Over Labor Day weekend, I'll be hosting a family picnic at our cottage in Geneva - as a westsider, I've never been to any of the new grocery stores that have recently popped up on the East Side.  I know there's a Whole Foods at Cedar Center, a Fresh Market at Van Aken, and a Wild Oats somewhere on Chagrin.  I've not been incredibly impressed by the offerings at Trader Joe's at Crocker Park.

I know I should go to the West Side Market, but I'm looking to check out something new.  I am a big fan of the Mustard Seed and West Point Markets in the Akron area, but that's pretty far out of the way.

 

I'll have time to hit one of these three new stores on my way out to Geneva, so which should I pick for the best selection of fresh foods, meats, and wines?  What are the big distinctions among the three?

Trader Joe's has a limited offering.

Whole Foods is much better than Wild Oats.

I have yet to visit a Fresh Market.

 

Try the West Side Market for your meats and cheeses. Go to Trader Joes for the wine.

they are all pretty much the same, fresh market it smaller than the other two; wild oats and whole foods are nearly identical.

You might also consider Nature's Bin on the border of Lakewood and Rocky River. Limited selection, but lots of good foods. And unlike the others mentioned, they're a nonprofit who seek to provide employment to hard-to-employ individuals.

 

Trader Joe's is great for convenience ... many of their foods are pre-prepared. They're also pretty cheap when it comes to organic shopping.

Whole Foods is gigantic and have a very wide selection, but their prices are high and the store lacks a certain personality for me.

Wild Oats is alright ... they have a decent selection and their grains, healthy snacks, etc. section is quite good.

I say stick to the Westside Market.

 

The Wild Oats is on the other side of i-271.

 

Fresh Market is at Van Aken/Warrnesville and per my mother, "It's ok, but its not Heinens or the Westside Market"  She wasn't impressed.

I would add Gallucci's, on E. 66th and Euclid (car entrance from Carnegie) to your itinerary. It's a big, old-school Italian market with wonderful fresh cheeses, breads, meats, wines and prepared foods.

 

It's sorta like Trader Joe's -- only real.

Blinky - Great idea, I always forget about Galluccis.

 

I would add Gallucci's, on E. 66th and Euclid (car entrance from Carnegie) to your itinerary. It's a big, old-school Italian market with wonderful fresh cheeses, breads, meats, wines and prepared foods.

 

It's sorta like Trader Joe's -- only real.

 

Amen to Galluccis. 

^hopefully most people haven't forgotten about them during the ECP construction

Galluci's is da bomb, baby! As a former deli clerk of 5 years, I can say they are among the only ones who get it when it comes to meats and cheeses. Plus if you're lazy, you can get meals that all you need to do is stick in the oven and add noodles. Score one for the bachelors!!

^hopefully most people haven't forgotten about them during the ECP construction

 

For real.  I will cry if they don't make it.  At one point they were at risk of losing some of their property to the ECP and said that if they did, that was it, they would shut down.  They were pushed to their current location by Gateway and weren't in the mood to move again.

^ hmm i never been there before... in fact im having a hard time picturing it.  is it big or kinda smallish/hidden along euclid??

Big place on the south side of Euclid a couple blocks east of 55th.  Doors open to the side parking lot, not to the street (but I give them a pass because of the content).