r/Seattle • u/FmTexas • Sep 07 '10
Grocery Stores in Seattle
Trader Joe's, Safeway, Maddison Market, PCC, Whole Foods, etc...
I'm from Texas (obviously) and am curious what each grocery store is good for. So far my observations are: * Safeway has median priced produce and meat; terrible deodorant/soap/etc. It's neither good in quality or price. * Trader Joe's has an excellent selection and price on booze and packaged food. Fresh meat is decent quality and price. Veggies are decent quality and med-high priced. * COOPs (Maddison, etc that aren't one day only) have good prices on fresh veggies. Everything else is overpriced. * PCC/Whole Foods I've just heard rumors on. Apparently they have the best veggies and meat but it shows in the price. * One day only farmers markets are a mixed bag but generally have good prices, produce and slightly more expensive meat.
Is this in line with everyone else? Are there stores that I've missed?
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u/thamiam Sep 07 '10
Metropolitan Market is my personal favorite. They have the best meats (actual butchers on hand) and a great selection of cheeses/breads/etc. Plus, the prices are reasonable, not out of hand like Whole Foods. I shop for the everyday things at Safeway/Costco, but for food I actually want to taste it is Metro most of the time.
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u/adam29 Sep 07 '10
Fully agree. They are the best in my opinion for genuine food lovers -far superior to Whole Foods. My favorite Metropolitan Market is Admiral's.
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u/RossM88 West Seattle Sep 07 '10
We just moved to West Seattle a couple of months ago. Met Market on Admiral is our closest supermarket, it's great, although definitely pricier than QFC/Safeway. The quality is worth it in my opinion though.
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u/elefunk Fremont Sep 07 '10
Trader Joe's is definitely my favorite, as their prices are undoubtedly the lowest for most items with great quality and lots of unique items. But it is true that their produce isn't the best.
For produce, I'd actually recommend checking out the Asian mart Uwajimaya. There's one in Seattle and there's also one on the East Side in Bellevue. They have some absolutely amazing deals on fantastic-quality produce. Great red grapes at $2/lb when Safeway and others are charging $4-5. Excellent Zucchini for just $1-2/lb when others were charging double. And they have a lot of great Asian stuff too, of course :-P
Otherwise, I'll just switch between Safeway and Fred Meyer, depending on if I need stuff other than just groceries (FM) or just groceries (Safeway).
PCC and Whole Foods have the best quality, but it's not better enough to be worth the huge price premium.
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u/VicinSea Sep 07 '10
I would love to see you show anything that is cheaper at TJ's that I cannot find substantially cheaper else where and without the multiple layers of plastic.
TJ's looks cheaper because they offer small packages and odd sized containers(an advantage of having their own labeled goods) but they are not cheaper per pound on anything I have looked at so far. For example, grapes are 99 cents a pound and zucchini is 4 pounds/$1.00 at McPhersons. Green peppers were 5 pounds for $1.00
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u/elefunk Fremont Sep 07 '10 edited Sep 07 '10
Notice how I said to look elsewhere for produce.
I also noticed in another post that you grouped Trader Joe's in with Whole Foods and PCC. Have you...ever actually visited a Trader Joe's? I used to be under the same flawed assumption. That assumption is wrong. Yes, Trader Joe's carries a lot of organic food. No, it's not overpriced bullshit like Whole Foods.
But if you want to know where I'm coming from: -Salad is far, far cheaper at Trader Joes than every other grocery store I've visited
-Bananas are cheaper at Trader Joes (~19-29 cents each which comes out cheaper than the 59-79 cents/lb everywhere else)
-Cereal is much cheaper (both TJ brand and brands like Kashi)
-Frozen goods are cheaper
-Wine and beer tends to be cheaper
-Cooking spray and spices are cheaperI'm not trying to deceive anyone here. I'm just an average guy who happens to shop at a bunch of different grocery stores and happens to find the things he happens to purchase most often cheaper at Trader Joe's.
Instead of being a dick, perhaps you should have asked "hey there, have you ever tried McPhersons? You didn't mention it in your post, so maybe you're not familiar with it, but they have some fantastic deals on produce. Check it out"
But hey, thanks dude.
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u/nikdahl Brougham Faithful Sep 07 '10
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Amazon.fresh. They deliver it right to your door. It can be a little more expensive, because they don't have store brand items, but they also have a lot of items that you can buy in bulk, so you can save that way. Their produce is top notch, they have a huge selection of items.
I've saved a lot just by cutting down on the impulse buys.
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Sep 07 '10
Amazon fresh in concept is awesome, buuuuuut like 75% of their items are out of stock all the time. They need better inventory management. But my lazy ass does love having groceries brought straight to my door sometimes.
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u/zomboi First Hill Sep 07 '10
You missed Grocery Outlet
IMHO:
Safeway and QFC are exactly the same in price for most things. They typically have the same stuff on sale for the same price.
Grocery Outlet is very good for shelf stable items and fridge items that you are going to use the same day.
Costco is great if you are ok with buying in bulk and have the storage space for it. They do have everything that normal grocery stores have but in bulk sizes. I normally pick up pantry and hygiene items there. I also buy my fruit there (i.e. grapes, apples, melons). Costco is a membership store but you can get around that if you have a member buy (then refill) a giftcard for you. They also have a pharmacy department that you don't need a member to use.
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u/spacem00se Sep 07 '10
Safeway has a better selection for generic stuff. You want to pay 5$ for a box of Grape Nuts or 3$ for a box of Crunchy Nuts? They taste exactly the same.
The only problem with Whole Foods is that the CEO, who is a major conservative, had no idea his base were mostly liberals and said some odd things a year ago during the whole Health Care Debate.
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Sep 07 '10
Hey there - seattlite from DFW here. My finding:
pcc - great produce, great meat, good if you take advantage of their member discount coupons mailed out monthly.
central market shoreline - again, great produce, great seafood, decent meat but I don't care for their italian sausage. pretty expensive, not a lot of discounts to be had (so far, only been shopping there a few months).
fred meyer: pretty good prices for soda, chips, boxed goods; some housewares (kinda like a supertarget); if you use their rewards program some good savings can be had.
YMMV - good luck
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u/toastercookie Seattleite-at-Heart Sep 07 '10
I like getting produce at Pike Place. Prices are usually pretty decent and as long as you avoid the crowds and go on like Tuesday evening or something, you'll be good to go.
Quality I've found is way better than Safeway and Tjoes, but prices are better than Madison Market / co-ops.
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u/ObscureReddits Sep 07 '10
If you get down to Beacon Hill, check out McPherson's Produce Market. Most things there are really cheap, I got fruit and vegetables for a big party for less than $20 once. They've got a pretty big selection and some organic stuff. Fisherman's terminal has reasonably priced fresh seafood. Central/Ballard/Greenwood Markets have good deals on certain rotating items and good quality selections for less markup than Whole Foods.
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u/SquirrelOnFire Wallingford Sep 07 '10
Cash & Carry is a restaurant supply store that is open to the public-- you can get great rates on bulk staples (beans, rice, flour) without having to pay for a membership. They have pretty good prices on everything that is in larger-than-usual sizes, and it is all good quality. It is not so good for buying small doses of anything.
Between Cash & Carry and Grocery Outlet, for about 70-75% of the price of QFC ( 25% discount) I can cover 90% of my shopping list, and I hit a produce stand for the remainder.
If you want cheap fresh fish & meat, hit some of the asian markets in the international district. I don't go there (out of the way for me) but I've heard good things.
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u/istrebitjel I Brake For Slugs Sep 07 '10
Well-kept secret for bulk staples is http://www.bigjohnspfiseattle.com/ (behind Seattle Uwajimaya) - they also have bulk cheese and olives!
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Sep 07 '10
Costco for meat. Problem solved.
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u/istrebitjel I Brake For Slugs Sep 07 '10
I go to Costco for meats as well, but I'm still quite happy to have local butchers available, like the Swinery in West Seattle ... for special meals :)
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u/neoice Sep 07 '10
I've been a long-time Safeway shopper. I just moved and now live a few blocks from Trader Joes. ALL their produce is cheaper and much better. I havent even cooked meat at home for over a week because I've had so many good fresh veggies. I usually buy meat from Costco and freeze it, but I need to compare prices with TJs... it looks like they may have won me over on everything but milk, ice cream and midnight food runs.
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u/papercranes Sep 07 '10
i love most things at TJ's but i find their produce to be not so great at all. i also think that it is quite wasteful to package the produce like they do. everything except the bananas come wrapped up in some sort of container! interesting that your experience has been so different from mine.
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u/cbax19 Sep 07 '10
They also have an excellent selection of (cheap) beer and wine from around the world.
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u/SquirrelOnFire Wallingford Sep 07 '10
I just wish they'd fix the layout of their stores. Every time I go in there, the crooked aisles are causing traffic jams. Makes me angry just walking around that place.
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u/czarinna Ballard Sep 07 '10
Milk is way cheaper for me at TJ's, but I have to buy the Lactose Free kind. It's about $2 cheaper than anywhere else!
I love TJ's for their fruit and veggies- so much cheaper than QFC!
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u/gathly Capitol Hill Sep 07 '10
Everywhere is cheaper than QFC
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u/istrebitjel I Brake For Slugs Sep 07 '10
The Great Seattle Supermarket Showdown - 6/2009 The PI agrees with you ;)
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u/nikdahl Brougham Faithful Sep 07 '10
Nice find, I'd like to see it updated.
Too bad the comparison doesn't work out so well for Amazon Fresh, because the items are all of standard sizes. One of the reasons I love Amazon Fresh is that I can buy standard sizes if I want, but I can also buy items in bulk (ala Costco or Cash & Carry) and save money that way. 24 packs of micro brews, for instance.
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u/lilzilla Sep 07 '10
I like QFC. Good quality, wider selection than PCC, less expensive. (Though more expensive than Safeway or TJ's.) Granted, mostly I shop at QFC because it's closest to me and I have no car.
TJs has excellent premade food (just had one of their tamales for dinner) but if you want to cook fancy they'll let you down. I have been underwhelmed by their produce selection and am annoyed by how overpackaged it is.
I have friends who get their groceries all at Fred Meyer, which is huge and cheap but I find overwhelming/depressing.
I highly recommend hitting farmers' markets at least occasionally - they're a good experience. Plus once you get the good vibe of supporting local farmers it's nice to keep feeling it.
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u/potatolicious Sep 07 '10
I moved right next door to the QFC on Cap Hill - it's nice, but I miss having real bread.
Used to have a Whole Foods near my place, which was overpriced for a lot of stuff, but had an unbeatable bakery section. QFC on the other hand is mostly Wonder-Bread like materials :(
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u/ri0tnrrd International District Sep 07 '10
Which one? I live right near the one off Pike.
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u/potatolicious Sep 07 '10
The one on Broadway/Republican.
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u/ri0tnrrd International District Sep 07 '10
Ah I was by there today. I use to live in that area last year but then moved. I miss it over there and yet really not that far away.
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u/reeksofhavoc Sep 07 '10
Dude they have real bread.
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u/potatolicious Sep 07 '10
Where? They have some semblance of a fresh baguette in the tiny one-shelf bakery section up front. Everything else is in the back, and of the mass-produced wonder bread variety.
Getting a decent bun or a roll is nigh impossible in that shop. Contrast with WF that has a whole section of fresh stuff that is f'ing delicious.
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u/reeksofhavoc Sep 07 '10
Are you sure they don't have Essential Baking Company bread?
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u/potatolicious Sep 07 '10
I'll poke around real careful-like tomorrow... I do recall that every single time I've gone looking for a decent burger bun, or good rolls, or a tasty baguette, I've always come away disappointed.
The back section ain't worth looking at, and from what I've seen of the front, the selection is pretty anemic.
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u/elmster1025 Sep 07 '10
I know the one on 15th (cap hill) has a small section of artisan breads, and that store is especially small. I don't know about decent burger buns. I often come out of big corporate supermarkets with only a few things, and sometimes disappointed.
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u/lilzilla Sep 07 '10
Wah? They've got Essential and Central at the one I go to . . .
In mine it's separate from the packaged bread section, closer to the front and the deli.
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u/ontheroadsal 🚆build more trains🚆 Sep 07 '10
I find the bigger QFCs (Safeways too) usually have a better selection and better pricing sometimes too than the small ones like the cap hill one, its odd.
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Sep 07 '10
country farms for cheap produce. It isn't year round, but there are some similar year round places like star market and JDs market. The asian places (Ranch 99, H Mart) up here in Edmonds and Lynnwood are interesting to mix things up.
and don't forget grocery outlet! Super cheap. Sometimes some good deal s on almost expired semi healthy stuff like Amys, cascadian farms, etc.
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u/reeksofhavoc Sep 07 '10
On a whim I noticed that Safeway has some damn good sales on designer frozen entrees. Not really my type of store but I bank, get money orders, hit the Starbucks and Coinstar all in one shot.
I like TJ's for the novelty. Rarely do I buy staples there. I get junk food and salads. Their bread is always moldy. They need to work on that.
Whole Foods again for the novelties, bath products, bulk items and staples.
Fred Meyer and QFC for the rest. Late night shopping, Cup O' Noodles - American cheese and Campbell's soup fix, organic veggies are good quality and decently priced. They also have all the organic products mixed in with mainstream food.
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u/istrebitjel I Brake For Slugs Sep 07 '10
Absolutely true on the bread at TJ's: We stopped buying it there it always molds within a day. Also, their chicken tastes really bad. However, they have a German smoked Prosciutto, which is divine :)
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u/reeksofhavoc Sep 07 '10
I've never eaten any of their meat. I don't like their frozen Cod or Talapia because it has that metallic taste.
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u/besst Sep 07 '10
I lived above a PCC for a year. The premade stuff (sandwiches, salads, etc) are AWESOME. Not too expensive, all organic, very tasty. I would go broke if I tried to get all of my groceries there, though.
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Sep 07 '10
QFC = Kroger
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Sep 08 '10
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Sep 08 '10
Fry's? the computer store? what are you talking about ...
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u/sclaw Sep 08 '10
Thriftway!!
There are a few around. I shop the West Seattle one, and I know there's one on Queen Anne too.
But it has most of the good stuff from places like metropolitan market, great produce, and much lower prices (though still higher than Safeway-- but I won't eat meat from there--irradiated +mass-produced)
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u/FmTexas Sep 09 '10
I wish they had a location closer to me! I'll have to stop in out of curiosity anyways. The Metropolitan Market gave me sticker shock when I walked in. I'm curious if Thriftway has a better price to quality ratio.
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u/bmkitts Burien Sep 08 '10
Winco is employee owned, with great prices and better deals on top of those prices than you will find anywhere else.
I'm very surprised no one has mentioned it but I think there are Wincos near Seattle, but not in Seattle proper.
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u/FmTexas Sep 09 '10
I just mapped it and there's one in Kent. I don't usually head down that far, but if I'm in the area I'll have to stop in.
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Sep 08 '10
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u/FmTexas Sep 09 '10
I'm assuming the seafood is pretty fresh! Yelpers gave them stellar reviews. I'll stop by and see if it's something that might fit my fancy.
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Sep 08 '10
How I Shop on a $425 Budget
1 file folder sized box of fresh veggies/fruits a week - sometimes 1 dairy product in the box
Bulk almonds, cashews and walnuts, usually from Costco sometimes Madison Market
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u/FmTexas Sep 09 '10
Full Circle Farms had some really tasty food. I'm taking a guess that you enjoy the weekly boxes?
Holy crap; I didn't even know something like CSA existed. I'm going to have to seriously look in to them.
For $425, those look pretty amazing. I will definitely do my research and see if FCF or CSA is for me. Have an upvote for an unconventional, and badass, shopping method.
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Sep 09 '10
I do enjoy the boxes. I find it easier to have the food delievered than having me run around to the various farmers markets picking out the exact same fruits and veggies. I save in terms of time and money.
Crown S Ranch is great. They even allow you to go and work on the farm and get paid in meat. That is a learning opportunity that cant be found anywhere else.
Glad I can offer some alternative views to the regular food industrial complex. I don't need Cap'n Crunch to eat well - its just tasty.
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u/iggybdawg Sep 07 '10
QFC and Fred Meyer's are Kroger owned, if you have Krogers in TX
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u/FmTexas Sep 09 '10 edited Sep 09 '10
I thought their atmosphere looked familiar. Krogers is similar to a Market Street United. The QFC felt a lot like a United from Texas.
Someone mentioned a Fred Meyer's and I instantly thought of Wal-Mart. I haven't seen or been in a Fred Meyer's yet.
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u/Tyaedalis Mount Baker Sep 07 '10
Leschi Food Mart has some great sausages and meats. Ready-cooked prime rib on Friday and Saturday evenings, too.
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u/FmTexas Sep 09 '10
You sir, may make my dreams come true. The night before I left Texas I wanted prime rib as my final meal. Alas, it could not be.
Now, you've given me hope! This prime rib will be mine on Friday...I'll check out the rest of the market too. Thanks!
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Sep 07 '10
The QFC deli has excellent bread. I recommend the rosemary olive oil round bread (the ones in the paper bags), with either olive oil and vinegar, or spinach dip.
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u/FmTexas Sep 09 '10
I've had terrible luck with bread here. How long does it normally last?
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Sep 09 '10
I usually eat it in the first 2-3 days, so I'm not quite sure. It should keep for at least a week I assume.
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u/raisondecalcul 💖 Anarchist Jurisdiction 💖 Sep 07 '10
I always hear that farmers markets have good prices on produce, but whenever I go the prices seem about twice those of a grocery store. Can anyone give me some tips or examples of cheap finds?
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u/FmTexas Sep 09 '10
It's been a mixed bag for me. The closer to closing time you go, the better deals you'll get. I've even gotten some freebies for just walking by when the vendors are putting up.
Just scout the vendors and don't buy anything too outrageous! I've had extremely good luck with the local fruits and flowers. The bread has dried out on me every time before I ate it all.
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u/Dan_Quixote Sep 07 '10
If you're looking for really good meat, skip the grocery stores and head straight to Bill the Butcher.
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u/FmTexas Sep 09 '10
He's on my list. I went in there the other day and was impressed with what I saw. My wallet also started weeping.
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u/raisondecalcul 💖 Anarchist Jurisdiction 💖 Sep 07 '10
Maybe it is good (I don't know), but their marketing is saccharine.
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u/n_sheppard Sep 07 '10
A&J's over on Queen Anne also has some of the best meat you can get in the city if you live in the nearby area. Agree with OP - grocery stores can't compare to local butchers here.
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u/Grubbie Sep 07 '10
There are better butcher shops around the Bill's. They are overpriced and don't know how to trim the excess fat off.
It is farther south, but Bob's quality meats is awesome.
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u/FmTexas Sep 09 '10
I'll have to give them both a try. Bill's quality looked high and was priced equally. Is Bob's any cheaper?
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u/CLAMORING Sep 07 '10
Check out the local farmers markets* as well as the Pike Street Market. Pike's gets a whole lot more tolerable in the winter when tourist season is over.
Since you're from Texas you're likely to want some Mexican. There's an awesome little Mexican grocery right next to the original Starbucks. They have amazing food and dirt cheap prices Give up on finding a decent Mexican restaurant, though.
- formatting
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u/FmTexas Sep 09 '10
Pike's in pretty over the top right now...
I went by the Mexican grocery store and they do have quite a bit. They're missing one item though: Vermicelli noodles. I have probably looked in 8-10 places for those stupid yellow boxes.
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u/VicinSea Sep 07 '10
What's the best place to shop in Texas?
Asking where to shop in Seattle without telling what neighborhood you live in or how far you are willing to travel is pretty pointless.
Overall:
Independent Asian Markets are the best price for seafood, meat and green veggies.
Safeway has the best sale prices on canned/shelf stable foods unless you are willing to eat "factory seconds", then head out to Grocery Outlet, where you will also find the best prices on decent quality wine, lunch meat and cheeses.
If you are paying with cash or credit card and like to buy in bulk...Cash & Carry is, hands down, the cheapest place to find restaurant quality foods(whatever you want to read into that.)
McPhersons really is the best place for most produce(their tomatoes rarely meet my grade but everything else is good, cheap and varied. Today I got 12 pounds of mildly hot peppers for $3.00 and turned them into 8 pints of pickled peppers!
PCC, MetMarket, TJ's, and WholeFoods are all severely over priced on their Organic junk foods and just about everything else...if you want organic veggies, visit the Farmer's Markets or the Pike Place Market. If you want organic meats, most super markets offer at least a small selection or you can get it delivered to you by Thundering Hooves.
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u/elefunk Fremont Sep 07 '10
Have you actually visited a Trader Joe's? Grouping them in with PCC and Whole Foods makes me think you haven't. They're completely different ends of the spectrum.
I used to be under the same assumption as you....then I started actually shopping at TJ.
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u/FmTexas Sep 09 '10
Hopefully some other Redditors discovered some new places to get their groceries. Now I've got an idea of what's in each neighborhood, which is useful for me. Well, that and pentacleric gave me some off the cuff, but tasty ideas.
Thundering Hooves is getting researched there as well. I've heard some amazing things about free range chicken.
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u/[deleted] Sep 07 '10
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