decent food store in Orlando

[I love walmart]

Does anyone know where might sell some really yummy bits. I find Walmart really basic for groceries and Publix just a bit better. I know eating out there is a lot to choose from but sometimes I just want to go back the villa and have a few tasty nibbles for dinner. I miss places like Marks and Spencer and Waitrose.
So has anyone discovered a really good quality food store or Deli on their travels? And please don't tell me I am an 'ungrateful old so and so' and should enjoy whats there, I do enjoy it but its just that after a week or two I get a bit tired of all the huge sometimes bland portions.

[nbodyhome]

For me, the Super Publix is as close as you may get really to a Sainsburies type store here.

At some point, there should be a Whole Foods opening closer to the LBV area (not quite there, but not so far). That would be a great one to try, it's supposed to be 50,000 square feet! They have organic type stuff, and the food always looks fresh. But it is pricier, and many foods you can also find elsewhere.

[mainecoon lover]

There is a goodings at Crossroads Lake Buena Vista. There is possibly another one but not sure were. The cakes are :tounge:

[ANGEL]

I do like Goodings for 'fancier' food :)

[nbodyhome]

Goodings is pretty pricey (I haven't tried their cakes!) Locals don't go there, not so much. (Publix is always voted best bakery in the area).

I can't wait to go back to London, and stock up on items from all your grocery stores. That is one of my favorite things to do there!

Denise

[FLGirl-UKNow]

Goodings use to be owned by the Goodings family and it was the best grocer in town. It was considered the gourmet option. Sadly the founder passed away and the family ended up selling. I believe the only one left is the one in LBV so it has sort of lost its appeal.

As for a quality shop (not far from International Drive) I highly recommend going to Fresh Market (http://www.freshmarket.com/stores/store_locationsDetail.aspx?StoreId=32) off of Dr. Phillips Boulevard. My DH is a chef and that has been his best option since we moved over. You can get to it by going west on Sand Lake Road and turning right on Dr. Phillips Boulevard.

In Spring of 2008 there will be a new Whole Foods (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/) on the corner of Sand Lake Road and Turkey Lake Road. It is a local favorite. This will be a great option for those that are looking for some vegetarian supplies.

Whole Foods recently opened a London store should you want to check that out. They have other UK locations but I understand the London store is the largest.

[2waterford]

Thank you very much for the link to Fresh Market. I am looking for somewhere special to buy things for Christmas Dinner and this looks just the place.

[I love walmart]

Thanks so much everyone,I can't believe I have been going all these years and not heard of these places! I am going next summer so hopefully will pay whole food a visit and will also look in on Goodings. And Fresh foods sounds right up my street. Is Fresh Foods the sort of place where I can buy stuff like fresh herbs and unusual cheeses do you think?

[FLGirl-UKNow]

Yes, Fresh Market has a lot of herbs and cheeses so you won't be disappointed. My DH absolutely loves Blood Oranges and hated giving them up when we moved to the US. I found out that Fresh Market carries them for 2 weeks twice a year so he was over the moon. It really is a great store. Keep in mind that this is considered a gourmet option so their prices are certainly higher. It has always been worth the extra price to us.

I took my MIL there when she was over on holiday and she was in her element and said "now this is what I'm talking about"! She is an organic shopper and she was thrilled!

If you can do your shopping after having dinner I would suggest eating at Stonewood (http://www.stonewoodgrill.com/default.asp). It is in the same shopping center and you won't be disappointed. It is higher priced dinner but worth it.

If you haven't been to an Albertson's before you could give them a try. They are Publix' closest competition. There is on on Dr. Phillips as well. It is a regular grocery store but you may find things that you don't find at other shops.

[Jules R]

Before we bought our own villa we used to stay in a friends home in the Buena Ventura Lakes area and we used to shop at Kash'n'Karry, Albertsons or Publix. Albertsons had a great range of Deli foods and a wonderful bakery and Kash'n'Karry had a great continental cheese selection. I'm not sure if these stores still exist as for the last 4 years we have stayed around the H27 area. We used to always say shopping in Albertson's was like shopping in M&S whereas Publix was like Tesco.

[MalcolmC]

Try Chamberlin's Markets. There is a chain of about six stores. They sell all manner of organic and whole foods. There is one just off 192 in Kissimmee next to Albertsons (that Albertsons isn't very good), as you turn south into Old Kissimmee Town Center. (SW Corner of John Young Parkway & Vine St. (192))


The other one I've been to is at Winter Parks Village, north of Orlando - near Albertsons again but this is a nice one. Winter Parks is a nice place to shop generally.

www.chamberlins.com

[MalcolmC]

I should add to my post above that our favourite food shop is Publix followed by Winn Dixie.

I only go to Chamberlin's because they sell a thing called a "GOD Bar" and my boss is quite religious so I usually get him some for a laugh.

[lmi_77]

Goodings is great but expensive. If you drive straight past Goodings about 2 miles on the right is a Winn Dixie better than both Walmart and Publix imho. Goodings hard to beat for specilaity breads, cookies. Cakes nice but think they always look nicer than the actually taste.

[FLGirl-UKNow]

Winn Dixie is actually a low price grocery store and doesn't carry a lot of the name brands (but they are better than they use to be). I think it would be rare to find a local (including myself) that would prefer Winn Dixie.

Having said that, everywhere is worth trying and we've all got our favorites. Goodings is certainly more expensive and with it being at the mouth of WDW they are even higher than usual.

[tiggercrazy]

Goodings use to be owned by the Goodings family and it was the best grocer in town. It was considered the gourmet option. Sadly the founder passed away and the family ended up selling. I believe the only one left is the one in LBV so it has sort of lost its appeal.

As for a quality shop (not far from International Drive) I highly recommend going to Fresh Market (http://www.freshmarket.com/stores/store_locationsDetail.aspx?StoreId=32) off of Dr. Phillips Boulevard. My DH is a chef and that has been his best option since we moved over. You can get to it by going west on Sand Lake Road and turning right on Dr. Phillips Boulevard.

In Spring of 2008 there will be a new Whole Foods (http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/) on the corner of Sand Lake Road and Turkey Lake Road. It is a local favorite. This will be a great option for those that are looking for some vegetarian supplies.

Whole Foods recently opened a London store should you want to check that out. They have other UK locations but I understand the London store is the largest.


Hi Has the Goodings on I-Drive closed

[stationeryguru]

The 'Goodings' on I-Drive does some lovely fruit salads to take away.