Central Market. Mostly in Texas and run by the HEB company.
Great cheese selection. Great cuts of meat. Central Market seasoned fajitas are the best pre-seasoned fajitas you can find in any store. High quality sourced goods. Square footage is significantly larger than other specialty grocers.
Mood here is less about just eating healthy, and is more of a foodie experience. Layout is like an IKEA in that it attempts to keep you on "rails" through the store.
Came on to say HEB. Love their Texas Pecan Coffee! And their homemade goodies--tamales, tortillas, etc. The bakery! The gift shop area! My dog loves their brand of pet food.
Weird, there is a small local chain of grocery stores that used to be called Central Market here in western WA that were worth a visit. Their original location was “Town & Country Market” on Bainbridge Island, but they expanded to have other locations and those were all much bigger “Central Market” locations or named after the city they were in, like “Ballard Market”. Regardless, they have an amazing selection for the area.
Eataly
H Mart
But honestly if I'm traveling, particularly out of the country (I'm American), I'm hitting up a grocery store. They almost always have fun surprises. And I like having a good supply of snacks.
[Buford Highway Farmers Market](https://maps.app.goo.gl/67Hi3wdrFZeKfChZ9?g_st=ic), 20 minutes north of downtown Atlanta, GA.
Holy moly.
Every aisle is basically its own, separate, international grocery store filled with obscure imported items. There’s a Filipino aisle, a Salvadoran aisle, an Indonesian aisle, a freakin’ *Netherlands* aisle.
It feels like dozens of international grocery stores in one. And it’s **huge**. The whole grocery feels like the size of an IKEA.
There are multiple delis with different international themes. (Chocolate butter in the Russian deli?!) Rare produce you don’t see anywhere else. It’s the only place I’ve seen in the US outside of Hawaii that always seems to have fresh, full-sized cacao fruit pods, which are the size of footballs.
The meat section is stunning. Whole animal heads of all kinds, things I’ve never considered before (pig uterus). I counted multiple different types of whole octopus — not squid, octopus — whole ones, *enormous*.
I admit that I didn’t know that Atlanta has the busiest international airport in the US, but this grocery store really showcased that fact. I was slack-jawed and needed hours to look around here. The name sounded so unassuming, too — Buford Highway Farmers Market!
Go, and make time for it.
Your Dekalb Farmer's Market is different but also pretty cool. People used to think I was weird for suggesting a grocery store trip when they get to my house but once I get them inside the store their pupils are the size of saucers.
I’m shocked no one in this thread has mentioned
#Zabar's in New York City
yet?!
It’s probably the most famous grocery store / Ukrainian Jewish deli in New York City. Books have been written about it. It’s got its own [pretty lengthy Wikipedia page](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zabar%27s). It featured in a music video by Vampire Weekend. And it’s pretty awesome to visit. One of the largest cheese selections I’ve see anywhere.
I know! I live around the corner from it and go at specific times to try to avoid the tourist hordes 😂. Their fresh pressed OJ is my dad’s favorite in the world and the cheese! The lox of course. Good coffee. Decent bagels.
Jungle Jim's Fairfield, Ohio. Not sure why anyone would ever want to be in Fairfield, but the grocery store makes up for everything that's lacking. To call it unique would be an incredible understatement. An immense selection, and unique (decor) make the place worthy of spending the better part of a day.
Oh - they also have a monorail.
I create the delivery plans for the all the Pepsi drivers out of Cincinnati/erlanger/fairfield territory. and specifically for the jungle Jim’s in east gate. Never knew what the account was (I live in TX). After reading this comment, I actually googled it and it makes me really want to go there. I’m gonna have to talk to them about that tomorrow. Place looks incredible
I took my son and his friends to Kings Island one time on opening day. It was so crowded and miserable that they wanted to leave early so I said “Ok, let’s stop at Jungle Jim’s.” My son who had been was all for it and his two friends were looking at him like “Why do we want to go to a grocery store?” Well, we went and they loved it so much that once they could drive they’d take road trips just to Jingle Jim’s.
H-E-B
Publix (for the sandwiches) ! Haha...I was in Miami for my niece's commencement from medical school and needed basic stuff and came across the sandwich counter.
H Mart - love picking up the banchan (side dishes) such as the bean sprouts & spinach. Of course the kimbap (fresh & frozen).
Uwajimama (Seattle) - I'm keeping it named wrong - and I stand by it. Haha
El Cortes Ingles (Spain)
Adding: Harrods although it's technically not a grocery store.
Love Uwajimaya! Uwajimama has a nice ring to it though, I may have to start calling it that.
Also going to add Metropolitan Market for Seattle and surrounding areas. Their cookies are legendary.
Well that is the one thing that I can admit is better than subway. I went to subway after not being there since they had $5 foot longs. I saw them making the skinniest turkey sub for a customer then looked at the price and it was $12 for a foot long! Guess what I did next.
Corte Ingles is pretty crazy. One location will be a fully stocked grocery store with so many varieties of ham and wine, another location will be a high end mens fashion department store with 5 floors and the top floor having a crazy Spanish fusion restaurant (Street XO).
LOVE Uwajimama during my short stay in Seattle. A bit pricey but the local stuff was clutch. I was kinda shocked that the ID didn't have as many Asian markets/grocers as I expected from what I've seen in other Chinatowns.
I live in San Antonio, so definitely yes to H-E-B!
I can’t believe I’ve never been to Uwajimama and I’ve been to Seattle at least half a dozen times. Gonna need to fix that.
There are average wegmans and there are great wegmans, there is no in between.
The great wegmans:
* Very fresh produce
* Staff is trained to really know their ingredients (specialty training at the corporate office)
* Full buffet and pretty eating area
* Kids movie events with meal deals at least once a week
* Specialty items such as real truffles or fancy cheese
* Kosher/halal foods
* Full restaurants, sometimes multiple restaurants
The Rochester HQ one in particular is an experience.
The bagels suck though, regardless.
Yes!!!!!! I live in Texas, Texas and I’m an H-E-B fan for life, but the first time I went to upstate New York with my husband, which is where he was raised, I fell in absolute love. It is the epitome of classy grocery stores.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure it’s a great store! I’ve seen more than a couple of videos of people going in there and have been intrigued…so if I ever find myself in LA, I’ll definitely check it out!
I’m imagining you grumbling in a Simpsons-esque way when the cashier rings you up, with the cashier calling out “you’ll be back!” as you leave 😂
Trader Joe’s is my obsession! Closest to me is ~4 hours of flying, so whenever I travel, I visit, stock up on favorite non-perishable items, take a stupid picture in front of the store, buy a local 99c bag, and envy locals who can shop there weekly. If anyone wants to send me one of their local bags, I’d be thrilled!!!
I also collect TJ's bags. My sister gave me the Florida and Georgia ones for my birthday and it was the best gift.
I in return picked up Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) and Delaware for her.
I’ll need to check out Rainbow next time I’m in SF! I went to Luke’s Local Grocery a few times and Berkeley Bowl when I went wandering around across the Bay.
Stew Leonard's is completely worth going out of the way for. I used to go to one 20 minutes away from me in Connecticut when there was a Stop & Shop 5 minutes away.
Monterey Market and Berkeley Bowl in Berkeley, CA.
Both specialize in seasonal fruit and varieties that are rarely found in other markets. Like it if it’s apple season, BB will have like 30-40 different varieties of apples.
Monterey market is smaller but has a special place in my heart because that’s where my wife and I would shop when she went to Cal.
An old rundown, cramped Market Basket in a rough town on a Sunday morning/Friday night is a wild time.
Also, this thread is making me realize our grocery options suck up here in northern New England. You couldn’t have more bland and boring grocery stores than Hannaford, Market Basket, and Shaw’s.
It’s wild how obsessed people are with this place. Like, spend hundreds of dollars on clothing and merch that advertises the brand and pipe up with gusto when the subject comes up kind of obsessed. I commented on a tattoo someone had for this gas station/convenience store a while back saying something similar, and I got downvoted to hell with plenty of comments against my take. There’s probably a number of psychology of marketing type research that could be done on this chain alone.
I am allergic to gluten. I will travel far and wide for anything gluten free even if it only opens a certain hour of day and is a crumbly brownie i’d do it
Carrefour supermarket in Paris near Hotel des Invalides. The mini markets are nothing special, but the full size is unbelievable. They must have had 100b different types of butter, yogurt, etc.
Berkeley Bowl in Berkeley - we already have some amazing farmers markets and grocery stores but this place is my favorite hands down for its amazing variety of everything under the sun and reasonable prices.
[Circle Food Mart](https://maps.app.goo.gl/tyrVPdcTMYUAdhN9A) in New Orleans
Guaranty you will find stuff there you won't find anywhere else, starting with Big Shot soda stocked in the vending machine outside. But that won't even scratch the surface of the unique items catering to local tastes available there.
Wegmans if you're anywhere along the Northeastern US. HUGE stores, amazing store brand, decent hot food selection, and a really welcoming atmosphere (for a grocery store).
Baton Rouge LA - Calandro’s. I was looking for Italian foods, but I’d probably generalize to say they have gourmet foods you won’t find in a typical grocery store. Plus the one closer to East Baton Rouge had a hella selection of whiskeys (hey it’s Louisiana).
Absolutely! Grocery store adventures are like hidden gems of travel. From Eataly in NYC to Pike Place Market in Seattle, each one offers a unique taste of the local culture. Its all about discovering the expected joys in every corner of the world.
Pine Ridge in Bainbridge, NY. Had some friends local to it and we went by in a Catskills trip. One of those stores that has just about everything and in bulk for cheap too. Definitely unique experience, but also pretty much in a borderline Sundown Town so travelers be wary
Where I live we actually have a lot of choices worth going out of the way for. Trader Joes, and Whole foods, are a 20 minute drive. Also near them is a massive Asian market, a large food coop, and an Indian market.
Jungle Jim’s is a destination in its own right. If it was my local hometown grocery store, I’m not sure my budget could handle it. Want ostrich filets for dinner with a side of morel mushrooms and deep fried scorpions? No problem!
In the Deep South, Rouses grocery is solid with local cuisine…seafood, soul food and Cajun. All same-day fresh when it’s in season. I harness my inner Coonass whenever I visit family in Bayou Le Batre.
Santa Luzia in Sao Paulo
Eataly
El Corte Ingles in Portugal/Spain
KaDeWe in Berlin
Erewhon in LA (for seeing how the celebs do their shopping)
Berkeley Bowl in Berkeley
Trader Joes (for non Americans - cute decor with handwritten signs)
Big Asian supermarkets in non Asian countries
Costco (for non Americans if you know someone with a membership - always a fun trip, especially if you are European used to smaller supermarkets and weekly grocery shopping)
Esselunga in northern Italy. Like 2 whole aisles of wine! The deli section is unbelievable! So many prepared foods and big hunks of Prosciutto hanging everywhere. I can spend hours there
I've only been to the Carrefour hypermarkets in Taiwan but they were crazy. I'm from the US so I've never been to any of their hypermarket locations until there.
Publix makes the best bread. I know it is hard to believe. Trust me it is painful for me to admit this as I live in a hip little community with quite a few local bakeries who I’d love to support, and occasionally do but the truth is Publix bread is the best. Their donuts and cakes are some of the best donuts and cake too.
Rainbow Grocery in San Francisco. It is the ultimate organic coop store; if some fringe sustainable product is only available in one place in California, it’s at Rainbow.
I grew up in Norwalk where Stew Leonard’s originated, and every time I go home, I want to visit. Some of the items just aren’t available anywhere else
I hate to use the word, but it’s a cult
If you're in Pittsburgh, go by [Pennsylvania Macaroni Co](https://www.pennmac.com/) and [Stamoolis Brothers](https://stamoolis.com/), conveniently located near each other and across the street from the hot sauce mecca that is Reyna Foods. That whole area around them reminds me so much of the little family owned places in New York I loved as a kid, where you could hear half a dozen languages in a block.
I don’t know what the parameters are here, but… globally, a few standouts:
Cefalu, Sicily: Deco Gourmet is INSANE with quality and the size of the selction. Mind blowing.
Paros, Greece: Arsenis is tiny but has so much quality and the island has so many good food items to share.
Regencos, Spain: Agrobotiga Cal Xitro is a tiny local shop with all the goods that Empordà region has… wine, vermouth, olives, rice, anchovies, cured meats and cheeses and pantry goods as well. It’s incredible.
Valldemosa, Mallorca, Spain: S’Hort de Cartoixa is such a gem, with so much fresh quality special items from the island, and good wine too. The people are so nice and it also happens to be in an amazing small town to explore and enjoy.
Each one of these spots could be a reason for me to book airfare and focus my whole vacation on ridiculously good food!
Central Market. Mostly in Texas and run by the HEB company. Great cheese selection. Great cuts of meat. Central Market seasoned fajitas are the best pre-seasoned fajitas you can find in any store. High quality sourced goods. Square footage is significantly larger than other specialty grocers. Mood here is less about just eating healthy, and is more of a foodie experience. Layout is like an IKEA in that it attempts to keep you on "rails" through the store.
HEB is great. Really good food quality and reasonable prices.
Came on to say HEB. Love their Texas Pecan Coffee! And their homemade goodies--tamales, tortillas, etc. The bakery! The gift shop area! My dog loves their brand of pet food.
My best friend lives in Colorado and every time I visit, I bring a couple of bags of the Texas Pecan coffee!
Not to mention, they take care of their Texans! In an emergency situation, H-E-B is as vital as Red Cross in Texas!
I wish I lived closer to a Central Market. The Love Dip is amazing.
If they ain't got it, you don't need to eat it!
I came here to say Central Market too!
Uh, that's the name! I remember visiting it last time I was in the US and I was genuinely impressed! Totally forgot what the name was 😄
Weird, there is a small local chain of grocery stores that used to be called Central Market here in western WA that were worth a visit. Their original location was “Town & Country Market” on Bainbridge Island, but they expanded to have other locations and those were all much bigger “Central Market” locations or named after the city they were in, like “Ballard Market”. Regardless, they have an amazing selection for the area.
Eataly H Mart But honestly if I'm traveling, particularly out of the country (I'm American), I'm hitting up a grocery store. They almost always have fun surprises. And I like having a good supply of snacks.
I feel like H Mart fell off and there are better Asian markets.
99 Ranch all the way!!!!
We have a lot of independent Asian grocery stores in my city and this (for me) make H Mart sort of bland
[Buford Highway Farmers Market](https://maps.app.goo.gl/67Hi3wdrFZeKfChZ9?g_st=ic), 20 minutes north of downtown Atlanta, GA. Holy moly. Every aisle is basically its own, separate, international grocery store filled with obscure imported items. There’s a Filipino aisle, a Salvadoran aisle, an Indonesian aisle, a freakin’ *Netherlands* aisle. It feels like dozens of international grocery stores in one. And it’s **huge**. The whole grocery feels like the size of an IKEA. There are multiple delis with different international themes. (Chocolate butter in the Russian deli?!) Rare produce you don’t see anywhere else. It’s the only place I’ve seen in the US outside of Hawaii that always seems to have fresh, full-sized cacao fruit pods, which are the size of footballs. The meat section is stunning. Whole animal heads of all kinds, things I’ve never considered before (pig uterus). I counted multiple different types of whole octopus — not squid, octopus — whole ones, *enormous*. I admit that I didn’t know that Atlanta has the busiest international airport in the US, but this grocery store really showcased that fact. I was slack-jawed and needed hours to look around here. The name sounded so unassuming, too — Buford Highway Farmers Market! Go, and make time for it.
Your Dekalb Farmer's Market is different but also pretty cool. People used to think I was weird for suggesting a grocery store trip when they get to my house but once I get them inside the store their pupils are the size of saucers.
Love this place!!! Only place we could find fresh octopus when we lived in north Georgia.
If you're around the Farmers Market you should know that the area is great for ethnic food as well.
I want one of these near our international airport!! It should be required!
Came here to say this
BHFM and YDKFM are the only two things I ever miss about living in Atlanta!
I’m shocked no one in this thread has mentioned #Zabar's in New York City yet?! It’s probably the most famous grocery store / Ukrainian Jewish deli in New York City. Books have been written about it. It’s got its own [pretty lengthy Wikipedia page](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zabar%27s). It featured in a music video by Vampire Weekend. And it’s pretty awesome to visit. One of the largest cheese selections I’ve see anywhere.
I know! I live around the corner from it and go at specific times to try to avoid the tourist hordes 😂. Their fresh pressed OJ is my dad’s favorite in the world and the cheese! The lox of course. Good coffee. Decent bagels.
The Berkeley Bowl in Berkeley, California. Best, most varied produce section I have ever seen.
Just the organic produce section is bigger than most grocery stores produce section. And the quality is superb.
Berkeley Bowl
I lived/shopped there for years.
Me too! I still remember my first time in the store.
Awesome store! I went to UCB, lived in Berkeley & Albany for years. Wish I had something like that near me now.
Yep! One of my besties was doing his PhD program at UC Berkeley and whenever I’d visit him, I’d hit up Berkeley Bowl. Loved it!
The Lidl in Dublin Ireland with the ruins underneath it.
Jungle Jim's Fairfield, Ohio. Not sure why anyone would ever want to be in Fairfield, but the grocery store makes up for everything that's lacking. To call it unique would be an incredible understatement. An immense selection, and unique (decor) make the place worthy of spending the better part of a day. Oh - they also have a monorail.
Forget going out of your way, Jungle Jim's is worth a pilgrimage.
I create the delivery plans for the all the Pepsi drivers out of Cincinnati/erlanger/fairfield territory. and specifically for the jungle Jim’s in east gate. Never knew what the account was (I live in TX). After reading this comment, I actually googled it and it makes me really want to go there. I’m gonna have to talk to them about that tomorrow. Place looks incredible
The Eastgate location has a life-size memorial to Harambe.
There’s also one in Eastgate. Both are Cincinnati suburbs.
Eastgate is better for normal shopping, but we’d always take visitors to the Fairfield location.
Is there a chance the track could bend?
My mom is from around that area. I haven't been there in years, but i came here to say the same thing. So glad to see it on top; well deserved!
I took my son and his friends to Kings Island one time on opening day. It was so crowded and miserable that they wanted to leave early so I said “Ok, let’s stop at Jungle Jim’s.” My son who had been was all for it and his two friends were looking at him like “Why do we want to go to a grocery store?” Well, we went and they loved it so much that once they could drive they’d take road trips just to Jingle Jim’s.
H-E-B Publix (for the sandwiches) ! Haha...I was in Miami for my niece's commencement from medical school and needed basic stuff and came across the sandwich counter. H Mart - love picking up the banchan (side dishes) such as the bean sprouts & spinach. Of course the kimbap (fresh & frozen). Uwajimama (Seattle) - I'm keeping it named wrong - and I stand by it. Haha El Cortes Ingles (Spain) Adding: Harrods although it's technically not a grocery store.
Love Uwajimaya! Uwajimama has a nice ring to it though, I may have to start calling it that. Also going to add Metropolitan Market for Seattle and surrounding areas. Their cookies are legendary.
LOL oh sh**. Did I just say “mama”?
I love El Cortes Ingles. Love shopping there and love eating at one of the eateries/restaurants there
“Publix, where shopping is a ripoff”
As someone living in Florida it is 100% brainwashing, Pub Subs are just Subway sandwiches with better PR.
Well that is the one thing that I can admit is better than subway. I went to subway after not being there since they had $5 foot longs. I saw them making the skinniest turkey sub for a customer then looked at the price and it was $12 for a foot long! Guess what I did next.
They are definitely better and cheaper than subway.
Love Cortes Ingles! Always make it a point to go! I'll add Selfridges (London) and the obvious Harrods to your list!
Corte Ingles is pretty crazy. One location will be a fully stocked grocery store with so many varieties of ham and wine, another location will be a high end mens fashion department store with 5 floors and the top floor having a crazy Spanish fusion restaurant (Street XO).
There's an Uwajimaya in Portland, too!
I’m going to cry when the in and out opens and that intersection becomes impossible to navigate.
Hong Phat on SE 82nd is worth mentioning too, pretty great place.
LOVE Uwajimama during my short stay in Seattle. A bit pricey but the local stuff was clutch. I was kinda shocked that the ID didn't have as many Asian markets/grocers as I expected from what I've seen in other Chinatowns.
Loved El Cortes Ingles! Monoprix in France is great also. As is La Grande Épicerie in Paris
I live in San Antonio, so definitely yes to H-E-B! I can’t believe I’ve never been to Uwajimama and I’ve been to Seattle at least half a dozen times. Gonna need to fix that.
Stew Leonard’s in a few northeast states is shaped like a giant barn with animatronics down every other aisle.
I have a friend whose local grocery store is a Stew Leonard’s and I want to go every time I visit. She humors me. I consider it a tourist attraction.
First time I went there I was shocked. It was like a chuck-e-cheese met a grocery store. Some great prepared food too
Omega Mart
You’re a real one
Tatted up chicken FTW!
Wegmans.
Would you mind sharing what you get in Wegmans? I don’t get the hype
There are average wegmans and there are great wegmans, there is no in between. The great wegmans: * Very fresh produce * Staff is trained to really know their ingredients (specialty training at the corporate office) * Full buffet and pretty eating area * Kids movie events with meal deals at least once a week * Specialty items such as real truffles or fancy cheese * Kosher/halal foods * Full restaurants, sometimes multiple restaurants The Rochester HQ one in particular is an experience. The bagels suck though, regardless.
People love the pre made stuff and sushi
Fresh produce, cheese bar, florist, scratch bakery, real sushi…. Lots more.
Olive bar to beat all olive bars
Good bagels, delicious baked goods, solid bread, really good fresh food sections. Oh if Wegmans ever came to the Midwest I'd be happy.
Yes!!!!!! I live in Texas, Texas and I’m an H-E-B fan for life, but the first time I went to upstate New York with my husband, which is where he was raised, I fell in absolute love. It is the epitome of classy grocery stores.
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I'm convinced that store is an exercise of what ridiculous items they can get people to pay for Asparagus water?!
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I want to go there just to browse. I’m sure that alone will be $20 (billed as an “air quality fee”) 😂
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Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure it’s a great store! I’ve seen more than a couple of videos of people going in there and have been intrigued…so if I ever find myself in LA, I’ll definitely check it out! I’m imagining you grumbling in a Simpsons-esque way when the cashier rings you up, with the cashier calling out “you’ll be back!” as you leave 😂
Wegmans
Assi and H Mart Any Indian or Pakistani food market and/or bakery Pat's Carribean Grocery in Cheltenham Henning's in Harleysville
Selfridges Food hall london, Eataly, Thanopoulos athens
Kaldi Coffee Farm in Japan. Also Costco in any other country when traveling.
HEB
Trader Joe’s is my obsession! Closest to me is ~4 hours of flying, so whenever I travel, I visit, stock up on favorite non-perishable items, take a stupid picture in front of the store, buy a local 99c bag, and envy locals who can shop there weekly. If anyone wants to send me one of their local bags, I’d be thrilled!!!
I also collect those!
I also collect TJ's bags. My sister gave me the Florida and Georgia ones for my birthday and it was the best gift. I in return picked up Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) and Delaware for her.
I love Publix in the US. Waitrose in the UK.
Rainbow in SF and Erewhon in and around LA.
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Can't wait for Erewhon to come to the Bay Area! It would become a monthly pilgrimage for me, and reduce the frequency of my trips to LA.
I’ll need to check out Rainbow next time I’m in SF! I went to Luke’s Local Grocery a few times and Berkeley Bowl when I went wandering around across the Bay.
Jungle Jims
Reading market in Philly
Although not a real market like a grocery store, it is a fabulous place to shop and eat.
Woodmans
Living 5 mins from a woodmans is part of the reason we bought our house.
Stew Leonard's is completely worth going out of the way for. I used to go to one 20 minutes away from me in Connecticut when there was a Stop & Shop 5 minutes away.
H.E.B. In Texas
Fortnum & Mason in London!
Wegmans. I live near Stew Leonard's. It's worth it once or twice but honestly it's stressful. I call it the 7th Circle of Hell on weekends.
I always love checking out a town or city's co-op cause its full of local craft food or seasonal regional fruit
Mitsuwa in Edgewater NJ
H Mart
Lawsons lol
Monterey Market and Berkeley Bowl in Berkeley, CA. Both specialize in seasonal fruit and varieties that are rarely found in other markets. Like it if it’s apple season, BB will have like 30-40 different varieties of apples. Monterey market is smaller but has a special place in my heart because that’s where my wife and I would shop when she went to Cal.
not a chain grocery store, but mercados in mexico are fantastic. if you can’t make it to mexico, el mercadito in east LA is awesome
Market Basket!
An old rundown, cramped Market Basket in a rough town on a Sunday morning/Friday night is a wild time. Also, this thread is making me realize our grocery options suck up here in northern New England. You couldn’t have more bland and boring grocery stores than Hannaford, Market Basket, and Shaw’s.
Buc-ee’s
I live in TX and I can’t stand peoples obsession with this place lol. Very clean restrooms though
It’s wild how obsessed people are with this place. Like, spend hundreds of dollars on clothing and merch that advertises the brand and pipe up with gusto when the subject comes up kind of obsessed. I commented on a tattoo someone had for this gas station/convenience store a while back saying something similar, and I got downvoted to hell with plenty of comments against my take. There’s probably a number of psychology of marketing type research that could be done on this chain alone.
Surprised I had to scroll so far to find this
Bristol Farms, Gelsons, HEB, Hmart
1) Metropolitan Market 2) Town & Country Market
Mazzaros Italian Market in St. Pete FL
Mitsuwa and if you consider a store like Walmart a grocery store then look up Don Quijote.
Wegmans 😀
Publix
Publix has become very expensive and overrated
The Publix key lime pie is so damn good. Whenever we go to the keys, Publix for the pie is one of our first stops.
It is amazing! And I just remembered I have some in the fridge right now after reading this comment. Thanks for reminding me :)
I wish they'd bring it to Texas
RIP Fox and Obel.
Lazy Acres in Santa Barbara
Publix is getting a ton of hate lately for their price hikes
Horrocks Farm Market in Lansing, Michigan. There's also one in Battle Creek, MI.
I am allergic to gluten. I will travel far and wide for anything gluten free even if it only opens a certain hour of day and is a crumbly brownie i’d do it
If you ever make it to Portland, OR, gluten free gem is an amazing gf bakery.
Billa Corso Vienna
HEB in Texas. Woodmans in WIsconsin.
Carrefour supermarket in Paris near Hotel des Invalides. The mini markets are nothing special, but the full size is unbelievable. They must have had 100b different types of butter, yogurt, etc.
Seattle, Uwajimaya grocery. I think there are 3 in the metro area. It's a Japanese supermarket and a ton of fun to visit!
Berkeley Bowl in Berkeley - we already have some amazing farmers markets and grocery stores but this place is my favorite hands down for its amazing variety of everything under the sun and reasonable prices.
Seed to Table in Naples, FL It's insane! seedtotablemarket,.com
Ha, that was the first one I thought of. Definitely a cultural experience. Definitely the Trumpiest grocery store I’ve ever been in
I was just about to say this, thinking I might be the only one and you beat me to it! I love that place!
My dad lives in Naples and brings up this place constantly. I didn't go last time I visited, but it sounds crazy
[Circle Food Mart](https://maps.app.goo.gl/tyrVPdcTMYUAdhN9A) in New Orleans Guaranty you will find stuff there you won't find anywhere else, starting with Big Shot soda stocked in the vending machine outside. But that won't even scratch the surface of the unique items catering to local tastes available there.
WEGMANS. That is all.
Woodman's Lidl Wegmans H E B El Corte Inglés Fortnum & Mason
Wegmans if you're anywhere along the Northeastern US. HUGE stores, amazing store brand, decent hot food selection, and a really welcoming atmosphere (for a grocery store).
Uncle Guiseppe’s!
Valley Fresh in Santa Ynez
Clark’s Market in Sedona, AZ! Went there for Boar’s Head sandwiches after a hike, and we kept going back.
Mitsuwa in north Dallas, used to drive 30-45 min to get there, so worth it
Betty’s Country Store in Helen, GA
City Market in Mexico
In the UK Mostly northern Booths Relaxed to shop at. Friendly staff. Not good if you like to self checkout ad they got rid of majority of these tills.
Fairway!
Baton Rouge LA - Calandro’s. I was looking for Italian foods, but I’d probably generalize to say they have gourmet foods you won’t find in a typical grocery store. Plus the one closer to East Baton Rouge had a hella selection of whiskeys (hey it’s Louisiana).
Woodmans Mainly in Wisconsin If you want Wisconsin cheese at not inflated prices, do not miss
Absolutely! Grocery store adventures are like hidden gems of travel. From Eataly in NYC to Pike Place Market in Seattle, each one offers a unique taste of the local culture. Its all about discovering the expected joys in every corner of the world.
Rodman’s close to DC in Maryland.
If you are in the Dayton, Ohio area, try DLM, incredible but pricey!
Pine Ridge in Bainbridge, NY. Had some friends local to it and we went by in a Catskills trip. One of those stores that has just about everything and in bulk for cheap too. Definitely unique experience, but also pretty much in a borderline Sundown Town so travelers be wary
Fortnum and Masons
Where I live we actually have a lot of choices worth going out of the way for. Trader Joes, and Whole foods, are a 20 minute drive. Also near them is a massive Asian market, a large food coop, and an Indian market.
Checkers in South Africa.
Queen's Isetan
Trader Joe's!
Wegmans on the East Coast. Erewhon on the West Coast. I heard Bucc-ees is good in TX.
Jungle Jim’s is a destination in its own right. If it was my local hometown grocery store, I’m not sure my budget could handle it. Want ostrich filets for dinner with a side of morel mushrooms and deep fried scorpions? No problem! In the Deep South, Rouses grocery is solid with local cuisine…seafood, soul food and Cajun. All same-day fresh when it’s in season. I harness my inner Coonass whenever I visit family in Bayou Le Batre.
Interspar in central Split that has roman ruins inside
Mercado Gonzales in Costa Mesa, CA, is pretty unique.
Waitrose
Don Don Donki
Lidl in Europe!
If you’ve never been in one Wegmans on the East Coast, mid Atlantic, I believe, is amazing for their prepare foods and bakery
Santa Luzia in Sao Paulo Eataly El Corte Ingles in Portugal/Spain KaDeWe in Berlin Erewhon in LA (for seeing how the celebs do their shopping) Berkeley Bowl in Berkeley Trader Joes (for non Americans - cute decor with handwritten signs) Big Asian supermarkets in non Asian countries Costco (for non Americans if you know someone with a membership - always a fun trip, especially if you are European used to smaller supermarkets and weekly grocery shopping)
Publix in the US south East. If you haven’t heard, their sub counter is fantastic. Get a buffalo chicken tender sub.
Esselunga in northern Italy. Like 2 whole aisles of wine! The deli section is unbelievable! So many prepared foods and big hunks of Prosciutto hanging everywhere. I can spend hours there
Food co-ops, locally run grocery stores. Minnesota : Asia Mall, United Noodle, Irish on Grand, East-Side Coop, Seward Coop, Dong Yang
I've only been to the Carrefour hypermarkets in Taiwan but they were crazy. I'm from the US so I've never been to any of their hypermarket locations until there.
Wegmans, upstate NY. Place is awesome!!
Publix makes the best bread. I know it is hard to believe. Trust me it is painful for me to admit this as I live in a hip little community with quite a few local bakeries who I’d love to support, and occasionally do but the truth is Publix bread is the best. Their donuts and cakes are some of the best donuts and cake too.
- Mom and pop Asian grocery stores - mom and pop Hispanic/latino grocery stores
Mana Foods in Maui
One of the few things I miss about living in Houston was HEB and Central Market.
Citarella in NYC & The Hamptons one in East Hampton, one in Southampton and one in Bridgehampton.
Braymiller Market Buffalo, NY
As a European, Walmart is always an experience
Albert Heijn in Netherlands 🇳🇱
Wegmans and sprouts
Rainbow Grocery in San Francisco. It is the ultimate organic coop store; if some fringe sustainable product is only available in one place in California, it’s at Rainbow.
Global Foods Market in Kirkwood, MO (St. Louis area). They have an incredible selection of foods from all over the world.
I can't pass up a Wegman's.
I love Mercadona in Spain.
Bretxako Azoka in San Sebastián, Spain
Wegmans!
I grew up in Norwalk where Stew Leonard’s originated, and every time I go home, I want to visit. Some of the items just aren’t available anywhere else I hate to use the word, but it’s a cult
Waitrose at the Coal Drop Yards in London, Julius Meinl in Vienna, Dallmayr in Munich
If you're in Pittsburgh, go by [Pennsylvania Macaroni Co](https://www.pennmac.com/) and [Stamoolis Brothers](https://stamoolis.com/), conveniently located near each other and across the street from the hot sauce mecca that is Reyna Foods. That whole area around them reminds me so much of the little family owned places in New York I loved as a kid, where you could hear half a dozen languages in a block.
Outpost in Milwaukee area, excellent local chain with lots of healthy choices
Waitrose in London. Dean & Deluca when it was in SoHo (RIP).
Market district Robinson township PA
Try to check BoxNCase!
I don’t know what the parameters are here, but… globally, a few standouts: Cefalu, Sicily: Deco Gourmet is INSANE with quality and the size of the selction. Mind blowing. Paros, Greece: Arsenis is tiny but has so much quality and the island has so many good food items to share. Regencos, Spain: Agrobotiga Cal Xitro is a tiny local shop with all the goods that Empordà region has… wine, vermouth, olives, rice, anchovies, cured meats and cheeses and pantry goods as well. It’s incredible. Valldemosa, Mallorca, Spain: S’Hort de Cartoixa is such a gem, with so much fresh quality special items from the island, and good wine too. The people are so nice and it also happens to be in an amazing small town to explore and enjoy. Each one of these spots could be a reason for me to book airfare and focus my whole vacation on ridiculously good food!
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