76 replies to this topic

[tsukiji]

+1

Dang, I miss those premium meats and seafoods at Draeger's. Oh, and their Mango Mousse Cake. Sigh.....

Sounds like you've patronized at least one of them so you know what I'm talking about.

[DavidH]

Dang, I miss those premium meats and seafoods at Draeger's. Oh, and their Mango Mousse Cake. Sigh.....

Sounds like you've patronized at least one of them so you know what I'm talking about.

Yep, mostly Draeger's in Menlo Park and Los Altos. NOTHING better than their sourdough baguettes. They're what I measure all other bread by and, so far, I haven't found anything close. Bella Bru had some bread that came relatively close but, now that they're gone in Folsom, I'm SOL again.

[tsukiji]

Yep, mostly Draeger's in Menlo Park and Los Altos. NOTHING better than their sourdough baguettes. They're what I measure all other bread by and, so far, I haven't found anything close. Bella Bru had some bread that came relatively close but, now that they're gone in Folsom, I'm SOL again.

Oh yea. And their Cheesy Sourdough -- I was eating those before I got out the door. Memories...... I used to frequent the one in Los Altos but the Menlo Park one was nice with the cooking classes and the restaurant.

I buy my breads from Raley now; some are okay and at least I can buy them warm and fresh. I heard there's a bread store next to Trader Joe's that's supposed to pretty good. Good bread is kind of hard to find.

How about the Bella Bru in EDH? Same as it was in Folsom? If so, maybe I'll try them out.

[ducky]

That is certainly your right to not care...I was just pointing out that you (and lots of others in our community) might miss some of the perks that come with a store like Raleys. You certainly can wait in line at the post office after Winco, though, if that works for you. Personally, I'd rather not regularly make the trek across town to Corti Brothers and then also go load and bag my own groceries at Winco and then deal with the lovely folks at the post office, but that's just me. To each their own...

It's not just you. I feel the same way. I have started going to Winco for some things, but I would really, really miss Raley's if they were to close.

[carnivore]

I like to shop at Winco due to their close proximity to my home #1 and I usually buy my meat in bulk and cut it myself#2, I do agree that the fresh produce is somewhat lacking, but for basic staples like potatoes, carrots, onions, celery etc: it's not bad.. I am an avid BBQ kind of guy and never have met a piece of beef, chicken, pork that I bought from Winco to let me or my guests down. But I also shop at Raley's when I want some more refined, meaning different venues of products. In addition, if you haven't tried Winco's seafood selections.... please don't!!! hehe because if I told you how freah and good it is... well I'd have to wait in line longer!!! I know, there I go thinking about my own needs again!! The last time I was in Raley's on Riley St. one could actually SMELL! the seafood selection.... hhhmmmm I'll pass thank you very much.

[DavidH]

...I heard there's a bread store next to Trader Joe's that's supposed to pretty good. Good bread is kind of hard to find...

The Great Harvest is very good but they don't do any sourdough baguettes (and I'm not a fan of sweet baguettes). Their cinnamon white chocolate loaves are awesome for toast but that's another subject .

[Bill Z]

I like to shop at Winco due to their close proximity to my home #1 and I usually buy my meat in bulk and cut it myself#2, I do agree that the fresh produce is somewhat lacking, but for basic staples like potatoes, carrots, onions, celery etc: it's not bad.. I am an avid BBQ kind of guy and never have met a piece of beef, chicken, pork that I bought from Winco to let me or my guests down. But I also shop at Raley's when I want some more refined, meaning different venues of products. In addition, if you haven't tried Winco's seafood selections.... please don't!!! hehe because if I told you how freah and good it is... well I'd have to wait in line longer!!! I know, there I go thinking about my own needs again!! The last time I was in Raley's on Riley St. one could actually SMELL! the seafood selection.... hhhmmmm I'll pass thank you very much.

I'll agree that I've never been disappointed with Winco meats with one exception, they don't carry Turkey Wings. I have a chicken wing recipe book with a recipe titled 747's which calls for Turkey Wings. I like them a lot, so I have to go to other grocery stores when I want them. I also don't buy hamburger, I prefer to buy roasts and grind them up myself.

[EAH]

Aside from Costco, for food, I shop almost exclusively at Raley's. In general, I think highly of the business. Are they perfect? No. But what I like about them overwhelmingly offsets the things I don't like. Among them, they hire friendly, courteous, helpful people and I'd rather keep them employed over stores that employ anything less. Does the higher quality of the people and maybe the food cost a bit more? Perhaps, but I'm not at this point cost sensitive enough to change.

That being said, Nugget seems to be fairly similar and I may become indifferent between Raley's and Nugget. But my initial loyalty will be to Raley's, all else considered equal.

That being said, if we had a Draeger's or Andronico's up here, I'd probably be partial to them.

Word for word I agree with this sentiment.
Oh how I miss my Andronico's in Berkeley!!!!

[ambrno33]

Winco has the worst customer service ever...and their produce section is definitely "you get what you pay for". I like raley's/bel air, they have friendly workers and I've never been disappointed with any products I've gotten there.
Though, if Iron Point ever opens up into EDH I'll probably go to nugget.

[normajean]

no one can beat raleys produce!!!

[Andrea V]

no one can beat raleys produce!!!

mmmm can't wait for summer fruit!

[california girl]

Winco has the worst customer service ever...and their produce section is definitely "you get what you pay for". I like raley's/bel air, they have friendly workers and I've never been disappointed with any products I've gotten there.
Though, if Iron Point ever opens up into EDH I'll probably go to nugget.

Nugget does have great produce. What I like about them is that they have a much better Organic selection. When there isn't time to hit Whole Foods, Nugget is a great fill in!

Are there any plans to open Iron Point? That would make things so much easier!

[lornaknits]

Nugget does have great produce. What I like about them is that they have a much better Organic selection. When there isn't time to hit Whole Foods, Nugget is a great fill in!

Are there any plans to open Iron Point? That would make things so much easier!

I like up in Empire Ranch and the opening of Iron Point would be great for me too. I've heard it's been delayed possibly for years due to money--mainly from the El Dorado County end of the road.

BTW, I'm a Raley's/Bel Air shopper. I can't stand Winco or Costco even tho the prices are lower. I'm no longer shopping for a big family so my food budget is small anyway.

[ambrno33]

Iron point dead ends at the end of the county line right now, so I assume it's up to EDH to complete the rest. I think its in the plans, but probably not for a while until there's money.

[Chad Vander Veen]

I'll take Raley's and its higher prices/quality over filthy Winco and its bedraggled meth-addicted shoppers buying gray meat and grade C milk.