I've found that the quality of produce at HT varies widely from one store to the next. I'm in NOVA so not sure about the ones in your area but it may be worth checking each nearby HT out and seeing what you like best. They are more expensive but I love that on all their Buy One Get One deals, you can just buy one and it rings up for half. Safeway and the others actually make you buy 2 to get the deal.

Sounds like you'll be living reasonably close to Cabin John Mall? If so, I can tell you that the HT is a lot nicer than the Giant. I won't buy meat at Giant, so I almost always choose HT.

HT is great for items on sale. Combine them with coupons and Evic coupons and you can save. But it's work paying attention to the sale flyer and getting the coupons. I don't care for Giant but for non sale items I tend to go to Safeway. Produce I buy from the Asian market.

I'd get your produce at Harris Teeter, and everything else at Giant. HT produce is generally much better, but their overall store prices are much higher than Giant. I disagree with pp's mention of 10% - I'd say it's more like 20-25%.

I live in Potomac too. The HT in Park Potomac is nice -- when there aren't sales, it is definitely more expensive than Giant. But I like the bakery items better and the deli seems cleaner than either of the Giants (and Giant and HT sell Boar's Head). There is a Trader Joe's off Rockville Pike that isn't too far away. I go there occasionally to stock up on snacks the kids like. I also buy most of my meat and produce at Whole Foods (either the one off Rockville Pike or the one in the Kentlands).

The HT in McLean in awful! The produce is so bad, basically rotten, and they have the nerve to expect money for it. I do produce runs at Wegmans each week. It is not convenient, but I cannot serve my family the produce from that store. It sounds like the rest of you have had better luck.

Not to sidetrack this thread, but I was glad to hear that the one of the businesses coming to the new Laurel Mall will be a Harris Teeter. The mayor of Laurel said that the contract has been signed by both parties and the mall is on schedule to reopen by fall of 2014 including the Harris Teeter. This will be the first HT in PG County. Considering how overlooked northern PG County has been for good supermarkets, this is very welcome.

Teeter is MUCH better than the 2 Potomac giants I go to (Potomac village and cabin John). Both of those Giabts have abysmal produce, a difficult lay out (not intuitive), and always seem to be lacking something. Prepared and bakery items are gross/bad/tasteless.

HT (the one off of the highway and off of seven lochs) is clean, easy to navigate, has the staples plus fancy extras (I can buy diet coke and artisanal mozarelka). Prepared stuff is yummy and fruits are fresh. It may end up being more expensive, but the quality is clearly higher.

HT is one of the most overpriced supermarkets ever. Especially the one in Shirlington. And with the fruit flies buzzing around the produce, the quality seems worse than Giant! Is there a Trader Joe's near Potomac? It's great.

Teeter is definitely better than giant. A little more expensive, but not more than 10% at most -- and, as PP said, they have lots of deals. I really prefer it.

I can only compare the HT in Olney to the Giant there. Like HT much better: easy to navigate, no crowds, have plenty of options. Usually lots of buy one get one free and things on sale. In the end, probably a few dollars more but well worth it for me....

In two weeks I'm moving from silver spring, where I do almost all my shopping at Sniders, to Potomac, where I'll be equidistant from the Harris Teeter and the Giant. Is Harris Teeter much more expensive than Giant? Is Giant easier to get in and out of quickly? I've been spoiled by Sniders for the last decade b/c the prices are great and it's so small and convenient that I can get in and out in like 20 minutes with a whole week's worth of food for the family. I'm kind of dreading having to go to a bigger supermarket.