Grocery shopping might be a necessity, but it is also so much more. Nowhere else can you see that one person you were friends with four years ago and wave awkwardly at them. It’s the only place you’ll ever run into your teacher and your grandmother’s best friend in the span of five minutes. However, choose the wrong store to shop at, and your day is as good as ruined. To help avoid this catastrophe, we’ve ranked the top grocery stores in our area.
Trader Joe’s
Unless you just moved here and aren’t acquainted with the common ways of Arlington life, you’re probably quite familiar with Trader Joe’s. From gourmet frozen meals to unique snacks to knock-off Oreos (which people claim are far better than the name brand), Trader Joe’s has it all. Simply perusing the aisle and seeing the rows of the most delicious foods the earth has to offer will heal something inside you. That being said, it can feel a bit overwhelming when it’s Sunday afternoon and all the Mommy and Me members flood the aisle in search of their new non-dairy-fat-free-no-gluten dinner for that night.
Whole Foods
Whole Foods is similar to Trader Joe’s, but instead of exchanging smiles with crunchy, granola parents, you’re being judged by aggressive pilates-obsessed millennials. Just know that everything you put in your cart will be silently deemed acceptable or not by that couple that hasn’t ingested fast food in twenty years. While there’s no denying their food is excellent, the exorbitant prices might be a reason to skip this stop.
Costco
Costco, oh Costco, where to begin with my love for you. Nothing, simply nothing, can beat the prices and sheer quantity of the goods that you find there. You never think you’ll need an ultra-mega pack of cinnamon rolled oats until you find yourself filling up your cart with three of them. Dried mango never tasted so good as it does in that three gallon Ziploc you buy for three dollars. Sure, it can get quite crowded, and after a while you can only take so much more stocking up on (non)essentials, but all in all, Costco is worth all of it.
Harris Teeter
Like a childhood best friend, Harris Teeter is always there when you need it most. You just can’t beat the location: surrounded by the beloved food shops of the Harrison shopping center. Although parking can be a bit of a hassle, with soccer moms in their minivans circling the lot like hawks waiting for a spot, Harris Teeter is a relatively low-stress grocery store.
Safeway (at Harrison)
For some reason I can’t put my finger on, going to this Safeway feels more like a chore than an adventure. Maybe it’s the arctic temperatures of each aisle or the lack of natural light throughout the store, but something just feels off. The one thing this store has going for it is the ease of parking, as there’s always spots available. If you’re solely looking for a quick get in-get-out store, this Safeway will do the job, but I can’t promise you’ll enjoy it along the way.
MOM’s
MOM’s is less a trip to the grocery store and more a cathartic experience that will change your life. Aisle upon aisle greets you with brightly colored shelves of healthy (and quite expensive) gourmet foods. While the price may deter many, including broke high school students, I would highly recommend going simply for the experience.
Wegmans
Wegmans. The last, and probably the most epic of all the stores. You know it, you love it, you eat far too much sushi whenever you go. There’s hardly a flaw to Wegmans, with excellent pastries, pre-made food, and a wide array of fresh produce. The only drawback is the distance, with the closest one being in Alexandria.
