Best and cheap places for grocery shopping? (Tucson, Tempe: transplants, for sale)

[dc1225]

Originally Posted by NytoPhx

I did my first grocery shopping here last weekend, and coming from New York, thought groceries might be cheaper. Boy was I wrong, I did a fairly small grocery shopping at Fry's and it came out to $127, a container of Orange Juice was even $6.29, in Tempe. Is Fry's typically a more expensive grocery store, where else do you guys go that have reasonable prices and decent food. Am I better off at Food City, Basha's, Safeway, or Albertson's. I would prefer not to go grocery shopping at Wal-Mart.

hey do you guys have any like authentic mexican grocery stores there? I usually go there to get some arracherra carne asada and they have some stuff cheaper usually...

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by lincolndavid

Not only is that not necessary, but any savings that you see on your grocery bill will be spent on gas to go from one store to another.

Not really... It might be inconvenient, but they're all on my way and I can cherry-pick all I want to.

Yesterday I was dumb enough to give Wal-Mart Neighborhood Store a try. Yuck! Never again! I generally don’t object Wal-Mart as much as others and used to shop there when it was worth it more, but this store gave me the creeps. Granted, it had more to do with the area it’s located (which figures) than with the store itself. I was wondering why the left corner of the store was so dark. Turned out the freezers had motion detectors and only lit up when you approach them. OK, call me wasteful - thanks, but no thanks… The prices were not really substantially lower. I saw maybe a handful of items really worth it. I’d rather shop more carefully and take advantage of sales in the other stores than ever set foot there again.

[Finger Laker]

i actually like the motion activated lights

walmart and safeway are right next to each other and real close to where I live - they get most of my business - i'll also hit sprouts and costco ........ just keep an eye on sales and don't be afraid to look at places like sprouts for everyday items (the OJ that I normally buy from Safeway was over $2 cheaper at sprouts - same exact product)

I usually try to avoid walmart for meats & produce - but their boxed good are usually pretty cheap

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by Finger Laker

I usually try to avoid walmart for meats & produce - but their boxed good are usually pretty cheap

The meat looked fine to me. I just hated the store even though I don't look for "shopping experience" in grocery stores. Depends on the location, I suppose. I just feel icky in the area this particular store is and might be somewhat biased.

[Mom_2_specialneeds]

Since it is just myself and my daughter, I do like to shop at Fresh and Easy. Small portions, great prices, fresh, and it's an overall great selection. I just shop as I go. Because it is smaller, they don't always have certain things. I usually buy whatever is 1/2 off and I use their $5 off coupon.

[joninaz]

Originally Posted by A2M69

hey do you guys have any like authentic mexican grocery stores there? I usually go there to get some arracherra carne asada and they have some stuff cheaper usually...

The Food City chain caters to Hispanics, and it's o.k.

The Ranch Market chain, particularly the newer ones, is outstanding. Their store on 16th & Roosevelt is a 10-15 drive from Tempe.

[WantingoutofAz]

I always have shopped at Safeway but ever since a SuperTarget opened up 5 minutes from me I go there for all of my grocery shopping needs except for bulk stuff at Costco. Not sure if you have a SuperTarget close by but it is so much nicer than walmart supercenter (we are on the same page regarding that) and their stuff is noticeably less expensive. The only thing they are subpar in is their produce but they still have it just not as good of quality as Safeway. I have a large family so I buy most meat at Costco but meat at SuperTarget is less expensive than regular grocery stores.

[Prinny]

Originally Posted by lincolndavid

No one seems to know this, but Wal-Mart will price match. That means that every ad in any store is a Wal-mart ad. I have seen a lot of posts advising people to shop several stores to get the best prices. Not only is that not necessary, but any savings that you see on your grocery bill will be spent on gas to go from one store to another. I was at a meeting the other day and was told that Wal-Mart will also match dollar store ads. Yes, I work at Wal-Mart. I do not like their general practices, so I use what lawful loop holes I can to cost them money. I think that making sure that everyone knows about the price matching policy is a good way to cost them hundreds.

Thanks so much! I shall get my soda cheaper from now on! Appreciate the tip!

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by WantingoutofAz

I always have shopped at Safeway but ever since a SuperTarget opened up 5 minutes from me I go there for all of my grocery shopping needs except for bulk stuff at Costco.

SuperTarget with meat, deli, and produce sections...? Are there such Targets? Ours do have groceries, but they're quite limited.

[Prinny]

sierra, I know there is one at the 19th Avenue/Bethany Home shopping center, where they have a Costco and Wal Mart, Petmart and small mall