Survey: What are the best grocery stores?

[takadi]

What do you guy's think are the best grocery stores in the DC metro area? I'd have to put Wegman's on the tippy top, and then as it goes down, you get trader joe's, H mart, Grandmart, Great Wall and with great reservations, maybe safeway.

As a followup, I think the worst grocery stores in the area have to be Giant (overpriced), shoppers (really low quality fresh goods), and Bloom/Food Lion (even more overpriced)

[michael4ny]

I moved here to MD. in "87 from NY metro area. Giant (under different ownership) was a revelation and I thought it was outstanding.
Today?...I use the local Giant like a 7/11. If I need one or two things I'll stop in because it's convenient. Otherwise it's Wegmans beyond any doubt even though it's about a 12 mile trip each way.

[ktmoomau]

Yeah we do Wegman's for our big grocery runs even though we have to drive out to Fairfax, totally worth it for selection, price and quality. We use Giant and Harris Teeter for quick needs. I am always shocked how much more expensive Harris Teeter is, although they are mainly in densely populated areas around here so it is probably more costly for them to operate. They have been offering a lot more specials of late. And their meat selection is getting better.

[lawhound]

I am all for the vigorous marketplace of ideas, but isn't asking about the best grocery store a bit like asking which are the "best countries"? Any grocery store worthy of the name (vs a butcher, cheese shop, farmers' market) is going to have diverse strengths, wekeanesses, etc., as comments above indicate -- and those will also vary from location to location.

[reiflame]

Totally; that's the same point I made above. Also, with the establishment of Wegmans in the area, other stores have had to improve their offerings. When I moved here in 2003, Giant and Safeway were the most pathetic excuses for grocery stores ever. Dirty, poorly stocked, grumpy employees - just bad.

When Wegmans showed up, Safeway started to renovate their stores, and the renovated stores are pretty decent. Their prices are competitive, the stores look nice and the staff is generally a little friendlier. It's not Wegmans, but I don't feel dirty shopping at Safeway now.

Giant still sucks though.

[dpan]

It was really bad when I moved here from Southern California in 96. The sorry excuse for fresh vegetables in all the supermarkets were pathetic. At first we had to buy Chinese vegetables at Kam Sam, and it was so-so. Then we found the H-Mart in Merrifield, and then Lotte in Fairfax. Now with the proliferation of Asian markets and the presence of Wegmans, we've never had it so good.

[a1234]

No, because Wegman's combines most of the best of them all and has very high quality at relatively lower prices.
It beats just about every supermarket, bakery, deli, butcher shop, seafood market, cheese shop, wine/beer store and prepared food shop at it's own game.
And yes, Giant still sucks in almost every way - it's where brain-washed suburban housewives who don't read labels or consider food prices go to shop.

[dpan]

I've been to different Giants in different neighborhoods, and there is a difference. They've remodeled and expanded the one in my neighborhood, and I still go there to pick up a few items. It's the neighborhood grocery, and it employ neighborhood people, so I do like that. They've been a good neighbor in that they are very nice to let my boys' scout troop sell popcorn in front of their store and support other local groups and charities. I like to buy sale items there like meats, ice cream, and bacon when I make breakfast for my kids on weekends. It's far from the worst store in the world.

[a1234]

Wegman's is by far the best. Also rated #1 by Food Channel and Consumer Reports.
TJ's is also very good. Harris-Teeter and Whole Foods are alos pretty good.
As far as those Chinese stores go, I shop there ocasionally, but do you really trust some of those imported products?
I agree Giant is pretty bad. They hide behind their "public service" to schools and churches, while their management and unions have effectively lobbied politicians in some MD counties to keep Wegman's out, knowing they cannot compete. They also keep making shopping more difficult with all that self-service (i.e., fewer cashiers), "thawed for your convenience" nonsense, and special discount cards. Even Safeway has surpassed them with lower prices and more deals for comparable quality.

[reiflame]

Almost all grocery store produce is imported, regardless of store.

[skipper]

reiflame -- Actually, your comment is only partially true. During the winter, almost all of the produce comes from south of the border. But in the Spring and Summer, its almost all domestic, much of it from the local area.

[ktmoomau]

And sometimes at Wegman's they will tell you where and what farm your produce came from.

You might check out a recent thread we had about the top five supermarkets- it had a lot of responses.

[takadi]

Can you point me out to that thread?

[ktmoomau]

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6401...

[woodleyparkhound]

I have Whole Foods, TJ's, H Mart and Giant in regular rotation. I would gladly substitute Wegman's or Harris Teeter for Giant but their locations aren't convenient for me. There are certain things I get at each of these stores. I wouldn't want to give any of them up. If H Mart were more convenient, I'd go there more often. I love their cheap and unusual produce. I also love being able to get varieties of rice for my rice cooker that I can't get elsewhere. And where else could I find umeboshi?

[monkeyrotica]

Same here. If Wegmans were closer to me, I'd shop there more often. Can't wait until the Ft. Belvoir store opens, or the Walmart version of Whole Foods.

Never understood the whole Trader Joes thing, but I almost never buy frozen or prepared stuff. Since I'm closest to Safeway, I tend to shop there. I do most of my meats/fish from Bestway, and occasionally El Grande. If I'm at work and I need something, I go to Teeter.

I haven't set foot in Giant in years.

[reiflame]

I think they're all good for different reasons:

H Mart - dirt cheap veg and meat, interesting new things to try
TJ's - good for funky frozen food and cheap dairy
Wegmans - I am totally biased since I'm from WNY but I think this is the best all-around store
Whole Foods - best deli roast beef in the area, carries small farm dairy, great bulk grains

I don't think I'd give up any of them.

[skipper]

I agree with you about Wegman's and the rest, but I would add Harris Teeter to your group of Trader Joe's, etc.

[takadi]

ahhh I totally forgot about Harris Teeter. They got great products. Love their sandwiches and their store brand stuff