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This is a request for ideas, and maybe some help. You see, I'm one of those sad cases, or happy fools, making Dallas home for a second time. In between stints, I was fond of telling old friends and family in Louisville how much my time in Dallas had done to revolutionize the idea of what one should mean by the term, "grocery store." Though Louisville now boasts Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and Fresh Market, it had none of those options when I traded Kentucky burgoo for Texan barbecue in 2000. Back then, the wide assortment of high-quality grocery options seemed like a revelation. From Eatzi's to Whole Foods to Central Market and other options, I was one happy gourmand in training. So since I've been back working here since June, what do I miss most about Louisville? Well, the little grocery I was used to in a leafy neighborhood where your bill was sent monthly, delivery was free (should you happen to need it) and the shelves held all the high-end goodies you'd expect mixed in with enough staples to make trips to Kroger unnecessary. It's called Berger's Market, and it features had one of the best and most reasonable butcher shops in town. Looking to replicate the experience, I've had no luck in Dallas so far. I love Eatzi's -- but like the Dallas City Market on Lovers Lane, its focus is on prepared foods, not groceries. Whole Foods is great, but lacks the personal feel an old grocery can give. I love Central Market's offerings, but hey, I am a single guy and don't want to feel like I am shopping in a warehouse when I need to buy a week's worth of goodies. The closest I've come is the Italian specialty market, Jimmy's Food Store. And while my family is Italian, and I love the store, it still seems just shy of a full-service grocery. So maybe you can help. For those of you who eschew the big markets, where do you shop for your groceries? |
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Comments
Posted by DB Ferguson @ 8:31 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
Being a downtown resident, I'm rather partial to Urban Market. It's a great place to run in, grab some staples, a few gourmet things for special meals, and a package or two of meat. They have an excellent beer and wine selection, and have enough of a selection that it's worth the trip. It's fantastic because even if you have to park in the garage, you can shop, ring out and walk out with two bags of groceries in about 10-15 minutes tops. The store is small enough to run from the front of the store to the back in less than two minutes. They have both store brands, favorites, and high-end organics of many products. They also have things like a full selection of Mrs. Meyers cleaners, prepared foods, and a rather large gourmet cheese selection. If they would only get Ben & Jerry's Stephen Colbert's AmeriCone Dream, they'd be just about perfect.
Posted by Christi H. @ 11:05 PM Mon, Aug 13, 2007
You need to try United Market Street! It is a sublime combination of Kroger and Central Market, with the customer service of Neiman Marcus. You can find "everyday gourmet" items, and you don't have to make a trip to a different store to buy Diet Coke and Cheerios. Market Street has a prepared foods section that offers anything from Italian to King Ranch casserole to grilled salmon and asparagus. The produce department offers every fruit or vegetable imaginable, and produce is purchased from local farmers when possible. I've yet to find an Emeril recipe I can't make with a quick trip to Market Street!
They also have a great selection of organic foods disbursed among the "regular" foods on the aisles. Nearly every brand name item has its gourmet/organic counterpart on the shelf next to it.
Although it is a large store, the attitudes of the employees make it feel like a neighborhood grocery. One of my favorite things about the store is that they still sack and carry your groceries to your car for you - no self checkout lanes in sight. It is not unusual for the store's general manager carry your groceries to your car.
It sounds like I am advertising, but I have been shopping at United stores for years, and I love them!
Unfortunately, the only Market Streets in the Dallas area are in Colleyville and McKinney, but it's worth the drive to try it out! Word on the street is that they will be expanding into Dallas within the next year or two.
Posted by Jane St.John @ 8:42 AM Tue, Aug 14, 2007
It sounds like you are on the right path! I am a vegetarian, and eating with variety can be a challenge. It is necessary to shop all of the local stores in order to get the most benefit from our local flavors. Don't forget the farmer's market! I find that Central Market is best for 'single' shopping as you can buy exactly what you need- their bulk spices are the best kept secret in Dallas. They have a personal shopper(Stacey) at your disposal. However you must be set up thru their personal shopping program. We shop the hispanic market called Fiesta. Their produce is incredible and economical. Also, Tom Spicer's produce, next to Jimmy's is astounding(he is the brother of Chef Susan Spicer-Bayona, Cobalt, Herbsaint in New Orleans)and he can get you anything from local growers.
Whole Foods and Eatzi's just don't move me anymore.
Posted by Cathy @ 10:38 AM Tue, Aug 14, 2007
If Jimmy's didn't do it for you, you're largely out of luck. In Dallas, we apply the "bigger is better" mantra to supermarkets as well as to hairstyles.
Your best bet is to take a mix-and-match approach, depending on what you need in a given week. And try the Greenville Avenue Whole Foods Market while you still can. Despite many remodels, it retains some of its small-store feel.
Posted by Kim Pierce @ 11:12 AM Tue, Aug 14, 2007
The short answer is: You're not going to find a market precisely like Berger's. Sounds like one of a kind.
I suspect Urban Market downtown comes the closest, although I think a better strategy for you would be to love the one you're with, as it is were, or find one or two to love.
Once you get over the initial overwhelm of Central Market, it can be a fun place to shop. You sort find your niche items and develop blinders to the rest. And beyond farmer's markets, it does the best job with locally grown seasonal produce.
If sustainability and provenance for things like fish and beef are important to you, I'd still suggest Whole Foods.
SuperTarget does a surprisingly good job with balancing interesting/gourmet w basics. We also have mind-boggling Asian markets in Dallas.
From Jimmy's, you can make a good orbit. You're not far from the farmer's market downtown or the Skillman-Abrahms SuperTarget. Plus, there are places in between, like the little market on Greenville whose names escapes me and the Dallas Central Market. If SuperTarget's too far, Tom Thumb across from CM works for a lot.
Make the discovery an adventure, and report back on the blog what you find.
Posted by Mae Whitten @ 2:21 PM Tue, Aug 14, 2007
Have you people been to the "miracle" that is Sprouts Farmers Market located at Forest and Marsh? I marvel every time I'm in there over how I got by without them.
Posted by Margie @ 6:52 PM Wed, Aug 15, 2007
Central Market may seem overwhelmingly large. Try going first thing in the morning. You practically have the store to yourself and it's a marvelous shopping experience. You have to sacrifice the samples because that stuff doesn't usually get laid out until around 10:00 a.m. It is well worth it not to have to fight your way around shell shocked first time visitors. Or the inevitable crowd busters going in the opposite direction of the general traffic. I whole heartedly agree with the comment above about the bulk section at CM. The savings there can be a huge bonus when you don't need large amounts or cute packaging. Jimmy's is my second choice because of the authentic ethnic offerings and the cozy atmosphere. Those guys are the best. Unfortunately, the produce sometimes lacking. I had no idea that Tom Spicer's existed. I'll have to check that out. Urban Market is great and particarly convenient if you work or live downtown. My primary goal is to never visit Tom Thumb or Albertson's ever again. Now, if all these places will just stay in business, I'm set.