Adnams

Okay guess i was very slow on the up take. still dont think there are equivalents? If there are pray tell.

mandpete

I can't comment because I have no clue what the supermarkets are on the West Coast.

We were in Florida a couple of weeks ago and the price of food in supermarkets down there was more expensive than my local supermarket (Wegmans) and the fresh produce was nowhere near as good.

All I do know is that Aldi = Aldi wherever you are.

Ozzidoc

Vons is owned by Safeway.

Vons is cheaper than Ralphs. I find fruit to be expensive at both however.

Irn-bru

And whats on the west coast (most people think CA) isn't the same as up here. I feel we are in the wilds of nowhere sometimes with lack of chains etc We don't have a Wegmans, Aldis etc.

Its really only QFC and Safeway around here. And the quality is much the same, Safeway having the edge but still about the same quality as back home.

Adnams

Yes but you got kippers. So be grateful girl!

Irn-bru

Mallory

I've shopped in LA some, but never really enough to tell what was going on.

Ralph's I believe, is the same as Kroger.

Von's, nice.

Whole Foods - high end organic, but very nice. Take home food also.

Trader Joe's - very nice.

I think most people do their big shop at Costco (because of price). Also gasoline is cheaper there. You need a club card to shop at Costco.

You always see the stars shopping at Ralph's!

Jerseygirl

The Whole Food and Trader Joe stores I've been to in this area are pretty crappy IMHO.

Irn-bru

Kroger we had in VA but not here and neither Ralphs or Vons (sounds nice though )

We have whole foods and Trader Joes but are both some way away go there about once a month to stock up.

We have a Sams club card as its close and we always have shopped there. But its bulk items so only go in occasionally for some meat to freeze.

I do wish the chains would be the same across the US so its easier for people when they move to know whats what.

AdobePinon

If you're in or near Oregon, Market of Choice is very good. Especially since they changed their name from "Price Chopper".

NC Penguin

I wouldn't describe Whole Foods as a grocery store. It's more a health food store. Trader Joe's is more like a grocery store but it's far from national (NC only has one for example).

Irn-bru

The trader joes stores (fabric/building) have always been crappy that I've been to, apart from the one in Indy which was nice and new.
I suppose thats how they keep their prices down and they do have good stuff.

Irn-bru

Thanks for the tip, will look out for them when I'm down there but I live outside Seattle.

Ray

Just drive on down to the the Piggly Wiggly ....

farmerwife

Yes, I agree supermarkets are very regional here in the US. I'm surprised though that no one mentioned M & S in UK for number 1!

Costco for the big shop definitely, although not as much now no kids at home.
It's great for big blocks of Kerrygold cheese, also jars of Kalamata olives, and they also do wild caught salmon.
Trader Joes for dried fruit, nuts, - just about anything they have is fine, and there should be one in CA. They are small and crowded though - popular!
Wholefoods is probably the number 1 all around best supermarket, but not cheap.
The rest are all blah; in my neck of the woods - Safeway, Albertsons, Thriftway, Fred Meyer - nothing much to chose between them.