Best and cheap places for grocery shopping? (Phoenix, Tempe: coupon, hotel)

[NytoPhx]

Originally Posted by sierraAZ

Thanks for the info. I live in Tucson. Just asking...

Speaking of delis, does anybody have an idea why doesn't the rest of the country have delis like in NYC? It'd be so wonderful! Guess the margin is not good. Since even restaurants have hard time turning profits, it's probably even harder for delis...

If I were living in NYC, I wouldn't be even shopping for groceries or cooking. Such a great choice at very reasonable prices! I've been to NYC only once, about 5 years ago, and got dinner a couple of times from delis. A great dinner with desert didn't even cost $10!

I have found a few delis in Tempe, but they are not cheap. I feel as if delis here could become very popular, especially one open 24 hours a day in the area around Mill Avenue. Drunk college students love late night food.

[Finger Laker]

Originally Posted by Prinny

but great Italian place we like called Fusilli across Earll.

this makes my NE raised Italian heart sad - there is a serious lack of great italian food in this city - i wish to take you to philly some day and we'll stumble from hole in the wall to mom & pop shop

the delis out here don't compare to NYC either - not even close

phoenix does many things very, very well - some of them are surprising (like the insane frequency of pretty good sushi out here - in the desert) - but IMO they by and large miss on 3 things - delis, italian and chinese food / chinese takeout

and it's not just east coast food snobbery - i'm a big defender of AZ eating and as an upstate NY native have found many good places in the SW valley alone to get really good wings

[fcorrales80]

Originally Posted by Finger Laker

this makes my NE raised Italian heart sad - there is a serious lack of great italian food in this city - i wish to take you to philly some day and we'll stumble from hole in the wall to mom & pop shop

the delis out here don't compare to NYC either - not even close

phoenix does many things very, very well - some of them are surprising (like the insane frequency of pretty good sushi out here - in the desert) - but IMO they by and large miss on 3 things - delis, italian and chinese food / chinese takeout

and it's not just east coast food snobbery - i'm a big defender of AZ eating and as an upstate NY native have found many good places in the SW valley alone to get really good wings

This is very true. When I lived on the East Coast and in New York City, the Mexican Food (Santa Fe and Sonoran) were generic and not even of either of those two styles even though they tried to pass it off as such. So regionalism is one reason why a type of food is good in one place and not so much in another. I remember being taken to Agave and Los Pollitos and it wasn't very good.

[jonna30]

Originally Posted by 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.

LOVE Fresh & Easy! I spend about $18 every other day to feed my family of SIX! We are eating healthier than ever and I am not buying things I don't need like I did when I primarily shopped at WalMart.

[oscottscotto]

When I was there, I used Walmart ... of course, now I use Shop-n-Save. Maybe I am just cheap.

[dc1225]

Originally Posted by jonna30

LOVE Fresh & Easy! I spend about $18 every other day to feed my family of SIX! We are eating healthier than ever and I am not buying things I don't need like I did when I primarily shopped at WalMart.

that's how i like my ladies, fresh&easy but my groceries also! that sounds like a great place IMHO!

[joe moving]

I found AZ to be cheaper in food by a good 25% over NY outside of NYC. I don't know maybe it is what you are eating. We eat lots of fruits and vegetables and I'm guessing proximity to CA and Mexico is the reason for lower prices. Also milk is significantly cheaper in AZ.

[fcorrales80]

Milk is produced in Arizona, California, and New Mexico in great quantities and much of the supply is in-state so the lower prices make sense. I do remember good prices being much higher in Seattle and the East Coast.

[azjack]

California had some odd (probably unconstitutional) price-fixing laws that made milk quite expensive in the state when I lived there around seven years ago. I remember having to buy two gallons of milk attached together at the local Ralph's and Von's.

[azriverfan.]

For groceries in general, Wal-Mart is the cheapest. For the cheapest produce, Sprouts is really cheap.

Personally, I shop at Frys Marketplace or Frys. Wal-Mart is a zoo and the increase in my blood pressure isn't worth the cheaper prices. But yeah, if you are trying to save money, shop at a Wal-Mart supercenter.

If you have a family and are trying to save money, I would go to Costco or Sams Club (I prefer Sams Club). The gas money you will save alone by filling up there (assuming you live near one) pays for the annual membership. Buying in bulk saves money