Trader Joe's: A Love Story

Is it because D'Agastino's sucks so much in comparison?  Perhaps.  But the fact that I lost my whole entire wallet there last week and it was returned to me WITH NOTHING MISSING might be the real reason that Trader Joe's is my new boyfriend.

I started revisiting TJ's a couple of weeks ago as part of my attempt to eat differently -- and hopefully -- more healthfully.  Not only do they have an interesting selection of foods, but their packaging, signage and merchandising is fun and accessible. 

I dissed and dismissed TJ's last year because the line to pay can sometimes start AT THE FRONT DOOR.  But it hasn't been that bad recently, and they are extremely efficient and nice and it's like a little party in the grocery store.  Genius. 

Call me, TJ.
 XOXOXOX,
GSNYC

D'Agostino's vs. Duane Reade: Which Sucks Less?

New York City has the misfortune of being overrun by D'Agostino supermarkets and Duane Reade drugstores. And in NYC, you don't have too much option with your supermarket, because you are not likely to carry three bags of groceries 23 blocks - so you go with what's closest. In my case, this means shopping at the most overpriced store with the worst service. D'Ags literally charges more for their products than many high-end gourmet shops do. To be fair and balanced, they do offer the D'AG Rewards Card, which is a points program whereby you earn points everytime you buy, and redeem them later for reduced prices on certain items. But the lines in there can be endless and I am often puzzled by what goes on at checkout....

Duane Reade offers the good people of New York similarly terrible prices and service, as well as a points program whereby you get a $5 reward for every 100 points earned (which means you've spent $100). Of course you need to take note of your own receipts to notice when you've actually reached the 100 point mark, because you need to use that receipt to get your $5 reward. And you better use it within a month or else it expires. I cringe at the thought of going there, but I have little option other than travelling to New Jersey, which I have been known to do.

So which sucks less? The jury is still out...