634334 Mon Jul 06 11:11:41 -0700 2009 44 12 Boston Area 0 4833530 Hi. I've been told to be careful because Market Basket carries items closer to their expirations, and thus the lower prices. I haven't noticed; I don't check sell by dates as a rule, and make the same on-the-spot checks with produce I'd do anywhere. So do I need to be careful, and if so, of what? Thanks Makiman Mon Jul 06 11:11:41 -0700 2009 125583 makiman 1 4833553 Whenever I head up to NH, I shop at the Market Basket in Loudon, and I've never had a problem. This weekend, I got lobsters (soft shell) for $4.99 a pound along with some choice tenderloin steaks that were the best I've ever bought. I also would like to know where they get their fresh corn, because even early season it's good. As for canned goods, I find tuna and other items are considerably cheaper and I've never experienced a problems with expiration dates. Mon Jul 06 11:20:26 -0700 2009 4833530 26213 Pegmeister 2 4835788 I'd have to agree that their canned goods and boxed items are a lot cheaper than anywhere else. I've bought some great steaks and lobsters at Market Basket and I also like their bakery (but I know not all locations have one). Tue Jul 07 05:45:14 -0700 2009 4833553 429926 CreativeFoodie42 1 4833711 I have noticed that people who spend too much on groceries like to say/think that sort of thing to justify shopping at fanier/pricier stores. Makes them feel better. I have one friend who wont buy anything thats on sale at any store. He claims that it means its about to expire and go bad..... When i ask how they can possibly know that the 30-40 meat/fish/produce items in the newspapers are going bad in all branches a week in advance.. He has not good answer... That said, we split our shopping between Roche brothers (closest but most expensive), Shaws, Market Basket. Mon Jul 06 11:56:30 -0700 2009 4833530 10597 hargau 1 4833867 I have spent the past several months kicking myself for not having been shopping at Market Basket sooner. Before that my only experience was with the one in Burlington - not one of the better locations, but not too far from my usual rounds. Praise of MB by fellow hounds encouraged me to go farther afield. Since then I have been a regular shopper at Woburn and Reading, and have even dragged another friend there. She's a convert too, now. The thing about MB is that not all locations are created equal; you have to find one that works for you. If people have any complaint about MB it is usually about how many other people shop there too. Given that, it is hard to believe that MB sells food that is almost expired. On the contrary, not only does the meat and poultry that I buy there keep very well in my fridge, but the expiry dates all seem fine and when I visited the Chelsea MB for the first time the other day, the Cinco de Mayo tortillas and gorditas were so fresh, they were still hot (not just warm). Of course it helps that the factory where they are made is also in Chelsea, but I am just saying. Market Basket does not have the latest in decor, a fancy website, or target itself at the upscale consumer. But it does have great prices on good quality stuff, including many items found in upscale markets. I don't worry at all about shopping there. Mon Jul 06 12:34:58 -0700 2009 4833530 177209 PinchOfSalt 1 4833931 I do about 90% of my shopping at MB and the other 10% at Whole Foods. I've found MB's prices very competitive versus S&S and other local chains. I frequent a number of different MB locations and each has a different feel. For example, the MB in Salem, NH has really interesting cuts of meat to appeal to the heavily Latino clientele. Ditto for produce. The MB in North Andover is a big one. It has really good meats and fish and a very large produce section. The MB in Andover is much smaller and tends to have more select meats than choice. (Go figure.) It has a very small fish counter but a pretty good section of organic produce. Perhaps that is to compete with Whole Foods just up the road. All in all, MB isn't Wegmans or Roche Bros or Whole Foods, but it holds up pretty well as a well stocked grocery with very reasonable prices. Mon Jul 06 12:49:47 -0700 2009 4833530 231104 Essex County 2 4835911 Completely agree that different MB's have a different feel - and carry different products. The MB in Rowley has Cabot Greek yogurt, the one in Haverhill had it for a couple weeks, then never again. The downtown Haverhill MB has good, varied produce. The MB about a mile away at Bldg. 10 apears to have never heard of vegetables. Crosby's is closest, but except for the excellent Valley View Farm cheese from Topsfield, is not all that different from MB! The place I've consistently found out of date stuff, and even oranges that puffed blue mold once - is the Newburyport Shaws! Go figure... Tue Jul 07 06:41:16 -0700 2009 4833931 23680 pastrytroll 1 4833972 I have not noticed any expiration date problems myself. I shop at the one located on DW highway in Nashua. Here're some things I've noticed about MB: 1. They don't have fancy deco 2. I have not heard of an MB commercial on the radio 3. They don't give out membership key tags 4. They don't do double/triple coupons 5. They don't have any 3rd party perks - when I was pumping gas the other day, I saw a sign next to the pump that says "shop at Shaw's and save on gas" of some sort. Conclusion: MB has a smaller overhead. Mon Jul 06 13:00:52 -0700 2009 4833530 117079 cutipie721 1 4834275 It's a myth. All supermarkets have problems with "expired" items (though you should realize that many expiration dates are ersatz), and MB is not more egregious than any other chain in this regard; if anything, because stuff moves a lot faster at MB, it's probably less of an issue with MB. Mon Jul 06 14:23:36 -0700 2009 4833530 13819 Karl S 2 4834322 I have been meaning to ask this question, how is the seafood at MB? I have bought the lobsters ans steamers and have been happy. What about the other fresh seafood there? I shop at Woburn mostly. Mon Jul 06 14:36:43 -0700 2009 4834275 81784 jacv 3 4834408 I haven't purchased fish in the Woburn store, but I've had beautiful fish from the Reading store at very fair prices. Mon Jul 06 15:04:05 -0700 2009 4834322 13819 Karl S 3 4834416 Actually, I would not count Boar's Head (which usually requires a significant tie-in from a chain in order to be offered there) as excellent (BH's reputation having a long half-life from its former level of quality), so I view the lack of BH as a plus, because it means MB isn't stuck carrying so much of one brand. Mon Jul 06 15:06:36 -0700 2009 4834322 13819 Karl S 4 4836041 Karl - so glad you mentioned this! I am SO annoyed at how Boar's Head has taken over entire deli counters (like at Stop & Shop). I'm also glad that MB has the sense not to tie themselves in w/this monopoly. I don't buy cold cuts very often - when I do, I hope to get great quality. If BH was decent quality, they wouldn't be so afraid of competition, IMHNSO. Tue Jul 07 07:28:41 -0700 2009 4834416 23383 threedogs 3 4839468 I've bought lobsters, scrod, and haddock at Woburn location and everything has been fresh and much cheaper than other supermarkets. I've also picked up some fresh Maine shrimp, mussels and scallops at another MB location (Burlington maybe?). The scallops were partially frozen, but tasted great. This location also did not have a fish counter. They were constantly bringing out new fish wrapped in celophane. I'm sure you could ask for a specific weight or cut if you could find someone. Wed Jul 08 08:57:04 -0700 2009 4834322 12116 Ali G 3 4841163 The seafood section in Woburn is the reason that brought me back to that store in the first place. The turn over is high and the fish prices are great. And the fish looks clean and fresh. I have been very pleased about the changes in MB of late. I used to shop at MB many, many years ago and stopped because the quality of the fresh produce was lacking. Everything was sold in plastic bags and it just turned me away. Call me crazy, but I want to inspect all sides of produce before buying. So happy when I came back to find that (Woburn), the fresh produce is not only out of the plastic, but there is a huge assortment of everything! I hadn't noticed this before a friend brought it up. She swears that MB pushes their own products so much, it's hard to find other brand readily available. I shop at Costco, MB, S&S and Caleresso's farm stand. And I have just added Stoneham Farmer's Market to my list. Wed Jul 08 16:17:27 -0700 2009 4834322 15691 mcel215 2 4840827 I was just shopping at the Whole Foods at Charles River Plaza this afternoon. I had to point out to the clerk 4 quarts of skim milk which were 3 days past the sell-by date. It can happen in any store. Wed Jul 08 14:31:03 -0700 2009 4834275 11243 mwk 1 4834370 To report to the heading: Strenghths-Good meat /fish prices and quality. Selection, particularly ethnic. Dairy prices, produce prices, Selection, Meat/seafood, Bakery(the walnut raisin bread is great. Weaknesses: Long check out lines. Less prepared food than other markets. Produce often smaller than other stores and sometimes pre-wrapped(and cheaper still). Free coffee is lousy. Mon Jul 06 14:51:55 -0700 2009 4833530 27342 trufflehound 2 4834378 Oh yeah, another positive. With the 10 or less check outs they have 20 or less check outs. Still long. Nother negative. Their deli counter dosen't have excellent brands, usually good ones. But, MUCH less than other stores. And, long lines. Mon Jul 06 14:54:17 -0700 2009 4834370 27342 trufflehound 3 4836048 I agree that MB doesn't have terrific quality cold cuts in the deli counter - they are marketing towards lower prices, I think. I'm on the North Shore, so if I want deli items, I try to travel to one of Joe Pace's stores (either the Lynnfield or N.E. location). Tue Jul 07 07:30:49 -0700 2009 4834378 23383 threedogs 4 4840614 I believe Pace's stocks Dietz and Watson cold cuts, which can be found at other supermarkets too. Wed Jul 08 13:34:29 -0700 2009 4836048 10027 Chris VR 4 4842248 Got some prociutto de parma at MB last week for $10 a pound LESS than WF, right across the street, was selling it for. Thu Jul 09 04:17:07 -0700 2009 4836048 22725 AHan 1 4834421 Strengths, maybe they're open all the time. Their produce is average, prices aren't outrageous. Weakness, no website. Mon Jul 06 15:07:20 -0700 2009 4833530 147961 treb 2 4834902 I called MB HQ today to try to get their weekly sale flyer mailed to me. They informed me they are going to have a site up soon with their weekly sale flyers. Mon Jul 06 18:10:17 -0700 2009 4834421 14385 mjg0725 1 4834694 I usually shop at the Burlington MB. I like it because its smaller. It does get crowded but I need to remember not to shop at the busy times. The aisles can be crowded because they stock during hours, but its not a problem for me. Their prices are better than Roche's, S&S or Shaws. But since they don't double coupons, if I'm doing a lot of household or toiletries I'll go elsewhere to save with coupons. Some posters find their produce so-so. I find the produce much more plentiful and fresher than the other markets (except maybe WF). I have bought meat from S&S and Shaws that was off and I had to return it. The chicken at Roche's is very tough to me. Never a problem at MB. Mon Jul 06 16:43:57 -0700 2009 4833530 13429 chowmel 2 4835423 I live in Arlington, and used to shop at the Burlington location, but got really tired of the crowded aisles, and limited registers. I can go another 3 miles down Route 3A (Cambridge Street) and find a MB with a full-service fish counter (I won't buy packaged fish), a full bakery, and more fully stocked shelves. I've timed it, and I actually get out of the Billerica MB faster than the Burlington one. Mon Jul 06 22:02:43 -0700 2009 4834694 68464 sablemerle 1 4835121 The meat isn't prime, not that there's anything wrong with that, but i prefer to stay high end for meat. I haven't tried their seafood, other than frozen shrimp, which are fine. No cheese department to speak of. Their produce is tops (Somerville store). I live between MB and Savenor's, and i pretty much have the bases covered. :) Mon Jul 06 19:33:04 -0700 2009 4833530 19370 jajjguy 2 4873691 What supermarkets do you find that carry prime beef on a regular basis? Most carry select or choice - prime is usually reserved for restaurants and a few higher-end stores (Savenors?). Although I have read that a few Costcos now carries some prime cut beef. I went once to the Burlington MB about 15-16 years ago and hated it. Beyond insane there; couldn't get through the aisles. Went to the Woburn one before it was renovated; wasn't crazy about it either and at the time, chose to shop at Stop & Shop in Stoneham or Roche Bros in Burlington. I now refuse to buy ANY meat at Stop & Shop, after having had a fresh turkey for Thanksgiving spoil before the big day. And customer service at the Stoneham S&S was abysmal when I returned the turkey the day after T'giving. After giving them my business for many years (starting in NJ and then here in MA), I've drastically dropped off shopping at S&S. But with the Reading MB open, I shop there much more frequently. The meats are good (great prices on 7-bone chuck roasts this past weekend); cold cuts are good (but counter is always crowded, no matter what time I've been there); dairy area is well stocked. Prices are usually very competitive when it comes to packaged items, like boxed pastas. Cheese dept. leaves something to be desired; usually use Whole Foods or Roche Bros. for that. So my usually shopping choices are Whole Foods in Woburn, Roche Bros. and Trader Joe's in Burlington, and MB in Reading - all depending on what I need at any given time. Mon Jul 20 08:05:36 -0700 2009 4835121 10532 LindaWhit 1 4835667 I used to shop at MB exclusively back when I lived in the North Andover/Haverhill area. Now that I'm south of Boston, I'm lamenting the fact that they haven't established a foothold here. Oh, I could drive to the Somerville Ave. location (that'd be the closest one), but do I really want to fight all that traffic? There's an MB on the Raynham/Taunton line...that's the only store I can think of that's south. Tue Jul 07 04:16:17 -0700 2009 4833530 53350 xo_kizzy_xo 1 4835711 I used to shop @ Shaw's & Stop & Shop. A new M.B. opened in our area (Danvers) and I thought I'd give it a try and am very happy I did. The prices are considerably less that both those markets. I like the seafood, too. Good prices and quality products. The only negative is that they're always stacking the shelves as we shop. Sometimes it's difficult to maneuver the aisles due to this inconvenience. I've heard this complaint from other shoppers, too. Contessa Tue Jul 07 04:58:24 -0700 2009 4833530 191740 contessa1 2 4835761 And that problem is part of the reason you can save more money there. So try to be grateful for it. Tue Jul 07 05:36:45 -0700 2009 4835711 13819 Karl S 3 4835863 I shop at the MB in Salem, MA and have had a problem with meat going bad. I would suggest not buying anything you are not going to eat or freeze immediately. I used to buy all of my meat there, (it is so cheap!) but lately have been going to Stop & Shop for meat and produce. (I have found that produce is the least expensive at Stop & Shop). Also, cleaning and othe non-food supplies are very expensive at MB compared to CVS or Target. Tue Jul 07 06:20:33 -0700 2009 4835761 291228 lovesfood08 4 4835915 I have never had any problems with MB meat or meat products (whereas I've had crappy meat from Johnnies, S&S and Shaw's - Shaw's is the worst offender by far). The produce I buy is much cheaper at MB than S&S or Shaw's. Tue Jul 07 06:44:37 -0700 2009 4835863 13819 Karl S 5 4835935 The main reason you save money at MB is there is NO union. Tue Jul 07 06:49:43 -0700 2009 4835915 11222 Infomaniac 6 4835965 There's no union at Whole Paycheck either, as far as I know. What are labor relations and conditions like at MB? Tue Jul 07 06:59:58 -0700 2009 4835935 186923 Cachetes 6 4836071 I don't like the fact they don't have a union - but I don't agree that's the only reason their prices are cheaper. They don't have the heavy advertising fees that the major chains have - like my old time pharmacist in Lynn told me (his prices are cheaper than ANY other place I've been to): guess who's paying for those ads you see all the time? Know one person who works at the Salem MB, and hasn't mentioned any problems - he's worked there for a few years (at least 4 or 5) and has recommended others to try to get work there, so I think he's very happy. I also go to Price Rite (Lynn location for me) and save an huge amt of money there. They don't have a union (I'm sure), and don't advertise either. Tue Jul 07 07:37:20 -0700 2009 4835935 23383 threedogs 7 4836113 And there's the fact that I am far from alone in observing that MB personnel are notably more cheery and helpful than those at, say, S&S and Shaw's. I've heard FAR more complaining about managers and work environment at those latter chains from the workers than at MB. I favor unions, and I know the DeMoulas family is not cute and cuddly, but I go with what I see firsthand. Tue Jul 07 07:52:40 -0700 2009 4836071 13819 Karl S 8 4873736 Hence the "I don't care" attitude I got from Stop & Shop upon returning that spoiled turkey I mentioned upthread. Interesting. Agree with you Karl - the service is much nicer, much more helpful at non-unionized shops. Mon Jul 20 08:16:52 -0700 2009 4836113 10532 LindaWhit 6 4837248 Yes Stop and Shop is unionized and some Shaws are too, but the nonunionized chains are very expensive: Whole Foods, Roche Brothers and have any of you noticed that the unorganized Shaws (Star Markets etc) have lower prices? Tue Jul 07 13:49:50 -0700 2009 4835935 19648 grunko 1 4836814 I shop at the Billerica Treble Cove Plaza MB because it is convenient to do so. However, their produce can be dismal. Wilted, rotting greens. Rotting broccoli. Mushy cukes. Bleah. The lamb is very good and quite well-priced. They also carry a brand of chicken that is drug-free and veg-fed which is far cheaper than WF. Turkey products are Plainville and cheaper than WF, too. Another plus is the day-old baked goods on Monday and Friday can be a great deal, especially for the kids' school lunches. Like has been mentioned, it depends on which MB you shop at. Nashua is cleaner and has better deli options but their prices can be higher than B'rica. The produce department looks like art, it's so beautifully arranged. Tue Jul 07 11:37:08 -0700 2009 4833530 15131 three of us 2 4836960 I will attest that MB locations vary much more than is typical for chains - I will say the Reading location is excellent and the new Chelsea location appears headed towards that level of excellence. I am not a fan of the Burlington MB, and the Woburn MB is in between. I've only been at the Danvers MB a couple of times so I don't have a read on how it fits into the scale here. Then again, it is a smaller regional chain, not big, so it's not made the investment in uniformity that the larger chains make. Tue Jul 07 12:30:47 -0700 2009 4836814 13819 Karl S 2 4837083 An example of cheaper prices at MB is Fage 2% Greek youghurt, the large size. It's $3.99 at MB, $4.79 at WF, and $6.29 at Deb's Natural Gourmet in W. Concord. However, MB/B'rica won't always have it so you need to stock up when it's on the shelf. Tue Jul 07 13:06:37 -0700 2009 4836814 15131 three of us 2 4837379 I don't like Treble Cove, either. Wilmington and Tewksbury are closer to me, but if there's a sold-out item it can usually be found in the Billerica Mall MB, which is roomy but for some reason seems to get less traffic. I avoid the instore bakery. Perhaps they have some items that are good, but I've never found any. By and large, breads and cakes are airy and dry, with frostings that go overboard on sugar and are hard and dry. Cardboard fruit pie crusts; goopy, overly thickened fillings. Tue Jul 07 14:40:02 -0700 2009 4836814 159317 greygarious 3 4838324 Good buys at MB's day old bakery shelf: Gourmet choc.chip cookies, m&m cookies, pound cake, Boston brand coffee cakes. Re. anything else: what you said. Tue Jul 07 20:33:38 -0700 2009 4837379 15131 three of us 4 4841866 We always shop the Somerville one. But we make it a point to get up early to get there at 7 a.m. when they open, to avoid the crowds. We've never noticed a problem with products or expiration dates. Wed Jul 08 20:31:24 -0700 2009 4838324 20942 LynDel 1 4869207 I checked a bunch of supermarket health inspection reports a couple of years ago (for work), and the Somerville Market Basket passed with flying colors. If you want to bother, you can get these reports for any market or restaurant—it's public information. Fri Jul 17 21:59:40 -0700 2009 4833530 51986 djd