The Boston area is also well-served by Trader Joe's and Whole Foods markets, which are deservedly popular.

But the best markets around are a small local chain improbably called Roche Brothers (yes, it's pronounced "roach").

Shopped at Trader Joes, Shopped at Whole Foods, but wish I lived in Syracuse so I could shop at Wegman's...absolutely great!

There is nothing better than Wegman's, the selection atmosphere and so much more. It makes grocery shopping feel like not so much of a chore.

Another vote for Wegman's. We have several here in Buffalo. I agree with Jibboo, grocery shopping doesn't seem like a chore at Wegman's. Their fruits and vegetables are awesome, and they have an incredible meat, seafood, and cheese departments. I hate grocery shopping, but love that store!

Treasure Island in the Chicago area!!

Stew Leonard's in CT. Tough to describe...proclaimed the "World's Largest Dairy" by Ripley's BION. It has a petting zoo with live animals outside, and inside, it has animatronic vegetable playing music in a band. If you have LSD flashbacks, it could be a bad experience. Great grocery store, great seafood and high end products. Also regularly named one of the best companies in America to work for by one of those financial mags (Fortune?).

If you're ever down by the Jersey Shore, Delicious Orchards on Route 34 in Colt's Neck, NJ is a great place for farm fresh produce, cakes/pies/pastries, meat, etc.

I vote for Trader Joe's too, but Two Buck Chuck??? YUCK.

Another vote for Central Market with Whole Foods a close second (only due to prices) Luckily, we have both here in Austin. Got the best chipotle BBQ sauce at CM last week. Also, they have a huge assortment of wines from all over the world, and their wine staff are experts.

Weenie - Attened college in Rochester and cruised Wegmans many times. Bat McGrath even penned a song about cruising Wegmans!

I have to say that I don't get it about Whole Foods! Perhaps it's a personal thing with me though. I used to work at a store called The Merchant of Vino in Rochester Hills, MI. There were four other stores in the area. Store started with a small store in Birmingham that primarily dealt with wines. Had a HUGE cellar in the basement that held their top shelf selection. I almost fainted when I saw it.

Anyway, it grew into this small chain of specialty stores that had anything and everything you could possibly think of. High end meat, cheeses, seafood. Produce was heavenly! And each store had a fabulous wine and beer selection, I actually ran the beer department at my store as well as working with the wine department. I loved the days when vendors would sample wines with us, ahhh those were the days!

Then came Whole Foods. They bought out the chain, and implemented their "healthy" and "organic" policy. Took away half to three quarters of the wine selection. Did the same thing to me precious beer department!! Sliced and diced the specialty food sections.

So, I left. Never been back since. Store just isn't what I look for in a "gourmet" market. Health food store maybe. But, that wasn't the concept of the store. I know that a lot of the clientele went to another store in the area, although they developed their own following of health food types.

Ah well. Papa Joe's, the other store, is nice, but it's no Merchant.

In the Hamptons, we went to a small grocery that had the most beautiful displays of fruits, veggies, meats and oh my goodness the fish. It was crowded and expensive but so good. Better than Balduccis which I love too. Cannot remember the name for the life of me.

Here at home we have a small store called Tendercrop Farm. Best steak tips in the world, good bakery bread, fresh veggies, really nice cheese dips too. Reminds me that I have to order my Christmas prime rib today. Hope its not too late.

Wish supermarkets in Mass could sell wine and beer. Would make life a lot easier.

Oh, I forgot to mention the homemade tamales at Central Market. Everyday, no just during the holidays!
The best Whole Foods is in Toronto, near the Four Seasons.
MUCH better design and inventory that US stores.
Pittsburgh has a great new Whole Foods, too.

In Minnesota its Byerly's. Their flagship store is featured on bus tours of the Twin Cities. From the crystal chandeliers in the entry to the gift gallery featuring a $7000 table, its THE place for all your needs -deli, meats, seafood, coffee bar, wine shop, post office, French bakery, pizza shop, Chinese deli, olive bar, cards & gifts, flower shop, photo finishing, restaurants, culinary specialist on duty, culinary school, and even a Northwest Airline ticket counter. They bag and load your groceries from a drive thru and will even loan out umbrellas if it starts to rain while you're shopping.

I always thought this was a funny name-When I was a kid visiting my grandparents in Biloxi, Missisippi, we went shopping at the local grocery store named "JITNEY JUNGLE"....of course there are "PIGGLY WIGGLY'S" too...:@)

I like Trader Joe's also. We also have a store here in Columbus called Hills Market, north of 270 on Rt. 315. They have salmon roasts in the summer and their deli/take out section is as good as any restaurant in the area. The Anderson's General Store also has a nice grocery section and meat dept.

Larry's in Redmond,WA

I have friends who call the "Piggly Wiggly" "Hoggly Woggly." :-)

I like Byerly's and Lund's in Minnesota and Trader Joe's and Gelson's in S. Calif. The Byerly's store in St Louis Park is something. We always take friends there when we go to MN on business. They are impressed.

In the San Jose Bay Area:

Cosentino's
Lunardi's
Zanotto's
Andronico's
Draegers

Another vote for Trader Joe's.

When I moved from L.A. to Seattle, it was the only thing I missed about L.A. (besides my best friend)...when they opened up here, I was so happy!