The WF in Chantilly, VA is a nice one. The staff can get an attitude b/c they film Emeril (one of the food shows) there. The food is good. I use WF for milk, cream, and meat -- like a butcher. It is so expensive that we have cut down on our meat eating. They also have nice fresh bread. $80 a week.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with you OP. I lived in Texas for several years and Whole Foods began there. The stores in the DC area pale in comparison to the originals in Texas. I never shop there.

In fact, DC is seriously lacking in the grocery store area. Not just the city - but the suburbs too, unless you go way out to a Wegmans.

Fellow Texan, don't you wish they had an HEB Central Market here? If only...

Yes, yes, yes! If only we could have a Central Market. Wegman's is the closest we get, but still nothing like Central Market. That place is so amazing that it actually makes grocery shopping a delight. If I could get there now, I would stock up on pimento cheese from the salad bar area, their house brand whole grain mustard, anything and everything from the Hatch Chili Festival offerings, lots of fresh fruit, and on and on.

I have had bad experiences with meat at the Tysons WF. I have never had a bad experience with fish or meat at the Vienna. I do most of my shopping at WF, TJ and now Moms market.

I hated shopping at the Whole Foods in Bethesda. Horrible parking, food, attitude among help. They all acted as if they were doing you a favor selling you a hard, green avocado for $3.99

I have also wondered about this. Can't get anything "normal" there.

Anonymous wrote:I agree with you OP. I lived in Texas for several years and Whole Foods began there. The stores in the DC area pale in comparison to the originals in Texas. I never shop there.

In fact, DC is seriously lacking in the grocery store area. Not just the city - but the suburbs too, unless you go way out to a Wegmans.

Fellow Texan, don't you wish they had an HEB Central Market here? If only...

But, be aware--they don't have gigantic meat/fish sections. Everything's sustainable, which means it's a small selection and expensive. (That description applies just to the meat and fish; the rest of the store's great.)

If you're looking for organic stuff, try MOM's. Locally owned, great organic selection, not hideously priced, and no detectable patchouli or Birkenstocks.

It's our regular place.

I like whole foods for their bread, vegetarian selections, excellent produce and interesting stuff in the freezer aisle.

Anonymous wrote:I agree with you OP. I lived in Texas for several years and Whole Foods began there. The stores in the DC area pale in comparison to the originals in Texas. I never shop there.

In fact, DC is seriously lacking in the grocery store area. Not just the city - but the suburbs too, unless you go way out to a Wegmans.

See, I never have understood the hype about Wegmans. The meat is shrink-wrapped, the baba ghanouj listed mayonnaise and corn syrup as ingredients, and the staples sections for your regular shopping was totally random. I go to the Whole Foods in Clarendon and Tysons, and never had an experience like the earlier posters. I do 95 percent of my shopping at Whole Foods and Trader Joes - I guess everyone likes what they like.

I agree with you OP. I lived in Texas for several years and Whole Foods began there. The stores in the DC area pale in comparison to the originals in Texas. I never shop there.

In fact, DC is seriously lacking in the grocery store area. Not just the city - but the suburbs too, unless you go way out to a Wegmans.

Anonymous wrote:What is so good about this store? I finally made it to one and honestly? The fish I got tasted old, the produce was sky-high, the stuff off the prepared bar was nasty and they sold me bad Brie. Plus it was crowded and noisy and smelled like patchouli.

Not worth it. At. All.

I have had this experience recently in the Vienna Whole Foods. Meat is frequently off, or very tough.

Sounds like you had an off experience OP, I have not experienced this in my trips to various WFs.

I love their:
Pumpkin cream cheese muffins
Meatballs
Sushi (freshly made if you request it)
Homemade granola
WF brand popsicles (lime. Strawberry.)
Cafe Spice indian food (fridge section.)

What is so good about this store? I finally made it to one and honestly? The fish I got tasted old, the produce was sky-high, the stuff off the prepared bar was nasty and they sold me bad Brie. Plus it was crowded and noisy and smelled like patchouli.

Not worth it. At. All.