Wegman's or Stew Leonard's?

[Freitag]

Who you got?

No poll because I'm encouraging discussion.

[drjoek]

I have a picture of my self somewhere from the Norwalk Hour newspaper of me at the opening of the first Stew Leonards store. My wife goes to Stew Leonards almost every day fresh produce
fresh milk drinks


Big fan

[ANC]

Wegmans.... but to be fair I never hear of Stew Leonard. I don't know who he is, I don't know what he lives on...

[MacVittie]

I've never heard of Stu Leonard's. Weggies all the way. I love their olive bar.

http://www.agilitynut.com/05/8/wegman.jpg

[silks]

Wegman's is fantastic. My wife hates it because she thinks it is overwhelming. I'd love for them to build one here in Sussex County. There is plenty of great local produce / meat here, but the choice of grocery stores sucks.

I got a gift basket once from Stew Leonard's, and the snack foods were tasty, but I've never been to their retail establishment.

[RhinoInVT]

I like Stew Leonard's the best. They have a program where if I bring in my hunting license they give me free beef.

[ANC]

I love their olive bar.



Not me! Those little green bastards can't hold their booze!


(ah boooooooooo...)

[WampusCrandle]

I love Stew Leonards, and i have never been to Wegman's. The one i go to had Jimmy Fallon visit - eh. They have great soft serve ice cream and I eat every single free sample. you could eat an entire meal of free samples in there. They also have a nice lil' zoo.

Also, i support local criminals (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fsb/fsb_archive/2002/11/01/331999/index.htm).

[Space Edge]

Never been to either of them. None where I live in Florida and there were none where I used to live in NY.

[TjM]

Big Y

[King Hippos Bandaid]

just got back seconds ago from Stew Leonards, Id let Stew Leonard rape me for all the joy he has caused me


as per a battle between Wegmans, I have only been to Wegmans once or twice so its a incomplete


In my memory, Wegmans > Stews : Quality and Health Consciousness only , rest goes to Stew's

[britneypablo]

<font color="deeppink"> when i lived in PA it was Wegman's all the way...
In VA its Ukrop's all the way
now in NC its Harris Teeter all the way (but i strictly only refer to it as Hairy Peter or Hairy Penis as that i have no sense of appropriateness)

[Lawson]

Go to Stews in Norwalk all the time. great stuff

I just came back (about 5 minutes ago) from my first trip to Fairway in Paramus NJ... looks a lot like Stews

[Lawson]

I love Stew Leonards, and i have never been to Wegman's. The one i go to had Jimmy Fallon visit - eh. They have great soft serve ice cream and I eat every single free sample. you could eat an entire meal of free samples in there. They also have a nice lil' zoo.

wait... you're supposed to actually PAY for the food?

[King Hippos Bandaid]

Go to Stews in Norwalk all the time. great stuff

I just came back (about 5 minutes ago) from my first trip to Fairway in Paramus NJ... looks a lot like Stews


I always pass that place on 17 on route to CT. , is it worth it to stop by

[Lawson]

I always pass that place on 17 on route to CT. , is it worth it to stop by

I think so, I was only in there for a few minutes but...The hot food wasn't as good as Stews, but they have a lot more retail items. No singing fruit and no roaming cows, but a WIDE selection of foods. And the fresh popped rice cakes are about a buck cheaper than Stews. Worth a little look.

Sounds like you have the same commute as me, 17 to 287 to TZ to CT. poor bastard...

[RoseBlood]

Heard of both, never had either.

[ToiletCrusher]

Wegman's all the way.

Simply amazing, greatest selection, the most gourmet items, international foods, etc.

Not to mention what might be the best bakery in a market ever. The breads, bagels, muffins, cookies, rolls and so forth are awesome.

They also seem to have the best cuts of meat ever. Their seafood is incredibly fresh.

Having worked there many years ago I know that to be true.

Daily deliveries of all fresh foods (produce, seafood, meats, even deli items)

Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that they also have a cheese shop with over 200 varieties?

Wait, there's more. Wegman's has a built in restaurant and coffee bar and wi-fi (new addition) and a fresh sushi bar and a pizza and sub shop.

You can also take cooking lessons for free there on Saturdays.

[BullsLawDan]

What? This isn't even a contest. Stew Leonard's is a grocery store. Wegmans is an experience.

Also, Food Network has awarded Wegmans the as "best supermarket" in the Food Network Awards (FWIW). SL not even in the running.

[ToiletCrusher]

Top 10 Companies to work for 2009:


1 NetApp
2 Edward Jones
3 Boston Consulting Group
4 Google
5 Wegmans Food Markets
6 Cisco Systems
7 Genentech
8 Methodist Hospital System
9 Goldman Sachs
10 Nugget Market

2008 - ranked 3
2007 - ranked 3
2006 - ranked 2

[drjoek]

The story goes that they caught Stew Leonard Sr getting on a plane to the Cayman Islands with a Suitcase full of cash. He did 4 years in the clink for shorting the registers. Then his SON got caught doing the same thing a few years later. Like father like son They had some elaborate scheme to rig the cash registers to not ring up total sales or something along that line

[King Hippos Bandaid]

I think so, I was only in there for a few minutes but...The hot food wasn't as good as Stews, but they have a lot more retail items. No singing fruit and no roaming cows, but a WIDE selection of foods. And the fresh popped rice cakes are about a buck cheaper than Stews. Worth a little look.

Sounds like you have the same commute as me, 17 to 287 to TZ to CT. poor bastard...


yes this is option 2( add Turnpike and Goethals before and Saw Mill to 684 to 84)when the GWB has a delay of 45 minutes or more

I usually go Staten island to Goethals to turnpike to 46 to GWB to Deegan to Saw Mill to 684 to 84

all that jazz just to get to work 3 times a week

[happytypinggirl]

wegmans is a cleaner better market with better 'stuff'

but stu lenards is more of a unique experience, and is very old fashioned and farm store feeling, and it has a warmer less corporate vibe to it.

i love both. i'd be more likely to shop at wegmans regularly. stu lenards is kind of a once in a while fun treat for me. love the lil ice cream stand though.

[Furtherman]

Heard of both, never had either.

Same here.

I walk to an A&P.

[KatPw]

We don't have any Wegman's around here, and the only Stew Leonard's I know of is a liquor store. Are they like Fairway? Because Fairway is awesome, but too far from me for shopping.

[aceofspades7]

<font color="deeppink"> when i lived in PA it was Wegman's all the way...
In VA its Ukrop's all the way
now in NC its Harris Teeter all the way (but i strictly only refer to it as Hairy Peter or Hairy Penis as that i have no sense of appropriateness)

wegmans is like ukrops on steroids. them damn ukrop boys were responsible in getting stern off the air in richmond... after that i stopped going to ukrops.

[Ritalin]

What the hell is this Ozzie and Harriet bullshit?

They're just grocery stores, for fuck's sake.

[ToiletCrusher]

wegmans is a cleaner better market with better 'stuff'

but stu lenards is more of a unique experience, and is very old fashioned and farm store feeling, and it has a warmer less corporate vibe to it.

i love both. i'd be more likely to shop at wegmans regularly. stu lenards is kind of a once in a while fun treat for me. love the lil ice cream stand though.

Maybe the Wegmans stores near you are different. But all the local ones here have that same feeling especially in the summer when a vast majority of the produce is locally grown produce instead of being shipped in from all across the country or Latin America.

[Caseyelan]

Danbury Stew Leonards FTW!

[King Hippos Bandaid]

Danbury Stew Leonards FTW!


was there 2 hours ago, it makes my horrible commute some while worth it


have you been there with Jules, the dancing cows and the shows seem like fun for the kids

[Freitag]

Danbury Stew Leonards FTW!

I disagree. Circle gets the square.

If this was Whole Foods vs. Stew's, I'd go with Stew's, but Wegman's is ridiculous. There's no pretentiousness, the store brand stuff is high quality, and the meat is DELICIOUS.

[Caseyelan]

I disagree. Circle gets the square.

If this was Whole Foods vs. Stew's, I'd go with Stew's, but Wegman's is ridiculous. There's no pretentiousness, the store brand stuff is high quality, and the meat is DELICIOUS.

I have a wegmans down the street and I enjoy it. it's well priced and it's clean.
but I don't get excited to go there.
HOWEVER, I grew up on stews. They have the worlds BEST chicken fingers and premade foods. Their bakery is SUPERIOR. It's a fucking event.

Plus, Chiquita banana girl? Petting zoo!?

[drjoek]

I have a wegmans down the street and I enjoy it. it's well priced and it's clean.
but I don't get excited to go there.
HOWEVER, I grew up on stews. They have the worlds BEST chicken fingers and premade foods. Their bakery is SUPERIOR. It's a fucking event.

Plus, Chiquita banana girl? Petting zoo!?

Norwalk Stew Leonards OG here

My wife is in Danbury store daily
My kids hate any other kind of milk (spoiled brats)

[WampusCrandle]

Norwalk Stew Leonards OG here

My wife is in Danbury store daily
My kids hate any other kind of milk (spoiled brats)

I'm heading there tomorrow and I can't wait.

[MacVittie]

I disagree. Circle gets the square.

If this was Whole Foods vs. Stew's, I'd go with Stew's, but Wegman's is ridiculous. There's no pretentiousness, the store brand stuff is high quality, and the meat is DELICIOUS.

To me, that's what sets Wegman's apart from places like Tops, A&P, P&C, and the rest. Their store brand stuff is as good and sometimes better than name brand products.

[Caseyelan]

Norwalk Stew Leonards OG here

My wife is in Danbury store daily
My kids hate any other kind of milk (spoiled brats)

when i lived in greenwich i was there weekly.

[silks]

Petting zoo!?

Really?! I must tell the Mrs. about this, she loves petting zoos. Maybe a little road trip is in our future.

[Freitag]

Petting zoo!?

With my OCD, my brain cannot compute living farm animals near my groceries.

[Freitag]

To me, that's what sets Wegman's apart from places like Tops, A&P, P&C, and the rest. Their store brand stuff is as good and sometimes better than name brand products.

Wegman's yogurt, cereal, and other store brand stuff is great. The milk is consistently fresher and lasts longer than other supermarkets. It's also cheaper for milk and OJ at Wegman's.

Now, I've only passed by Stew's. And as far as I can tell, Stew's only has like four or five locations.

*reads Stew's site*

Oh God.


My wife is the staunchest Wegman's supporter, but do NOT let her know that Curtis Stone is going to be at the Yonkers store.

[angrymissy]

HAI! I'M TWINKIE THE KID!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2001/2148456043_f288f40452.jpg

Stus wins on nostalgia and entertainment alone. Plus the excitement of sometimes getting a free ice cream at check out.

If you grew up in NJ, you probably won't feel the same way, I think Stew Leonards is a regional thing.

Cow band FTW
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/41/92811563_6460947732.jpg?v=0

[Caseyelan]

Cow band FTW
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/41/92811563_6460947732.jpg?v=0


Missy understands.

Plus, stew leonards is a great place to "couple" date. :)

[drjoek]

Chiquitas are delicious
Almost a meal in its self
CHA CHA CHA

[GreatAmericanZero]

never been to wegmans. I've been to a stew leonard's driving to Long Island from Albany where i took the longest piss in my life

[Freitag]

If you grew up in NJ, you probably won't feel the same way, I think Stew Leonards is a regional thing.



So I guess they serve wedges?

[angrymissy]

So I guess they serve wedges?

At Yonkers Stew Leonards you'd get a Wedge, I dunno what you'd get at Danbury or Norwalk, probably a sub... they actually didn't have a Westchester Stew's when I was a kid, you made the trek to the Norwalk one and was a BIG DEAL. Then Danbury Mall, buy a cassette single for $1.99 and head home. THOSE WERE THE DAYS

[GregoryJoseph]

Never heard of either of them.

We don't have hillbilly stores here.

[Lady Resin]

Never heard of either of them.

We don't have hillbilly stores here.

Wegmans is in central and southern Jersey. I don't have the patience to travel on the GSP for grass fed steaks.

[angrymissy]

Wegmans is in central and southern Jersey. I don't have the patience to travel on the GSP for grass fed steaks.

My old cranky Italian butcher gets me that shit and is entertaining to boot.

[Lady Resin]

My old cranky Italian butcher gets me that shit and is entertaining to boot.

I had a great butcher who probably could have gotten them for me. But he retired and razed the store. I'm going to have to find a new one. I'm really curious to try them.

[PD]

In my memory, Wegmans > Stews : Quality and Health Consciousness only , rest goes to Stew's

Pretty much my opinion. Neither area on Long Island; I've been to Wegmans in Binghamton and Stew Leonards in Yonkers.

Stew Leonards was supposed to open up on Long Island on Route 110, but the protest fags got out (said it was on approach path of Republic Airport) and put a halt on it.
Stew Leonard's Faces a Rough Landing (http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/09/nyregion/stew-leonard-s-faces-a-rough-landing.html?pagewanted=all)

Of course Stew Leonards has a Liquor store there on 110 (they have to say its not part of the chain) which is pretty good, although not so cheap.

[MacVittie]

I like Stew Leonard's the best. They have a program where if I bring in my hunting license they give me free beef.

:lol::lol::lol:

[Kris10]

now in NC its Harris Teeter all the way (but i strictly only refer to it as Hairy Peter or Hairy Penis as that i have no sense of appropriateness)

When I lived in NC, I preferred Food Lion. In NJ, Shop Rite.

[monkfish]

Stew Leonards...because Stew Sr. didn't rat and he kept his mouth shut.

[tele7]

Same here.

I walk to an A&P.

I drive to my local A&P, but it's the last time. Just threw an $8 watermelon in the garbage. Wegmans is too far from home, so it's Shop Rite from now on. At least they sell edible fruit.

[Recyclerz]

Never been to Wegman's but Stews does have great food (produce, meat, dairy, ice cream, etc.) at better prices than chi-chi places like Whole Foods, et al.

I invite everybody to come shop at the Stew Leonards in Yonkers to have an enjoyable shopping experience, to get some great grub (and to help keep my property taxes low.)
:innocent:

[weav]

I did go to a Wegman's when I was in Rochester ten years ago, can't remember much special about it.:confused:

We don't have either of them out here in PDX. Our 'gourmet/natural' food stores are Whole Foods and New Seasons...buncha' hippies...

[fezfez]

The Wegman's pre-made meals were fantastic. I would hit that place on the way home from WJFK. But their lack of animatronics makes me wonder if I was missing out on something by having never been to a Stew Leonards.

[fezfez]

At the grocery store I go to on Roosevelt Island, you have to be careful. Some products can be 6 months past the expiration date. Which makes me wonder how long they've actually sat there, including the time to even get to the expiration date?

[weav]

Botchelism is fun!

[Lady Resin]

At the grocery store I go to on Roosevelt Island, you have to be careful. Some products can be 6 months past the expiration date. Which makes me wonder how long they've actually sat there, including the time to even get to the expiration date?

How does the grocery store get their food delivered?

[SatCam]

call me a hoe cuz I used to be in that stew leonards Hoeown every day eating a pulled pork sandwich

I was just over there today getting my fair share of free samples

[PD]

At the grocery store I go to on Roosevelt Island, you have to be careful. Some products can be 6 months past the expiration date. Which makes me wonder how long they've actually sat there, including the time to even get to the expiration date?

Is it a little bodega type store,or a chain?
have you pointed out to them that they have expired items still on shelves?
the bigger/better stores will usually take care of that quickly.

[CUnit128]

I used to go to the Stew Leonard's in Danbury, CT and the cow was the shit! And the stupid milk would sing you a sweet melody..........

[Tenbatsuzen]

At the grocery store I go to on Roosevelt Island, you have to be careful. Some products can be 6 months past the expiration date. Which makes me wonder how long they've actually sat there, including the time to even get to the expiration date?

I would assume enough time for ants to hatch.

[sailor]

i don't think there's a wegman's in my state. stew's is great.

[KEITHJAY]

What the hell is a Wegmans some kind of Jewish store?

[Freitag]

i don't think there's a wegman's in my state. stew's is great.

You know that 1) there's more to New York than just the city and 2) Wegman's is based in NY.

You really are a terrible poster.

[KatPw]

You know that 1) there's more to New York than just the city and 2) Wegman's is based in NY.

You really are a terrible poster.

New York state is really two states: 1)The NYC/western part of Long Island /Westchester area and 2) the rest of the state, which is full of hicks.

[Foster]

New York state is really two states: 1)The NYC/western part of Long Island /Westchester area and 2) the rest of the state, which is full of hicks.

thanks, love you too :furious:

[KatPw]

thanks, love you too :furious:

:laugh: Sorry. How about we move the dividing line out to say Stony Brook. Better?

[Foster]

:laugh: Sorry. How about we move the dividing line out to say Stony Brook. Better?

no...never mind,

I'm just going to go outside and milk my cow

[KatPw]

no...never mind,

I'm just going to go outside and milk my cow

Can't wait till you get the farm stand going!

[Jujubees2]

Don't have either Queens. Just Stop and Shop and Pathmark though there is a Trader Joes near me now.

[joeyballsack]

My local Wegmans has a model quality girl working in the bakery that gives me fresh, hot Tuscan garlic bread on demand.

Another nice thing about Wegmans is that their website has tons of recipes that they show you how to make through video, using things they sell in the store.

I have never shopped at a Stew Leonards, but animatronics creep me out, so I cant imagine I would find it a pleasant experience.

[sailor]

You know that 1) there's more to New York than just the city and 2) Wegman's is based in NY.

You really are a terrible poster.
I wrote that after checking their site and not seeing a single one in new York at all. Maybe I missed it and there were, but all I saw was ny and pa.

And you're a typical jersey poster.

[RhinoInVT]

I wrote that after checking their site and not seeing a single one in new York at all. Maybe I missed it and there were, but all I saw was ny and pa.

And you're a typical jersey poster.

There are dozen and dozens of Wegman's in NY.

[angrymissy]

My local Wegmans has a model quality girl working in the bakery that gives me fresh, hot Tuscan garlic bread on demand.

Another nice thing about Wegmans is that their website has tons of recipes that they show you how to make through video, using things they sell in the store.

I have never shopped at a Stew Leonards, but animatronics creep me out, so I cant imagine I would find it a pleasant experience.

They also have someone in a cow suit inviting you into the dairy/meat department.

http://twoguyswiththreekids.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/importjune16029.jpg.w300h400.jpg

[ANC]

They also have someone in a cow suit inviting you into the dairy/meat department.

http://twoguyswiththreekids.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/importjune16029.jpg.w300h400.jpg

Does it allow milk shots off the teet? That would rock.

[joeyballsack]

They also have someone in a cow suit inviting you into the dairy/meat department.

http://twoguyswiththreekids.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/importjune16029.jpg.w300h400.jpg

That cow is such a sellout.

"Try the veal, it was my nephew until last Tuesday !"

It gets even creepier.

[PD]

i don't think there's a wegman's in my state. stew's is great.

there are in NY state, just not in NYC area.

I've been to the one in Vestal NY (Binghamton area)

[MacVittie]

New York state is really two states.

Is that why we have one governor?

2) the rest of the state, which is full of hicks.

I wish.

http://api.ning.com/files/n2nB9RTuA4wdf-loCzpRuxB7k2im0lLOgw2Q0RcnSGa0VODdjXe4DqBSUtCUtBaS 6e76WwdJfd6XVVITH6y0M-fQqcdEfHm3/bill_hicks_image.jpg

[ralphbxny]

Love Wegmans by a hair over Stew's just cause Stew's is further away.

[ralphbxny]

there are in NY state, just not in NYC area.

I've been to the one in Vestal NY (Binghamton area)

Closest one is in Woodbridge, NJ!! Love that place

[sailor]

There are dozen and dozens of Wegman's in NY.

Yeah, I now see that there are stores up by Syracuse and such. But when I used their site to find any near me, none of those show up (furthest search is 75 miles) but jersey and Penn show up.

[fezfez]

They also have someone in a cow suit inviting you into the dairy/meat department.

http://twoguyswiththreekids.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/.pond/importjune16029.jpg.w300h400.jpg

My favorite part of this photo is the guy in the background eating some free (?) samples.

[drjoek]

My favorite part of this photo is the guy in the background eating some free (?) samples.

fezfez LOVES:clap: the Stew Leonards thread!!!

[angrymissy]

My favorite part of this photo is the guy in the background eating some free (?) samples.

My Grandfather used to go there and cruise the hot buffet line, claiming he thought those were samples. He'd eat an entire plate and no one would say anything because he was old.

[LordJezo]

You guys are such poor people.

Anyone who knows anything about shopping understands that the best can be found at Balduccis.

http://www.balduccis.com/

If you live around DC then that's the only place you should shop. Looks like they also have a location somewhere in NY and CT.

Compared to this place Wegmans is like a Food Town.

[Lady Resin]

Is Stew Leonards associated with this one?

http://www.stewswines.com/index.cfm

It opened in our area and it's a large wine shop. No food to be found.

[spot]

I love Stew's. I even used to play on his Little League team, before there was a store..

[Lady Resin]

I love Stew's. I even used to play on his Little League team, before there was a store..

Somebody's showing their age! :tongue:

Like I should talk!

[monkfish]

Is Stew Leonards associated with this one?

http://www.stewswines.com/index.cfm

It opened in our area and it's a large wine shop. No food to be found.

Yep - same family.

[Aqualad]

Wegman's is a Walmart for rich people. Hate that place.

[PD]

You guys are such poor people.

Anyone who knows anything about shopping understands that the best can be found at Balduccis.

http://www.balduccis.com/

If you live around DC then that's the only place you should shop. Looks like they also have a location somewhere in NY and CT.

Compared to this place Wegmans is like a Food Town.

a very different place. You might has well have said Zabars.

[PD]

Is Stew Leonards associated with this one?

http://www.stewswines.com/index.cfm

It opened in our area and it's a large wine shop. No food to be found.

Yep - same family.

In NY they make a point to say that even though it's the same family, they aren't associated (because in NY all liquor stores must be independent)

from the bottom of the web page:
STEW LEONARD'S WINES ARE INDIVIDUALLY OWNED AND OPERATED. THEY ARE NOT A CHAIN AND ARE NOT A COOPERATIVE BUYING GROUP.
THEY ARE NOT PART OF THE STEW LEONARD'S GROCERY CHAIN.

[monkfish]

In NY they make a point to say that even though it's the same family, they aren't associated (because in NY all liquor stores must be independent)

from the bottom of the web page:

I totally understand their focus on full disclosure - especially after Big Stew took the pinch for federal tax evasion back in the day.

[weekapaugjz]

i love wegman's. never been to a stew leonard's.

the local wegman's is less than 5 minutes from my place so i'm in there at least 3-4 times a week to buy fresh veggies, meats, etc. they have much cheaper prices on their meats than any of the other local places, and much better quality. i buy wegman's fresh pizza dough to make pizza at my place, it's amazingly good. wegman's subs are also fantastic. their rolls are great, but if you want to have the greatest sub of your life and are in buffalo, go to dibella'a. they sold their roll recipe to wegman's and if you go there, they have an everything roll (just like a bagel) and it is heavenly.

[weekapaugjz]

New York state is really two states: 1)The NYC/western part of Long Island /Westchester area and 2) the rest of the state, which is full of hicks.

well, well. now i see how you really feel...

[fezfez]

My Grandfather used to go there and cruise the hot buffet line, claiming he thought those were samples. He'd eat an entire plate and no one would say anything because he was old.

My grandfather owned a dry cleaners and my grandmother would steal the buttons off of people's shirts if she thought they were pretty and replace them with other buttons.
But I guess that has nothing to do with this thread.

[MacVittie]

My grandfather owned a dry cleaners and my grandmother would steal the buttons off of people's shirts if she thought they were pretty and replace them with other buttons.
But I guess that has nothing to do with this thread.

Have you ever brought that up on the air? I'd love to hear more about that story.

[jlehane3]

I have never been to a Wegman's but it was one bright spot in the DC shows...so if the buddies think it's a slice of heaven....make it your own and part of the show.........OR>>>>>>>>>pick up 7-11 and do SLURPEE jokes :) Get Lenay as Official Slurpee Spokesperson. :clap::banning: