Busch's Fresh Food Market voted best grocery store; this week, vote for best breakfast spot
What’s the best grocery store in Washtenaw County? The voters in AnnArbor.com’s BestOf contest say it’s Busch’s Fresh Food Market, which won with 131 votes, leading Trader Joe’s, which garnered 81 votes.
Best grocery store voting began last Sunday and ended at 11:59 p.m. Saturday.
By the end of the first day of voting, Busch’s had a solid lead and steadily remained in first place throughout the week. Early in the week, the first few runner-up positions jockeyed around between Trader Joe’s, Hiller’s, Plum Market and Arbor Farms Market.
In the last couple days of voting, it remained a close race. By the end, Hiller’s took third with 73 votes.
This week’s contest is for best breakfast spot. It’s the most important meal of the day, so choose wisely! Luckily, the Ann Arbor area has many excellent breakfast choices. Some have had their eggs over easy rhapsodized over in song. Others have been recognized by the Food Network for their artery-clogging powers. Whether it's an after-church family meal or a way to soak up the indulgences from the night before (or maybe a bit of both), we've all got a favorite place for pancakes, eggs, coffee and orange juice.
Readers can suggest contenders for any upcoming contest by going to http://www.annarbor.com/bestof/#bestof_schedule.
And don't forget, everyone who votes will be entered into a drawing each week to win a prize. This week's prize is for a $50 gift card to Afternoon Delight.
Comments
A2lover
Mon, Mar 21, 2011 : 4:18 p.m.
Busch's is by far the best store for all round variety, quality, wines, and workers who are knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. I'm surprised, but glad, they beat Plum Market, which is a good (but somewhat expensive) store. Kroger stores are depressing.
Ann English
Mon, Mar 21, 2011 : 11:05 p.m.
When I tried buying mussels at Busch's the employees were terrific in their knowledge of when and how to buy and cook mussels; I cannot imagine a Kroger employee instructing/advising me about buying and cooking mussels like they did at Busch's.
Original Ann Arborite
Mon, Mar 21, 2011 : 3:03 p.m.
Born and raised in A2-Hands down I would say Krogers for sure! The first time I went into Busch's the atmosphere alone made me want to turn right around
Jon Saalberg
Mon, Mar 21, 2011 : 11:58 a.m.
The comment that Busch's is more expensive has been shown to be a local fallacy - the Ann Arbor News did a sample bag test which included Buschs, and the difference in price between the Busch's bag of groceries and the other stores was a mere dollar or two. For the quality of meats, deli items, and service, we regularly shop at Busch's. For our family, Kroger is the "too lazy to drive the extra mile or so" store.
Ann English
Mon, Mar 21, 2011 : 11:08 p.m.
Sounds like you're referring to the Plymouth Road locations of the competitors. I wish Busch's accepted online coupons like Kroger and Meijer do. I'm glad they grant reuse bag credits.
MyOpinion
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 : 9:12 p.m.
This is not a news article. It is a shameless shill. Why don't you have a twitter or haiku contest where voters post their 'poetry' about their favorite breakfast place rather than clicking on the "best xxxx."
Ann English
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 : 7:12 p.m.
I was able to get a big bottle of fish sauce at Busch's, for under $2; perhaps they cater to Vietnamese shoppers in the area. I like the Prairie Farms gallon milk sales on Wednesdays (they could stop the sale any week, but last year such sales lasted 3 weeks and no more). But seeing that Busch's and Trader Joe's were the top two vote-getters, I figure that pride in Ann Arbor was the biggest factor: Busch's headquarters are here, it started here, and Trader Joe's here has an Ann Arbor-oriented interior design, culturally and historically. They do this with their stores, assimilating them to whichever city they locate in. As for Hiller's, I wonder if their Jew- and Israel-friendly food selections are a big factor. I've heard from two people that they're drawn to Busch's by the demeanor of the employees, that in competitors' stores they're colder and less considerate toward shoppers. I voted for Meijer's because I buy more food there than anywhere else. They all have their strong areas, but only Meijer sells shampoo for us swimmers, and they compete well with ALDI and Walmart when it comes to half-gallon low-sugar juices. But Trader Joe's is tops regarding a certain post-workout powder.
John of Saline
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 : 5:36 p.m.
Some items can be more expensive at Busch's, others not. It just takes getting used to. It's a really nice store. You want expensive, there's always Whole Foods.
timjbd
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 : 5:09 p.m.
The two people who voted for Walmart should be flogged with a damp kielbasa.
John of Saline
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 : 5:37 p.m.
They probably were hipsters who voted for Walmart ironically.
zip the cat
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 : 5:04 p.m.
They may be the best to a few but there prices are 30-50% higher than any other store in the area. So I guess if money in not a problem for you then its the place to go. If your the average joe family on a tight budget or a senior on a fixed income. There beyond anything we can afford,hands down There so called SALE items are the every day prices anywhere else.