# Preferring store brand over name brand **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 28, 2009, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950 "2009-05-28T17:53:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Auntbeast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Auntbeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Auntbeast)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/21 "2009-05-28T23:36:00Z")
Aldi’s opened in Tampa about 2 months before we moved. I liked pretty much all of their house brand stuff. I will take any cheap-ass, generic, store brand, whatever, non-dairy creamer powder over Cremora any day. I can’t stand Cremora. ---
**Author:** ![thwartme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@thwartme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thwartme)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/22 "2009-05-28T23:46:35Z")
There’s a store brand called “Equality” that I think makes really good cookies. I prefer their “oreo” style cookies to actual oreos. But, man, their lasagna sucks. thwartme ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/23 "2009-05-28T23:51:55Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > And I would fight you over my homemade brownies, **WhyNot** , but I know your statement is just a ruse to wheedle me out of baked goods. Dude(tte), put up or shut up, s’all I’m sayin’. These are some darn good brownies I’m talkin’ about! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/24 "2009-05-29T04:05:22Z")
> [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > I drink almost nothing but Kroger brand Diet Big K. And I like Aldi’s frozen chicken patties. They remind me of the chicken patties we had in high school. I used to love Big K ginger ale back when it came in those little green bottles. ---
**Author:** ![RedRosesForMe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/91b2a8/32.png) [@RedRosesForMe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedRosesForMe)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/25 "2009-05-29T04:13:42Z")
Publix’s store brand is very often better than the national brand, and I’ve never tried any of their products that weren’t at least as good as national brands. Their waffles are fantastic. I always bought them because they were cheap, and thought they were really awesome waffles. Then one day I stopped at Sweetbay for some reason, and they didn’t have store brand waffles so I bought Eggos. OMG they tasted like cardboard. Worst waffles ever, and I have never bought anything but Publix waffles since. And shortly thereafter, the paper did a waffle blind taste test, and Publix’s came out on top, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/26 "2009-05-29T05:58:48Z")
Smith’s store brand cherry cola is better than any other I have ever tried, including cherry Coke, Pepsi, and RC. Everything at **fresh&easy** (store brand) is better than anything else, both major brand and store brand. Chips, juice, soy chicken & beef, lemonade, snack foods, cookies, ice cream, gelatto, pies, breads, salsa, burritos, tomato sauce… everything I’ve tried there I say the same thing: “Holy #\*(%! This the best ------ I’ve ever had!” I love that store. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/27 "2009-05-29T13:12:40Z")
I ONCE tried a Publix store brand item that I didn’t like - strawberry preserves, I thought they were really pithy. So I e-mailed the store, thinking Publix would like to know about it, because they seem to really care about quality. I got a call (well, a message on my voice mail) from the _factory manager_ of the factory that makes the preserves, telling me that of course you should expect some variation in natural products but that they’re inspecting the production line to make sure the preserves are of appropriate quality and that if I do try the same product again and find it unappealing I should call her directly and let her know immediately. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/28 "2009-05-29T13:28:48Z")
The generic cheetos from Aldi are better than the real, Frito-Lay version. Jewel brand fake-Cheerios (Toasted Oats) were better than Cheerios. President’s Choice Mac & Cheese is far superior to Kraft, but I don’t know that they count as store brand there. They’re the house brand of Loblaw’s, but Loblaw’s isn’t related to Jewel. It’s just a marketing agreement or something. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/29 "2009-05-29T17:44:24Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > I ONCE tried a Publix store brand item that I didn’t like - strawberry preserves, I thought they were really pithy. So I e-mailed the store, thinking Publix would like to know about it, because they seem to really care about quality. I got a call (well, a message on my voice mail) from the _factory manager_ of the factory that makes the preserves, telling me that of course you should expect some variation in natural products but that they’re inspecting the production line to make sure the preserves are of appropriate quality and that if I do try the same product again and find it unappealing I should call her directly and let her know immediately. When I lived in Florida I shopped mainly at Publix. Winn-Dixie was cheaper, but the stores weren’t as nice, and the bakery at Publix is prolly the best grocery store bakery I have ever seen. I love their mountain loaf bread… mmmmmmmm. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/30 "2009-05-29T18:08:23Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Everything at **fresh&easy** (store brand) is better than anything else, both major brand and store brand. Chips, juice, soy chicken & beef, lemonade, snack foods, cookies, ice cream, gelatto, pies, breads, salsa, burritos, tomato sauce… everything I’ve tried there I say the same thing: “Holy #\*(%! This the best ------ I’ve ever had!” Fresh & Easy is the first real venture into the US by Tesco, a big-time food retailer in Europe. I’ve heard good things about them, so I hope they’re successful. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/31 "2009-05-29T18:10:26Z")
> [@Hockey\_Monkey](#): > > Target’s Archer Farms labels are really really good. I haven’t bought anything there that I haven’t liked. I second this. Not only are they really unique, they’re actually _really_ good. My only regret is not having a SuperTarget near me like I used to. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/32 "2009-05-29T19:20:46Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Fresh & Easy is the first real venture into the US by Tesco, a big-time food retailer in Europe. I’ve heard good things about them, so I hope they’re successful. Yep. I started a thread about the store a couple of months ago, but got no responses. ATM they are only in the SW, but I from what I’ve seen and heard, they are doing very well. I have a number of friends, acquaintances and co-workers that have all told me their experience was like mine: walk in, look around, wonder at why it’s so small and seems to have so little in the way of product, buy a few items, discover they taste great, go back and try more, etc. until it quickly becomes a primary shopping stop. Their business model is decidedly different than American stores, but it doesn’t take long to get used to. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/33 "2009-05-29T19:38:00Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I have a number of friends, acquaintances and co-workers that have all told me their experience was like mine: walk in, look around, wonder at why it’s so small and seems to have so little in the way of product, buy a few items, discover they taste great, go back and try more, etc. until it quickly becomes a primary shopping stop. It’s not really intended to be a full-line grocery store; the concept is to focus on some key categories (particularly fresh produce, meats, and bakery, though they do carry some other categories) for short-term shopping trips, and focus on fresh / organic products wherever possible. > [@Snowboarder Bo](#): > > Their business model is decidedly different than American stores, but it doesn’t take long to get used to. In Europe, Tesco operates a variety of different store concepts, from megastores to small outlets similar to Fresh & Easy. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/34 "2009-05-29T19:41:33Z")
I usually by store brands because they are cheaper but I did do one study on Corn Chowder. I love Corn Chowder and I wanted to find the best tasting brand and cost was not an issue. It turned out I liked Albertsons store brand the best and it’s also the cheapest so that turned out a win/win for me. ---
**Author:** ![AqualungBats5th](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@AqualungBats5th](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AqualungBats5th)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/35 "2009-05-29T20:03:59Z")
What’s interesting about store brands in supermarkets is that many of the items actually are produced by the companies that make the name brands, and are essentially the same product with a different label. This isn’t true for 100% certainly, but it’s a great many. One example where it’s not the case? Store brand soda, since the big names don’t give out their recipes. I’ve worked in grocery retail on both the vendor/supplier and instore clerk sides for pretty much all my adult life, and my experience is that customers will swear up and down that a store brand is better than a certain name brand and it is **exactly** the same thing. That said, Stop & Shop has a line of “high quality” store brand items (what makes them of higher quality they do not say, and I can’t figure out) called Simply Enjoy and their frozen bacon-wrapped scallops are better than any other brand I’ve had. ---
**Author:** ![Tinkertoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f19dbf/32.png) [@Tinkertoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinkertoy)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/36 "2009-05-29T20:36:12Z")
> [@MissGypsy](#): > > After I chewed out my husband for buying Food Lion mayo, I found that it’s actually better than Hellman’s. > > And Kroger’s onion bagels are the absolute best. I just wish there was a Kroger in my state. Do you have a Smith’s in your area? I usually don’t shop at Smith’s here because it’s higher priced, but recently ran in for something and discovered the Kroger brand products there. Decided to try them and may never buy another brand of Peanut Butter again. Their sales are almost always the Kroger products at great prices. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/37 "2009-05-29T20:46:01Z")
My husband prefers cheap store-brand ice cream sandwiches. The really small ones with the thin chunk of cheap ice cream between stale sandwich cookie thingies. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/38 "2009-05-29T21:46:12Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > It’s not really intended to be a full-line grocery store; the concept is to focus on some key categories (particularly fresh produce, meats, and bakery, though they do carry some other categories) for short-term shopping trips, and focus on fresh / organic products wherever possible. Yeah, they are more of a neighborhood grocer, not a big box. Still, trust me, the store look empty when you first walk in. > [@](#): > > In Europe, Tesco operates a variety of different store concepts, from megastores to small outlets similar to Fresh & Easy. Yep. They are the UK’s largest retailer, and the 3rd largest in the world, behind Wal-Mart and Carrefour. ---
**Author:** ![susan\_foster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@susan\_foster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan_foster)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/39 "2009-05-29T22:27:22Z")
I had a really good frozen pizza last Friday from Market Basket. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2009, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950/40 "2009-05-29T22:31:29Z")
Some types of Safeway ice cream are far better than Breyer’s. When I was a kid, we got A&P syrup (Ann Page) back when maple syrup was standard. My wife prefers Safeway frozen diet whipped topping. As a counterexample, Safeway microwave popcorn is awful. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/preferring-store-brand-over-name-brand/497950.md?page=3)