Target or Publix?

[hawkeye]

Just curious if anyone has a preference or pros/cons about which store to go to for groceries? We will be at AKV, so both stores are pretty close. I know what to expect at Target, but have never been to Publix - all of my friends who live near a Publix rave about the place.

Oh, we will be in a studio, so food is mostly for breakfasts and snacks. We are on the DDP for lunch and dinner :)

[DoctorK]

We don't have a Publix near us, and I've never been to one, but my understanding is that it's a really nice grocery store - much nicer than Target, but that it's really a grocery store, vs. a department store (like Target). I prefer Target because I'm confident that in addition to the groceries we'll need, I'll also be able to pick up whatever it is that my non-packing-list-making-wife forgot to bring. :D

[vicki_c]

Publix is the nicest grocery store in central Florida (although it doesn't compare to my own local best store and I'm not comparing it to something like Whole Foods), but that's where we shopped when we lived in Florida. So they will have a better selection than Target of things like produce, meat, deli items, etc.

If you're looking for stuff like eggs, milk, cereal, Pop-Tarts, I think Target would be fine and probably cheaper.

[josh]

Agree with Vicki. If it's food you're after, Publix is the way to go. If you have other items that a Target would carry, you could make do there. You can always do both!

[hawkeye]

I think Josh has the right answer...plus, I wanted an excuse to go to Publix

[mousehelper]

When we stay near akl, we shop at the super target. We did public once, and I thought that target was much cheaper.

[keristars]

Publix has a really good deli + bakery, though. And I'm really fond of their store brand goods. Central FL Publixes may be different from what I'm used to in NE Florida, but I do prefer their store brand to the Target & Wal-Mart store brand things. On the other hand, if the Target has a grocery section (like the Super Wal-Marts do), it's more than likely going to be a bit less expensive on namebrand things. At the Publix here, a 12-pack of Coca-Cola is $5.29 right now, but a 12-pack of Publix Cola is $4.12 (I think - the prices just rose from $4.99 and $3.99). But if I go to the Super Wal-Mart down the street, a 12-pack of Coca-cola is only $4.75 or something.

But really, the Publix bakery and deli are the best.

[Aprincess]

i have both target and publix by my house and i love both of them and i buy publix brand stuff all the time it is a lot cheeper than name brand stuff i would go with publix but if u need travel items target would be better. :)

[lync]

I shop publix all the time (i live in SC). Their BOGO deals are great! However, you don't have to buy 2 of the item in SC but you do in FL. You can go to southern savers.com (one word) and look at the sales for each store before you go and even print a list and get your coupons together if you really want to go that far.

I love publix!

[bnoble]

Add me to the consensus: Target will be cheaper (and covers your non-food items), but Publix has better stuff. Depends on what you are optimizing for. Here at home, I tend to drive a little farther to the store that's a little more upscale vs. our mass-market grocery chain. On vacation, I'm even more likely to do that, so I don't go to the Super Target on 192 unless I need something non-grocery. For example, I had to pick up a non-stick frying pan once because the one in the condo was just a hot mess. That was a Target purchase (and now lives in my Owner's Locker).

Edited to add: I happen to like the Winn-Dixie on Apopka Vineland a little more than the Target on US-192. I'm not completely sure why. But, not enough to go out of my way. So, if I am staying East of World Drive, I usually go to the Winn Dixie. If I am West of World Drive, I go to the Publix. Luckily, both have conveniently co-located liquor stores, but the one next to the Winn Dixie has a better selection if, say, you need the Patron Reposado.

[loveysbydesign]

Just curious if anyone has a preference or pros/cons about which store to go to for groceries? We will be at AKV, so both stores are pretty close. I know what to expect at Target, but have never been to Publix - all of my friends who live near a Publix rave about the place.

Oh, we will be in a studio, so food is mostly for breakfasts and snacks. We are on the DDP for lunch and dinner :)

Are you talking about the SuperTarget on 192? If so we shop there for groceries all the time when we are down there on vacay, but have gone to the Publix on occasion as well. One thing was that the Publix opened earlier then the ST, so we ended up going there instead for the one trip as we were up early and my in-laws stayed at the house while dh and I ran out to get the groceries before the kids woke up!

[2boysmel]

Publix usually has delicious key lime pies, at least in my opinion!

[fizboBunny]

I love Publix bread. They have this yummy wheat multigrain bread that is just awesome! Their deli usually has a great selection too.

[ke_page]

I love the publix sandwich bar. We always plan to eat subs for dinner the first night when we get groceries. They have delicious fresh bread and high quality lunch meats!

[keristars]

Publix usually has delicious key lime pies, at least in my opinion!

Lately they've had strawberry-key lime and strawberry-kiwi pies, FYI. I'm not sure how much longer, but they're pretty good and a change from the ordinary...

Also, if you go to the produce section, they have pre-made fruit bowls in different sizes, which are incredibly convenient. I can't remember if Winn-Dixie does them, too, but I know the other grocery stores around here don't, unless you get some fancy brand that could be who knows how many days old. You can get a container of mixed fruit, of berries (in season), of cantaloupe, or a few others I never pay attention to. The variety will change according to what's in season. I LOVE getting the small cantaloupe container to take on day-trips, since they're so good. Watermelon is another - you get some sugars and also water to replenish your energy and hydrate you. If you take along a packet of toothpicks, you won't have to worry about dirty fingers, either. (In fact, I think I'm going to have to remind myself to get the cantaloupe bowl before my next trip...) I freeze a water bottle to put in my bag, and I always put my fruit next to it to keep it cool, and then I have a cold bottle of water in the afternoon, and the cantaloupe doesn't get too soft and mushy before I'm ready to eat it.

[Figaro]

If you go to the Publix at the 192/535, there's an Indian woman in there that'll make you a roast beef sandwich so big it'll last for days. Haven't been in a Target since 1991.

[dannyjojo]

One thing that I noticed in the past is that the Publix had smaller sizes of some stuff. Things like bleach & laundry detergent. Walmart & Target sized seemed to be too big for just 5 days to a week.

[Lotus14]

Does Publix carry any non-grocery items like sunscreen, laundry soap, or tp? We will likely need some toiletry type of items but still want to try the Publix. Good prepared food sounds awesome on vacation.

[lync]

Does Publix carry any non-grocery items like sunscreen, laundry soap, or tp? We will likely need some toiletry type of items but still want to try the Publix. Good prepared food sounds awesome on vacation.

Yes, it does. May be a little pricier, though.

[hawkeye]

One thing that I noticed in the past is that the Publix had smaller sizes of some stuff. Things like bleach & laundry detergent. Walmart & Target sized seemed to be too big for just 5 days to a week.

Ooo, good to know!

[hawkeye]

Luckily, both have conveniently co-located liquor stores, but the one next to the Winn Dixie has a better selection if, say, you need the Patron Reposado.

This is also good to know :-)