A question for the "Townies" regarding supermarkets. (Hi Kathy! *grin*)

[Quicklabs]

My DH, sister and BIL will be "home" at the Boardwalk in a mere 17 days! Now, one of my favorite things to do is to cook meals in the room and have wonderful relaxing dinners on our balcony. I even bring some spices and specialty items from home so that I can prepare something really nice for us.
(I'm bummed that places like Let's Dine are out of business--it was great to pick up those meals and have really good stuff made up for us! Anyway....Usually, we stop at Albertson's on the way from the airport (This time, I got a full size rental car from National for $134 for the whole week, all taxes and surcharges included) We've also shopped at the Super Wal-Mart and once at the Super Target.
I'm wondering if Publix might be a bit more convenient and closer to the Epcot Resorts. I do want a full service supermarket (and definitely not Goodings) with a nice meat department, good produce, etc.
So, what do you think? Where do you think is the best place to grocery shop for some "serious" cooking?
Thanks in advance!
Laura

 

[wishspirit]

I haven't got anything to add but avoid Goodings like the plague! Dirty, overpriced (if you could find a price at all) and the shelves only half full!

How that place hasn't gone out of business is beyond me!

 

[DisneyKevin]

There is a full Publix on Sand Lake Road Near the intersection of Sand Lake and Turkey Lake Road.

There is also a Whole Foods at that corner.

Delish Bakery is right next door to Whole Foods, so I'm using the same directions.

*************************************************
It's only a 5 minute drive from Disney property,

Take Hotel Plaza Blvd to Apopka-Vineland Road / SR 535.

Take a left and travel 1/2 a mile to Palm Parkway.

Take a right on Palm Parkway and travel 3 - 4 miles. Palm Parkway will turn into Turkey Lake Road.

At the intersection of Turkey Lake and Sand Lake Roads, there is a Whole Foods on the right side.

Delish is next to Whole Foods and Barnies Coffee (best coffee in Orlando BTW)

Pei Wei is right next door if you are looking for an inexpensive lunch.

For Publix, take a left at Sand Lake Road and it's 1/2 mile down the road on the left side

 

[Quicklabs]

Thanks so much, Kevin. And as for that Delish Bakery, well, we'll just have to stop there as well! Love it.
Great directions. I'm copying them.
Forgot to ask--Does Publix sell wine? Gotta have a glass (or two) as we watch the Boardwalk go the sleep.

 

[doconeill]

There is a Publix closer than Sand Lake Road, on Vineland Ave between I-Drive and the outlets. I don't know if is is smaller, but it was certainly big enough for us. If you go out the Hotel Plaza Blvd exit to 535 and make a left, go under I-4 and take the next left, that will take you back up to the outlets. Just follow around to the Publix.

There is also the one on 192 across from a SuperTarget, but I've found the traffic to be pretty slow (although I've only been down that way a couple times). It's really close to AKL, but there is unfortunately no shortcut.

 

[Quicklabs]

Great! Copying those directions, too. Thank you! Sounds like that would be super convenient for restocks.

 

[doconeill]

Quick correction, it's Vineland Ave, not Vineland Rd.

 

[newdrama12]

Forgot to ask--Does Publix sell wine? Gotta have a glass (or two) as we watch the Boardwalk go the sleep.

Yes, they do!

 

[chmbnaut66]

Publix is great!!!

While I have only shopped at those particular stores upon occassion when I am in Orlando, I am a foodie and LOVE our Publix here.
Their produce is fantastic, they are clean, and offer the best selection of gourmet items in some of the stores. I think you will be quite satisfied with them.

(PS.....I have noticed that some of the Food Network shows are using their store brand when filming.)

 

[jimmaher69]

If you don't want to leave WDW yourself, we used "wegoshop" during our Christmas trip. They let you pick the store you want the groceries from.

Great price and service.

Jim

 

[DisneyKevin]

There is a Publix closer than Sand Lake Road, on Vineland Ave between I-Drive and the outlets. I don't know if is is smaller, but it was certainly big enough for us. If you go out the Hotel Plaza Blvd exit to 535 and make a left, go under I-4 and take the next left, that will take you back up to the outlets. Just follow around to the Publix.

There is also the one on 192 across from a SuperTarget, but I've found the traffic to be pretty slow (although I've only been down that way a couple times). It's really close to AKL, but there is unfortunately no shortcut.

There is also a Publix near Celebration on 192.

While the one near the Outlets may be closer, the traffic around those outlets can be horrendous.

The one on Sand Lake Road is the best of the ones listed (in my opinion) and the proximity to Delish, Whole Foods, Pei Wei, Barnies Coffee and Seito (the Japanese restaurant with the killer happy hour every evening from 5 - 7pm) make it the far better choice (again...my opinion).

While the other Publix are great, the others are all in the tourist area. I find that a large portion of the stores are dedicated to FL knickkancks, cheap tshirts and stuff like that. There are a bazillion stores selling that stuff.....I want my market to be a market.

The Publix on Sand Lake Road is also smack dab in the middle of what is know as "Restaurant Row". There are a bunch of good restaurants within a small area.

 

[doconeill]

There is also a Publix near Celebration on 192.

While the one near the Outlets may be closer, the traffic around those outlets can be horrendous.

The one on Sand Lake Road is the best of the ones listed (in my opinion) and the proximity to Delish, Whole Foods, Pei Wei, Barnies Coffee and Seito (the Japanese restaurant with the killer happy hour every evening from 5 - 7pm) make it the far better choice (again...my opinion).

While the other Publix are great, the others are all in the tourist area. I find that a large portion of the stores are dedicated to FL knickkancks, cheap tshirts and stuff like that. There are a bazillion stores selling that stuff.....I want my market to be a market.

The Publix on Sand Lake Road is also smack dab in the middle of what is know as "Restaurant Row". There are a bunch of good restaurants within a small area.

Fair enough - we just haven't gone that far up. If we knew we'd have a room ready for us when we arrived, I'd certainly stop there on the way

Last trip was the first time we went to the one by the outlets, and it was around 9pm and not bad - but we also were stopping at the crocs outlet so it was doubly convenient

 

[WaltD4Me]

I don't know, but I sure wish we had Publix here. They are sooooooooooo much nicer than our big grocery chain.

I don't know street names, but our town car service usually takes us to a Publix that is across the street from Sea World, I'm pretty sure there is a CVS in the plaza too, but this last time they took us to a brand new VERY nice Publix. I don't know what street it was on, but it was next to either a new housing or resort development. It had the best deli and bakery I've ever seen.

 

[*QueenB*]

I'm actually employed by Publix in GA and while we are in Florida it is the only grocery store we go to. So I'd definately recommend it. I know the quality that they expect and you can preview their ads online too.

 

[Kaa]

We shop at the Publix on Sand Lake Road (Thanks Kevin!) and I have to say this is a great location. I have also shopped at the Publix near Celebration and further out on 192, but I don't enjoy those locations as much. The wine selection at the Sand Lake location is excellent!

 

[SamSam]

I've shopped at the Publix's on Vineland by the outlet mall, and the one on 192, of the two I prefer the one on Vineland. However, after reading Kevin's Sand Lake Road suggestion, we'll be trying that next trip.

I'm really impressed with Publix and wish we had them here.

 

[safetymom]

You sure can't go wrong with Publix. The one thing I wish they had was a salad bar.

 

[Ringmaster]

If you want to shop before checking in there is a Newer Publix off of 528 (take the Airpot north exit to 528 west) at Universal Drive. This is directly across from Shingle Creek Resort. Easy off and on the 528. If you take the south exit from the airport there is another Publix just south of the 417 at John Young Parkway. Either of these are are quick stop and both carry adult beverages.

 

[EDuke98080]

There is a full Publix on Sand Lake Road Near the intersection of Sand Lake and Turkey Lake Road.

There is also a Whole Foods at that corner.

Delish Bakery is right next door to Whole Foods, so I'm using the same directions.

*************************************************
It's only a 5 minute drive from Disney property,

Take Hotel Plaza Blvd to Apopka-Vineland Road / SR 535.

Take a left and travel 1/2 a mile to Palm Parkway.

Take a right on Palm Parkway and travel 3 - 4 miles. Palm Parkway will turn into Turkey Lake Road.

At the intersection of Turkey Lake and Sand Lake Roads, there is a Whole Foods on the right side.

Delish is next to Whole Foods and Barnies Coffee (best coffee in Orlando BTW)

Pei Wei is right next door if you are looking for an inexpensive lunch.

For Publix, take a left at Sand Lake Road and it's 1/2 mile down the road on the left side

This is our favorite pace to go for groceries! A note to anyone looking for gluten free, Publix has a wonderful selection of gluten free products. We were surprised and didn't have to make a stop at Whole Foods because Publix had everything we needed. The store is clean, well stocked and had freidnly employees.