There are more than 45,500 supermarkets in the U.S., according to 2024 estimates from The Food Industry Association, with all kinds of brands and store experiences, from cozy shops like Fareway or Fresh Thyme to massive warehouses, such as Sam’s Club and Costco.
Options abound to fill your cart and stock your shelves at home, but we’re guessing that you have a specific grocery store you return to more often than any other—perhaps due to its proximity, product variety and selection, value-centric prices, grab-and-go options, or otherwise. So do chefs.
In case we might be overlooking the best in the biz, we asked four restaurant chefs, cookbook authors, and food TV stars to dish about which chain they visit most frequently and why. Find out which chain was crowned the best—plus the stores that tied for runner-up.
Our Panel of Supermarket-Rating Chefs
Dina Deleasa Gonsar, the Whippany, N.J.-based recipe developer behind Dish It Girl and the author of “At the Kitchen Sink”
Jeanette Donnarumma, a Ridgewood, N.J.-based, Emmy Award-winning producer, recipe developer, content creator, and digital media producer
Yumna Jawad, the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based CEO and founder of Feel Good Foodie and the author of “The Feel Good Foodie Cookbook: 125 Recipes Enhanced with Mediterranean Flavors”
Tito Marino, executive chef of Indaco in Charleston, S.C.
Qualities of the Best Grocery Store
To be in consideration for the best grocery chain in America, a store must have hundreds of locations in at least one large region of the U.S. Still, to limit any proximity bias and level the playing field, we asked our experts to disregard how close or far specific chains were from their homes. With this in mind, the chefs helped us come up with the most important qualifications that separate the best from the rest:
Good vibes. “How the store makes you feel when you walk in is very important,” cookbook author Dina Deleasa Gonsar.tells Allrecipes. “Is it instant overwhelming chaos?” If you don’t enjoy the atmosphere—be it the lighting, music, customer service, or layout—you won’t look forward to returning any time soon.
Organization. The best grocery stores are organized into clear aisles and sections, Gonsar adds. Cookbook author Yumna Jawad agrees, noting that she avoids any supermarkets that are overly complicated to navigate. A tidy, thoughtfully-designed space “gives you the sense that it’s clean and well maintained,” Gonsar adds.
Product quality and variety. There’s little more frustrating than stocking up on pint upon pint of fresh produce only to discover it flavorless—or worse, already spoiled. High-quality, consistently-fresh produce is a must for any grocery store Gonsar and Jawad frequent. “For some reason it has become challenging to find stores with adequate produce. Is it fresh, does it rot within two days of being in your home? That will make or break whether or not I repeatedly shop at a certain place,” Gonsar says.
Clear communication. Jawad tells us “I’m all about stores that make healthy eating feel easy. For me, that means clear labeling and a wide selection of quality ingredients, including staples, bulk options, and produce.” They also appreciate stores that are clear and consistent with open hours—and that communicate any holiday or weather-related changes in advance.
Fair prices. The cost of groceries has skyrocketed 29 percent since 2020 for a multitude of reasons, including tariffs, inflation, and more. Since store costs are going up, too, every chain has had to raise prices, but the retailers that stand out aren’t gouging patrons. “I strongly consider pricing. There are some stores that are trying to meet their customers half way, and others that I feel are just taking advantage of those willing to pay exorbitant prices,” Gonsar says.
The Best Grocery Store, According to Chefs
Hy-Vee was voted the best grocery store in America in 2024. Others swear that Stew Leonard’s is the best sleeper hit on the scene. Aldi, Albertson’s, Kroeger, H-E-B, Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club, and Publix all have extremely loyal fans, too. Still, none of these are worthy of the crown, according to the chefs we spoke to. Instead, they selected Trader Joe’s as the best grocery store in the U.S.
Barry Dale Gilfry/Flickr
“In my humble opinion, Trader Joe’s is the undisputed heavyweight champ of all things grocery,” says Indaco executive chef Tito Marino. “They just don’t miss. Do you need killer frozen tikka masala for a late-night snack? Check! Last-minute meat and cheese board fixings to share with friends you forgot were coming over? They have you covered. Flowers for that special someone? Yup. Snacks for your kids that have actual, naturally-occurring ingredients in them? Boom. And the wine? What a treat!”
That’s high praise coming from a dad of two and chef with Michelin Star-level training and more than 20 years of experience. Earning top marks from Donnarumma and Gonsar, too, Trader Joe’s stands out due to all of the details above, plus a “curated selection” and “consistently-strong store-brand products” as well as “smart pricing” and “a rotating lineup of seasonal and trend-forward foods,” Donnarumma adds.
The buyers at TJ’s excel at spotting what people actually want to cook and eat right now, from global flavors to comfort classics with a twist, according to Donnarumma. (We’re looking at you, Everything But The Elote Seasoning Blend and Mini Filet Mignon en Croute.)
Founded in Pasadena, Calif. in 1967, Trader Joe’s has grown to more than 600 locations across 43 states. According to the chain, TJ’s buys “direct from suppliers whenever possible, we bargain hard to get the best price, and then pass the savings on to you.” No wonder these nine groceries are way cheaper at Trader Joe’s, including maple syrup, cheese, and those iconic 23-cent bananas.
“While I may not be able to find everything I am looking for, Trader Joe’s offers the most affordable items mixed with an enjoyable experience. Because of the affordability, I can grab one or two ‘fun’ items on each trip, like a seasonal treat or a new spice to try,” Gonsar raves. “It is also smaller, which allows me to get in and out quicker! I know walking in there, it’s not going to break the bank that week. I appreciate that.”
No matter what else you snag, the chefs say you shouldn’t leave TJ’s without a bag of Teeny Tiny Avocados or a Mini Sheet Cake, which Donnarumma deems “an elite grocery store dessert—no fuss, no leftovers, no regrets.”
Honorable Mentions
There was a three-way tie for the runner-up position. Earning one vote each, these stores tied for the second-best grocery store chain.
Whole Foods Market
“My top pick is Whole Foods Market. It consistently offers the quality, sourcing transparency, and variety I rely on for recipe development and feeding my husband and two kids,” Jawad says.
Starting with just one store in Austin, Texas in 1980, Whole Foods now has about 530 locations in the U.S. Over the last decade, Whole Foods has edited its reputation so it’s no longer worthy of the “whole paycheck” cliché. In fact, these six groceries are cheaper at Whole Foods than most other retailers—and the viral Cinnabon copycat cinnamon rolls clock in at just $2.50 each (less than half the price of one you’d score from a mall kiosk).
The quality, responsible sourcing, variety, and value buys from the in-house 365 brand make Whole Foods Jawad’s go-to spot to stock up to feed her family and develop new recipes for her website and social media accounts. Every trip, she says she’s sure to snag fresh herbs, seasonal organic produce, and Mediterranean staples, like tahini or olives.
Wegmans
In addition to Trader Joe’s, Gonsar makes many stops at this northeastern chain—that will celebrate 100 years next year. “Wegmans is amazing! The stores are clean and well-managed, have extensive options, and offer a fun shopping experience with impressive prepared food counters, charcuterie sections, sushi…you name it,” Gonsar tells Allrecipes.
She also tips her cap to the competitive pricing, allergen-friendly products, and the inspiration factor. In fact, “Wegmans is more like an experience,” Gonsar continues. “You walk in, and you can not only purchase ingredients, but you’ll score dinner ideas as well.”
The retailer offers several worth-the-detour products you can only find at Wegmans, including 33-cent-per-can sparkling water, buttery Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies, and tomato oil, which Gonsar says is a necessity. Bonus: Each Wegmans location has an in-house bakery.
Costco
While a warehouse store might not be the best fit for every shopper, Gonsar swears it’s a lifesaver for families—and you need not go often to make the membership worthwhile. Founded in 1983 in Seattle, Costco now has more than 630 outposts stateside, as well as a strong presence in Mexico, Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
“I appreciate Costco for its pricing on staples. This is my favorite store for essentials like milk, eggs, and paper towels. Those everyday items can be checked off your list for a month straight if you purchase from Costco,” Gonsar says.
If you decide to follow Gonsar’s lead, join the club (or dust off your membership card), and grab one of those supersized carts to roam the aisles, don’t forget to invest in one of the famous rotisserie chickens. It was unanimously selected by five chefs to be the best rotisserie chicken on the market. And, if you need any of these 11 groceries, all are way cheaper at Costco than the average retailer.
Dining and Cooking