Chowgeeks Albany Oregon Grocery Store Update

Albany Farmer's Market

Sure, I know, it's not a grocery store. But, it is a good place to buy produce, baked goods, meat, honey, and other locally produced items. On a nice saturday morning, it's a great thing to do. They do accept credit cards at the market booth. The Albany Farmer's Market runs 9AM to 1PM every Saturday from mid-April to later November.

Tel: 541-740-1542

Addr: Albany City Hall east parking lot 4th St & Ellsworth / Broadalbin

Web: locallygrown.org

Albertsons

Alberston typically does not have the best deals on items, except on sales. They have decent Buy On Get One meat deals, and occasionally have Tillamook cheese on sale. We've experienced several occasion where they were out of stock on sale items. They seem to be a fairly liberal coupon policy. You need an "Albertsons Preferred Savings Card" to get many specials. We've only been overcharged once there on a meat BOGO special. When contacted, the manager agreed to "make it right". They have those horrid self-checkout lanes (don't use them if you have coupons!)

Tel: 541-967-7633

Addr: 177 WAVERLY DR. SOUTHEAST Albany, OR

Web: www.albertsons.com

Costco

Costco is a membership store where you have to pay $50 or more per year to belong. That said, they do have good deals on food. Of course, you generally need to buy a larger quantity of something. But, Costco tends to come out as the least expensive, highest quality option on regularly priced items. Sometimes it can be a bit busy.

Tel: (541) 918-7040

Addr: 3130 Killdeer Ave, Albany

Web: Costco Albany

Dollar Store (Where *almost* everything is a dollar)

They are not as cheap as you think! Watch the ads, and you can get things cheaper at the larger chain stores. Also, many items are close to or past their expiration date. But, there is still a deal or two to be had on non-food items. The Dollar Store will be closing in June 2010. Since their closing is approaching, they have discounts. Last time I was there it was 10 percent off.

Tel: 635 Pacific Boulevard Southwes

Addr: (541) 926-3200

Web: None.

Fred Meyer

Fred's in Albany seems in the the running for the lowest average prices on items. They generally have good weekly specials and coupons. Their coupon policy is liberal. You need a "Fred Meyer Card" to get certain specials. We've never been (to our knowledge) overcharged at Fred's. It often crowded, but that doesn't surprise me. And, they have those horrid self-checkout lanes (don't use them if you have coupons!). Fred Meyer generally keeps advertised specials well-stocked.

Tel: (541) 926-9463

Addr: 2500 Santiam Hwy SE

Web: www.fredmeyer.com

Grocery Depot

This is a small discount grocery outfit near Bi-Mart. They specialize in selling beyond expiration date items. For example, I bought (just to horrify my son) a jar of mayonnaise with an expiration date of 7/29/09 for $1.50. You can get "fresh" mayonniase for that price on sale at other stores. But, there are some deals to be had. The Grocery Depot is operated by some really nice people, though.

Tel: (541) 926-3874

Addr: 2206 Santiam Hwy

Web: http://www.thegrocerydepot.com/

(Canned Foods) Grocery Outlet

Sometimes you can get some great deals here, sometimes you can't. The selection changes fairly rapidly. Be sure to check expiration dates (but, keep in mind that many items are still perfectly good after "the date"). The Corvallis Grocery Outlet tends to have a much wider selection, and better deals. An employee explained to me that the higher volume stores (like Corvallis) have a better selection than lower volume stores (like Albany). Many time, the wine deals are quite good.

Tel: (541) 791-1588

Addr: 1950 14Th Ave. S.E.

Web: http://www.groceryoutlet.com/Albany-OR/

Mega Foods (formerly shop-n-kart)

They are a locally operated large but basic grocery store. They do have a good selection of hispanic foods. Their "store brand" is Western Family. They do have occasional good deals, but they're not as cheap as they want you to beleive. Mega Foods sometimes has good deals on mediocre quality meat.

Tel: 541-967-7633

Addr: 2000 Queen Street SE

Web: No web site

Ray's Food Place

I like Ray's, but I don't shop there. They have a nice looking store, good selection, and decent service. But, their prices are quite high, and the specials not-so-special. I've been overcharged numerous times, partically on sale items. This is not a problem with just the Albany Ray's: I've been overcharged at other Ray's stores. When I contact the manager about the problem, they always make it right. But, it's so frustrating and expensive, I no longer shop at Ray's. Their house brand is Western Family. Their coupon policy appears to be good.

Tel: (541) 791-1713

Addr: 621 NW Hickory Ave.

Web: www.gorays.com

Safeway

Safeway is, well, Safeway. Their prices are historically high, and I'm not a big fan of their house brands. They do occasionaly have some OK specials. They will not double internet coupons. They are occasionally out of stock on advertised specials. A "Safeway Card" is needed for many specials.

Tel: 541-812-2380

Addr: 1990 14th Avenue SE Albany, OR

Web: Safeway.com

Sav-A-Lot

Sav-a-lot is a strange places. They have a limited selection, but the prices are generally quite good. I buy milk there, since it's the cheapest in town, and produced by a family-owned dairy near Vancouver, WA.

Tel: (541) 791-1206

Addr: 1740 Southeast Geary Street

Web: http://save-a-lot.com/