For me it’s the smell. I haven’t been in one in well over a decade, and I can still smell the smoky cheese goodness.
I remember back when there were maybe 3 of them, and they weren’t all that great. They seemed to get better right around the time I left the area.
A lot of their fresh produce is locally grown. Their house brands tend to be high quality–the marinades I’ve bought are wonderful, their in-store bakery delivers some prime noshes, and their deli meats are very tasty. I love the international aisle, although it would be nice if it included more than dry goods (English bacon, where are you?!). There are several aisles with organic items (food and other), if you’re into that sort of thing, as well as a wide selection of gluten-free foods and other specialty foods for those with special food needs. With few exceptions,the aisles are all wide enough to fit two cards side by side with room to spare. And, of course, there’s the overhead toy train, which delights me. I wish it covered more of the store, but hey …
3 things:
1 - Quit it with the apostrophes. It’s just plain Wegmans
2 - The Ithaca Wegmans is the bestest Wegmans of them all!*
3 - Oh dear - did you have to stay at the Super 8? :eek:
My favorite Wegman’s story:
When they were still a small and crappy chain, they were running a special on sodas – 9 cents a can. Since my allowance at the time was little more than that, that was a great deal for me. I was walking by there one really hot summer day, so I decided to stop in for one. On the far side of the cooler was a can of Mr. Pibb. I loved that stuff so I picked up an identical can closer to me. I paid for it and left the store.
When I got outside I tore the tab off and took the biggest swig I could. YUCK! What the hell? I looked at the label – Diet chocolate soda.
Waste of nine cents.
Also if you need any advice about Ithaca, let me know.
There’s a reason that I used the standard of “supermarkets I grew up with” for comparison. I’m not about to try to claim that Wegmans is unique, in these days when Whole Foods, and to a lesser degree Trader Joe’s, are doing many of the same things as well.
I will say that Wegmans remains better than any Royal Ahold, Albertson’s, Publix, or IGA store I’ve seen.
On preview: As an aside, Motorgirl, I was in Ithaca when the original Wegmans store went in there. Prior to then, I had been flabbergasted by how good the local Tops was. Then one of my buddies, who was from Horseheads, told me that when the Wegmans opened I’d see what a real supermarket should be like.
He was right.
I am always so happy to find other members of the cult of Wegmans.
Do we need a secret handshake?
Wegmans? Ewww. I mean, if you want real food, you go to Greenstar, right?
THIS.
People, if you’re ever in the Queen City, you’ve got to go to this place. Its amazing the variety of food from all over the planet that they have. I work near the place and try to get by there once and awhile. Bring some time with you, you’re going to need it!
I know two things about the Wegmans near my parents’ house.
adds “call mom and beg her to buy some strawberry cream rooibos tea at Wegmans and send it to me” to to-do list
Definitely - if you need a side of patchouli.
A few things that stand out about Wegmans for me is the quality of the fresh food they stock. Their produce is nothing less than fresh and perfect every time. I can’t believe the difference between let’s say the Braeburn apples at Wegmans and the Braeburn apples at Giant or Harris Teeter (our other 2 local supermarkets). It’s like they weren’t even grown on the same planet. Salad greens are always crisp and delicious, thing are restocked regularly and everything is easy to find. We also bought some basic NY strip steaks there about a week ago and put them on the grill. They didn’t need a damn thing - not a sprinkle of salt, not a marinade, no A-1. Pure beefy perfection.
Another is the prices. Even though I seem to make a few more impulse purchases at Wegmans thanks to the Mediterranean/Olive bar, bakery, cheese department, and sushi counter, the basic grocery items are far less expensive than our other standard supermarkets.
The organic/natural section is beyond compare. I’m 6 months pregnant and own a dog walking company so I depend on nutrition bars and filling convenience snacks to get me through times until I can get a decent meal, and their selection is incredible. Organic teas, spices, salad dressings, snacks, bulk foods, brownie mixes PLUS it’s own freezer and refrigerated section with special diet items including tons of gluten-free items for those with the need for special diets. Again - the prices. If you bought the same items at Whole Foods you’d need a small loan.
Then there’s the wine and beer selection…ooooooh just leave me alone there for a while… 
Well, as long as you’re in Ithaca, go to Madeline’s up on The Commons, and The Boatyard Grill over on the inlet. They’re worth the trip. And the Thai restaraunt across from Wegman’s has been well rated by the NY Times. Oh, and on the other side of Cornell, in a small hamlet named Varna is a small restaraunt called The Antlers. Fantastic.
I grew up in Ithaca too, and have not been in the Wegmans recently, but the best best part that I remember from the last time I was there?
Kid storage. Love it. I don’t care how awesome the produce is, being able to park the munchkins is priceless.
Now go to a Friendly’s, and you’ll really want to move to the northeast.
Alec Baldwin’s mom LOVES Wegmans!
Ah, Friendly’s. Those are some good memories. The Jim Dandy: OMG.
Ah, Friendly’s: Trauth- or Bryer’s-quality ice cream slathered, so as to mask said ice cream’s all-too-apparent mediocrity, in toppings that had started to seem uninspired back in 1983. No, if I’m to nosh on chain ice cream, give me Ritter’s or Culver’s any day. Hall, even Dairy Queen serves a better quality product than does Friendly’s.
Not that zombified of a thread, I hope.
I’ve been to the Weggies in Ithaca. I hate to break the news to you, but that’s one of the more middling-sized Wegmans. Check out the locations on Maple Road in Amherst (suburban Buffalo) or Monroe Avenue in Pittsford (suburban Rochester). Other Wegmans locations are like convenient stores compared to those two monsters. Across from the Wegmans in Amherst is the massive flagship Tops market, which is no slouch itself.
Agreed, but those Fribbles® are still pretty good. Overpriced, but good.