I visited Wegmans and it's clear why the supermarket chain was recently rated America's top grocery store

Mary MeisenzahlDec 3, 2022, 17:59 IST

Wegmans.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Wegmans is a regional grocery chain based in Rochester, New York, with just over 100 stores around the Northeast.
The chain is known for specialty shops inside, including a cheese counter, bakery, and florist.

Wegmans is a beloved regional grocery chain founded and based in my hometown of Rochester, New York.

Shutterstock/tarheel1776

I don't tend to do my regular grocery shopping at Wegmans, but I visited to remember why the chain has such a loyal following — taking the No. 1 slot in a recent national survey of grocery customers.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I don't tend to do my regular grocery shopping at Wegmans, but I visited to remember why the chain has such a loyal following — taking the No. 1 slot in a recent national survey of grocery customers.

Wegmans has 109 stores around the Northeast United States, including highly anticipated locations in Brooklyn and a suburb of Boston.

Courtesy of Wegmans

I visited the East Avenue location in Rochester around 5 pm on a Tuesday, and it was completely packed.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Despite a large parking lot, it's almost always nearing full at this location, and there's often a police officer stationed in the lot to handle traffic.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

In late November, the store was already decked out for Christmas with wreaths and banners.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The displays right outside the entrance held miniature Christmas trees.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Other Christmas decor items were on sale next to the trees.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Then I walked through the door, where snowflakes were hanging from the ceiling.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There's a coffee bar immediately to the right of the entrance.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Displays around the entryway change throughout the year, but during my trip they were themed around holiday hosting.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Fruit and vegetable trays and dips were in a small setting labeled "seasonal favorites."

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The store is set up as if you were already hosting a gathering, with snacks and drinks near the entrance, next to the flower shop.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The fruit and vegetable trays are on the less expensive end, while cheese trays are pricier.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

For an even more extravagant spread, there are different cheese wedge combinations with nuts.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The cheese counter is one of the more unique things about Wegmans because it carries types of cheese I don't normally see at Walmart, Aldi, or even Trader Joe's.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are also employees who are experts on cheese who can make recommendations, with similar workers in each section with knowledge about the displays.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The cheese counter is separate from the deli, which has its own selection of meats and cheeses.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The huge selection of prepared foods is definitely one of the big draws of Wegmans, which has a hot bar with takeout meals and offers catering.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The bakery makes all kinds of breads and baked goods.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are always fresh bagels available, and free cookies for kids.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Customers can also order custom cakes.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Unlike other grocery stores I've been to, for example, there's an entire display dedicated to smoked fish.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

While most grocery stores have some pre-made salad bowls, Wegmans has dozens of varieties.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

That level of selection extends to the rest of the produce section, which carries fruits I don't usually see at other grocery stores like starfruit, jackfruit, and cherimoya.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

That level of selection extends to the rest of the produce section, which carries fruits I don't usually see at other grocery stores like starfruit, jackfruit, and cherimoya.

Most of the fruit displays in the middle of the section are out in the open and not packaged, which give an attractive ambiance in the store's warm lighting.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I think a lot of the appeal of Wegmans comes from the design of the store, which is cozy and warmer than a standard grocery store, rather than the products for sale.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There's a small train that drives over the refrigerated food section.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Even aisle marker signs are neutral colors and understated, fitting in with the overall design theme.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are plenty of grocery staples in addition to the specialty foods.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Wegmans has sold its private label brand since the 1970s, and in the 1990s added the "food you feel good about" distinction to note it as free from certain additives.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

For most items, the selection ranges from relatively low-priced Wegmans brand to standard brand names up to more specialty options that aren't typically available at Walmart.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

For most items, the selection ranges from relatively low-priced Wegmans brand to standard brand names up to more specialty options that aren't typically available at Walmart.

This is true in just about every section, with a huge selection of any grocery item you could need.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Wegmans also caters its offerings to the local market, like selling Josh's Jaqs cereal in Rochester to Buffalo Bills fans.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It also highlights local brands, like Rochester-based Genesee Brewing Company.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

A back corner of the store is dedicated to a fairly extensive beer selection with both local and national brands.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are also seltzers, and Wegmans owns a nearby wine shop that carries other liquors.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The far end of the store has a pharmacy and aisles of hygiene and beauty products.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

With most of the store dedicated to food, there's one aisle dedicated to dishes, kitchen tools and other homewares.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

After going back to Wegmans, it's clear why people like it so much.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The chain did $11.2 billion in sales in 2021, and employs more than 50,000 people, according to the company.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I love the huge selection, and the prepared foods are always delicious whenever I've gotten them. They're especially great to bring to parties or events.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Unfortunately all the things that make Wegmans different from other grocery stores are also the most expensive, so I can't usually justify that for a regular grocery trip.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Unfortunately all the things that make Wegmans different from other grocery stores are also the most expensive, so I can't usually justify that for a regular grocery trip.

As much as I love shopping at Wegmans, I save it as a treat for special occasions or foods I can't get anywhere else, and I stick with Aldi for my regular groceries.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I visited 2 busy malls in Southern California on Black Friday and saw how Gen Zers and millennials are saving the shopping extravaganza

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I visited Wegmans and it's clear why the supermarket chain was recently rated America's top grocery store

Wegmans is a beloved regional grocery chain founded and based in my hometown of Rochester, New York.

I don't tend to do my regular grocery shopping at Wegmans, but I visited to remember why the chain has such a loyal following — taking the No. 1 slot in a recent national survey of grocery customers.

Wegmans has 109 stores around the Northeast United States, including highly anticipated locations in Brooklyn and a suburb of Boston.

I visited the East Avenue location in Rochester around 5 pm on a Tuesday, and it was completely packed.

Despite a large parking lot, it's almost always nearing full at this location, and there's often a police officer stationed in the lot to handle traffic.

In late November, the store was already decked out for Christmas with wreaths and banners.

The displays right outside the entrance held miniature Christmas trees.

Other Christmas decor items were on sale next to the trees.

Then I walked through the door, where snowflakes were hanging from the ceiling.

There's a coffee bar immediately to the right of the entrance.

Displays around the entryway change throughout the year, but during my trip they were themed around holiday hosting.

Fruit and vegetable trays and dips were in a small setting labeled "seasonal favorites."

The store is set up as if you were already hosting a gathering, with snacks and drinks near the entrance, next to the flower shop.

The fruit and vegetable trays are on the less expensive end, while cheese trays are pricier.

For an even more extravagant spread, there are different cheese wedge combinations with nuts.

The cheese counter is one of the more unique things about Wegmans because it carries types of cheese I don't normally see at Walmart, Aldi, or even Trader Joe's.

There are also employees who are experts on cheese who can make recommendations, with similar workers in each section with knowledge about the displays.

The cheese counter is separate from the deli, which has its own selection of meats and cheeses.

The huge selection of prepared foods is definitely one of the big draws of Wegmans, which has a hot bar with takeout meals and offers catering.

The bakery makes all kinds of breads and baked goods.

There are always fresh bagels available, and free cookies for kids.

Customers can also order custom cakes.

Unlike other grocery stores I've been to, for example, there's an entire display dedicated to smoked fish.

While most grocery stores have some pre-made salad bowls, Wegmans has dozens of varieties.

That level of selection extends to the rest of the produce section, which carries fruits I don't usually see at other grocery stores like starfruit, jackfruit, and cherimoya.

Most of the fruit displays in the middle of the section are out in the open and not packaged, which give an attractive ambiance in the store's warm lighting.

I think a lot of the appeal of Wegmans comes from the design of the store, which is cozy and warmer than a standard grocery store, rather than the products for sale.

There's a small train that drives over the refrigerated food section.

Even aisle marker signs are neutral colors and understated, fitting in with the overall design theme.

There are plenty of grocery staples in addition to the specialty foods.

Wegmans has sold its private label brand since the 1970s, and in the 1990s added the "food you feel good about" distinction to note it as free from certain additives.

For most items, the selection ranges from relatively low-priced Wegmans brand to standard brand names up to more specialty options that aren't typically available at Walmart.

This is true in just about every section, with a huge selection of any grocery item you could need.

Wegmans also caters its offerings to the local market, like selling Josh's Jaqs cereal in Rochester to Buffalo Bills fans.

It also highlights local brands, like Rochester-based Genesee Brewing Company.

A back corner of the store is dedicated to a fairly extensive beer selection with both local and national brands.

There are also seltzers, and Wegmans owns a nearby wine shop that carries other liquors.

The far end of the store has a pharmacy and aisles of hygiene and beauty products.

With most of the store dedicated to food, there's one aisle dedicated to dishes, kitchen tools and other homewares.

After going back to Wegmans, it's clear why people like it so much.

The chain did $11.2 billion in sales in 2021, and employs more than 50,000 people, according to the company.

I love the huge selection, and the prepared foods are always delicious whenever I've gotten them. They're especially great to bring to parties or events.

Unfortunately all the things that make Wegmans different from other grocery stores are also the most expensive, so I can't usually justify that for a regular grocery trip.

As much as I love shopping at Wegmans, I save it as a treat for special occasions or foods I can't get anywhere else, and I stick with Aldi for my regular groceries.