Fairway’s pasta aisle
An article on BuzzFeed earlier this week proclaimed Publix as the greatest grocery store to ever exist. I don’t know anything about Publix–it only operates in five states, all of them in the South–but the pictures on the site were gorgeous, and I could certainly sympathize with the author, a Southern transplant to New York City, when she bemoaned having to shop at Gristede’s. If there is one thing I don’t miss about living in the city, it’s shopping at Gristede’s.
Here in Baristaville we are fortunate to have a handful of great grocery stores to choose from. The problem is that each has its drawbacks, and if you’re food obsessed like I am, this can make food shopping a lot more complicated. On a typical weekend, I find myself driving to three or four different stores in three or four different towns just to stock up the fridge for the week.
Before Trader Joe’s came to Clifton in November (and to Millburn in late 2009) and Fairway came to Woodland Park in June, I generally shuttled back and forth between Whole Foods and Kings in Montclair and ShopRite in Bloomfield — all within reasonable proximity to my house, but none of which completely satisfied.
Since Trader Joe’s arrived, I’ve preferred to go there when I can. They have terrific (and inexpensive) prepared foods — an area in which Whole Foods is lacking — that are great for taking to work. And their pre-cut and washed vegetables — kale, butternut squash, shredded brussels sprouts — make weeknight cooking a cinch. Plus there are those TJ’s items I just can’t live without: the reduced sugar organic strawberry preserves (best. jam. ever.), the turkey meatballs, the low-fat marinara sauce, and lots of stuff my kids like.
But Trader Joe’s, as fun as it is to shop there, isn’t perfect either. Whole Foods has the best packaged and sliced whole wheat bread that I can’t eat any other kind. Its freshly-baked muffins and scones–especially the vegan oatmeal date scones–are much better than anything you can get at Trader Joe’s. And unlike Trader Joe’s, they also have a nice selection of fresh fish. As a major bonus, Whole Foods is the closest grocery store to my house.
Then there is Fairway. No store beats Fairway’s selection of specialty items. A trip to their bulk food aisle can send me into spasms of joy. And have you seen its selection of pasta? And cheese? And olives? And bread? It’s a foodie heaven, and probably the closest thing to what I imagine a Publix is.
But Fairway is also enormous–intimidating, in fact–and quite a drive from my house. And like ShopRite, it can be pretty crowded on a Saturday morning. (On the plus side, both stores have several aisles worth of household items–cleaning products, paper supplies, etc.–which occupy maybe half an aisle in both Whole Foods and TJ’s).
So what happens when I need to go to all of these places at once? When I’ve run out of Whole Foods’ bread, need Trader Joe’s frozen entrees for work, a chunk of Fairway’s havarti with dill for a party, and have a whole bunch of coupons for ShopRite? Well, I end up spending a good portion of my weekend food shopping.
If only I could combine all these places under one roof. Then again, I’d probably still spend all weekend shopping. I would just be doing it in one store instead of four.
Where do you do most your food shopping? And have you ever been to a Publix?
As I’ve written here before, I LOVE grocery stores and food shopping. LOVE. IT.
Fairway is in my mix, but they don’t have everything I need and it’s a hike. I go to Whole Foods once a week or so because it carries the best apples around. A&P is easy to deal with, but there is something, well, ah, sad about the place.
And Kings is such a great little store that always makes me smile. I’m not a Trader Joes fan. I found the one in Wayne to be a little too frozen entrée heavy. I cook every night, so this has no appeal to me.
But still, the only store that I can go to and get the majority of what I need it Shop-Rite (particularly non-grocery items), and the meat and fish is always fresh (because they sell so much of it)– I’ve had to return stuff to Whole Foods. But the parking and crowds at Shop-Rite is a pain.
(I’m still waiting for a Wegmans….)
I am loving Fairway; I just started going there a few months ago and I feel it’s the best blend of Shop Rite and the speciality stores; I looove trader joes’ because they have the vegan cheese I like. Fairway does not have everything, but I feel it’s the best of all these worlds and the people are so nice in there, they ask you if you need help etc. and the prices are wonderful. They also have a great wine selection. But I too, find myself going to all of the stores you mentioned above, because Whole Foods is the only store that carries certain things like the brocolli rabe I love or the mozz sticks without rennet!
I still like the Valley Road A&P best.
You just nailed it prof – Wegman’s is the place for which the author is looking. I’ve never been to a Publix, but if it tops Wegman’s, I’ll renounce my Central NY roots. It tops the list of things I’ve missed since moving to NJ in the mid-90′s.
Fairway is my favorite–it has the best mix of daily stuff I need (such as Diet Coke) that Whole Foods and TJ’s are too healthy to stock along with fantastic cheeses, fresh pastas, olive bar, and other delicious foodie items. And their produce section is great. It’s probably the closest thing to a one-stop in the area for me. But I always have to remember to pack a sweatshirt even in summer because it’s the coldest store I’ve ever been in!
But I confess to shopping at Costco virtually every weekend as well, if for no other reason than they are a great source of affordable fresh fruit no matter what the season. I can get giant containers of blackberries, blueberries and raspberries, all of excellent quality, for less than what I’d pay for one tiny pint container at A&P or ShopRite. My three kids are berry hounds.
The store I miss most from when we lived in Monmouth County–in fact, pretty much the only thing I miss from living in Monmouth County–is the Wegman’s on Route 9. Ah, Wegman’s…
My apologies for the apostrophe in Wegmans above. Stupid autocorrect…
We (and when I say we, I mean my husband) do the bulk of our shopping at Shoprite. They are the cheapest and with our coupons we say on average $40 a week. And we need to save, because once a week we also shop at Whole Foods for all of our meat, fish and most produce. I’ll also stop into King’s weekly if I run out of something. I haven’t been to Trader Joe’s yet—I went once to one many years ago but found that many products were made in facility with peanuts, so it didn’t work for us with an allergic kid. I haven’t been to Fairway’s yet either, but my husband goes several times a week for lunch, since it’s close to his office. He loves the fish selection.
You and I would get along, Prof. I disagree about ShopRite’s fish though. I’ve never gotten decent fish there. Whole Foods and Fairway are the best when it comes to fish. ShopRite, however, does have good organic chicken and I buy it there whenever I’m in the right frame of mind for dealing with the store’s crowds.
One other store that deserves a shout-out: the Stop&Shop in Clifton is also quite nice. I’d shop there regularly if it wasn’t so far away.
Oh yea. The fish section at Fairway is so cool, because it’s low slung, like right in front of you. No BIG case separating you from the fish monger.
And they have a LOT of fish. And fresh pasta, the bakery, and the coffee section is amazing (though I’m a k-cup guy).
Hmmm…. I may have to take a trip later….
Fairway deserves a whole lot of points for their beer and wine selection alone.
It’s a toss up between Fairway and Corrado’s for me.
Welp, I finally gave in and created a username today only to have this article pop up. I am glad ProfWilliams brought up Wegmans because its seems to be right up out towns alley both price wise and aesthetics wise.
I remember the first time I roamed a wegmans out in PA. I had called my mom for a recipe so that I could impress some friends and I was telling her about this wonderful place. A love child of ShopRite and Wholefoods.
A wegmans would do some serious damage if it were to replace either the existing A&P or Pathmark in Montclair (footprint is too big for kings). I believe they havent expanded this way becasue the logistical support system isnt in place but maybe one day..
Add me to the list of locals pining for a Wegman’s. Closest one is 40 minutes away in Woodbridge.
The empty Fortunoff in Willowbrook is the perfect spot.
I am shocked to hear your opinion that whole foods has good bread. I love whole foods except the bread. I often actually have to go to a separate store after shopping at whole foods to pick up some sodas ( I know, I know ) and bread, because I find whole foods breads to be horrible.
Enjoyable read Christina. Having visited several Publix stores on trips to FL, I would say it is more comparable to a Wegmans. At least the ones I have been to. It’s a little fancier than Shoprite, and they are generally huge stores (and everywhere). If I remember, which the article didn’t cover, Publix is a private, employee owned corporation, which may explain the high quality level of service I received. And yes, the sandwiches are top notch.
Fairway and Trader Joe’s have been a blessing since moving here last Jan. I do find myself at Corrado’s more often than not and dare I say… Costco.
The empty Fortunoff store at Willowbrook would be a wonderful location for Wegmans. Wegmans had tried to build a store in East Hanover, and are currently building a new store in Montvale.
One Fairway disadvantage is the relatively limited number of competing brands in that store. They had triple coupons this week, but many items (French’s mustard, Johnsonville sausage, Pompeian oils, etc) aren’t carried.
Publix is a wonderful chain, but it can vary widely by location. Newer and updated stores are bright, green, and very attractive. Older stores can be pretty drab.
I’m going to chime in with some more Wegmans love. It really is everything one needs, under one roof. Relatively inexpensive (especially compared to Whole Foods and Kings), it has a huge selection of perishables, an awesome bakery (try the Ultimate White Cake with White Frosting), a great cheese section, organics, deli, butcher and fish, etc., etc..
Occasionally, the 30-40 minute drive down the Parkway is worth it, just to be able to feel **that** good about grocery shopping.
I do Shoprite online and the 46 Farmers Market off Riverview Road Because they are super cheap and I buy ton and tons of produce every week.
I pay $1 for a huge bunch of herbs and whatever goes bad goes in the compost bin.
After having a rather frustrating conversation with one of my parents I took it out on the the fruit. When I returned home after shopping this week I found had purchased 20 grapefruits. The good news is they were 3 for $1.
ShopRite is the best for a general supermarket. I am a buddy of Jimmy the fish monger there. He has never steered me wrong. Only once or twice in 15 yrs shopping there I got a piece of fish I didn’t like. The next week they gave me another piece gratis–of anything I wanted. Nice green grocery there. Nice bakery, nice dairy. Lots of eggs. I like those expensive brown ones from NH: “Nellie’s.” I love the check out ladies: Anna and Susan. Anna always tries to teach me a new Spanish word or phrase. I always see a few people there who know me. Just like Cheers, ‘where everyone knows your name.’ I have never found parking a problem. You people are wimps. Good fresh food, good prices. What’s not to like? Oh, and then there is the baking dept. Great flours, nuts, baking powders, all the things a man needs.
A&P out of convenience
Shop Rite for generally having everything I need in one place
Whole Foods: produce and fish
TJ’s: prepared foods and a whole lot of things you didn’t know you needed until you saw them there
Kings: friendliest staff, though I rarely go
Also, Wegmans is slated to open up in Montvale (up in Bergen, so still a drive)
There’s a Wegmans in Woodbridge and I wish I lived closer to it. Up North I would say that Fairway is hands down the best grocery store. Trader Joe’s is tiny and mostly frozen like Prof said.
I’ve been to a Publix, but if we are going to talk about grocery stores out of our state, Harris Teeter is an experience.
I’m actually shocked at myself that I haven’t been to the new Trader Joe’s yet, and I rarely go to the Fairway. I’m a ShopRite girl for many reasons, and I stop in at Whole Foods for produce once in a while. When I lived in Brooklyn, I took the trip to Fairway once a week – and it was Nirvana.
I used to use the Valley Road A&P in a pinch for convenience as it was on the way/close by to my kids’ preschool, but I haven’t been back in over a year after twice witnessing employees verbally abusing older cashiers in an aggressive and cruel manner. And before someone gets shorts in a bunch, yes, I made sure to express WHY I was no longer shopping there.
I go to Kings once a year, for the gift cards for teachers. I find it very expensive.
We (and when I say we, I mean my husband)…
Funny!
Welp, I finally gave in and created a username today only to have this article pop up.
Stop, stop while you still can…
After having a rather frustrating conversation with one of my parents I took it out on the the fruit.
The weakest kind of fruit drops earliest to the ground.
I despise grocery shopping. Wegmans would be my first choice if they were Baristanet local.
“despise grocery shopping”??????
Commie!!
You gonna wait on a Government line for TP?
I’d wait on the gov’t gourmet cheese line.
Fairway: for the best tasting and price for fresh mozzarella (better than Joe’s on Sullivan St) mini bagels, smoked salmon,coffee and I believe their baguettes are the best value in the metro area for tast and price., The wine store is so overpriced (guess they paid alot for the license?)
Costco:Gas, Bulk Steak, fish, and Wine and anything else one can think of
Wine Library: Best Value and choice -Since they are the largest seller on the internet-they keep their retail prices the same-and the staff is exceptional with mostly honest information. Cheese Dept: great chices and price Only place in NJ that carries Sullivan St Bread
Kings : meat and bagels and vegetables and pleasnt cashiers
Shoprite- Redbox , cold cuts frozen food
A&P: DVD Express and Milk? bankruptcy is hurting their prices compared to Shop-Rite.
Trader Joes: nuts
Whole Foods: cereal, Weekly fish specials. flowers and muffins. Cheese Dept is soooo overpriced compared to fairway
Fairway – my new go-to store. Quality produce/fruit at decent (but not outstanding) prices, great meat and fish at value prices compared to WF and Kings, love the cheeses, olive oils, coffees, spices, bulk foods, fresh ground almond/peanut butter, etc. Their shelf grocery items are overpriced, which leads me to…
Shoprite – great deals on dry goods, especially during sales, but I don’t like their meats and fish. Ok on produce/fruit, but nothing to write home about. Deli is meh. I can make one big shopping trip to Shoprite every two weeks to fill the pantry.
Whole Foods – love their meats and fish, but only after my lottery scratcher has paid off big, produce and fruits are great but often the conventional produce is priced higher than the exact same thing at any other store. Great deals on store made hummus, pre-grated cheeses, etc. Love the cheese section, though Fairway seems just as good and less expensive. Buy lots of eggs and diary here, too. I am a very tactical shopper here due to the high prices, but there are good values to be found.
Trader Joes – I’m a TJ newbie, but I tried the frozen burritos and quesadillas last night with positive reviews from the family. I also bought the pre-marinated beef bolgogi this week and the family loved it, so I will try more of the fresh-prepared foods. The frozen prepared foods are a good weeknight insurance policy if we can’t pull a meal together quickly. Love the frozen haricot vert, now a staple in my freezer. The bill can creep up – I find myself impulse buying things like pumpkin pancake mix. Must exercise discipline and stay away from all of the darn candy and snacks that they have.
Kings – very good quality meats and the sale prices on steaks can be great, but overpriced on produce and most grocery items. Had a great Christmas ham from Kings, but generally use this store for last minute, convenience shopping.
Corrados – cheap produce and fruit, but the quality can be low. Looks like they buy the “seconds” that the big stores reject. The best part of the trip here is the sociological experience — seeing a cross section of America not visible in Baristaville.
A&P – my shopping hairshirt, only worn when I haven’t sufficiently planned a meal and deserve some self-inflicted punishment. I curse myself for going there while waiting in line for one of the 2 open registers.
Love Wegmans — spent some time working in Rochester NY a number of years ago and was introduced to the Wegmans cult by the locals. I’m in if they open up a nearby store.
I photograph a lot of food for a living, and love to cook…so a good supermarket for me, is like a trip to a theme park. I’ve enjoyed reading this story and all the posts. I can say that every market mentioned has it’s strong points, and things that make it worth the trip. Except for the A&P. The place is a pit. The help is surly and unhelpful. I would simply drive significantly further than have to endure a trip there. TJ’s, Fairway, Corrado’s, WF, Shop Rite…all satisfying in their own way. And Wegman’s? A long ride for a once in a while joy. Definitely worth the random trip for any real “foodie” (or ChowHound).
Publix is one of the best all-around grocery stores out there. I grew up in Florida, and have shopped there a lot. They have great produce and fresh food. Their deli is not quite at the level of Whole Foods, though I’d compare to Wegmens or Kings. Finally, the employees have great attitudes, much like at Whole Foods.
Around here, my grocery store circuit involves some combo of Whole Foods, TJ, ShopRite and A&P. I stay away from Kings because I find their prices to be the highest in the area, though the food is great quality. Just my $.02.
..”employees have great attitudes…” caught my eye. Exactly how does one know a person’s attitude? What is that? Would like look for behavior? An outward sign? Would a smile indicate friendliness attitude? Or could it be disdain? I suspect one’s attitude is impossible to measure. But I would care about bad behavior or service. You can hate your job, but don’t put your thumb in my potato salad, please. That’s my attitude, or opinion.
I vote Pathmark. Former mayors linger around in the frozen foods section.
I grew up shopping at the Upper Montclair Kings. I liked it.
Now I have a Wegman’s and I’ve never been happier.
1. Bottle King
2. Cedar Grove Foodtown
Bottle King? Really? All I know about Bottle King is that during a grand jury duty stint a few years back, we had six cases come across the docket of crimes at – or in close proximity to – Bottle King on Bloomfield Ave. So Bottle King never really made it on my must-see destination list after that.
Funny, this was just my watercooler conversation, after I spent the weekend going to 3 grocery stores in search of the specific requirements of the house including good cuts of meat,Whole Foods; American Cheese & soda, good ol’ reliable shoprite; inquiring mind and fresh veggies, Trader Joe’s. But really who has time, maybe Fairway would have had it all, but just wasn’t on my route to the 3 other stores….
Missing from the list is rich seasonal tapestry of the farmer’s market at the Walnut Street station.
Wegmans is coming — eventually. It is coming to East Hanover off of Route 10. It is still listed as date TBD on their site. It won’t be right across from Home Depot as was reported a while ago — now it will be further down Rt. 10.