I've always liked Whole Foods, Balducci's, and Albertsons in the US. I also like Match in the French West Indian islands.

I knew that my gritty working-class hometown, Long Beach CA, had arrived when our Bristol Farms opened. Finally we could go buy artfully-presented, overpriced groceries!

I jest, but only a bit. Their meats are lovely, the fresh fish is some of the best you'll find outside a true fishmonger, the wine section is well-stocked and runs from good table wines to the shockingly pricey stuff, and they stock gourmet foodstuffs (puy lentils, crème fraîche, kaffir lime leaves, Vietnamese fish sauce, etc.) that my local Albertson's usually doesn't carry. However, most of the pretty produce STILL has wax on it. That's my main complaint, plus the inflated prices.

Trader Joe's is a treasure, and always fun to shop at. My local store is next door to a green grocer and three doors down from an actual fresh seafood shop, so I have the ideal grocery shopping experience. And I can always go get Ajax at Target....

Buehler's in the Wooster, Ohio vicinity is a top-notch local chain.

Wegmans is by far the most amazing grocery store in the world... and I do a lot of shopping! I even shop while on vacation. My husband and I vacation and even honeymooned in the finger lakes region in upstate new york. We had lunch in the deli there every day!

and for those coming to Marin COunty...do try The Woodlands Market..oh my god!

It is good to see that no one has mentioned Stop & Shop or Safeway...

In Seattle we live in walking distance from both a Trader Joe's and a Whole Paycheck. So of course we do most of our shopping at the local Kroger's subsidiary, because we're ethically challenged and suppport the evil empire.

The Thriftway on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle is now a Metropolitan Market, with prices even higher than before, if that's possible. Every meal is like dining out, measured in cost.

LOL gc, bodi mentioned Safeway, well some Safeways.

I also like Trader Joes but really like my Bel Air. (northern CA) Terrific meat, deli, bakery and service.

I prefer grocery stores that don't track me like a wounded deer. Check out www.nocards.org for more info on how the grocery stores are killing us

Central Grocery in NOLA!
Molinari's in SF.

Suuuz, Ditto Bel Air (even over on our poor side of town), David Berkley's, Corti Bros. and we hear the new Italian Mkt out on your ritzy side o' town is pretty decent. And it may have authentic Buffalo Mozz!

Oh man, Kal. Where is that place anyway? Intersection? I've been buying that semi lamo mozz in the deli section that is packaged in plastic. Anything is better than the dried up balls in the cheese section.

Sierra Col/Douglas. Fuscos I think it's called? I may swing by on my way to the gym later today. Last one there buys!

Oh, is it in the old Furniture/Fabric store next to the old Albertson's that's now Ralphs?

It's not at the new Safeway center or over by Walgreens/Wendys or by the Classic Jukebox/Kaos/Classic Jukebox. Hey that IS my neighborhood!

Suuuuuz, It's behind Quiznos across from the Juke Box. Bought 6 of them little fellers and will have a grand ol' time in "Little Italy" over Christmas munchies with them.

Some good Italian meats/cheeses too. Not quite as good a Cucina in Yountville but maybe that had something to do with the company?

MERRY and HAPPY to all grocery store fans!

In Northern California:

Trader Joe's for their organic chicken, packaged frozen fish, soy coffee "milk", baby peas, two buck chuck, non-hydrogenated oil cookies and crackers, and a bunch of other wines and foods.

Cosentino's for their wonderful all natural beef, great cut up turkey, ground meats, fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables, and all things Italian, including cheeses.

Lunardi's for fresh fruit and vegetables, specials like wild Alaskan salmon, wines, and great cheese selection as well.

Whole Foods, once in a while, especially for prepared foods. BUT expensive! $50 for a dish of vegetable lasagna??? Great cheese selection as well as other organic/all natural foods.

Ranch 99 Markets/Lions Food Market for all things Asian. Inexpensive hot foods, better tasting than in some restaurants. Both markets will fry fish for free.

Safeway's- but only at 2am in the morning! LO!

Happy dining, Fodorites, on all that yummy holiday fare!

Ukrops in Richmond, Va, was a surprise to me because of its quality and size.

Another big thumbs up for Central Market. It is truly amazing, and I am so hooked! At least 20 different kinds of fresh-made sausages (including chicken and artichoke, philly cheese steak, etc.), the best seafood and fish selection, dozens and dozens of kinds of olives to serve yourself, tomatoes from Italy, cookies from Switzerland, French butter, an unbelievably varied amount of cheeses from all over the world, cooking demonstrations, fresh-made tortillas, and on and on. Whole Foods pales in comparison (and size).

My Houston debutante friend told me Central Market even has valet parking, is that right?

I believe they did have valet parking when it opened, but I'm not sure if they still have it.

My Swiss sister-in-law just arrived in town for the holidays. I am definately going to take her to Central Market. I'm sure she's never seen anything like it.

wsoxrebel - yep, valet parking, and it's free, at least at the CM in San Antonio. Not sure about the locations in other cities.
Gretchen - the CM on Broadway was called the "Gucci B" even back when it was still a lowly HEB store - the moniker originated in the SA gay community, who knew it to be the place to find items necessary for the perfect dinner party.
I also take visitors to the CM, and they love it. In the industry, the term used for this business niche is "destination shopping."
Agree that Wegman's is also a faaaaabulous shopping experience. Whole Foods was great when they were smaller, but with corporate expansion it seems the choices have decreased, the prices have increased and the attitude of the largely pierced-and-painted staff just keeps getting worse. (Oh, dear - that last remark sounds like a distictly old fartish thing to say, now doesn't it?)