7 Things You Should Know Before Shopping at Grocery Outlet for the First Time

I didn’t think much of Grocery Outlet, the red-and-yellow branded grocery store down the street from my house, until my friend Elizabeth started raving about it. She called it “a hidden gem of discount goodies.” She does the majority of her weekly shopping for her two-person family there, and leaves with “two full bags of groceries for $60 or $70.” (A similar haul would run close to $100 at other nearby grocery stores.)

Once I started shopping there, I totally got the hype. Prices for products — produce, meat, vegan items, pet supplies, and even home goods — are lower than at grocery stores in my area. You can save even more when you download the Grocery Outlet app; on a recent run, I used a $5-off coupon and spent under $50 for my haul.

But don’t just take my word for it. I asked frequent shoppers in my neighborhood Facebook group for their favorite picks from the retailer. Here’s what they had to say.

1. There’s a solid wine section.

The holidays are on the horizon, and Grocery Outlet is a great place to stock up on really good wine — for way less. “I’ve scored $60 bottles for $8,” writes Le, who buys eight bottles at a time when she finds a wine she loves. “If you use a wine app like Vivino, you can find incredible deals,” she adds. Some people don’t even wait to get home; Judith, a frequent GO shopper, has spotted people with a wine key in their car tasting different bottles during a big wine sale. Another, Annozine, recommends going during the retailer’s semi-annual November and April wine sales, when bottles are 20 percent off.

2. It’s got plenty of produce, including organic options.

You might think a discount grocery store wouldn’t have fresh produce, and would lean heavily on the ultra-processed stuff. That’s not the case with Grocery Outlet. I often find quality organic and non-organic fruits and vegetables, like baby bok choy, bags of spicy peppers, mangos, avocados, dragonfruit, and tomatoes. I always give them a once-over before adding to my cart.

3. The eggs and meat are high-quality and heavily discounted.

Several shoppers mentioned the budget-friendly organic eggs, chicken, grass-fed beef, and more dinner staples. “I can’t believe what great deals I’ve gotten on ground beef, patties, and different cuts of steak,” wrote Jaclyn. Others called out the frozen bag of chicken tenderloins (Sue paid $4 at Grocery Outlet, compared to $10 at other grocers), cage-free and specialty eggs, and name-brand cheeses and turkey meat.

4. There’s also a lot of plant-based staples.

If you’re looking for plant-based options, I’ve bought plenty of staples like canned beans, oat milk, flour tortillas, and frozen fruit for much less than I would at nearby grocers and health food stores. You’ll also find more specialty items more frequently than you’d think. “Very often Grocery Outlet will have vegan cheese for $2 or $3, or some amazing sauce that I wouldn’t otherwise find,” writes Elizabeth.

5. You should buy all the coffee.

I have a Mr. Coffee cappuccino maker at home so I’m often on the hunt for quality espresso beans. I’ve spotted popular brands, like Starbucks whole beans, Lavazza, and Illy espresso on multiple trips. I’ve been pairing them with seasonal almond creamers, like Califia Farms cookies ‘n creme or pumpkin spice.

6. The ice cream sandwiches are worth the trip alone.

Who wouldn’t want a box of ice cream sandwiches stashed in the freezer for a sunny (or rainy) day?! If you spot the beloved It’s-It ice cream sandwiches, Vanessa recommends that you grab a box or two, especially the mint ice cream ones dipped in dark chocolate that the store “always seems to have.” There are tons of great vegan ice creams on shelves, too, and for $2.99 or less.

7. Even the pet supplies are top-notch.

With two pugs, a cat, and countless foster kittens under my one roof, I’m always on the hunt for treats and bones. I’ve found well-known brands, like Purina, Zuke’s Naturals, and Blue Buffalo at significantly lower prices than at pet stores. On a recent shopping trip, I bought several bags of soft treats for my dogs. Laura buys her dog food at Grocery Outlet and suggests picking up pup cup ice creams in the freezer section on your way out.

What are your favorite things to buy at Grocery Outlet? Tell us in the comments below.

This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: 7 Things You Should Know Before Shopping at Grocery Outlet for the First Time

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