Made my first visit to a Publix last week. We bought loads of Publix-brand stuff, specifically the fried chicken, sushi, bagels, English muffins, Italian cookies, "Kids' meal" deli trays, NY style potato salad, hummus, hoagie rolls, kaiser rolls, and layered cake and pudding cups. Phew.
Everything was better than average for a grocery store, with the exception of the potato salad, hummus, bagels, cookies, and cake cups. None of these were exceptionally bad, just not something I'd buy again. It's a good place to buy a pre-prepared lunch or dinner. The sushi was my favorite thing, followed by the chicken (did I taste celery salt in that breading?)
Other than the Publix brand food, I found their overall selection to be better than average, except the produce department, which is not as good as our local Harris Teeter or even Lowe's foods. Have yet to try the meat or seafood. Employees were courteous and helpful. They even brought my groceries out to the car, which I haven't seen since I was a kid.
Overall, I will return. Just wish it was closer than 30 minutes to my house!