What to buy at Wegman's

[havaneselover]

The first of two new Wegman's in my area opened yesterday. I'm very careful with my grocery budget and do my shopping at Costco, Kroger, Trader Joe's, Target, and Walmart Supercenter. Just curious as to what people find to be a good value at Wegman's.

 

[limpy]

The "Family packs" are a good deal because of the lower unit price - we get the following family packs: pasta, pasta sauce, cereal, fresh chicken breasts, sliced cheese, frozen broccoli, apples, peppers, individual Greek yogurts, and 100% whole wheat bread. (The W soda is also well priced, if you are into that). We break up packs and freeze where necessary.

We also shop at Aldi and find that the items listed above are cheaper, by unit, then Aldi.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I'm impressed you're brave enough to venture over there after the news reports about all the traffic and people camping out!

 

[havaneselover]

I'm impressed you're brave enough to venture over there after the news reports about all the traffic and people camping out!

I need barley malt syrup to make bagels and whole foods doesn't sell it anymore. I'll probably go at an odd hour. Can't wait for the one by me to open in August.

 

[davper]

Agree with PP on the family packs. I went to wegmans for the first time this past friday. I assumed when I walked in the door that it was all going to be high priced. Lots of space, organic foods, prepared meals, highend meats, and upscale decor.

But I was impressed by their prices and selection. Yes, they have high prices on some things, but they have lower prices than our our favorite discount grocery store on some items.

I think you will find yourself making two shopping trips.

PS. DON'T GO HUNGRY to Wegmans. You have been warned.

 

[DisneyMandC]

I'm planning to check it out once it quiets down some. I've gone twice now to the new Aldi near there and have not been impressed. All prices have been higher than what I pay with coupons/sales at Kroger, or mere pennies cheaper.

 

[havaneselover]

I'm planning to check it out once it quiets down some. I've gone twice now to the new Aldi near there and have not been impressed. All prices have been higher than what I pay with coupons/sales at Kroger, or mere pennies cheaper.

I can't do Aldi. It depresses me. And I agree, Kroger is cheaper if you are a smart shopper.

 

[aprilchem]

You must be from Richmond. We've been going to the Wegman's in Fredericksburg for years now (and will probably continue to do so even though the West End one will be closer; I hate going over there). I buy lots of things in the "family pack" size - their boneless, skinless chicken breast is $1.79 a lb all the time and is really good. Other things we'll buy are the chopped up butternut squash, pork chops, cereal in family packs, brussels sprouts, and whatever fruit is on sale each week. They also have a HUGE selection of international foods, so I'll often buy rice paper wrappers, rice noodles, and other Asian foods there. My DH loves their muffins in the bakery (which are HUGE and delicious) and their pizzas are really good as well.

 

[disney world dreamer]

we live about 25 minutes away from wegmans so we don't do our regular shopping there but i'd recommend buying chicken from there. i think its $1.79 a pound every day.
i also highly recommend their carry out section (especially subs. they are huge!) and their pub.

 

[havaneselover]

You must be from Richmond. We've been going to the Wegman's in Fredericksburg for years now (and will probably continue to do so even though the West End one will be closer; I hate going over there). I buy lots of things in the "family pack" size - their boneless, skinless chicken breast is $1.79 a lb all the time and is really good. Other things we'll buy are the chopped up butternut squash, pork chops, cereal in family packs, brussels sprouts, and whatever fruit is on sale each week. They also have a HUGE selection of international foods, so I'll often buy rice paper wrappers, rice noodles, and other Asian foods there. My DH loves their muffins in the bakery (which are HUGE and delicious) and their pizzas are really good as well.

Yes, I'm about 7 minutes from the Short Pump store.

The chicken breast is definitely going on the list. And the muffins and pizza sound great.

 

[havaneselover]

we live about 25 minutes away from wegmans so we don't do our regular shopping there but i'd recommend buying chicken from there. i think its $1.79 a pound every day.
i also highly recommend their carry out section (especially subs. they are huge!) and their pub.

I've had their lo mein once and liked it. Hoping it's a slightly cheaper option for getting my DS his Chinese fix.

 

[Rhie]

I LOVE Wegmans! I have limited money due to being a student, and I can get good deals there all the time. They have every day low prices so I don't have to worry about circulars. They do accept manufacturer's coupons and they have their own. I find the family packs good value. I also get their salads and prepared meals. Good value, good to take to school, cheaper and better for me than take out or the school cafes. Also, they are the absolute best for prescriptions in terms of price and customer service. It is very easy to spend a lot of money there but it is also easy to save a lot with a little planning.

 

[limpy]

I can't do Aldi. It depresses me. And I agree, Kroger is cheaper if you are a smart shopper.

You gotta push through the depression if you want to be a true bargain hunter

Like Wegmans, Aldi has certain things that are cheaper, and some that are not. Most of its baking and cooking staples are a very good price, produce is a complete crap shoot, several varieties of frozen fish and novelty ice cream can be a great price, and it offers good cheeses and dips that are vastly cheaper than Wegmans.

 

[havaneselover]

You gotta push through the depression if you want to be a true bargain hunter

Like Wegmans, Aldi has certain things that are cheaper, and some that are not. Most of its baking and cooking staples are a very good price, produce is a complete crap shoot, several varieties of frozen fish and novelty ice cream can be a great price, and it offers good cheeses and dips that are vastly cheaper than Wegmans.

I just can't. I think with coupons and sales I do better at Kroger without feeling like I'm in a third world country.

 

[Anthony1971]

First I have never had any regrets about anything from Wegmans.
Even things like the Pizza they make it is very good.. I have had problems on 2 occasions in 11 years both of which were how the employee prepared something and was issued a refund with 0 hassle and kept the product.
Groceries are always comparable in price to the area and a lot of cheaper than even Shoprites can can sale items.
There are meats like steak that are more than other stores sales prices but cheaper than not sale prices but I have always found the quality to be far better and consistent.
They also carry specialty items like dry aged beef which is very expensive.
I will only buy steak, beef and pork at Wegmans as I said for the most part they are comparable in price but the quality is far better.. for steak especially I will never buy the supermarket sales rather pay a little more and enjoy what I eat.
Their bakery is also very good.

 

[limpy]

I just can't. I think with coupons and sales I do better at Kroger without feeling like I'm in a third world country.

I've noticed that some Aldi's are much better than others. The one downtown here, for instance, is not great. The ones in the wealthier suburbs are very shiny and nice, with a better variety of products, half of which are organic.

 

[havaneselover]

I've noticed that some Aldi's are much better than others. The one downtown here, for instance, is not great. The ones in the wealthier suburbs are very shiny and nice, with a better variety of products, half of which are organic.

I'm in an upper middle class area and the store is brand new. I also live in an area with a ridiculous number of options, so competition is high and prices are low. So if you read the sales circulars and understand the sales cycles, Aldi isn't necessary.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

I really like Wegmans especially for produce. In the produce look for the family packs. Often the family packs will be the same item discounted at $1 off per pound and the package may not be much bigger than the non family pack. For items sold at COSTCO compare prices. I found some items to be way cheaper at COSTCO. I shop both COSTCO and Wegmans.

 

[PlutoPony]

I need barley malt syrup to make bagels and whole foods doesn't sell it anymore.

Just bought barley malt syrup there last week for bagels, only place around me that I can find it.

Wegmans is the only place I buy pork chops and steak - family packs. They are individually packed/sealed so I just cut apart the pieces and stick them in the freezer. Thaw them for 30 minutes in cold water and throw them on the grill...they are moist with great flavor. Don't buy chicken because the pieces in the family pack are sized so funny - there will be a few small breasts and several HUGE ones, portion size of those drives me crazy.

Also frozen fish - grouper, mahi, tuna, swordfish, etc. A pack typically has 2 individually wrapped pieces, packages prices from $9.99 to $15.99 depending on the fish. That's 1/2 to 1/3 the price of their fresh fish which is WAY high (but great quality, I just can't pay that much). Got a family pack of frozen mahi that was great, very firm when thawed.

Use their olive and canola oil for day to day cooking. Flour and stuff like that is good. A friend swears by their spaghetti sauce and frozen pizza. For some reason, their cream always has very short expiration times very strange.....

 

[Moomduck1]

I love their produce section. I find better deals there than in other supermarkets and it's fresh and tasty. They sell fruit from local orchards at times as well, which I also like. Agree with PPs on the meat deals. Their international section is very good. We are not GF, but I did notice that they carry a bunch of GF things.