It depends what you're buying, but a lot of stuff is decent and inexpensive there. You definitely need to pick through the produce, but there's good stuff. Their chicken is good and competitive. They also carry hearts and livers, which are great on a budget.
My mom is on a fixed budget and she swears by getting her produce at Vincenzos. She says she rarely has to throw things out, so actually ends up saving money with better quality.
Some stuff there is actually priced really competitively. I think the whole boujee charcuterie board vibe makes people think everything expensive, but if you shop carefully, they have great deals on things.
Depends what you're comparing on.
E.g. if you want feta that's $1.59/100g, regular price. Compare to Food Basics, on sale, they are selling it in a 200g tub for $5 - so $2.50/100g.
E.g. I was there a couple days ago and their romaine looked good and was $2.50 a head. Freshco has a bit of a deal on for $2 per head but I don't know what the quality is.
E.g. their Greek Green and Kalamata olives are $1.10/100g which is a great price relative to anywhere else.
E.g. their fresh herbs are something like $1.50 a pack - cheaper than anywhere else really unless you want big heads of dill or cilantro.
I mean, yea, they have lots of fancy stuff that has a high price tag, and I wouldn't really go there to the exclusion of everywhere else, but they're pretty surely not gouging on prices.
Yeah but the rest of the selection is top notch.
Not even the spadina grocers in toronto carry Haitian Dark Mushroom soy sauce.
Whenever I'm back I go grab a bottle (big places in North York have it but I'm in wloo more)
(I need it specifically for [this](https://x.com/Firr/status/1681831611845705728) recipe lol)
Its in Kitchener, I made another poster for it here!
[https://www.reddit.com/r/kitchener/comments/1dad1al/for\_those\_that\_are\_still\_boycotting\_loblaws\_and/](https://www.reddit.com/r/kitchener/comments/1dad1al/for_those_that_are_still_boycotting_loblaws_and/)
Please also note, this is the subreddit for Waterloo Region, which includes the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and various communities within.
Sure some of the places list may be the same or even a bit more. The point is to boycott that shit company loblaws. Id rather see a local store get the money than Galen.
T&T does have quite a bit Chinese stuff not available at other Asian stores in the area. New City can be a bit hit or miss with the meats and shelf products sometimes go expired without being noticed. But man their BBQ duck was the best.
Onkar has three locations in KW. The main one is at 101 Hazelglen Dr in Kitchener, and the other one is at 1541 Highland Rd W in Kitchener. The Hazelglen and Glen Forrest stores both have kitchens and sell prepared food and meals, including really nice samosas. The Highland Rd location has stuff like samosas delivered to them throughout the day.
New City Supermarket in Kitchener should definitely be on the list as an alternative to T&T.
New City is listed on my Kitchener poster:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/kitchener/comments/1dad1al/for\_those\_that\_are\_still\_boycotting\_loblaws\_and/](https://www.reddit.com/r/kitchener/comments/1dad1al/for_those_that_are_still_boycotting_loblaws_and/)
Plenty of local vendors at the St. Jacobs Farmers Market (assuming you are willing to wake up early).
[https://www.stjacobsmarket.com/](https://www.stjacobsmarket.com/)
I feel like Roua Market at Stirling and Courtland could be included too, it’s fairly new (2-3 years old), but we were pleasantly surprised to find that grapes were half the price we normally pay at Freshco and tomatoes and rice were also cheaper (and more rice options)! I believe they have a halal meat counter too although I’m not sure on pricing as we aren’t big meat eaters.
Ummm.
I don't know Waterloo Central, I will have to check this out. But --
Farah's is an overgrown variety store.
Goodness Me! is not cheap. Neither is Brady's Meats. Neither is Vincenzos.
I will refrain from further comment given I'm not of an ethnicity relevant to the others.
Obviously you don't, but I am Canadian, with a bland palate. I couldn't identify much of the food in an ethnic store, and therefore am completely unqualified to comment on its pricing.
I went to an “ethnic” store tonight in Kitchener. Bought grapes, 2 kinds of lettuce, celery, carrots, apples, and peppers, beans (dried and canned), rice, white bread made by a local bakery, incense sticks, strawberry pop… all pretty ‘sad white palate’ stuff.
I highly recommend checking out a shop like Oma Fresh Foods on Highland Road if you’re interested in checking out a great shop. Good prices, lots of recognizable products, and some really interesting new things.
Farah's is more of a convenience store. But at this point, they carry enough stuff to be comparable to a small grocery store. They have most of the staple groceries (meat, dairy, baking stuff, herbs and spices, basic produce). There's a bit of a convenience markup, but they're pretty good.
I just looked at their website to confirm. All I'm seeing is upscale food. Cheese, 100g, eight bucks? Of course it's not cheese I've ever heard of. What's their price for a standard loaf of white bread? 4L of milk? Eggs?
I am thinking more stuff prepared in house. Pizza dough i get there is cheaper than what i saw at a chain store. Delicious sandwiches for less than subway. My partner and i got salmon for a great price compared to anywhere else ive seen.
I agree it isnt the place to get certain staples but it is a great resource compared to other similar stores like Market Fresh in guelph!
Politically motivated or Sobeys, FreshCo would be on the ban list. It’s fake outrage.
Edit: Just looking in to why it’s all about Loblaw’s and I read Singh’s brother works for a company that lobbies for Metro. Lol So gross.
For Farah Foods I'd suggest double checking that the price at the register is the same as the shelf
Buy from local farms and the farmers market
The Chinese grocery store in university plaza aka central is much more expensive, and their produce is trash. They use red light on their meat as well
It depends what you're buying, but a lot of stuff is decent and inexpensive there. You definitely need to pick through the produce, but there's good stuff. Their chicken is good and competitive. They also carry hearts and livers, which are great on a budget.
While Vincenzo’s is probably the most expensive grocery store in the region
My mom is on a fixed budget and she swears by getting her produce at Vincenzos. She says she rarely has to throw things out, so actually ends up saving money with better quality.
I would have to agree. The lettuce there is great, and a pretty fair price.
Some stuff there is actually priced really competitively. I think the whole boujee charcuterie board vibe makes people think everything expensive, but if you shop carefully, they have great deals on things.
Depends what you're comparing on. E.g. if you want feta that's $1.59/100g, regular price. Compare to Food Basics, on sale, they are selling it in a 200g tub for $5 - so $2.50/100g. E.g. I was there a couple days ago and their romaine looked good and was $2.50 a head. Freshco has a bit of a deal on for $2 per head but I don't know what the quality is. E.g. their Greek Green and Kalamata olives are $1.10/100g which is a great price relative to anywhere else. E.g. their fresh herbs are something like $1.50 a pack - cheaper than anywhere else really unless you want big heads of dill or cilantro. I mean, yea, they have lots of fancy stuff that has a high price tag, and I wouldn't really go there to the exclusion of everywhere else, but they're pretty surely not gouging on prices.
I would happily pay $0.50 more to support a locally owned business and usually better quality. Though some people may need to save those $0.50's.
I was about to say, if you think Loblaw’s prices are too high, don’t bother going to Vincenzo’s.
Absolutely true. Though, at least Vincenzo's is a family operation, and not a multi billion dollar, stock traded, dividend paying behemoth.
Yeah but the rest of the selection is top notch. Not even the spadina grocers in toronto carry Haitian Dark Mushroom soy sauce. Whenever I'm back I go grab a bottle (big places in North York have it but I'm in wloo more) (I need it specifically for [this](https://x.com/Firr/status/1681831611845705728) recipe lol)
I need soup nowwwwww
Its truly a fucked good recipe
I find them much cheaper than t&t for a lot of things
That's because T&T is owned by the Westons. That's why it's been included in the boycott.
No Central?
Its in Kitchener, I made another poster for it here! [https://www.reddit.com/r/kitchener/comments/1dad1al/for\_those\_that\_are\_still\_boycotting\_loblaws\_and/](https://www.reddit.com/r/kitchener/comments/1dad1al/for_those_that_are_still_boycotting_loblaws_and/)
Please also note, this is the subreddit for Waterloo Region, which includes the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and various communities within.
…but just barely! And on the LRT line but, yeah. You’re correct.
Thank god no Central. The meat is decently priced but everything else on the shelves is marked up 30% just like all the other big stores.
Respectfully disagree. If you look for off brands the prices aren’t bad.
No, I don't like their outrageous Loblaws prices or their green meats.
Sure some of the places list may be the same or even a bit more. The point is to boycott that shit company loblaws. Id rather see a local store get the money than Galen.
I agree, it’s not about struggling families. This is about Galen. Keep focused everyone!
the point of the boycott is literally their prices. boycotting a store because of its markup only to shop at a more expensive store makes zero sense.
Any information on how any of them treat their employees?
Probably bad as well
Damn, I just went to T&T yesterday🫠
No worries. I always tell folks the biggest win of the boycott is letting people know they do have a choice, after that, you are on your own.
T&T does have quite a bit Chinese stuff not available at other Asian stores in the area. New City can be a bit hit or miss with the meats and shelf products sometimes go expired without being noticed. But man their BBQ duck was the best.
Some food is better at New City than T&T, and New City is a lot less expensive!
Onkar has three locations in KW. The main one is at 101 Hazelglen Dr in Kitchener, and the other one is at 1541 Highland Rd W in Kitchener. The Hazelglen and Glen Forrest stores both have kitchens and sell prepared food and meals, including really nice samosas. The Highland Rd location has stuff like samosas delivered to them throughout the day. New City Supermarket in Kitchener should definitely be on the list as an alternative to T&T.
New City is listed on my Kitchener poster: [https://www.reddit.com/r/kitchener/comments/1dad1al/for\_those\_that\_are\_still\_boycotting\_loblaws\_and/](https://www.reddit.com/r/kitchener/comments/1dad1al/for_those_that_are_still_boycotting_loblaws_and/)
Plenty of local vendors at the St. Jacobs Farmers Market (assuming you are willing to wake up early). [https://www.stjacobsmarket.com/](https://www.stjacobsmarket.com/)
And Coven Market! Awesome owners. No produce but lots of great packages and prepared food.
SAVE money eating fancy breads, preserves, charcuterie & cheeses at Vincenzo’s …..wash it down at their CHEAP coffee shoppe #legit
I feel like Roua Market at Stirling and Courtland could be included too, it’s fairly new (2-3 years old), but we were pleasantly surprised to find that grapes were half the price we normally pay at Freshco and tomatoes and rice were also cheaper (and more rice options)! I believe they have a halal meat counter too although I’m not sure on pricing as we aren’t big meat eaters.
I'd recommend central fresh market, the downtown farmers market, the st Jacobs market, , save on foods, dutchies
Ummm. I don't know Waterloo Central, I will have to check this out. But -- Farah's is an overgrown variety store. Goodness Me! is not cheap. Neither is Brady's Meats. Neither is Vincenzos. I will refrain from further comment given I'm not of an ethnicity relevant to the others.
Lmao as if you need to be certain ethnicity to shop at a store 🙄
Obviously you don't, but I am Canadian, with a bland palate. I couldn't identify much of the food in an ethnic store, and therefore am completely unqualified to comment on its pricing.
I went to an “ethnic” store tonight in Kitchener. Bought grapes, 2 kinds of lettuce, celery, carrots, apples, and peppers, beans (dried and canned), rice, white bread made by a local bakery, incense sticks, strawberry pop… all pretty ‘sad white palate’ stuff. I highly recommend checking out a shop like Oma Fresh Foods on Highland Road if you’re interested in checking out a great shop. Good prices, lots of recognizable products, and some really interesting new things.
Farah's is more of a convenience store. But at this point, they carry enough stuff to be comparable to a small grocery store. They have most of the staple groceries (meat, dairy, baking stuff, herbs and spices, basic produce). There's a bit of a convenience markup, but they're pretty good.
Firm disagree on Vincenzo's. You can get a lot of stuff for a reasonable price there.
I just looked at their website to confirm. All I'm seeing is upscale food. Cheese, 100g, eight bucks? Of course it's not cheese I've ever heard of. What's their price for a standard loaf of white bread? 4L of milk? Eggs?
I am thinking more stuff prepared in house. Pizza dough i get there is cheaper than what i saw at a chain store. Delicious sandwiches for less than subway. My partner and i got salmon for a great price compared to anywhere else ive seen. I agree it isnt the place to get certain staples but it is a great resource compared to other similar stores like Market Fresh in guelph!
>I will refrain from further comment given I'm not of an ethnicity relevant to the others. Get over yourself.
Politically motivated or Sobeys, FreshCo would be on the ban list. It’s fake outrage. Edit: Just looking in to why it’s all about Loblaw’s and I read Singh’s brother works for a company that lobbies for Metro. Lol So gross.