Best supermarkets like home in and around Thousand Oaks, CA
 

Hi all,

As we get closer to our one way flight tickets, we're starting to strangely miss home already and find ourselves worrying about food, groceries etc. From our holidays in America - we've always struggled a bit with quality food in supermarkets ... Especially in terms of sausages, tea etc ...

So can anyone recommend what in their opinion are the best stores that might make take some of the homesickness away ...

Thanks 😊

Re: Best supermarkets like home in and around Thousand Oaks, CA
 

Trader Joes, which is owned by Aldi I believe. Apparently there are a couple of branches in and around Thousand Oaks. I'm not impressed by their tea, but their coffee beans are good and reasonably priced. Good, cheap (and not so cheap) wine. All kinds of yummy foodstuffs including frozen delights (pizzas, Indian, etc.)

Re: Best supermarkets like home in and around Thousand Oaks, CA
 

If you get hung up on perpetually trying to find British groceries you are going to end up spending a fortune on imported foods, and IMO are likely to only end up reinforcing the homesickness.

If you are here for the long term, IMO you should "go native", as you would if you moved to France or Italy, and treat grocery shopping as part of the adventure. Confine your purchase of marmite and chocolate digestives to occasional treats. FWIW our local Kroger-owned chain now sells PG tips .... though I had managed for 13+ years without until we discovered them relatively recently.

I have ever understood the complaint about American sausages. American ones are stuffed with meat, unlike ordinary British sausages that are mostly filled with fat and breadcrumbs. :unsure:

Re: Best supermarkets like home in and around Thousand Oaks, CA
 

I agree. You are no longer living in the UK, and whilst it's nice to get some familiar items, it's best for your wallet AND your sanity to acclimatize.

Trader Joe's is great for some items as mentioned. You can get crumpets and many other great items. I'm not a tea drinker, so I can't comment on that.

Publix, if you have them out there, has an international foods aisle and, depending on how many Brits there are around, has a selection of sweets (Mars bars, Crunchie, Lion bars, etc.), biscuits, sauces (Patak's curry sauces and the like as well as HP), Bird's custard, Ambrosia rice pudding, and more.

America is the land of relatively cheap 'fake' food. You can buy 'whipped topping' for next to nothing, but whipping cream (known as heavy cream) is crazy expensive in comparison. You find a great selection of 'real' food at Whole Foods market and Fresh Market, but expect a large bill at checkout! They don't call it Whole Paycheck for nothing!!

Re: Best supermarkets like home in and around Thousand Oaks, CA
 

Lived in US for 16 years and have yet to find English type sausages .... so you might have to try something new.

With regards tea I have only ever used Sainsbury's Kenya blend and admit to buying that via The Brit store on line. (it's my only indulgence with food).

Albertsons, Vons, Trader Joes etc will be able to supply most of your needs and wants.

Re: Best supermarkets like home in and around Thousand Oaks, CA
 

CostPlus World Market. Some nice packaged goods
Bristol Farm's. Very good for packaged goods, meat, fish, poultry et al.

I buy my Tetley's in bulk when I go home.

Re: Best supermarkets like home in and around Thousand Oaks, CA
 

I too buy tea in England and bring it back. Better, cheaper and fresher than buying it in the U.S.

Re: Best supermarkets like home in and around Thousand Oaks, CA
 

I brought back 6 boxes of 250 last trip.

Re: Best supermarkets like home in and around Thousand Oaks, CA
 

Tea bags???
:eek::eek::eek:

Re: Best supermarkets like home in and around Thousand Oaks, CA
 

Yes...and there is only me that drinks ordinary tea. :D

Re: Best supermarkets like home in and around Thousand Oaks, CA
 

It's on my list of 'must carry' too ... We tried Twinings when on holiday there and it tasted like dust 😖

Re: Best supermarkets like home in and around Thousand Oaks, CA
 

Thanks ever so much.

Re: Best supermarkets like home in and around Thousand Oaks, CA
 

Thank you. There's an online Brit Store? Wow ! Which one please ?

Re: Best supermarkets like home in and around Thousand Oaks, CA
 

I'm all for going native eventually but a few nice reminders from home will make the transition a lot easier ... I did visit Publix and loved it whilst on holiday in Key West but I'm pretty sure it's not there in CA ...

Thank you for your response :)

Re: Best supermarkets like home in and around Thousand Oaks, CA
 

Goodness me homesick already and you haven't moved here??
That doesn't bode well for your future experience.
Like many others have already said, accept this is America not England.
This is a wonderfully diverse country full of differences, accept it for what it is, it will make your future life a lot easier!