Originally Posted by Fatboyslick (Post 11726863)

Hi

Bit of an open question, but can anyone in LA advise on the best/large supermarkets equivalent to the main UK ones e.g. Tesco, Sainsburys.

We've so far been to a Gilson's (Century City) but their product range is limited in comparison to the UK. Not sure if this is the norm (our first week here) or whether there's bigger stores with more variety/choices I've not come across yet...will be checking a nearby Ralph's today and there's a Walmart in Culver City i could try.

We're in the Western side of LA: Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City area.

Thanks in advance

Originally Posted by N1cky (Post 11726926)

Don't bother with Walmart, they can't sell fresh food in California.

Originally Posted by N1cky (Post 11726926)

After 8 years, I still find myself having to go to 4 different stores for different things. Drives me crazy. I'd love to have a Sainsburys here.

Don't bother with Walmart, they can't sell fresh food in California, so it's a total waste of time.

Originally Posted by N1cky (Post 11726926)

...... Don't bother with Walmart, they can't sell fresh food in California, so it's a total waste of time.

Originally Posted by Jsmth321 (Post 11726936)

Wal-Mart has their own grocery chain in parts of California, Neighborhood something or other.

Saw a bunch when in San Diego last November.


I am almost think their normal store by my mom has produce and fruit that is fresh, I swear I bought some food there. Heck even the 99 cent stores sell fresh produce/milk/dairy stuff...

Looking on yelp of photos taken in some San Diego area normal Wal-Mart Super Stores, they do have produce, fresh meat, milk and normal fresh grocery stuff. ......

..... I thought I was going crazy thinking I got the California stores confused with WA....lol

Maybe your local area has a size restriction on stores or limits what they sell?

Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 11726954)

My guess is that Nicky's local Walmarts are "Supercenters". The original Walmarts had only packaged groceries, but most Walmarts round here have been replaced with Walmart Supercenters, which have a full range of fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, and a deli counter for cured meats and cheeses, etc. :nod:

Originally Posted by sir_eccles (Post 11726966)

Thing I've noticed here, supermarkets are very neighborhood dependent. Go to the ghetto Walmart and you'll have ghetto selection, head to the Walmart in the other posher side of town you'll get a posher selection.

Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 11726973)

Same in the UK, you just probably didn't realise it. If there were US expats in the area, Sainsbury's had groceries to match, such as Oreos, and canned and even fresh "pie" pumpkins, in other areas such products were missing. I will eat my hat if it isn't the same for other immigrant communities, and regional variations across the UK.

Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 11726973)

Same in the UK, you just probably didn't realise it. If there were US expats in the area, Sainsbury's had groceries to match, such as Oreos, and canned and even fresh "pie" pumpkins, in other areas such products were missing. I will eat my hat if it isn't the same for other immigrant communities, and regional variations across the UK.

Originally Posted by Pump62kin (Post 11726969)

Gilson's ?? I think you mean Gelson's...which is slightly more 'up-market' than the average SoCal supermarket. So the range of goods will be a bit limited, but the quality will be there.

If you want a wide range of food, then you need a larger branch of Vons or Ralphs. These are akin to Asda or Morrison's.

Originally Posted by Pulaski (Post 11726973)

Same in the UK, you just probably didn't realise it. If there were US expats in the area, Sainsbury's had groceries to match, such as Oreos, and canned and even fresh "pie" pumpkins, in other areas such products were missing. I will eat my hat if it isn't the same for other immigrant communities, and regional variations across the UK.