Undaunted wrote:Big C extra for me is best for its real french bakery and it's meat dept.
The same for me. And their prices are quite reasonable compared to other grocery stores. Their French bread is the best I've ever found in Thailand. If I want French bread, I always go to Big-C Extra. Their meats, in my opinion, are also the best I've ever found in Thailand, and at prices usually significantly lower than most other grocery stores.
For me, if it's French Bakery items or meats I'm looking for, it's Big-C Extra.
For fish, shellfish, pork, chicken, produce, and most other items, I go to Makro.
The Tops that opened near me on "The Dark Side" has an unimpressive meat department, but has a very good selection of most other items that interest me.
Foodland often has items I can't find elsewhere. And it's the only major grocery store open 24 hours a day, every day including most holidays.
I do like both Friendship and Villa Market, but they're not convenient to me, so I'll usually stop in if I happen to be in the area.
For items that can't be found in those grocery stores, Best - at the Dolphin Roundabout - often has what I'm looking for.
Of course, there are some items that are readily available, but not in grocery stores at all. If I want hot dogs, I buy from Beertopia. If I want corned beef, pastrami, and other cold cuts, I order from Scott at MJ Smokehouse.
By the way, just last week Scott told me they now will allow people to come out to MJ Smokehouse to buy directly if they so choose, although unless you live on "The Dark Side" you'll probably stick with Scott delivering. He also said they will soon be opening a small restaurant at their location, primarily for locals. He also said that since Pastrami on Rye has closed he might be talking to Beertopia about serving sandwiches made from his cold cuts. That would be great if they do work out something.
See:
http://www.facebook.com/mjsmokehouse
-and-
http://www.mjsmokehouse.com