Submitted by Flimsy_Bit_2908 t3_z0chla in Connecticut
Long-time TJs loyalist. Is it worth switching to Stew Leonard’s?
Recently moved to a new town. Both are 20 mins away. Trying to keep grocery costs under control like everyone else.
Comments
IndicationOver t1_ix4rvya wrote
Your last sentence is trying to keep grocery cost under control like everyone else.
I like Stew's but are you familiar with it at all?
Flimsy_Bit_2908 OP t1_ix4wktw wrote
Thanks - am not and it was tough to compare price, quantity and quality while figuring out the Stew’s maze.
Perhaps by design…
danhm t1_ix5dls1 wrote
Stew's sells more or less "regular" grocery store things that you'd find at Big Y, Stop & Shop, etc. They do have a better bakery and hot foods, though.
johnsonutah t1_ix6m0xc wrote
I’d argue the meats and fish are higher quality and more diverse too
rare__air t1_ixcn9g8 wrote
Stew's is awesome buy you aren't going to shop there to save money, you will shop there for decent quality produce, meats, and prepared foods.
Saint-O-Circumstance t1_ixazm95 wrote
Stews is definitely overall pricier than most other "normal" grocery stores in the state but for things liked baked goods and meat, the quality is very good. I usually only buy meat there when they have good sales. Sometimes the sales are very good and the steaks are high quality IMO.
Usedtoknowsomeone46 t1_ix5blzd wrote
Sometimes I go the wrong way through Stews because I hate society.
[deleted] t1_ix4srw3 wrote
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Rare_Career_3466 t1_ix5rz33 wrote
Idk what you are talking about, produce at Stews is 1000x better. Trader Joe's greens go bad so quickly, always out of things (no grapes yesterday), red onions are always horribly bruised.
raidflex t1_ix4v1q5 wrote
Stews is good and has a larger selection, but you pay for it. While I like Stews, we rarely go there because TJ's is still good quality and at better price. Also, I would check out Aldi. We usually go to both TJ's and Aldi for different things.
Sneaky-er t1_ix582px wrote
One is California based the other is Connecticut based.
One has regular grocerys & zany exhibits & fun for the whole family.
The other has Lollipops if you find the stuffed monkeys & an assortment’s of fruits, veggies, and often off the wall products such as butternut Mac n cheese.
Trader Joe’s cookie isle selection is worth checking out & Stu cookies are also different and good.
Either way you win!!!
Quiet-Context_ t1_ix4st0e wrote
Take a trip to Stew's and check out yourself. You might find some things you like better at one vs the other and vice versa.
blaze1234 t1_ix4yith wrote
App called Price Cruncher
shop at multiple places and compare
You learn where to go for what.
Aldi for your core basics, and don't turn up your nose at Walmart.
Pay attention to where the recent-immigrant and Latino shoppers go in your area, great produce values and you find interesting stuff. Asian groceries too!
For quality check out local small "gourmet" supermarkets, and they might surprise you
mynameisnotshamus t1_ix5ksxs wrote
They are very different stores and fill different needs. You can’t really put them in the same box.
blondeambition39 t1_ix5iq7f wrote
Stew’s for produce, seafood, meats and prepared foods. Watch for their sale items, they can be excellent. Trader Joe’s for cheeses, cookies/candy, snacks and frozen items, and their limited edition stuff.
AlarmingLecture0 t1_ix6427p wrote
Stews has much better meat, seafood, bakery and produce. Not sure if it has much better prices in those areas than a typical supermarket.
Stews is bad, though, if you want a particular other product (e.g., a specific type of cereal), as their selection is pretty limited.
n00dlegoat t1_ix6bqg6 wrote
Welp, my 2 cents… Stews in Newington is disgusting. Don’t look up in the bakery the dust coming off the lights is horrible. I brought it to their attention and it was on their list. Went back a few months later and still filthy. I don’t know how long this list is.
patches4u t1_ix4xikt wrote
Stews is superior
Edit: spelling
ChickenDenders t1_ix4z36f wrote
Does it really make a difference if you just… go to a different grocery store for one week?
Flimsy_Bit_2908 OP t1_ix4zpp1 wrote
Lol have been to each. Stew’s seemed pricey but it’s still always packed.
Thought I was missing something (other than the ice cream)
Essigucha t1_ix51cmi wrote
If they are both 20 minutes away go to both and get the things you feel are a better deal. I don’t usually shop at 1 grocery store because some have better produce, while another may have better meat. I’m new to the area also and my wife works close to Stew’s. Starting to feel my way around I do like how they have parts of meals prepped for you. Example being just chopped veggies for soup or pre marinated chicken wings. Helps save some prep time but I still cook it the way I like it. Where I lived before I would go to Trader Joe’s about twice a month because I liked there ice cream treats, frozen dumplings, and it had a great liquor section with there own brand liquors that where on par with decent to top name brands. No need to limit yourself to one.
yeswehavenobonanza t1_ix5dihk wrote
Stews, especially for the ice cream! Much bigger selection of fresh food.
JackieDraper907 t1_ix5p048 wrote
I go to Stew’s for special things, like a good cut of steak or piece of fish, and then I literally drive right to ShopRite on my way home for my regular groceries
HughWonPDL2018 t1_ix5z53o wrote
TJ’s for cheap eggs, milk, butter, nuts, and junk food. Stews for fresh food/veggies/fruit/meats/fish.
They’re different stores with different purposes.
johnsonutah t1_ix6m668 wrote
I think it’s worth it to check out Stews but definitely wait until after thanksgiving. It’s chaos there rn
coastal_girl14 t1_ix7kelp wrote
I think it's difficult to unequivocally state that shopping one over the other or exclusively any one grocery store is advisable. I live in So. Ffld County and shop TJs, Stews, WFs, and S&S. No one place has everything. I won't buy meat from S&S (too many bad experiences). I buy Veg from different places, Stews bakery is the best of the bunch. If the ShopRite near me was updated I would shop there more often. If Big Y was in the area I might shop them for most everything except TJs specialities. Wegmans is moving in soon...lol.
CaptServo t1_ix8gf4c wrote
My Grandmother would go to three different stores depending on what was on sale where.
notbad2u t1_ix8kjom wrote
I always got sick after shopping at Stews. TJ is cleaner food (I think) and I can just go in and get one thing without being forced down the intestines of a corporate beast.
But try both. Everybody's different. I haven't shopped at either since I moved.
PocketsAndSedition7 t1_ix91sfa wrote
Trader Joe’s is definitely more inexpensive. But if you’re trying to cut grocery costs, Aldis is where it’s at, assuming there’s one near you.
SpoonLord23 t1_ix4tpj2 wrote
Trader Joe's. But if you have one nearby, I highly recommend Aldi for their cheap prices.