store brands 30 some years ago -- cheap knock-offs of brand names resembling competition only in appearance. I have tried several Tops in upstate New York and the same problems existed at each one I visited. Though brightly lit and clean, their product line is a disappointment.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Shop Rite

Reader Dickschoice says:
Shop Rite is definitely [my favorite.] The merchandise is well stocked, employees are courteous. The prices are always competitive, if not lower than others. The only problem is that it's not always easy to park in their lot.

Next: One of the Worst

One of the Worst: Acme

Reader NeoconsRDumb says:
I hate "smACME"! All ACME's are the same. at least one freezer is malfunctioning. The meat is rancid (green bones and gray liver? YUCK!) The deli and seafood areas smell like rotten food juices. Makes me sick!

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Fry's

Reader GINNYCLUTR says:
Fry's is the best grocery store with the best prices and you never have to search for help. The staff is always courteous -- willing to help whether it is in their area or not. They have the best sales and the customer is always right.

Next: One of the Worst

One of the Worst: Save-a-Lot

Reader NighthawkCheese says:
Yuck! I can't even count the number of times I've had to throw food out because it was moldy or already expired. Also, the one in my town is filthy dirty and the aisles are cramped. Sometimes they sell some good products, but their store-brand products aren't worth the paper they're printed on. Save-A-Lot soda goes flat two minutes after it's open, their meat is pretty much just fat, the chips are so oily, the veggies and fruit are bruised and dirty. It's just eeeww! The prices are good, but it's just not worth it if you have to throw out half of what you buy.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Weis Market

Reader Patz1972 says:
The one Weis Market at Broadcasting Square shopping center is the very best by far. From the fresh meats counter and seafood counter to the hand tossed pizza and salad bar it really is great! The butchers are very helpful too.

Next: One of the Worst

One of the Worst: Sweetbay

Reader Tomkaren13 says:
Sweetbay is OK ... until you want to checkout. Never enough cashiers open. More than once I've left my groceries with the front desk. They couldn't check me out either, as they couldn't weigh my bananas.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Dorothy Lane Market

Reader BWilli45409 says:
Our favorite grocery store locally would be Dorothy Lane Market. There are 3 stores in the Dayton area. The selection and variety of their goods is second to none. They are a bit more pricey than most grocery stores, but as the saying goes, "If you can't find it at Dorothy Lane, you won't find it."

Next: One of the Worst

One of the Worst: Piggly Wiggly

Reader MKGWFARMER says:
In Columbus, Ga. "The Pig" is a pig. They act as if they are doing you a favor to let you shop there. I go there to pick up small items, since it is so close to my home. Other wise ... no no!

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Carlie C's

Reader Macwench2006 says:
Carlie C's is a local North Carolina chain -- family-owned and operated. They have the best produce and absolute best meat department. You can get your meat cut and prepared as you want it. The fried chicken they offer in the hot foods deli is so great and popular that customers requested the store offer the breading mix for it as a store product.

Next: One of the Worst

One of the Worst: Ralphs

Reader Firemanfig73061 says:
They had 2-liter Pepsi products on sale at $0.99. After checking the expiration date, we discovered they were two months passed expiration. We asked the manager for a rain check so we could buy it when they got in fresh product and he responded that "they were on sale because they were expired." No rain check.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: Uncle Giuseppes'

Reader ERCBMAN says:
Uncle Giuseppes' super markets (there are two in Long Island, N.Y. and one in Smithtown) is fantastic. One of the nicest themed, cleanest, best stocked markets I have ever shopped at. Fantastic hot food counter, soups, huge cheese department, a meat department to die for, seafood of every type that is fresh with no smell. Sometimes they even have live Italian music and, if you shop the flyer, their sale prices are exceptional.

Next: One of the Best

One of the Best: AJ's Fine Foods

Reader JAMAF2 says:
It is a gourmet wonderland. It is a mecca for a wanna-be chef like me. You want it, they have it! And it is first quality, all the way. Great wine selection. I think it is the best of the Southwest. Sure, some of the prices are a bit higher. Since I live on the East Coast part of the year, I like to shop Wegman's, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. But, whenever I am near an AJ's, I am there!

Next: Last Edition's Best/Worst Picks

One of the Best: Marsh

Reader Judy DeG says:
Unlike the reader complaining about Marsh, I am a faithful Marsh shopper. I know I pay more sometimes, but I also get quality meat, seafood and service. The full service butcher is knowledgeable and accommodating selling me just what I need and ordering me items they do not have. The meats taste far better than any other store around! Sometimes, you get what you pay for. Shop the ads and you can come out okay!

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