[shop] Alternatives to Dillons
The extent to which Dillons has monopolized the Wichita grocery scene is pretty astounding. I’ve never lived in a city with just one chain of supermarkets. Now, don’t get me wrong – I do shop at Dillons. But I hate the high prices, the way every store is organized differently, the fact that I’m always unable to find at least one thing on my shopping list, etc. If you feel the same way, fret not – there are alternatives.
- Leekers: There are still a few locations of this locally owned store in the area. The Valley Center location reminds me of the Quality Foods IGA I worked at in high school: small, but friendly.
- Food for Thought: This store is at 2929 E. Central, just west of Hillside. A great organic produce and dairy section, plus bulk dried goods, gift items, and some hard-to-find vegan products.
- Green Acres Deli: It is, indeed, the place to be. Located right across the street from the 21st and Rock Dillons in Bradley Fair, Green Acres has a salad bar, a deli with options you won’t find anywhere else (buffalo patties, anyone?), a small but yummy bakery selection, and coffee by the cup. I shop the grocery section for my beloved Enrico’s pizza sauce, which I can’t find anywhere else in town.
- Asian/Hispanic Groceries: These are located all over town, and while the selection tends to be random and high in prepackaged, processed products, you can get great deals on the stuff otherwise found in the overpriced Dillons “ethnic foods” aisle. Think bulk spices, huge jars of tahini, cans of stuffed grape leaves, rice noodles, etc. for cheap. I recommend the Asian Market at 1815 E. Central and the Asian Grocery at 21st and Woodlawn.
- Whole Foods: Or, as I like to call it, “Fake Whole Foods.” The three Wichita locations (21st and Maize, Central and Woodlawn, and 21st and Amidon) share a name with this Whole Foods, but aren’t part of the chain. However, it’s just as good, with a wide natural foods selection and friendly staff.
- Piccadilly Market: This specialty market at Central and Rock is the place to go if you’re looking for a hard-to-find cheese or the best meat/seafood selection in town.
Where do you go to get away from the Big D? Let us know in the comments!
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Mize’s, in Clearwater. Doesn’t make sense unless you live really south or really west (or really both). But it’s small and family-owned and friendly, with reasonable prices on many items and (often) a respectable produce section. Highlight is the locally-grown produce. Be aware that you should come prepared to see a limited array of veg, but that should help you make the transition to local, seasonal eating ;-)
I have been shopping at Homeland in Haysivlle, Ks and Leekers in Park City, Ks. I love it!!! I still go to Dillons for items that are on sale, but not for my everyday groceries. I have almost stopped shopping at Wal-Mart all togther.
Jamie – Mize’s sounds awesome! Who would have thought – a reason to go to Clearwater. ;)
I used to work at the Leekers in Park City, and the friendliness of the customers and employees is amazing. Sometimes you can get lucky and get some homegrown vegetables brought in by a local farmer. Its wonderful.
I love Leeker’s. It’s practically the only store around anymore where the employees act like they want to help you carry out your groceries.
Would it be silly for me to drive to Park City for my groceries? Because y’all make me want to give Leeker’s a try.
I shop at Mize’s in Clearwater about 3 times a week. It rocks mostly because of the employees. The Mize family has three generations working there plus some non-family employees who have been there over 10 years each. They aren’t big enough to match the selection of a super store, but then again, Norm didn’t go to Cheers for the variety. (and no stupid swipe cards required to get the discounts!)
What about drive-up? I used to work the drive-up at the IGA. Does Leeker’s have that? If so, I’m all over it.
Glad to see Asia Grocery included on this list! They’re really great people, and pretty good prices.
I’ll have to check out the Fake Whole Foods, as I’ve never been inside of one before.
I went to WalMart for the first time in 4 or 5 months last week to pick up some cleaning supplies and other non-food items that were on sale.
IT. WAS. A. NIGHTMARE.
If you’re a regular WalMart shopper, try giving it a break for 90 days. I DARE YOU. Then go back. I promise it will scare you shitless and you’ll stop going altogether.
Dustin — I totally agree about WalMart. I used to shop there when I was in college, but now I can’t stand it. My husband and I avoid it like the plague.
Get chickens from Yoder at YB Meats, Iwig Dairy from NE KS at Satchel Creek Steaks in Wichita 21st & Webb, and great cuts of meat at Sigs in Derby.
Barney’s. The grocery section is tiny, but adequate if you make occasional trips to YB-now-Yoder Meats and other supplemental spots. Plus they have a ton of health-food stuff, which also happens to encompass a lot of obscure things you don’t normally find in a grocery that size (tahini, just off the top of my head. It’s organic, a little pricier, but also the only place I know of to get it in/around Delano. Oh, and farm-raised eggs. (Chicken eggs, and from Goddard, for those of you who are thinking what I know you’re thinking)).
As I understand it, they expanded into the grocery business when Delano/Sunflower lost both the Dinky Dillons (Douglas/Meridian) and the Aldi that was a tenant in the Barney’s building (ironically, the Aldi moved up to Sweetbriar to take the spot that was vacated by James Arbertha’s Save-A-Lot moving to 13th/Grove because *they* had no grocery to speak of). It’s still a mile and a half walk for some Delanonians, but the Dillons is half again as far.
Kind of a well-kept secret, though: responses seem split between “Barney’s? I LOVE shopping at Barney’s!” and “I thought that was a pharmacy.” (I only moved into the first group myself a year or so ago while trying to fulfill a prescription for which there was a shortage, and the doctor’s nurse advised checking Barney’s. Not only did George go out of his way to fill the scrip, he made sure to let me know whenever supplies got low, and once when he couldn’t get anything but a name-brand, he ate the difference.)
I’ve always wondered about Barney’s! Thank you for the awesome tip!
Speaking of other ethnic markets, I highly recommend Supermarket El Centro at 17th and Broadway. For basics such as limes, jalepenos, onions and garlic, they can not be beat. The meat there is quite good, although is is “mexican” cuts, which means the steaks are quite thin. Their marinated meats for fajitas are fabulous.
I would also remind everyone of the Spice Merchant. I started shopping with them when they were the tiny shop on Douglas and Grove. All kinds of wonderful coffees they roast there, green coffee beans if you roast your own, teas, both loose and in tea bags, plus so many spices. I prefer to refill my spices in small quantities from there. I would also include their basic Extra Virgin Olive Oil and vanilla.
Another place worth mentioning – The Seafood Shop at Central & Woodlawn. The fish is flown in fresh daily and you can even make requests.
Leeker’s in Park City is a wonderful place to shop. Their employees are all nice, and they insist on carrying your groceries out for you. Check out their website because they have double $1 coupons quite often. I absolutely refuse to buy groceries at Walmart, and while I do buy the bargains at Dillons, I consistently go back to Leeker’s!
Thanks Shea Silvia, I was just coming back to talk about the Seafood Shop. I love that place and even though it is a bit of a drive for me to get there…I try to go at least once a week.
They will fly in fish just for you and have when I am doing a dinner party. Dillons fish is almost always previously frozen and it can’t hold a candle to the fish at the Seafood Shop.
Also Satchel Creek if you are interested in local….grass fed beef and lamb.
I shop frequently at Aldi. I was first introduced to this store while visiting my sister in Germany. Their products are consistently high quality and are extremely reasonably priced. They currently have many German Christmas foods in stock (chocolate,stollen, lebkuchen) as well as Butterball turkeys for only 99 cents a pound. Checking out at Aldi can sometimes be a bit of a pain, but it’s worth if for the ton of money I guarantee you’ll save.
Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy stores have a good variety of groceries, very fresh produce and good fair prices. They are located randomly all over Kansas.
Good rec Seago…I’ve heard that Braum’s milk is the best in the city.
Sure is, imo.. Bovine Growth Hormone FREE!! Someone told me they were told it contained a lot of sugar, but have never heard that before or since.. It’s usually a LOT less expensive than the big stores, as far as milk anyway..
ALDI’s and Whites Food Liner in Goddard!
Barney’s is great to pick up those few health food items that will be twice as much at Dillon’s or Whole Foods. Not a huge selection, but if there’s something you use regularly and they can get it they’ll order for you. Ask for Scott or Dana. Their supplement prices are worth the drive from anywhere in town. And they have really old brands of drug store merchandise (personal hygiene or OTC meds) that no one in the area carries anymore. It’s kinda their thing…
I love Food for Thought. That place is kinda magical — all that health food stuff just makes me feel great. I started going there when I was vegan, and now it’s a favorite. They have a great selection of natural health products too. I love my hemp body lotion I got there — customized with peppermint oil. Smells fantastic! Fun gift aisles too. I heart my heart-shaped tablespoon set.
I went to the Asian Market at the expressway and Central not too long ago. If you like ethnic cooking, this is the place! Tofu here is sold in bulk and super cheap. Plus, bok toy, spices galore, and tons of funny things to look at. Great place — I always have wanted to try their free cooking classes.
Green Acres is the shiz. Really. What a great cafe, and a reasonable distance from WSU. Great for people that actually care about what they are putting in their bodies. The staff is uber friendly, also! Sometimes it’s nice to go to Bradley Fair for something other than shopping… and this is it.
There is a strip mall at the corner of Pawnee and Hillside that has an Asian Market called Thai An, and a Latin Market called Super Del Centro. Thai An’s inventory seems to rotate out much faster than many of the Asian Market’s I have been to, and they have a great produce section as well. You can get a big bunch of Thai basil or a package Kaffir lime leaves for a just a couple of bucks. They also have more common hers, like regular basil, at much better prices than Dillon’s or Walmart. Just a warning, most of the produce is not labeled in English, so you had better know what you’re looking for ;) They also have a butcher on site. Super Del Centro has a big selection of meats, including some great chorizo.
Oh! I almost forgot! For anyone who actually lives on the west side, like I do, there is Kline’s Meats on S. Maize Rd. They just opened up last year, and are the one of the best little butcher shops in Wichita, IMO. They are a family run business, friendly and helpful, and I love love love their sausages. And having a liquor store right next door makes for some one stop shopping. ;)
Was reading about shopping locally. As the rancher that produces the all natural Satchel Creek Steaks brand meats on our family ranch in the Flint Hills near Cassoday, it is truly heartwarming to hear so many of you dedicated to supporting local producers! Thank you for appreciating the extra miles we go to provide your families with safe, wholesome & nutritious beef, chicken, lamb, goat, rabbit, & buffalo!
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