What's your favourite grocery store for a big order

[Sprockie]

We're staying at Windsor Palms. I wondered what everyone's favourite grocery store in the area is to stock up on 10 days worth of groceries. Walmart Supercenter, Super Target or Publix?

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

We always go to Publix. They have Boars Had cold cuts and it's a nice store.

 

[GaBelle]

Love, love, love Publix!
They are not necessarily the cheapest overall, but they do run a lot of BOGO specials.

 

[Upatnoon]

We're staying at Windsor Palms. I wondered what everyone's favourite grocery store in the area is to stock up on 10 days worth of groceries. Walmart Supercenter, Super Target or Publix?

The closest grocery store to you may be Winn-Dixie.

 

[bankr63]

Publix (or W-D or Wholefoods - we shop all 3, but like Publix best). The "Super" stores have great prices on major brand foods. But regular grocery stores have more variety so we can come up with flexible options for park lunches, and smaller convenient sizes. Remember if you don't eat that giant box of cereal, you are leaving the leftovers behind, or trucking it back home...

Edit: just noticed OP is also from Ontario. You'll love Publix too; so many interesting products we just don't get. Wally World and Tar-jay are very much like what you'll find in the grocery sections of WallyMart up here.

 

[msp2mco]

Another vote for Publix.

 

[spiceycat]

for fresh food - publix

for pre-packaged (but always check the dates) target or walmart.

 

[Sprockie]

Edit: just noticed OP is also from Ontario. You'll love Publix too; so many interesting products we just don't get. Wally World and Tar-jay are very much like what you'll find in the grocery sections of WallyMart up here.

We're from near Athens - near Charleston Lake if you know where that is.
I've used the Winn Dixie by Formosa Gardens in the past, but found it fairly expensive and nothing really to write home about. I do like Publix as well, but wondered if overall you found the prices at Walmart any better. I've never been to a whole foods, but would love to check that out too.
Thanks everyone. It's always tricky to buy just enough and not "overbuy" for the 10 days.

 

[Nagle]

Another vote for Publix here. The fried chicken is awesome (way better than the fried chicken I had at House of Blues last time). Whole Foods ain't cheap, but I love the fresh foods they offer.


PS . Brockville resident here.

 

[GaBelle]

Another vote for Publix here. The fried chicken is awesome (way better than the fried chicken I had at House of Blues last time). Whole Foods ain't cheap, but I love the fresh foods they offer.

PS . Brockville resident here.

We had Publix fried chicken for dinner tonight! It's my DH's go to when its "his" night to cook dinner.

 

[coastgirl]

Another Canuck here. We really like Publix too. Dh usually does want to start the trip with a Wal mart run; a lot of the packaged stuff is cheaper there--snacks, granola bars, some of those big jugs o' fruit drink *made* to be mixed with rum--at least we think so! (If you use your imagination you can see a frosty umbrella drink in my hand by the pool!) But for fresh, I really prefer the quality at Publix. Tried a Piggly Wiggly elsewhere and weren't impressed, so haven't been back since. You're in ON, so I don't know the stores there--in BC, we had Thrifty's (now owned by Sobey's, don't know if they've kept the same vibe)--generally somewhat more expensive, but you didn't feel you had to turn over the carton of berries or check the date on the bread, you know? And some more interesting selections in some products. Reminds me of Publix.

I do plan to print a few coupons from the publix website, just to get the full US "shopping experience". (Ever watched that "extreme couponing" show? Yeah, Sobey's just doesn't offer that kind of stuff!! ). We also love poking around US supermarkets and consider it not a chore but part of the fun.

Good question, I've enjoyed reading others' replies.

 

[bankr63]

We're from near Athens - near Charleston Lake if you know where that is.
I've used the Winn Dixie by Formosa Gardens in the past, but found it fairly expensive and nothing really to write home about. I do like Publix as well, but wondered if overall you found the prices at Walmart any better. I've never been to a whole foods, but would love to check that out too.
Thanks everyone. It's always tricky to buy just enough and not "overbuy" for the 10 days.

We camp Charleston Lake PP most summers so know the area pretty well. Compared to the prices at the Lansdowne Freshmart where we go, you'll be very happy! Publix strikes me as very competitive with our Loblaws and Metro, but most Americans would say that is expensive.

We shop W-D as well but not often, We have the W-D discount card which helps a lot with discounts. Whole Foods will probably leave you with a bit of sticker shock. Some people nickname it "Whole Paychecks". They specialise in healthy foods and have a really good selection of Gluten Free products for my DS (celiac) but the prices are premium.

I prefer Target over Wal-Mart for the big box stores; maybe it's just me, but shopping Wal-Mart is a bit of a gong show. Prices are better at both the big box stores; IMO quality is better at Target. Wal-Mart used to use "pink slime" in their ground beef, and I always thought it looked kind of unnatural - I think maybe that put me off the meat there forever

 

[bankr63]

We also love poking around US supermarkets and consider it not a chore but part of the fun.

Us too! Our second biggest collection in the house (after the Disney Pins) is our collection of grocery bags from various supermarkets around US and Canada. We were in Cleveland this weekend and picked up a couple of Trader Joes bags. We'll be in Myrte Beach this coming March and will get a couple of Piggly Wigglies as well. Must have bags now from a couple of dozen different stores. Of course the thrill isn't just in getting the bags; you find so many neat products in the US stores that you can't seem to find here anywhere.

Now I'm left with a long list in Evernote of "if you ever stop at 'x' store you need to buy 'y' and 'z' items" It's like short romances; find new products, fall in love, then never see them again...

 

[coastgirl]

Us too! Our second biggest collection in the house (after the Disney Pins) is our collection of grocery bags from various supermarkets around US and Canada. We were in Cleveland this weekend and picked up a couple of Trader Joes bags. We'll be in Myrte Beach this coming March and will get a couple of Piggly Wigglies as well. Must have bags now from a couple of dozen different stores. Of course the thrill isn't just in getting the bags; you find so many neat products in the US stores that you can't seem to find here anywhere.

Now I'm left with a long list in Evernote of "if you ever stop at 'x' store you need to buy 'y' and 'z' items" It's like short romances; find new products, fall in love, then never see them again...

You ARE a romantic! I love your description, I will have to show your post to my dh. We feel the same way--culture is where you find it. We had a great time in NC a few years ago exploring their concept of "cafeteria" restaurants. Not posh but defintely a great way to see how people really live their lives. (I thought this reading the other thread about the UK visitor who wants to go to Taco Bell--if you don't have it, it really is something different, and worth looking at.)