Are grocery stores the new restaurants?
February 24th, 2009 by Cliff Bostock in RestaurantsNPR’s “Morning Edition” reported today that more than 50 percent of consumers are cutting back restaurant dining, according to a recent Nielsen survey.
At the same time, increasing numbers of people are buying prepared meals from grocery stores. These include meals to heat at home but many stores, like Whole Foods, have installed tables and are serving food on the premises. That’s not new for Whole Foods but other grocery chains are following suit. And convenience stores are getting in on the action too.
As it happens, I’ve been sampling prepared food at grocery stores for a Grazing column. My longtime favorites have been the fried chicken at Publix and the Indian-style chicken at Whole Foods. Many of the prepared foods at Trader Joe’s have surprised me with their quality. The Ansley Kroger has recently expanded its own selection of ready-to-eat dishes. I’ve eaten at taquerias inside Mexican groceries for years.
Do any of you readers have your own favorite grocery-store choices? Clue me in.
February 25th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
The only grocery stores I would eat at are on cleveland ave and Buford Hwy, killer toungue and beef cheek tacos!
February 26th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
Candler Park Market has a great little Deli located in the back of the store.
August 19th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Publix sandwiches have replaced all of the chain sandwich shops for me. Better quality bread meats, cheese & veg than most of the national chains and better value for dollar. For hot food, my favorite is the Fish stand or the Jamaican stand at the Sweet Auburn curb market.