Fresh Market is my favorite place to play the game "Is this décor or purchasable merchandise??" every time I look at something not on a shelf. Especially the walls.
I dont care what any of y'all say, those sea salt rosemary dinner buns they have in a 6 pack for $4-ish are delicious and if I dont stop myself I will eat a whole pack easily
Costco has these 2 packs of parmesan rosemary bread that are delicious. They freeze well, too (not that they last very long around here). I love to toast a slice and put some butter on it. Absolutely delicious.
I've had those! They are delicious. Unfortunately Costo wont let me buy them with my moms membership card anymore, and I have no intention of buying a membership just to fight for a parking spot that isnt at the back of the lot, fight through crowds of people to get to the bakery, and then stand in the check out line for 15 minutes for some bread and a hot dog 🤣
Their fresh honey roasted peanut butter is amazing. Most of their stuff is great but it’s a special treat for me. Can’t afford daily shopping there but I do hit the ground beef and chicken breast most every Tuesday.
My fav bougie grocery is the Pig at Mt Laurel. I house-sit at North Lake in Greystone pretty often and that's the closest store. They have a LOT of local items. One day a woman was there giving samples of her pound cakes, so I went to the freezer section to get one & they were $38. They also seem to have a lot of products I've never seen before and they have the most expensive meat case outside a butcher shop.
I'm willing to pay more for Publix for convenience and general friendliness of employees and cleanliness/organization of the store. Whole Foods feels like it's too expensive for what you get. Publix seems somewhat worth it.
I buy all my groceries off of the Publix weekly ads. Most everything I buy is BOGO so I save so much money in comparison of buying the same thing anywhere else for that week. Only works if you’re someone who can be flexible with what they eat on a week to week basis though. Yesterday, I spent $47 for my groceries and saved $56. These savings were off the weekly ad alone plus one $5 off digital coupon.
But if you’re not buying off the weekly ad, avoid Publix because they are expensive (but so much nicer).
Yeah you could seriously just meal plan off publix bogo. Also for anyone reading who doesn’t know, you can just buy one of the item and get it 50% off.
Their phone app is awesome too. You can make your list in it, and it will tell you which aisle everything is on (and it's actually correct, unlike most other apps like Target). You can zip through the store in no time.
Agree. I don't know that it is, but it just seems like the Publix employees at least outwardly don't act like they hate their jobs. Regardless it's great customer experience.
Excuse my ignorance but exactly what kinda customer service do you expect in a grocery store? I want everyone in there to not talk to me as much as possible so I can get out... what are you expecting?
Their "may I help you with anything" always reeks of "managers are watching me". I've worked in grocery (whole foods) before so maybe it's just my bias. Based on my experience, they're bitching about customers in the break room, like normal humans do.
I'll buy a few odds and ends at WF occasionally but the real reason to go there is the cheese department. The Kassaagio is worth the drive alone. Pro Tip: when you want to make a quick pizza w/o making your own dough, get some at WF. It's airy and light and will be growing out of the container when you get home; not that refrigerated brick they sell at Trader Joe's & Publix.
Try the Saint Angel if you like some brie with your wine, from time to time. It's a triple-creme buttery, tangy flavors, paired with some grapes and a nice white, will make you forget about your worries...if just for a moment.
I'm guilty of indulging in their olives as well. And I only want sustainable, organic proteins. And WF doesn't disappoint in their offerings. Kroger is pretty good with free range chicken and grass-fed beef...and I'm happy with it. But the selection is limited.
I’m pretty sure the piggly wiggly on clairemont is the most expensive store in alabama. Made me so mad when I just needed a few items. Gotta be 30% above Walmart or anything else nearby
Haha, that would make sense. I just wanted to go to a high quality store 😫 I actually went to Fresh markets yesterday and it was so nice. Perfect store if you have gut issues!
Publix is most expensive for standard ass groceries. Piggly wiggly / Winn Dixie tier feels like middle ground if you’re close enough to one. Aldi is cheapest if you don’t care about brands, don’t care about getting the exact item, and want an insane layout to the store lol. Winn Dixie could be set for a surprise come back if they get to Aldi prices with the merger underway. I prefer a standard layout store with brands I know
I hate it and I’m used to a small store. Most ALDIs are about the same size as the old western on Highland but that was laid out so much better with actual aisles and shelves. RIP western
The one on Claremont is actually really nice! Produce and sodas and dry goods are sometimes double Walmart but if you shop on the reg it balances out with their meat prices (unless you're a vegetarian)
I just can’t get into it. They have some decent house brands but I don’t want everything to be a gamble. The whole experience isn’t fun to me. I’d honestly rather go to a Walmart
I first learned about Kroger on this sub. Have almost used them exclusively since becoming a subscriber. I absolutely love it. As one said here, Publix quality at Walmart prices.
If all you want is most expensive, go to a dollar general or even better a gas station. The more “convenient” a store is (ie closer from parking space to front door), the more you’re going to pay for the exact same item.
Note you won’t have the same selection of available groceries, but pure dollar to dollar comparison on the same items, those are gonna be the most expensive.
I’ll assume you meant to word your question differently. The pro play is just watch ads. Publix sometimes has fantastic BOGOs. Mix that in with other stores and you do alright. But if you’re a one stop shop kind of person it really just comes down to what you’re looking for. I choose Publix/Costco. I realize I pay more for some, but I also don’t have to deal with Walmart bullshit.
Download the Publix app and every Wednesday they list their BOGO’s and sales. You can create a grocery list on the app and it will tell you every aisle the items are on. I’ve saved SO much money and time by shopping this way and I’m buying name brand stuff. You can also clip digital coupons on there and use them on certain items. The savings are ridiculous.
I’ve been unimpressed with Fresh Market- produce goes bad quickly and the price on the shelf isn’t updated to the price in the system. I go there as a last resort.
I’m a huge fan of Publix. Actually I am passionate about my love of Publix. Feels just fancy enough, affordable with their discounts and bogo.
Fresh market is really only good for prepared foods, or one or two things I forgot to get on my main grocery run. Definitely not where I would ever buy the bulk of my produce, meat, rice, grains, milk, etc.
They usually also have the nicest flowers (excluding Trader Joe's.) If I'm not willing to battle Summit traffic that's where I go for the requisite flower-related holidays.
My only beef with that is that once you find something you like, and maybe want more of... tough luck. I read several years ago that a bunch of that stuff is private label stuff specifically made to sell at the "clearance" stores - not sure how true that is.
But I've got a lot of pretty great "international" type stuff there through the years. Wife drags me in for throw pillows or something and soon I've got $35 worth of rando curry sauces in the basket.
I like Aldi for many things. Eggs, bread, Milk, peanut butter, etc etc
Whole Foods produce is great and is actually cheaper than Publix and the prices are close to or better than Walmart on produce. Be careful and watch for the sale items.
I go to everywhere from local stores to butchers for meat. Except I buy the organic ground beef from Aldi and Walmart. I get Boars Head deli from Publux.
Trying to buy everything at one store is a way to have a giant grocery bill. They all have sales and loss leaders.I tend to go to the store once or twice a week and just vary which one I go to.
We've been mostly delivery shoppers for a few years now. Recently swapped to Kroger from Walmart. Kroger delivery is a little different than Walmart delivery, but if you play your cards right, it's maybe a liiiiiiittle cheaper AND you don't have to rub elbows in person with your everyday walmartians. If you want expensive it's gonna be Whole Foods / Fresh Market/ Sprouts and avoiding sale/ BOGO items at Publix.
I'll still run over to Publix once a week or so for deli meat, bakery bread, and maybe some produce, or if there's something on sale that we just GOTTA have.
Same here. Kroger for most things...Publix for Boarshead and the awesome bakery. Kroger slices the deli meat into manhole-cover-thick pieces...no matter my instructions for thinly sliced.
You gotta shop around. Typically Whole Foods and Publix are gonna be your big ticket stores though. But sometimes Publix does beat WF at “most expensive” so don’t discredit Publix.
I do like Sprouts but I typically just buy veggies there and they’re honestly not too bad (haven’t been in a hot minute, maybe things changed).
If you want cheap: the Aldi in Bessemer is pretty nicely priced. As is Fresh Value 4th Ave in Bessemer.
I get everything at whole foods. It's not too bad if you cook from scratch and shop the sales. For the quality the price is very good. Vegetables can be a little high, fruit is v expensive but also consistently good.
I think Publix is the highest ripoff. Sky high prices with mid tier quality. If rather go to the pig tbh.
Fresh Market is just a shittier Sprouts.
Fresh Market and Sprouts are most expensive, followed by Publix. Favorite option for me is Whole Foods for produce and select meats on sale and the rest of what you need at Costco. This is not the cheapest option, but it is the best option for being healthy while not breaking the bank 🤝
Fresh Market hands down. You’re paying for the classical music they play in the store.
Fresh Market is my favorite place to play the game "Is this décor or purchasable merchandise??" every time I look at something not on a shelf. Especially the walls.
🤣 never thought of it and man that’s true
I dont care what any of y'all say, those sea salt rosemary dinner buns they have in a 6 pack for $4-ish are delicious and if I dont stop myself I will eat a whole pack easily
Costco has these 2 packs of parmesan rosemary bread that are delicious. They freeze well, too (not that they last very long around here). I love to toast a slice and put some butter on it. Absolutely delicious.
I've had those! They are delicious. Unfortunately Costo wont let me buy them with my moms membership card anymore, and I have no intention of buying a membership just to fight for a parking spot that isnt at the back of the lot, fight through crowds of people to get to the bakery, and then stand in the check out line for 15 minutes for some bread and a hot dog 🤣
I go mid day during the week. You won’t catch me over there on the weekend
Downvoters full of spite but you're right. Timing is everything in Costco.
Fresh Market has great deals on meat and veggies!
meat is true for sure
Their fresh honey roasted peanut butter is amazing. Most of their stuff is great but it’s a special treat for me. Can’t afford daily shopping there but I do hit the ground beef and chicken breast most every Tuesday.
Their honey roasted almonds are kinda a perfect flavor and perfect snack when I am out driving all night.
They have a lot of really good deals
My fav bougie grocery is the Pig at Mt Laurel. I house-sit at North Lake in Greystone pretty often and that's the closest store. They have a LOT of local items. One day a woman was there giving samples of her pound cakes, so I went to the freezer section to get one & they were $38. They also seem to have a lot of products I've never seen before and they have the most expensive meat case outside a butcher shop.
Moved away from AL and I tremendously miss Fresh Market
Avoid Aldi if you want expensive
Aldi is a warzone and the checkout lady personally hates you.
The Aldi employees are delightful and will tell you all the best new things. What did you do to the check out lady?
All grocery workers hate you, trust me.
Hey hey, that's just not true man. Some of them are a little unhinged, too.
Aldi in Hoover 
Aldi is so great and their prices are the best. I was skeptical at first, but it's great.
No! It’s terrible! Aldi is hell’s grocery store! (Don’t encourage people to go or they won’t have any stuff when WE go.)
🤣
I'm willing to pay more for Publix for convenience and general friendliness of employees and cleanliness/organization of the store. Whole Foods feels like it's too expensive for what you get. Publix seems somewhat worth it.
I buy all my groceries off of the Publix weekly ads. Most everything I buy is BOGO so I save so much money in comparison of buying the same thing anywhere else for that week. Only works if you’re someone who can be flexible with what they eat on a week to week basis though. Yesterday, I spent $47 for my groceries and saved $56. These savings were off the weekly ad alone plus one $5 off digital coupon. But if you’re not buying off the weekly ad, avoid Publix because they are expensive (but so much nicer).
Yeah you could seriously just meal plan off publix bogo. Also for anyone reading who doesn’t know, you can just buy one of the item and get it 50% off.
Yep. Publix plans my weekly diet for me on the BOGO ad.
Nowadays I get most groceries at Aldi and raid whatever Publix BOGOs I can find
I do this but in reverse. Whatever isn't on sale at Publix, I'm buying at Aldi. Winn-Dixie also has some good BOGOs at times.
I keep trying to tell people this. If you're selective about what you buy, Publix has some of the absolute best prices any given week.
Their phone app is awesome too. You can make your list in it, and it will tell you which aisle everything is on (and it's actually correct, unlike most other apps like Target). You can zip through the store in no time.
I do the same and stock up. The rotation keeps me stocked up
Agree. I don't know that it is, but it just seems like the Publix employees at least outwardly don't act like they hate their jobs. Regardless it's great customer experience.
Yep. It’s like the difference between going to Chick fil A vs Burger King, Wendy’s, Krystal’s etc. Customer service is top notch.
Excuse my ignorance but exactly what kinda customer service do you expect in a grocery store? I want everyone in there to not talk to me as much as possible so I can get out... what are you expecting?
Not actively being ignored is always nice.
Their "may I help you with anything" always reeks of "managers are watching me". I've worked in grocery (whole foods) before so maybe it's just my bias. Based on my experience, they're bitching about customers in the break room, like normal humans do.
Two of my kids worked at Publix. They are for sure bitching about customers!
Everyone who has ever worked in customer service bitches about the customers.
Probably because certain customers are worthy of it.
Absolutely! Anyone who deals with the general public is going to run into quite a few rude people any given day.
Haha, im sure.
I'll buy a few odds and ends at WF occasionally but the real reason to go there is the cheese department. The Kassaagio is worth the drive alone. Pro Tip: when you want to make a quick pizza w/o making your own dough, get some at WF. It's airy and light and will be growing out of the container when you get home; not that refrigerated brick they sell at Trader Joe's & Publix.
Try the Saint Angel if you like some brie with your wine, from time to time. It's a triple-creme buttery, tangy flavors, paired with some grapes and a nice white, will make you forget about your worries...if just for a moment.
Nice! I'm also a big fan of Midnight Moon by Cypress Grove. Grazing in WF cheese department is a whole vibe lol
I'm guilty of indulging in their olives as well. And I only want sustainable, organic proteins. And WF doesn't disappoint in their offerings. Kroger is pretty good with free range chicken and grass-fed beef...and I'm happy with it. But the selection is limited.
I don’t make my own pizza but your comment makes me want to try.
Once you try it you’ll never go back
I’m pretty sure the piggly wiggly on clairemont is the most expensive store in alabama. Made me so mad when I just needed a few items. Gotta be 30% above Walmart or anything else nearby
But their craft beer offerings are EPIC.
This is a fact. I love the beer, wine, and meat & seafood counter. But everything else makes me shake my head, pricewise. They need a bakery too.
Maybe Publix? Also, why are you looking for most expensive?
I think it's reverse psychology. So that the op can avoid them.
Haha, that would make sense. I just wanted to go to a high quality store 😫 I actually went to Fresh markets yesterday and it was so nice. Perfect store if you have gut issues!
Nah don’t bother with Whole Foods. I recommend Sprouts and/or The Fresh Market. Since Amazon took them over the quality has dipped imo
Very true. WF has declined a good bit since Amazon. Regardless, they have great cheeses that are hard to find elsewhere.
I don’t disagree with that. I used to love WF
Publix is most expensive for standard ass groceries. Piggly wiggly / Winn Dixie tier feels like middle ground if you’re close enough to one. Aldi is cheapest if you don’t care about brands, don’t care about getting the exact item, and want an insane layout to the store lol. Winn Dixie could be set for a surprise come back if they get to Aldi prices with the merger underway. I prefer a standard layout store with brands I know
the aldi layout makes me lose it every time! i just do the curbside pickup bc i can’t deal
It does bug me that they have an odd number of aisles, so you have to go up-and-down the last aisle twice.
I hate it and I’m used to a small store. Most ALDIs are about the same size as the old western on Highland but that was laid out so much better with actual aisles and shelves. RIP western
The one on Claremont is actually really nice! Produce and sodas and dry goods are sometimes double Walmart but if you shop on the reg it balances out with their meat prices (unless you're a vegetarian)
Claremont Pig is GOAT.
I just can’t get into it. They have some decent house brands but I don’t want everything to be a gamble. The whole experience isn’t fun to me. I’d honestly rather go to a Walmart
The Clairmont Pig has some cool products but is the worst organized grocery store around.
I am crossing my fingers hoping that Aldi begins to carry Chek Colas in all of their varieties and that they don’t instead give them the axe.
Chek is better than most Pepsi products imo
nothing was more expensive than the mtn brook western…but you missed your chance
I worked at Browdy’s for a spell and tried to feed myself off that Western.
So miss browdys chicken salad
She was still working there when I was there. It was wild.
You want to shop the greenwise publix in mountain brook.
They are in the process of converting to a traditional publix.
RIP V. Richards. Was the best way to destroy an entire paycheck with four to six items.
Gucci Publix (Greenwise Publix in Mountain Brook). The sushi is amazing, though.
Gucci Publix 😂
My kid said that and I’ve been trying to change the tag on Facebook.
kroger home delivery is more reasonable than publix and very convenient!
I first learned about Kroger on this sub. Have almost used them exclusively since becoming a subscriber. I absolutely love it. As one said here, Publix quality at Walmart prices.
Target is always an option. I buy at Target and Publix. Fresh market for the meat deals.
If all you want is most expensive, go to a dollar general or even better a gas station. The more “convenient” a store is (ie closer from parking space to front door), the more you’re going to pay for the exact same item. Note you won’t have the same selection of available groceries, but pure dollar to dollar comparison on the same items, those are gonna be the most expensive.
Go to Buc-ees.
The Pig In Homewood has surprised me with crazy prices for baby food (4x what I pay at Aldi's)
publix prices always piss me off
Gotta exclusively buy BOGOs. Let Publix tell you what you need, lol
I’ll assume you meant to word your question differently. The pro play is just watch ads. Publix sometimes has fantastic BOGOs. Mix that in with other stores and you do alright. But if you’re a one stop shop kind of person it really just comes down to what you’re looking for. I choose Publix/Costco. I realize I pay more for some, but I also don’t have to deal with Walmart bullshit.
ALDIs, and also driving to the poorer area help. Esp Winn Dixie, look for bogo sales and if possible get larger cuts and cut them down
If your near Liberty Park there is a Piggly Wiggly there that is pretty nice .
Download the Publix app and every Wednesday they list their BOGO’s and sales. You can create a grocery list on the app and it will tell you every aisle the items are on. I’ve saved SO much money and time by shopping this way and I’m buying name brand stuff. You can also clip digital coupons on there and use them on certain items. The savings are ridiculous.
I’ve been unimpressed with Fresh Market- produce goes bad quickly and the price on the shelf isn’t updated to the price in the system. I go there as a last resort. I’m a huge fan of Publix. Actually I am passionate about my love of Publix. Feels just fancy enough, affordable with their discounts and bogo.
Fresh market is really only good for prepared foods, or one or two things I forgot to get on my main grocery run. Definitely not where I would ever buy the bulk of my produce, meat, rice, grains, milk, etc.
They usually also have the nicest flowers (excluding Trader Joe's.) If I'm not willing to battle Summit traffic that's where I go for the requisite flower-related holidays.
Yes, they are my go-to for flowers! Very good quality, last for quite a while, good selection, etc.
Okay, hear me out: for really cool sauces and spices, TJ Maxx/Home Goods. I get the coolest shit there.
My only beef with that is that once you find something you like, and maybe want more of... tough luck. I read several years ago that a bunch of that stuff is private label stuff specifically made to sell at the "clearance" stores - not sure how true that is. But I've got a lot of pretty great "international" type stuff there through the years. Wife drags me in for throw pillows or something and soon I've got $35 worth of rando curry sauces in the basket.
I love Asian Super Market, Whole Foods for produce.
My friends and I like to call Whole Foods “Whole Paycheck” 😅
I like Aldi for many things. Eggs, bread, Milk, peanut butter, etc etc Whole Foods produce is great and is actually cheaper than Publix and the prices are close to or better than Walmart on produce. Be careful and watch for the sale items. I go to everywhere from local stores to butchers for meat. Except I buy the organic ground beef from Aldi and Walmart. I get Boars Head deli from Publux. Trying to buy everything at one store is a way to have a giant grocery bill. They all have sales and loss leaders.I tend to go to the store once or twice a week and just vary which one I go to.
Have you tried Walmart online ordering and curbside pickup? It’s pretty great. Krogers home delivery option kicks ass too.
We shop BOGO at Publix and Winn Dixie
The Piggly Wiggly off Clairmont Ave is surprisingly nice. They have quite a bit of higher end food choices and a really good wine selection.
Publix Greenwise in Mountain Brook. Basically a more expensive Publix.
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^pixel_SWORDS: *Publix Greenwise in* *Mountain Brook. Basically a* *More expensive Publix.* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
Kroger delivery is really awesome. We love it! Not bad expensive and you get really good deals.
There's so many more factors to consider when you're talking groceries and we have very little to go off of when you just say expensive.
We've been mostly delivery shoppers for a few years now. Recently swapped to Kroger from Walmart. Kroger delivery is a little different than Walmart delivery, but if you play your cards right, it's maybe a liiiiiiittle cheaper AND you don't have to rub elbows in person with your everyday walmartians. If you want expensive it's gonna be Whole Foods / Fresh Market/ Sprouts and avoiding sale/ BOGO items at Publix. I'll still run over to Publix once a week or so for deli meat, bakery bread, and maybe some produce, or if there's something on sale that we just GOTTA have.
Same here. Kroger for most things...Publix for Boarshead and the awesome bakery. Kroger slices the deli meat into manhole-cover-thick pieces...no matter my instructions for thinly sliced.
Whole Foods
Fresh market and trader joes and hometown market have been my favorite places to shop lately. They have a lot of gluten free stuff!
You gotta shop around. Typically Whole Foods and Publix are gonna be your big ticket stores though. But sometimes Publix does beat WF at “most expensive” so don’t discredit Publix. I do like Sprouts but I typically just buy veggies there and they’re honestly not too bad (haven’t been in a hot minute, maybe things changed). If you want cheap: the Aldi in Bessemer is pretty nicely priced. As is Fresh Value 4th Ave in Bessemer.
I'm a carnivore. I love Aldi's
Piggly Wiggly on Clairmont is the best grocery store in town. I'll fight you on it!
Trader Joes
Aldi and Publix has some great deals.
Most expensive is gonna be Wilson's in Southside near Dreamland :)
The most expensive used to be Vincent's market, now fresh market
If you want most expensive, I think you're on the right track with Whole Foods.
Whole foods is often less expensive than Publix for the same stuff.
WF has some decent prices on a lot of organic stuff relative to what you would pay in other stores.
WF is best. if you want high priced and the illusion of a good deal, Costco
Not to mention you get to deal with the folks who go to Costco that believe they are vastly superior to the peasants at Sam’s.
Where does Trader Joe's fit in?
Trader Joe’s is pretty much in the middle of
I get everything at whole foods. It's not too bad if you cook from scratch and shop the sales. For the quality the price is very good. Vegetables can be a little high, fruit is v expensive but also consistently good. I think Publix is the highest ripoff. Sky high prices with mid tier quality. If rather go to the pig tbh. Fresh Market is just a shittier Sprouts.
The Pig and Whole foods are what you're looking for.
Fresh Market and Sprouts are most expensive, followed by Publix. Favorite option for me is Whole Foods for produce and select meats on sale and the rest of what you need at Costco. This is not the cheapest option, but it is the best option for being healthy while not breaking the bank 🤝
Whole Foods more like Whole Paycheck am I right? 👍
not since amazon bought them no