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Is there anyone here who has lived in multiple states across the country?
Have you notice how bad the supermarkets here are complained to other cities or regions?
Here when I go to the deli, it is a small section that has a variety of maybe 8 types of specialty breads, two or thee types of salads; maybe there is a hot bar with 3 different sides to match up with the 3 different mains (baked chicken, fried chicken, and maybe a meatloaf or a pot roast. Then in the deli glass there may be 10 varieties of meats and cheeses. The vegetable section is equally sparse with only the basics?
When I was in Wisconsin, there was a store named "Festival Foods," they had about 10 varieties of salad sitting in the deli - always fully stocked. And when I say varieties, I don't mean a coleslaw, a pasta, a red potato salad, a "southern" potato, and 11 other types of potato salad. The cheese varieties number into 20's. Hot meals? Every day they cook enough different full meals that you could shop for a month of dinners and not repeat. Breads sit in cubbies, not only by type, but also by size, you can buy French bread or a sour dough for the family, or one stick by yourself.
When I was in Bellingham WA, there was a store named Haggens where people actually went for lunch or dinner and sat there as if it were a sit-in/take out restaurant. On the hot bar was three or four "Chinese menu items", pre-made sandwiches, individual pizza's, a variety of pasta dishes. Again, you could buy a variety of salads and multiple meat (a selection of 5-10) meals.
When I was in San Francisco, I went into a supermarket and there was the vegetable section. But unlike ours - tucked into the corner of the store, the first five or six rows of the store were all vegetables. Foods from all over the world. Most of which I could not tell you what they were.
Even tiny towns like Wrightstown, WI had deli sections in their "Dick's Family Foods" supermarkets that would blow Columbia away. What's up with that!!!
I realize that Columbia, South Carolina is not "Metropolis", but how about a little more choice in foods.
Does anyone know of a well stocked deli, bakery, and prepared foods section of food here in this southern capital?
None that you mentioned are national chains. If you want what they offered, Whole Foods and or Earth Fare offers such in the Columbia area.
While I appreciate the input, I am not sure what difference being national makes. They are regional markets with excellent selection available. I would hope there was some local equivalent with equally good selection; without being ripped off by whole foods.
If they can do it in other parts of the country at a reasonable price, then why can't SC?
The Gourmet Shop, DiPrato's, Whole Foods, Earthfare, Fresh Market. Where are you shopping? If it's Food Lion or Bi-Lo, there's your answer.
I am talking about regional supermarket chains (priced between Wal-Mart and Piggly-wiggly) with relatively good prices and huge variety - as good as or better than the places you have listed. I am looking for the same in SC, modest pricing with good variety.
I think it is hard to explain just how good some of those stores are compared to the best we have here - without you seeing it yourself.
I am talking about regional supermarket chains (priced between Wal-Mart and Piggly-wiggly) with relatively good prices and huge variety - as good as or better than the places you have listed. I am looking for the same in SC, modest pricing with good variety.
I think it is hard to explain just how good some of those stores are compared to the best we have here - without you seeing it yourself.
Is there anyone here who has lived in multiple states across the country?
Have you notice how bad the supermarkets here are complained to other cities or regions?
Here when I go to the deli, it is a small section that has a variety of maybe 8 types of specialty breads, two or thee types of salads; maybe there is a hot bar with 3 different sides to match up with the 3 different mains (baked chicken, fried chicken, and maybe a meatloaf or a pot roast. Then in the deli glass there may be 10 varieties of meats and cheeses. The vegetable section is equally sparse with only the basics?
When I was in Wisconsin, there was a store named "Festival Foods," they had about 10 varieties of salad sitting in the deli - always fully stocked. And when I say varieties, I don't mean a coleslaw, a pasta, a red potato salad, a "southern" potato, and 11 other types of potato salad. The cheese varieties number into 20's. Hot meals? Every day they cook enough different full meals that you could shop for a month of dinners and not repeat. Breads sit in cubbies, not only by type, but also by size, you can buy French bread or a sour dough for the family, or one stick by yourself.
When I was in Bellingham WA, there was a store named Haggens where people actually went for lunch or dinner and sat there as if it were a sit-in/take out restaurant. On the hot bar was three or four "Chinese menu items", pre-made sandwiches, individual pizza's, a variety of pasta dishes. Again, you could buy a variety of salads and multiple meat (a selection of 5-10) meals.
When I was in San Francisco, I went into a supermarket and there was the vegetable section. But unlike ours - tucked into the corner of the store, the first five or six rows of the store were all vegetables. Foods from all over the world. Most of which I could not tell you what they were.
Even tiny towns like Wrightstown, WI had deli sections in their "Dick's Family Foods" supermarkets that would blow Columbia away. What's up with that!!!
I realize that Columbia, South Carolina is not "Metropolis", but how about a little more choice in foods.
Does anyone know of a well stocked deli, bakery, and prepared foods section of food here in this southern capital?
The Lowes Foods that recently opened in Greer is amazing. I think you would find it to your liking. They are a smaller regional chain who focuses on local/gourmet items while also having all the staples and brands offered by the larger chains. I believe they are locating two stores in Lexington County within the next few years.
One trend in many newer stores is a prepared food section for takeout or on premises consumption. I do not mean just the usual fried chicken crap most have but ones including 4 to 6 entree choices.
Many want Whole Foods, Earth Fare, services at WalMart prices. Sorry folks that is a business plan headed for disaster. You get what you pay for.
Earth Fare and Whole Foods Market are specialty organic grocery stores. Most of their products are organically grown foods and environmentally sensitive products. Their prices are usually higher.
Kroger, Kroger Marketplace, Publix, Walmart Neighborhood Market, and Walmart Neighborhood Market are the dominant supermarkets and hypermarkets in Richland and Lexington counties. They have increased their availability of gourmet and organic foods and produces and are well priced. Supermarkets BI-LO, Food Lion, and Piggly Wiggly usually have higher prices and do not have much of a selection.
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