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May 6, 2013 at 10:55 pm #607412
Jks3369ParticipantSo we are new to the area. . . I need peoples opinions on food shopping – what is considered the lowest priced (overall) market? Who has the best produce/meat/seafood?! I generally shop for a mix of organic and non organic food but have a good sized family and am always on the hunt for good prices! Thanks in advance for your opinions! PS I have been to 4 or 5?! But I just can’t figure out what is the best overall!! To be honest most seem more expensive then what I am used to on the East Coast?!
May 6, 2013 at 11:07 pm #789572
SarahScootParticipantHi and welcome to West Seattle! My household consists of me, my husband, and our seven-month-old who’s just starting solid foods. We aim for $600 a month on food (including dining out and alcohol), and were usually unsuccessful until Trader Joe’s opened. We buy most things from TJ’s and supplement with PCC, farmer’s market, QFC, Thriftway (because it’s very close; it’s not cheapest at all!), and a monthly Costco trip. We don’t buy much meat, but it often comes from Costco (break down a larger package and freeze excess).
Edit: We buy organic dairy, produce, and prepared goods, but not usually organic meat (we aim for grass-fed or free-range when applicable).
May 6, 2013 at 11:22 pm #789573
JoBParticipantthere was a study done a year or so ago.
the grocery with the lowest overall prices was Albertson’s in White Center
which is now a Save On store..
May 6, 2013 at 11:30 pm #789574
Georgia MomMemberWe were used to prices in the South and had sticker shock here. :) This is what we found – we go to Costco and stock up, then Trader Joe’s, and we study the ads for Safeway/QFC and make lists. Thriftway, while convenient, and clean, is too pricey much of the time. Also, Safeway has a delivery service where you can shop online, which can save you money since there is no impulse buying. I have always managed to get free delivery.
May 6, 2013 at 11:38 pm #789575
skeeterParticipantWe like to save money on groceries, too. We go to Fred Meyer in Burien to “stock up” about once every other week. I think you’ll find your money goes a lot further at Fred Meyer. The selection is also very good. Between Fred Meyer (or Costco) trips, we buy groceries at QFC (good sale prices) and Safeway (also good sale prices.)
I don’t know how people afford to grocery shop at Thriftway. I agree the service is excellent but I just can’t justify the prices.
May 6, 2013 at 11:42 pm #789576
Talaki34ParticipantFor your meat, please try Meat the Live Butcher!
You will not be sorry!
Great prices, nice selection, order what you need and best of all…Friendly and knowledgeable people.
May 7, 2013 at 12:07 am #789577
kurlygrrlMemberMy regular grocery shopping consists of TJ’s, PCC, and a weekly produce delivery from New Roots Organics. I buy organic whenever possible. PCC isn’t cheap, but their bulk bins are awesome and as a member I get a 10% off coupon every month. I occasionally hit Met Market if I need something gourmet that PCC doesn’t carry, or if they’re having a good seafood special. Sometimes I’ll go to Fred Meyer if I happen to be in Burien for other errands. Thriftway is closest to my house, but I rarely go there because I’ve been turned off by their prices, especially on organic produce.
May 7, 2013 at 12:10 am #789578
WS PersonParticipantWe go to safeway for everything but meat and then go to Metropolitan for meat. We also do a monthly to costco for some things and once in awhile to TJs. Safeway has great prices on staples I must say.
May 7, 2013 at 12:30 am #789579
KatherineLParticipantIf you join PCC, you get 5% discount on everything you buy on the 15th and 16th of each month, plus they send you a coupon for a 10% discount you can use anytime during the month. You can stock up on basics with the discounts. Membership is $60 plus a $2 handling fee. You can pay the membership fee at $6 a quarter if you like.
May 7, 2013 at 12:46 am #789580
trickycooljParticipantI am also closest to Thriftway but as a single person it’s far out of my budget too. I usually do TJs but that seems to be getting more expensive (it was my go to while a UW student). I also hit up QFC in Westwood or Safeway on Roxbury on my way home from work (bonus they have free bags at Roxbury Safeway still) when I need more mainstream staples. Produce is hit and miss at all 3. Meat I tend to buy at all 3, steaks I get from a butcher in Thurston County when I visit my mom. Costco always has good meat/seafood and with a family it will be worth breaking up packages and freezing, single person uts just way too much. I remember a study done a few years ago said Fred Meyer consistently had the lowest prices, is Burien the closest? In the past when I lived in Northgate I would occasionally do Whole Foods for very specialty ingredients or if I wanted extra high quality produce.
May 7, 2013 at 2:09 am #789581
deb.lynnMemberTrader Joe has the best prices on fruit and vegetables, ground beef and chicken as well as many other items, especially wine! Target has the best prices for frozen foods and staples. And then check the weekly ads to compare Safeway and QFC for specials. After decades of Safeway having better prices, curently QFC seems to have better prices for weekly specials. Just my opinion.
May 7, 2013 at 2:20 am #789582
JayDeeParticipantWhile small I do find that West Seattle Produce (near TJs) has good produce prices too. There is the Albertsons down in Burien, but gasoline is expensive. I remember some High School kids doing a survey, and the Roxbury Safeway (just over the Seattle City limits) had the lowest overall prices.
Seafood is tough — I like Seattle Fish, but I don’t have dependents to feed. QFC will have deals, but only in season (which we are entering). Good luck – J.
May 7, 2013 at 2:31 am #789583
JanSParticipantdon’t forget Tony’s Produce stand at 35th and Barton….always a deal
May 7, 2013 at 3:05 am #789584
FionaEnzoParticipantJust wanted to clarify that PCC’s membership of $60 is once in a lifetime, unlike Costco’s annual charge. PCC has the best produce — always fresh, delicious. I like their conscientious research on products and response to any member concerns. Their 10% discount once a month for members is great.
May 7, 2013 at 3:16 am #789585
WSBKeymasterAnd one more note – you don’t have to be a member to shop at PCC (unlike Costco). We joined when we moved here 22 years ago and I still have a tattered membership card! Disclaimer: PCC, Thriftway, and Metropolitan Market are WSB sponsors. All locally owned, FWIW. – TR
May 7, 2013 at 4:12 am #789586
jMemberWe shop at Thriftway for most of our meat and produce. Yes, it tends to be on the more expensive side but if you watch their sales, you can get some good deals. If I’m looking to find a good place to buy deli items, I always lean on Thriftway for that too. They have Boar’s Head meats and their prices beat QFC, who also uses Boar’s Head. If the items I’m looking for are not on sale at Thriftway, then I’ll head to QFC or Safeway. If I didn’t live two blocks away from Thriftway, I’d probably not shop their as often, but the customer service there is awesome and they are so great to our West Seattle community.
May 7, 2013 at 6:08 am #789587
trickycooljParticipantNot to derail the convo, but I’ve lived at my address for a year now and have never gotten one grocery store ad. I never realized how much I did skim them for bulk deals like 12 packs of soda and other big ticket items. Does anyone in High Point get grocery store ads? Is my address still too new?
May 7, 2013 at 6:27 am #789588
jMemberI live in the Morgan Junction and just recently started having the grocery ads delivered with my mail on Tuesdays. Not sure what started it, but I’m loving it!
May 7, 2013 at 2:50 pm #789589
kurly212Participant@trickycoolj – I live in Sunrise Heights, just south of High Point, and I get grocery ads every week. Also, to answer your question about Fred Meyer, yes, the closest one is in Burien.
May 7, 2013 at 3:52 pm #789590
MrsLMemberFred Meyer in Burien for many staples 1-2x/month. Costco for frozen and packaged goods once/month. We typically don’t eat red meat but if it’s on sale and there’s a hankering for a good steak or prime rib we’ll buy it. QFC and Safeway (we’ve been going to the Roxbury Safeway lately) sometimes have good sales for fruits and vegetables. We shop at TJs occassionally. Trickycoolj, we live in High Point and have been getting grocery ads every Tuesday/Wednesday in the mail since we’ve moved here 6 years ago.
May 7, 2013 at 7:58 pm #789591
miwsParticipantJks, a thought just came to mind; do you receive any other “junk mail”, that is addressed: “Jks, or Current Resident” or even simply: “Occupant”?
I wonder if a previous resident had registered the address on the No Junk Mail List?
Mike
May 7, 2013 at 10:04 pm #789592
addParticipantI love Morgan St. Thriftway and shop there often because of quality, service, and convenience and agree that they often have good sales, too (not to mention free wine tasting on Thursdays!). I have found that Target’s grocery section has the best prices on staples, usually even better than Safeway, so that’s where I do most of that kind of shopping.
May 8, 2013 at 12:35 am #789593
trickycooljParticipantIt’s a brand new street address as of a year ago so I get nothing addressed to “resident”. I had to update my drivers license in person because the DOL didn’t recognize it online and google maps just figured it out. Bing/Apple/MapQuest don’t have a clue still. The city websites like the police report map still show old High Point! lol!
At my apartment in Northgate I was inundated 3 days a week. It was refreshing at first but then I realize I have to hunt down the ads online– saves trees but when you’re new to the area it’s hard to know which ones to check. One of these days I’ll get a glorious ValPak and Subway coupons. Those guys are keeping the USPS in business! :)
May 8, 2013 at 3:47 pm #789594
PangolinPieParticipantThere’s a Grocery Outlet in Burien too, with good prices on some things. Strange things, like discontinued wines, but definitely some oddball bargains.
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