Favorite grocery store?

[John1744]

I worked in a grocery store for 7 years and love the design and architecture of them.

So I was curious what's your favorite store and what store do you think is the cleanest and has the best design in OK?

[tuck]

I don't care for any of them in Oklahoma City. Big fan of Central Market; which I think is far superior/user friendly than Whole Foods.

[LIL_WAYNE_4_PREZIDENT08]

walmart

[ddavidson8]

I'm nostalgic for the Food World/Safeway designs of the 70s. Everytime I watch "Oh God" I think of them.

[JerzeeGrlinOKC]

Sigh. Well, I guess my favorite are some of the Homelands (both down in Norman, one on May. Not to say they are excellent, but the best given the choices. Freshest produce and best selection. Have to admit I'm a cheap-ass and usually end up going to Crest because I save a bunch. Will not touch a Wal-fart with a ten foot pole (plus its much more pricey than Crest).

On a side note (because they are not grocery stores), Forward Foods, Nature's Market, Market C, Avalon, Med Deli, and La Baguette Butcher are great places to buy food.

We need a Central Market/Whole Foods/something similar. I dream about it at night.

[ddavidson8]

We need a Central Market/Whole Foods/something similar. I dream about it at night.

You're trying to save money?

[JerzeeGrlinOKC]

You're trying to save money?

Yep, I am. I think its entirely possible to save money while buying quality food, especially if you time it right and don't do all of your shopping there.

Also, if you set portions correctly, you can buy great quality food and save money. This idea that Whole Foods is just expensive and nothing else to me is a myth. I guess yeah, if all you buy is frozen pizza, white bread, and baked beans, its probably not for you.

So far though, all the grocery stores are about the same to me, so I'll shop at Crest for stock goods (and Homeland if I need to make a dish with something fresh). But as soon as a Whole Foods comes in I will probably shop there once or twice a month (and supplement on stock items at cheaper places).

Where there are Whole Foods or similar stores, I can bet you most working people don't do all of their shopping there, but its great to have around for special occasions. Its a real treat. Plus their prepared foods are excellent. Its a nice place for lunch, too.

I'll keep dreaming. Sigh.

[southernskye]

Crescent Market in Austin is my fave store I've ever been in. But I was also very happy to shop in HEB for their "one stop shopping" while on vacation.

Did you mean Central Market in Austin, there isn't a Crescent Market there.

We need a Central Market/Whole Foods/something similar. I dream about it at night.

I would love to have a Central Market/Trader Joe's or a Whole Foods here.

Locally, I don't have a favorite store. We shop at buy for less and Homeland.

HEB is my all time favorite. I could always find what I was looking for there.
When I lived in Houston, I shopped at Fiesta or Kroger and in Seattle, I shopped at QFC or Fred Meyers- both owned by Kroger and at the Whole Foods that was 2 blocks from my house.

[Jon27]

I admit, we shop at Wal-Mart. We go on Friday night when it's usually not as bad. I'm cheap so sorry!

Speaking of my favorite grocery store. It would be the one on Cornwell and 10th right off I-40 in Yukon. It was built as an Albertson's, which the prices were ridiculous then. It became a William's, and is now a Homeland. It is a very very clean store. Great customer service. A Deli, Bakery, and Butcher. Some of the prices are a little high, but compared to taking the time to drive to Wal-Mart to fight the crowds plus the gas makes that extra few cents not hard to swallow. You have to watch Homeland's sale ads. They will surprise you. I've been in many Homeland's that are not very nice, but this one is an exception! One day I will take my Wal-Mart receipt in there, and compare the prices. When I do, I will post it on here.

That would be a good experiment for this forum. Everyone should do their weekly shopping at Wal-Mart, then go to the store of their choice and compare. They did this on News 9 the other night, but I was disappointed because it was between Wal-Mart and Target. We need comparisons between Wal-Mart, and Homeland/Crest/Buy For Less/Others.

[ddavidson8]

HEB is my all time favorite. I could always find what I was looking for there.
When I lived in Houston, I shopped at Fiesta or Kroger and in Seattle, I shopped at QFC or Fred Meyers- both owned by Kroger and at the Whole Foods that was 2 blocks from my house.

I live in Houston and am struggling to find the best grocery store in terms of quality and price. My three easiest options are Wal-Mart, Kroger (I left of the s so as not to annoy the earlier poster) and H-E-B. What would be your choice for a value/quality store.

[GWB]

Did you mean Central Market in Austin, there isn't a Crescent Market there.


I would love to have a Central Market/Trader Joe's or a Whole Foods here.

Locally, I don't have a favorite store. We shop at buy for less and Homeland.

HEB is my all time favorite. I could always find what I was looking for there.
When I lived in Houston, I shopped at Fiesta or Kroger and in Seattle, I shopped at QFC or Fred Meyers- both owned by Kroger and at the Whole Foods that was 2 blocks from my house.

We also shopped at QFC and occasionally at FM when we lived in Seattle. My favorite market in Seattle was Larry's Market (now HT Oaktree Market) on Aurora Ave N. This place is a lot like Whole Foods with lots of gourmet foods, fresh seafood, excellent bakery with pastries, butcher shop, prepared foods (all top quality), etc. You ever shop there?

When we lived in Minneapolis and St Paul our favorite market was Byerly's. This place was first class all the way around. Most all of their stores are carpeted and they even have crystal chandeliers if you can believe that. I copied this from a website I found.

Company Information: An excursion to this grocery store can be viewed as an adventure of culinary discovery and amazement. Twin Citians have always considered Byerly's to be a tourist attraction, not just a haven for coupon clippers. This large multiplex houses a family restaurant, a cooking school, a bank branch, a scrumptious chocolate store, a specialty coffee shop and a gift store selling everything from greeting cards and candles to inexpensive trinkets and exorbitantly priced sculptures. Also included in this out-of-the-ordinary food shop is a full service meat and seafood department, bakery, deli, pharmacy and photo lab, a Post Office and a takeout counter featuring Chinese cuisine and sushi. Unlike most supermarkets, you will find crystal chandeliers, original art and carpeted aisles. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and you can even make an appointment with an in-store home economist. Be forewarned, the prices here merit the plush decor.

Our family loved shopping there on Saturdays because they gave free samples of many of the gourmet foods they sell. We would go in around lunch time and shop and eat at the same time. It was a fun place to shop and a great place to take out of town family and friends.

[gmwise]

I honest to Budda miss Albertsons, why? the slightly higher price kept the riff raff out....oh please you know who I mean the whiney kids wanting something and throwing a tantrum about it. I walked over to one lady and I said when you get him/her home, give them a smack on the ass for me" the Kid did shut up btw.
I do notice Crest though has been quick to talk to people with loud children and asked them to either please leave or quite their brats.
Its actually not a issue at the Crest I go to now.

[mecarr]

Albertsons were always nice and clean...Unfortunately they no longer exist. The Homeland on 16th and Classen is okay, but very expensive. I usually go to the "neighborhood" wal-mart and it does the job. No complaints. Whole Foods offers a unique selection of foods but again it is expensive.

[Lauri101]

I went to the Albertsons on Reno and Midwest Blvd from when it first opened until the day it closed - it was my favorite. I also would occasionally go to the Del City Albertsons as it was/is convenient on the way home from work. I agree with gmwise - I could tolerate the clientele better there.

That being said - Albertsons is gone so I switched to Williams, then to Homeland - all at Del City SW 29th/Sunnylane store. Yes, the prices are higher but the extra I pay is well worth not dealing with Walmart. I refuse to patronize Crest becasue of my aversion to the family who owns it, so choices are limited.

When I travel out of town or out of the country, I love to go to grocery stores and just look. I know it sounds weird, but there is something fascinating about stores in other countries especially.

My daughter and I went to a gigantic grocery store in Germany that was two story, with escalators to accomodate a basket. We stayed in there for almost two hours - it was awesome!

We also went to a small grocery store in Costa Rica. It was interesting to try and guess what the products were. My high school Spanish helped some, but not completely!

Last - the Tom Thumb in Addison, Texas was a great store. I believe it has changed hands now. I love places where they sell wine in the grocery store!

[so1rfan]

When I travel out of town or out of the country, I love to go to grocery stores and just look. I know it sounds weird, but there is something fascinating about stores in other countries especially.

My daughter and I went to a gigantic grocery store in Germany that was two story, with escalators to accomodate a basket. We stayed in there for almost two hours - it was awesome!

I do the exact same thing (Hey I love to eat).

My current job I get to roam through Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Colorado and instead of eating fast food I often stop at a grocery store for dinner. The ones I like the best are Krogers and Hi-Vee. I would love to see either one of those here.

As for the German gorcery stores, I have been to the Aldi's while in Germany and no surprise they are just like the Aldi's here. I can't say I've ever been to a two story grocery store but I have been to there version of Wal-mart a few times.

The best thing about Deutschland is going to the local Walkplatz and picking up some brochen in one store, cheese in another, some meat at a deli and making a good old sandwich with the best ingredients on earth.

[dismayed]

Totally agree about Central Market. Wish one would open up here.

[oneforone]

I miss McCartney's (Wheba's or Weba's as it was originally known) at 240 and Walker. Mcartney's was a fun place to shop as a kid. They had carpeted floors, a huge lobster tank and the coolest thing was how they loaded the groceries in your car. They gave you a card that was on the black plastic tubs that rolled around on a carousel. You pulled the car in the drive-thru area, gave them the card, and they would grab your groceries off the carousel and load them up for you.

I also miss the days of Fresh Buchanan's Glazed Donuts.

[Insider]

There are none around here, but my favorites have always been Kroger and Publix (having grown up with them and both parents working for them). Kroger is found EVERYWHERE (under about two dozen different banners) and Publix is mostly found in Georgia and Florida.

[mark]

There are none around here, but my favorites have always been Kroger and Publix (having grown up with them and both parents working for them). Kroger is found EVERYWHERE (under about two dozen different banners) and Publix is mostly found in Georgia and Florida.

living in fl most of my life, i agree publix is great. always clean, always well stocked and i was able to find items walmart would never carry. hate walmart, but i have little choice, as it's the closest to me. would be nice if crest opened a location in mustang.

[progressiveboy]

Agree! Whenever, I go to Florida on vacations, I am always impressed with the cleanliness of Publix. Always well stocked and maintained and they have a great selection in their deli (Boars Head) and also excellent pastries in their bakery. The overall experience is quite pleasant.

[Soonerman]

If Oklahoma would change the crappy liqour laws a lot of stores stated above would consider opening in OKC.

[metro]

I worked in a grocery store for 7 years and love the design and architecture of them.

So I was curious what's your favorite store and what store do you think is the cleanest and has the best design in OK?

You didn't even list your favorite.

I've never found a grocery store with good architecture, well except maybe Native Roots in Norman.

[tburn]

I mostly alternate between Buy for Less on NW Expressway -
they have expanded their deli and offer a great selection of imported cheeses and fresh made dishes, sides, casseroles (for mother in law or neighbor that doesn't cook) and I always love the International aisle.

Crest on NW 23rd & Meridian
Nice and clean, cheap.

I have yet to notice interesting architecture of any of these stores.

Crescent Market in Austin is my fave store I've ever been in. But I was also very happy to shop in HEB for their "one stop shopping" while on vacation.

I shop at Akins now and then - they have great bread and selection of healthy soups, snacks, organics etc. I worry if we get a Whole Foods or something similar, it will put Akins out.

[Jesseda]

i like Fiesta, i liked krogers, safeway will always remain the best.

[Insider]

I am sorry everyone, but seeing as how my mom and stepdad work for Kroger, I have to make this comment. The name is "Kroger"!!!!!! Please do not put a 's' on the end of the name as this is not correct.

Ok, must breath now....

I am not sure why that drive me NUTS when people say that, but it does. I am sorry for the rant...