Grocery Outlet Bargains Only (Oakland, Hayward: to buy, organic, live)

[jeevcy]

How does Grocery Outlet in Berkeley/Oakland compare with Trader Joes? In terms of price and quality?

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by jeevcy

How does Grocery Outlet in Berkeley/Oakland compare with Trader Joes? In terms of price and quality?

It's two completely different things. I shop at both.

At TJs you can count on the stuff you buy there to be there, unless it's sold out. It's prices are fantastic. Can't beat the egg prices. It also has a more upscale/organic/trendy feel.

Grocery Outlet buys up large odd lots of package changes, over runs and going out of businesses. So you can't count on that great deal being there every week. They are stocking more fresh stuff -- but I'm not crazy about the quality. They had a great deal on Challenge butter for a long time -- in 1 pound packages. And I mean one pound -- you had to slice it yourself.

But that's my go to place on a lot of staple stuff. I buy 12 ounces of real semi sweet chocolate chips there for 99 cents. That's my stock up price. That's almost as good as the 7 pound package of Nestles at Costco with a coupon.

Hubby is a lunch meat fiend -- and he buys it a Grocery Outlet. He's a cookie monster -- buys them at GO. (My oatmeal chocolate chip cookies last about 3 days. And I do my baking on Sunday.) And they do have dried spices and herbs at a great value.

They also have a lot of drug store stuff -- shampoos and deodorants -- all well priced... I've seen Tom's of Maine there, and cheapo Suave there, too.

However -- if you are feeling price conscious -- check into Smart and Final. I went to the new one in Hayward/San Lorenzo. Butter was as good a price as GO, and cheaper than Costco -- and you didn't have to buy 4 pounds -- although butter freezes well.

If you're really getting into this you should look at keeping a price book. Use a Grocery Price Book to Slash Your Food Spending ∞ Get Rich Slowly

No -- I have nothing to do with that website.

[artemis78]

Ditto the above post--they're apples and oranges. Grocery Outlet is (I think! underappreciated--we live near the Oakland one and it took us months to venture inside. We finally did for the most bizarre of reasons--we discovered that it was the only place in town to buy dimmable fluorescent lightbulbs. Bought two packs from the "light bulb guy" at the Temescal farmer's market in exchange for his secret--where to get them. Lo and behold, it was mere blocks from us!

They're not a reliable store for weekly shopping (unless you can go with the flow and eat whatever's there), and a lot of what they have is packaged food, but they have great deals from time to time, even if you're an organic-minded shopper. If you're not from California, you'll also love seeing your hometown brands (Kroger, Cub, Edy's, etc.) in the surplus bins. Avoid the wine--it's been moldy on multiple occasions. Produce is also iffy and I personally wouldn't buy meat here (though I know many folks who do and are quite happy with it). Check dates religiously on anything perishable and be sure you'll use it in time.

TJ's is better for wine, staples, TJ-branded things, etc. Also not so hot for produce (though that has improved in recent years--but still, can't match the farmer's market!)

P.S. Oh, and Grocery Outlet sells plants! $12 for an apple tree the other day. Can't beat that...