Grocery Shopping on the Road

[holstein13]

I was shopping at Safeway today and had to give them my loyalty card at the checkout. When I pulled up my virtual card on my phone, I noticed lots of other loyalty cards and thought what a strange lifestyle we live.

I've shopped at dozens, if not hundreds, of grocery stores large and small throughout the country and usually enjoy the experience.

I was wondering if you have your favorite stores throughout the country? Have you found any gems? My favorite has been Wegmans in Pennsylvania but I love Publix in Florida and Safeway in California.

[NCWriter]

Speaking of City Market, there's a good one in Moab, Utah right on the main road - 191 - great for provisioning when you're in that area.

[reluyog]

When we're on the road we try to stop at farm stands. Real ones at farms so we can fit in. Also local co-op elevators for whole grains/beans or feed stores, combines in the field, orchards, etc. Also do the Sams Club and Costco thing, and Walmart for letting us overnight.

[holstein13]

ro_sie wrote:
...Also, you don't have to carry those pesky loyalty cards. I hate those doggone cards.

No need to carry loyalty cards, just upload them to your smartphone and use an app like KeyRing or Stocard. Saves a lot of room in your wallet.

[trailertraveler]

I like the Kroger stores which include: Kroger, Ralphs, Dillons, Smith's, King Soopers, Fry's, QFC, City Market, Owen's, Jay C, Pay Less, Baker's, Gerbes, Harris Teeter, Pick N' Save, Copps, Metro Market, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, and Mariano's because you only need one card. I've used my City Market card all over the country. In the East the store clerks have never even heard of City Market and are amazed when the computer accepts my card. The fuel points accumulate no matter which store you use. The fuel points can also be used at their convenience stores Kwik Shop, Loaf N' Jug, Quik Stop Markets, Tom Thumb Food Stores, Turkey Hill Minit Markets, and Smith's Express that have fuel pumps.

[ro_sie]

LadyRVer, did you know that Ingles is an American owned company? We have them here in SC also and I love them. When on the road I tend to look for Walmart neighborhood markets. They mostly have just food and are open 24 hours a day. I like to go really early in the morning before too many people are there. Also, you don't have to carry those pesky loyalty cards. I hate those doggone cards.

[JimK-NY]

I typically just use the Walmart Supercenters. For one thing I greatly appreciate their welcoming policy for RV travelers. It is great to be able to pull off the road and know that I can spend the night at a supercenter.

If you are looking for an especially nice grocery store, I have found a great many. One chain does stand out.....HyVee. There are 200 plus stores mainly in the Midwest. They are employee owned and operated and customer service seems to truly excel. Unfortunately I rarely spend any time in the Midwest so I rarely take my own advice on grocery shopping.

[FULLTIMEWANABE]

Shopped Safeway in Canada for 14+ years until they did away with about 4 aisles of foods for targeting the hot food take and go market after work that didn't want to cook for themselves. Since then so past 10ish years Canadian Superstore main go to store (have to watch the dates on stuff though!). For budget conscience when travelling Walmart is a main go to for us mixed with Farmers markets. For enjoyment shopping and service/quality love Publix and other grocery chains but find that they can be rather expensive by comparison. Quality of course has to come into play on fruits, veggies and meats but that aside price wise Walmart is hard to be beat and occasional Dollar stores.

[DCS7]

We liked Publix when we were in Georgia and we loved HEB when we were in Texas.

[Naio]

Grocery Outlet! Some awesome deals. They even have organic chicken... and ceramic nonstick pans.

[Old-Biscuit]

IGA, Publix, Kroger, Abertsons, Stater Brothers, Hannaford, Piggly-Wiggly an numerous Ma/Pa shops.

Walmart.......dry goods only
Grocery items are 2nd class, not fresh and go bad quickly especially the produce!

[rockhillmanor]

NCWriter wrote:
......

The reason Florida-based Publix is so good is that it is entirely owned by past and present employees. Top executives started as bag boys. Everybody has a stake in your satisfaction, and a lot are long-timers so you see the same folks every time. The store saves you from standing in line at the deli with an easy-to-use online ordering system. They offer suggestions ("want me to skin that salmon for you?") and have good quality food. Their key lime pie is really great - and they sell half-pies, too. Try it next time you're down this way!

X2 !
The first time I came down to Florida and the very first time I walked into a Publix I almost fell over backwards EVERYONE in that store is SO nice and helpful. Something I sure was not accustom to coming from shopping at the stores in Chicago.:W

[NCWriter]

When we lived on the NC coast, I was happy with Lowe's (not the hardware store, which was right next door), a small grocery chain that had many of the same elements as Publix where we shop now. Piggly Wiggly had the best meats.

We often use Walmart for basics when on the road for the familiarity and the big parking lots where you can park an RV while shopping.

The reason Florida-based Publix is so good is that it is entirely owned by past and present employees. Top executives started as bag boys. Everybody has a stake in your satisfaction, and a lot are long-timers so you see the same folks every time. The store saves you from standing in line at the deli with an easy-to-use online ordering system. They offer suggestions ("want me to skin that salmon for you?") and have good quality food. Their key lime pie is really great - and they sell half-pies, too. Try it next time you're down this way!

[LadyRVer]

Ingles don't have them at home. Good selection, very clean.

Wal mart, but that is not a top priority for me. We have Publix, use them once in a while

[missourijan]

The Kroger markets in the Southwest & West, which are Fry's, Smith's & Ralphs. They have good meat sales and offer points, which gets you $$ off on fuel. We spend 3 to 5 months in Tucson and really save $$ on fuel at Fry's

[darsben1]

RoyB wrote:
Its just WALMARTs for us. I always want to know where the closest Walmart and Lowes is anyway. Both of these two stores can support 99% of our RV CAMPING needs... AMAZON is where we mail order most items from with their two day delivery.

We don't do the RV TRAVELING thing...

Roy Ken

While not the best I am a Walmart shopper. It is nice to get the same basic brands of certain items no matter where we are. Walmart fulfills that niche. Eight O Clock coffee, Walmart Italian bread, Walmart brand ice cream and other basic necessities are nice wherever you go. I experiment but I like my same cup of coffee every morning and 2 slices of Walmart Italian toast.

I do like independent groceries in when I travel looking for unusual items. Rocky Mountain oysters, Boudin sausage, Spanish olive oils and Mexican vanilla to name a few items