Grocery Stores - Which do you dislike the most and what alternatives do you have

[Anuska299]

Sorry for the negative bend on the post. In the last month despite constantly increasing prices I've bought a number of items at the Safeway in Potomac Village and frozen items have been defrosted and refrozen. Dry goods such as crackers/chips have at least 1/3 broken into small pieces. Produce is sad and pricing garlic by the head rather than weight.

I'm now shopping mostly at Asian markets (varies on my travels) for produce, Costco for meats and dry goods.

Where are you shopping and what are your dislikes?

[Anonymous]

I live in DC and shop at the Georgetown Safeway, the new Giant at Cathedral Commons, the Whole Foods in "Georgetown" (really Glover Park), once in a while Rodman's, and about twice a month at the TJ's in Foggy Bottom. No problems at any of this places. In fact, I'm giddy at all the choices now. I've lived in DC for 22 years and the city used to be a grocery desert. Used to have to drive out to the suburbs for good choices. Back in the day there was the Social Safeway, the Soviet Safeway, and the Salvadoran Safeway in NW DC. That was about it. Oh, and the "Mad Men" 1960s Giant.

[Anonymous]

I can't stand Safeway. Their prices are so highs and the checkout lines are so slow.
I go to Harris Teeter, but I try to buy the things that are BOGO because they ring up 1/2 off.

[Anonymous]

I like to buy produce at HMart, meat and dairy at Wholefoods, If I need anything between my weekly shopping trip, I'll stop by TJ because it's close to where I park.

[Anonymous]

The worse is Bethesda Metro Safeway, the best is Whole Foods, of course

[Anonymous]

Giant on Old Georgetown Road and Democracy in Bethesda. It is hell. Stock people blocking every aisle, all of the time and yelling back and forth with each other. Customers who will mow you down with their carts. Lines to back of store to check out. Cashiers with attitudes and other interpersonal problems. The baggers- don't even get me started. And then there is the parking lot...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Giant on Old Georgetown Road and Democracy in Bethesda. It is hell. Stock people blocking every aisle, all of the time and yelling back and forth with each other. Customers who will mow you down with their carts. Lines to back of store to check out. Cashiers with attitudes and other interpersonal problems. The baggers- don't even get me started. And then there is the parking lot...

Wrong. The Blairs Giant in Silver Spring is hell, which you can only get to by going through the first 8 layers of hell that is the parking lot. I'll take any Safeway over that place.

[Anonymous]

Giant and Safeway never

Harris Teeter and Wegmans only

[Anonymous]

I don't like Whole Foods - too chaotic, too pricey, and I don't like their CEO's practices. I'm okay on Balducci's, but they have more and more stuff isn't made in house, and their wine prices are nuts. I get basic junk at Giant, but my two favorite stores are Grosvenor Market and Dawson's Market - I drive to Rockville to visit them because they are just so good.

[Anonymous]

Mom's. I love it there. Healthy food but a third as crowded as Whole Foods.

[Anonymous]

Fresh Market. Love it!

[Anonymous]

I don't dislike it, but I think Wegman's is way overrated. Their everyday staples are actually decent, and fairly priced, but meat and fish is way expensive, hot foods/restaurant isn't that good, and the olive bar, as great as it is, is the biggest rip-off out there. Also, and this is a big one, their produce is awful. Giant gets a lot of hate here, but I think Giant produce is much better than Legman's.

[Anonymous]

WF, Wegmans, Fresh Market. I hate Harris Teeter - produce is awful.

[Anonymous]

I cannot stand Giant, Safeway or Whole Foods and try to avoid ever setting foot in any of them. We do not eat red meat, chicken and fish only on occasion.
We buy most of our produce and other groceries at MOM's, but also like Wegmans and HT. Produce is not as good at the latter two.
I hit Trader Joe's every couple of months to stock up on frozen fish and nuts. We stopped going there as often because of the ridiculous parking on weekends.
I pick up ethnic groceries at Patel Brothers, H Mart, Korean Korner and a Chinese market.

[Anonymous]

I don't like Giant, and Harris Teeter is too expensive. Safeway is closest so I will hop in there if I am in a hurry and only need 1 or 2 things. I get meat at Costco. produce at WF or Bestway. I go to Shoppers for anything else I don't need in bulk.