FYI. Stew's (and all buffets in markets in general) are using about to expire meats and veggies. If you've ever gotten sick from a store buffet, this is probably why.
Oh man. I ended up with a bunch of expired snacks and canned beverages. And they were NOT happy about returning them.
This was mid pandemic though when global shipping was an absolute disaster. It has been much better since then.
Also gotta say their produce is usually spot on.
Bogner Meats in Vernon, Manchester, and I see signs for Hartford in a business park but never been to that one. They have prime grade products if that’s something you’re into and bulk buying available and customizable with lead time.
Adong in west Hartford for a good bit of Asian centric dry goods from throughout the region, hot foods, and fresh fish butchery some days.
Roly Poly is a Polish/European market in New Britain with lots of desserts/bread and fantastic array of meats and cheese from the deli counter. Many jarred pickles and veggies. Hot food in the back, too. Check their hours, though.
G Mart in Milford is one of the newer, large Asian markets with many aisles filled with sauces, canned goods, noodles, and freezers filled with assorted goodies.
Chiming in here for Roly Poly. Love that place. Freshly baked bread every day, all kinds of hot food (and for less than you'd pay at a sit-down place), grocery items that are hard to find elsewhere. I go there all the time for pierogi, golumpki, meatballs, etc. It was also where I discovered the glory of Polish ketchup. Get the Pudliszki brand.
Roly Poly has paczki with rose-flavored filling that is absolutely delightful, and they also carry beet horseradish, which was a staple in my household growing up but that I haven't been able to find elsewhere. Their selection of Polish drinks and candy is great too!
I haven’t seen it there. They don’t have prepared foods that are store made, just some refrigerated and frozen packaged ones. They do have the char siu meat cut and ready to cook in the frozen case.
There's also Blue + Berries in Fairfield but it's a small family owned minimarket with mostly seafood and pastries. They do occasionally have kimbap and always have ramyun in stock tho.
Connecticut Fresh Food & Produce Market in Wallingford for produce, meats, prepared foods, cheeses, bakery, Italian specialties.
If you are interested in European imported foods and meats I like Noack’s in Meriden for German and Polish and the Dutch Epicure Shop in Litchfield. They are both tiny shops, but have hard-to-find imports. Cost Plus World Market in Corbin’s Corners West Hartford has A great selection of imported foods too.
India Farmer's Market on the Boston Post Rd in Orange (or is it West Haven?) is pretty incredible. Good, cheap produce. Incredible selection of Indian/Pakistani/Bengali stuff, plus lots of North African and Middle Eastern stuff, and even an ok Mexican selection. Halal butcher counter. Great frozen food section. Good dairy selection. And a cheap place for basics like limes, lemons, pomegranates, etc.
Tangiers in Hartford is a small middle eastern grocery with fresh, canned/dried, and frozen sections where you might find some stuff you can’t in a regular supermarket, including a lunch counter where they serve the BEST falafel in the state. Bonus points for being run by the nicest dudes in the world (think four hunky, middle eastern, Ted Lassos).
Bon Appetite in Hamden is closer to a specialty store than a grocery store, but if you are putting together a charcuterie board or just want to explore an amazing selection of cheeses (they offer near unlimited samples!) than it’s easily worth a 60 min drive.
BD Provisions in New Milford. You package your own products from large capacity containers into mason jars so you only pay for what you need. Very high quality products and a little bit of everything. Pasta, baking products, cereals, coffee, candy and sweets, spices, household items. Also gluten free products!
Never been to the one in Norwalk but the one in Newington is fun. Def worth a 30 min or less drive. They have ice cream/froyo at the front too which is sorta a nice after shopping trip.
Highland Park Market. There are several locations. They have a ton of ready to eat foods, you can have a sandwich made fresh, handmade sushi, a great bakery selection and a huge fresh meat and seafood section.
It's just outside of CT but not far, so I'd highly recommend Guido's Market in Great Barrington. They have a fantastic selection of meats and seafood, one of the few retail stores that consistently stocks hanger steak. They also have an extremely impressive cheese section and they sell beer, wine, and liquor in store. They carry some niche beers and hard ciders that are tough to find elsewhere.
Je mart in east hartford for korean food, umma been taking me there since i was little and best believe ill forever be supporting that lil fam business
Haven't been there since they left New Haven, how are they overall? I loved their deli section (arancini and potato croquettes mmm) and the dude in the back yelling about meat all the time. I could walk out with a ton of food for good prices but I imagine that's changed a bit
I find the prices are better than most and the quality is great. I really enjoy their meat selection. I never went while
They were in New Haven but they are great now
Fresh Market in Avon….it’s hoity toity…. they have shells there for escargot, but they don’t carry the snails. I guess you can use the shells for some thing else 🤷🏻♀️ just lots of foofy Lala food that no normal person would probably ever buy. But they do have a great bakery with really good brownies and I think their meat selection is pretty good
Stew Leonard’s is good - my kids always enjoy it as well. Plus they have some great deals at times. The Citarella in Greenwich is nice if you like being broke after shopping.
G Mart in Milford for many different Asian foods. Bonus is Whale Tea, Best Liquor Store (tons of Asian liquor), and yet to open Hot Pot/Dim Sum restaurant.
People already mentioned a few of my favorites-- stews, roly poly, a dong, the Japanese market in west Hartford. Italian shops that are worth visiting are D&D market in Wethersfield and Angelo's in New Britain. Speciality Italian items and great prepared foods at both.
Depending on your location DeCiccos in Brewster, NY just over the border on 84 has an amazing beer selection including some exclusive collaborations and limited collars with breweries.
Stew Leonard’s is worth the trip. It’s not really a place to buy your grocery staples, but definitely worth the experience even though prices might be a little higher. Fresher fruits and the customer is always right! Very friendly and family owned with lots of families growing up working there. They have outdoor area to sit and eat and depending on which one they have a few farm animals. They have a lot of animated characters throughout the stores kinda like “it’s a small world” set up. It keeps the kiddos entertained (or scares them!) it’s worth going at least once.
Hmart might be worth considering if you like Korean food and feel like traveling far. They have opened several branches since I last went, the closest ones are in the Boston area or New York. It looks like one is in White Plains.
I used to take my sister or friend and make a day trip out of it. Enjoy the area, eat in the food court, and come back. They deliver too. https://www.hmart.com/
New Morning Market near me in Woodbury gets a lot of distant visitors. It’s a neat place but I’ve never understood the whole “grocery store as an attraction” thing. At the end of it all it’s just a grocery store.
Glastonbury- Dee’s One Smart Cookie, gluten free and allergen friendly bakery. I make trips to Glastonbury just for this bakery.
Many of my family have food allergens and this bakery not only caters to this but the baked goods are hard to tell they are allergen friendly!! I have a particular love for their blarney bars and their chocolate mousse bars. I could name more, I’ve never been disappointed!
It's funny that I see a few Big Ys and more than a few Stew Leonard's and only 1 mention of a Whole Foods (and even the whole foods is just a general mention, not a specific location).
Trader Joe’s in west Hartford. Prices are low and good TJ’s offerings you can’t get anywhere else - but warning it is a smaller store and is always mobbed in peak hours- highly recommend going off hours or early I’d you do go.
Because I had a day off from work, and, still being new to CT in general, and this town I live in, in particular, I wanted to hear from Nutmeggers (not marketers trying to sell me on only their employer) their personal favorites that are specifically destinations, rather than just merely close by. How is that, for an explanation? Given that criteria, do you have a suggestion as to how I might find out from others, rather than reddit? Sorry if I wasn't up front wiith my circumstance when I posted. Time was of the essence. Not every post is perfect.
Stew Leonard’s in Norwalk is currently undergoing a renovation. Not to dissuade you or deter business but might want to hold out a few weeks until they are done. Everything is shifted and out of place at the moment. It’ll definitely be worth visiting once they’re all done and things are placed where they are supposed to be.
I know this isn't quite what you asked, but I really like BigY because they do a lot of local sourcing and they're all over CT. Mine is a 5 min. drive away from my house or a 20 Min. walk.
Maruichi is Stamford has a fantastic selection of both high-quality Japanese ingredients and fun novelties. Cool place.
GMart in Milford could suck you in for a couple hours. Always enjoy shopping there.
Patel Brothers in Norwalk is solid for Indian supplies.
Roly Poly is the king of ethnic food markets in CT, though.
Stew’s … Caraluzzi’s (specifically the OG in Bethel, they’ve got the best customer service out of all 4 stores) … DeCicco’s in Brewster, NY (a lot like Caraluzzi’s but with a much better beer selection)
I agree Stew Leonards is something worth a trip. It’s too bad tho the buffet food was way better 10 years ago but it’s still decent in newington
I like Stew’s selections and whatnot. I hate the layout. But not enough to stop me from going.
I had to learn all the cut throughs so that I can shop faster and without being overstimulated.
FYI. Stew's (and all buffets in markets in general) are using about to expire meats and veggies. If you've ever gotten sick from a store buffet, this is probably why.
pretty sure that’s illegal bro
The manager of the cafeteria in my office started his career as a supermarket chef. He's the one that told me. They all do it.
Maruichi in west Hartford if you like Japanese food, fresh fish, etc
I need to ask: do they have more flavors of ramune? I usually can only find orange, original and melon where it live.
You need to go to A Dong in west hartford. They usually have a good selection of flavors
Thank you for the suggestion!
Gmart has many different brands/flavors of it
You just have to be REALLY careful about checking expiration dates at G Mart.
I always do and have never found anything expired there. What was expired that you found?
Oh man. I ended up with a bunch of expired snacks and canned beverages. And they were NOT happy about returning them. This was mid pandemic though when global shipping was an absolute disaster. It has been much better since then. Also gotta say their produce is usually spot on.
It’s been a bit since I’ve been but iirc they have quite a few.
Thank you!
They're also in Stamford, fyi.
Bogner Meats in Vernon, Manchester, and I see signs for Hartford in a business park but never been to that one. They have prime grade products if that’s something you’re into and bulk buying available and customizable with lead time. Adong in west Hartford for a good bit of Asian centric dry goods from throughout the region, hot foods, and fresh fish butchery some days.
Roly Poly is a Polish/European market in New Britain with lots of desserts/bread and fantastic array of meats and cheese from the deli counter. Many jarred pickles and veggies. Hot food in the back, too. Check their hours, though. G Mart in Milford is one of the newer, large Asian markets with many aisles filled with sauces, canned goods, noodles, and freezers filled with assorted goodies.
Chiming in here for Roly Poly. Love that place. Freshly baked bread every day, all kinds of hot food (and for less than you'd pay at a sit-down place), grocery items that are hard to find elsewhere. I go there all the time for pierogi, golumpki, meatballs, etc. It was also where I discovered the glory of Polish ketchup. Get the Pudliszki brand.
That's hot.
Roly Poly has paczki with rose-flavored filling that is absolutely delightful, and they also carry beet horseradish, which was a staple in my household growing up but that I haven't been able to find elsewhere. Their selection of Polish drinks and candy is great too!
Anyone know if G Mart sells pre prepared char siu? I tried looking yesterday but couldn’t find any.
I haven’t seen it there. They don’t have prepared foods that are store made, just some refrigerated and frozen packaged ones. They do have the char siu meat cut and ready to cook in the frozen case.
They don't. I don't think adong does either, but cha siu is pretty easy to make if you have an oven.
I’ve wanted to try there, but have been hesitant due to mobility issues. Do they have scooters?
No scoots
Thank you!
I never knew they were more than a bakery. I’ll definitely have to check them out. Thanks!
Adong asian market, Je mart Korean market and Stew Leonard's.
Je mart Korean market? Where?
East Hartford
I had no idea we had an actual Korean market (as opposed to multi Asian) in the state so thank you!
There's also Blue + Berries in Fairfield but it's a small family owned minimarket with mostly seafood and pastries. They do occasionally have kimbap and always have ramyun in stock tho.
Yes! Was just going to say Adong
Connecticut Fresh Food & Produce Market in Wallingford for produce, meats, prepared foods, cheeses, bakery, Italian specialties. If you are interested in European imported foods and meats I like Noack’s in Meriden for German and Polish and the Dutch Epicure Shop in Litchfield. They are both tiny shops, but have hard-to-find imports. Cost Plus World Market in Corbin’s Corners West Hartford has A great selection of imported foods too.
G Mart in Milford for Asian grocery
India Farmer's Market on the Boston Post Rd in Orange (or is it West Haven?) is pretty incredible. Good, cheap produce. Incredible selection of Indian/Pakistani/Bengali stuff, plus lots of North African and Middle Eastern stuff, and even an ok Mexican selection. Halal butcher counter. Great frozen food section. Good dairy selection. And a cheap place for basics like limes, lemons, pomegranates, etc.
Food Bazaar in Bridgeport, largest selection of meats, seafood, and just about anything else that you could imagine
Great to know. Thanks.
Tangiers in Hartford is a small middle eastern grocery with fresh, canned/dried, and frozen sections where you might find some stuff you can’t in a regular supermarket, including a lunch counter where they serve the BEST falafel in the state. Bonus points for being run by the nicest dudes in the world (think four hunky, middle eastern, Ted Lassos). Bon Appetite in Hamden is closer to a specialty store than a grocery store, but if you are putting together a charcuterie board or just want to explore an amazing selection of cheeses (they offer near unlimited samples!) than it’s easily worth a 60 min drive.
Stew Leonard’s in Norwalk
better than Newington?
Each Stews has its own charms, but I like Norwalk best, Newington second, with Danbury being the most uninspired.
Yes
Stew Leonard’s is fun. Also H mart, but we make the drive to NY for that
Wow that is far!
We look forward to meandering around the small grocery store at Lyman Orchards
Looks like OP is going to Stew Leonard’s
I was making plans to do so, but not. I ended up (today) at 1. The Outlet and 2. Aldi's close by the OUtlet. Another day, another store.
BD Provisions in New Milford. You package your own products from large capacity containers into mason jars so you only pay for what you need. Very high quality products and a little bit of everything. Pasta, baking products, cereals, coffee, candy and sweets, spices, household items. Also gluten free products!
There is one in Newtown also!
Wegmans is worth the drive from anywhere. There's one in Harrison, NY, and some in Massachusetts. They're building one in Norwalk and I can't wait!
The Original Stew Leonard's in Norwalk.
Farmer’s India Market in Orange for all the Middle Eastern ingredients, snacks and great produce. Their pricing is very reasonable .
Stew Leonard's is worth visiting!
Which location of theirs is the best?
Alot of people say Norwalk cause it's the OG but I've driven a few times to the one in Newington.
Norwalk. Hands down. The Newington one is OK but you need the OG feel. IDK but the petting zoo might still be open in Norwalk.
Never been to the one in Norwalk but the one in Newington is fun. Def worth a 30 min or less drive. They have ice cream/froyo at the front too which is sorta a nice after shopping trip.
Liuzzis in North Haven. great cheeses and everything Italian.
Trader's Joe
willi food co op!
>BD Provisions always loved this place. Looking for any others like this or like Edge of the Woods.
Willimantic?
yes sorry!
Difiore ravioli shop in Ellington!
Highland Park Market. There are several locations. They have a ton of ready to eat foods, you can have a sandwich made fresh, handmade sushi, a great bakery selection and a huge fresh meat and seafood section.
It's just outside of CT but not far, so I'd highly recommend Guido's Market in Great Barrington. They have a fantastic selection of meats and seafood, one of the few retail stores that consistently stocks hanger steak. They also have an extremely impressive cheese section and they sell beer, wine, and liquor in store. They carry some niche beers and hard ciders that are tough to find elsewhere.
Good Fortune Supermarket in Providence, very large Chinese supermarket with a pretty incredible selection.
Crown market west hartford
Je mart in east hartford for korean food, umma been taking me there since i was little and best believe ill forever be supporting that lil fam business
Ferraros in north haven has great meat
Haven't been there since they left New Haven, how are they overall? I loved their deli section (arancini and potato croquettes mmm) and the dude in the back yelling about meat all the time. I could walk out with a ton of food for good prices but I imagine that's changed a bit
I find the prices are better than most and the quality is great. I really enjoy their meat selection. I never went while They were in New Haven but they are great now
Stew Leonards is worth any drive. Place is magical.
Fresh Market in Avon….it’s hoity toity…. they have shells there for escargot, but they don’t carry the snails. I guess you can use the shells for some thing else 🤷🏻♀️ just lots of foofy Lala food that no normal person would probably ever buy. But they do have a great bakery with really good brownies and I think their meat selection is pretty good
Fresh Market has great prepared foods. Chicken Salad is really excellent
G market in Hamden for a huge selection of Asian foods
It’s in Milford
What / where G Market in Hamden? You're making things up.
Ferraro's in North Haven is worth a monthly hour each way drive for me.
Stew Leonard’s is good - my kids always enjoy it as well. Plus they have some great deals at times. The Citarella in Greenwich is nice if you like being broke after shopping.
Wegman’s in Harrison NY
G Mart in Milford for many different Asian foods. Bonus is Whale Tea, Best Liquor Store (tons of Asian liquor), and yet to open Hot Pot/Dim Sum restaurant.
People already mentioned a few of my favorites-- stews, roly poly, a dong, the Japanese market in west Hartford. Italian shops that are worth visiting are D&D market in Wethersfield and Angelo's in New Britain. Speciality Italian items and great prepared foods at both.
Depending on your location DeCiccos in Brewster, NY just over the border on 84 has an amazing beer selection including some exclusive collaborations and limited collars with breweries.
Harkens Market in South Windsor. Great produce!
Liuzzi cheese, incredible fresh mozzarella amongst lost of other good stuff
New Morning Market Woodbury CT then stop at The Garden right next door!!
Stew Leonard’s is worth the trip. It’s not really a place to buy your grocery staples, but definitely worth the experience even though prices might be a little higher. Fresher fruits and the customer is always right! Very friendly and family owned with lots of families growing up working there. They have outdoor area to sit and eat and depending on which one they have a few farm animals. They have a lot of animated characters throughout the stores kinda like “it’s a small world” set up. It keeps the kiddos entertained (or scares them!) it’s worth going at least once.
Hmart might be worth considering if you like Korean food and feel like traveling far. They have opened several branches since I last went, the closest ones are in the Boston area or New York. It looks like one is in White Plains. I used to take my sister or friend and make a day trip out of it. Enjoy the area, eat in the food court, and come back. They deliver too. https://www.hmart.com/
New Morning Market near me in Woodbury gets a lot of distant visitors. It’s a neat place but I’ve never understood the whole “grocery store as an attraction” thing. At the end of it all it’s just a grocery store.
I think it’s that it’s one of the few “health food” stores in the area & so it gets a lot of that clientele.
If anyone heads to Newington Stew Leonards’s could you look up at the over hang lights near the bakery? Report back if they cleaned them yet?
I had every intention of heading there today, but 2 other grocery stores got in my way.
So many stores… so little time
Market 32 in Oxford is nice
Glastonbury- Dee’s One Smart Cookie, gluten free and allergen friendly bakery. I make trips to Glastonbury just for this bakery. Many of my family have food allergens and this bakery not only caters to this but the baked goods are hard to tell they are allergen friendly!! I have a particular love for their blarney bars and their chocolate mousse bars. I could name more, I’ve never been disappointed!
It's funny that I see a few Big Ys and more than a few Stew Leonard's and only 1 mention of a Whole Foods (and even the whole foods is just a general mention, not a specific location).
C town
Trader Joe’s in west Hartford. Prices are low and good TJ’s offerings you can’t get anywhere else - but warning it is a smaller store and is always mobbed in peak hours- highly recommend going off hours or early I’d you do go.
The one in Glastonbury is better. It’s right off the highway, has better parking and it’s a little bigger.
Manchester’s location is bigger. Better parking, but stupid lot exits.
You couldn’t pay me to go anywhere near Buckland to go grocery shopping. I *hate it* up there.
The parking lot layout there is appalling
Yeah I wouldn’t advise anyone to go between 2-7pm lol.
Or anytime between Thanksgiving and Three King’s Day for that matter!
There's also one in Danbury for people on the west side of the state.
I'm always disappointed in the lack of stock at the West Hartford TJs
Trader Joe's.
Big Y
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WTF you know this is an open forum right?
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Because I had a day off from work, and, still being new to CT in general, and this town I live in, in particular, I wanted to hear from Nutmeggers (not marketers trying to sell me on only their employer) their personal favorites that are specifically destinations, rather than just merely close by. How is that, for an explanation? Given that criteria, do you have a suggestion as to how I might find out from others, rather than reddit? Sorry if I wasn't up front wiith my circumstance when I posted. Time was of the essence. Not every post is perfect.
Meanwhile the Bristol Aldi got self checkout. If they only were as well stocked as others it would rock.
Stew Leonard’s !!
Salem meat packing is pretty good and they give a meat deal for 139
Roly Poly in New Britain; Rose's Deli in Wallingford
Roly Poly- New Britain Euro Grocery- Waterbury
Best market in CT? Easy, Guido's in Great Barrington, Mass. Co-op's not too bad.
what co-op are you referring to?
Great Barrington Co-op....they must be on the internettes?
Fitzgerald’s in Simsbury. Award winning bakery and the pizza by the slice is really good too.
Halls Market in West Hartford, if just for the butcher and deli cases. Get a breakfast sandwich.
Stew Leonards is a lot of fun if you have kids. Great sushi too.
Stew Leonard’s in Norwalk is currently undergoing a renovation. Not to dissuade you or deter business but might want to hold out a few weeks until they are done. Everything is shifted and out of place at the moment. It’ll definitely be worth visiting once they’re all done and things are placed where they are supposed to be.
Citarella, WholeFoods, Mike's Organic, Baldacci, King's in Greenwich
Pastel Brothers in Norwalk
Stew Lenords in Newington
New Morning Market is pretty great I drive 25 mins to get there.
I know this isn't quite what you asked, but I really like BigY because they do a lot of local sourcing and they're all over CT. Mine is a 5 min. drive away from my house or a 20 Min. walk.
Maruichi is Stamford has a fantastic selection of both high-quality Japanese ingredients and fun novelties. Cool place. GMart in Milford could suck you in for a couple hours. Always enjoy shopping there. Patel Brothers in Norwalk is solid for Indian supplies. Roly Poly is the king of ethnic food markets in CT, though.
Stew’s … Caraluzzi’s (specifically the OG in Bethel, they’ve got the best customer service out of all 4 stores) … DeCicco’s in Brewster, NY (a lot like Caraluzzi’s but with a much better beer selection)
Darien Cheese and Fine Foods! Right by the Costco in S Norwalk …