A while back we had you, the readers/listeners contribute to one of our Top 5 lists: Portland’s Top 5 Grocery Store Chains. Needless to say, one of my favorites, Fred Meyer wasn’t listed. Bummer. It’s usually the first place I go to but not all Fred Meyer stores are created equal. Here are my top 5 in case you care…
5. Barbur Blvd. Location: I really dislike this one as it doesn’t have an apparel section. What? I like to buy socks on sale, so sue me! But more than that, it just reminds me of pee and old ladies. It’s a really old looking store that could really be updated a bit. I do go there from time to time as it’s the closest one to me, but, trust me, you’ve never seen a 5′1″ woman speed walk so fast through a grocery store so fast in your life. Plus their deli is poop and that’s exactly what I end up doing after I eat there..without fail. The thing I do like about it is the people that work there. I’ve only run into one grumpy old dude, but the rest of the staff is great.
4. Hwy 99 & 72nd St. Location: Here’s the kicker for me with this store, I always have a hard time trying to find the toiletries I need and if you haven’t been into this Freddy’s yet, it’s actually in a different section of the store, not within the regular aisles. It’s in this weird vastness of space, you totally miss it, you basically have to go to the milk section at the back of the store and turn right. It sucks. Half the things on my list today, I did NOT find it at Fred Meyer. Also, on my way out, I hate leaving the parking lot – trying to get out of there is a complete nightmare, especially when you have to turn left onto HWY 99. You don’t get a dedicated left turn arrow, you have to yield to the other cars going straight, leaving a whopping 3 cars to get through any given light. It took me 15 minutes to get out of there once. It sucked. The city needs to change the light timer thing. Yes, I do realize that this is NOT a Fred Meyer issue, but it makes it so I hate going there.
2 & 3. A two-way tie. I’ve been into one of these once, and the other looked lovely from the street. SE in Milwaukie, and SE on Hawthorne. Newly remodeled, always looks clean, HUGE stores with seriously everything I could need…Love em’. Problem? They are too big! If I forget something while I’m in the produce section, forget it, I might as walk a marathon to get to the item I do need. It’s too far away, Granted, I usually haul my ass to get it, but still.
1. Alright, it’s in the ghetto, but I love this Freddy’s… SE 82nd and Johnson Creek (I believe) – the nicer of the two on 82nd, the one you don’t need a firearm for. I fell in love with this store when I accidentally stumbled upon it. Nice and big just like the other ones, but just feels more organized in sections, the furniture section doesn’t scare me, the produce is extremely well maintained, even at 9:00 at night, and they always know when to call more checkers in to help out. I love this store more than any of the other Freddy’s I’ve been to.
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I hate hate hate the pharmacy at the Barbur Blvd Fred Meyer. Last year, I had enough of them, wrote a nasty letter to corporate, and transferred all my prescriptions to Rite-Aid. Switching pharmacies turned out to be an excellent decision.
Oh I know! There’s ALWAYS a line of people outside their pharmacy and no one looks happy (granted it IS the pharmacy and you are about to give them $, but still…).
Only ended up using them once and found the staff to have no personality to speak of…they wouldn’t even give me the run down on what to do, what no to do…it was not the best experience.
What about NE 30th & Broadway? I’m 4 blocks from here. I may be location biased, but I have been serviced at several locations, from Powell to the one off of TV highway in Hillsboro. I work 2 blocks from the one in Tigard off of 99 that made the list. I think of any of them on the list, its most similar to that one. Its big but not huge, everything is located where you’d expect. Its got apparel, Chase and a really good deli. Hollywood video and Game Crazy are also attached.
Dare I say, it might be the perfect location. The only thing I’d like is to have a deli that’s like the one on hawthorne. Its like a New Seasons in there.
Interesting. I would think one would have a favorite that would be close to where they live. Since you have 5 from all over the city, I can only assume you live in your car. Too bad. Supporting the local store allows you to get to know your neighborhood and maybe even your neighbors a little more than just passing them on the freeway on the way to Hillsboro or Gresham.
My fave has always been Hollywood. Not sure why, it just became the go to Freddy’s when we were in our 20’s because it has the best selection of anything. Even newer remodeled stores don’t have the lure that Hollywood does in my mind.
Thanks dieselboi – I don’t live in my car, I live in the cars of others. Your comment came through during this mornings show, and I explain it a little more. Oh yeah, and I don’t go to Gresham or Hillsboro, but I’m sure they have nice Fred Meyers
I think grocery stores are one of those things were we all go one in our neighborhoods/areas and we get to know the people, it just sucks when that one is smelly and crappy…I do like variety every once in a while though and that’s ok
# 5 is creepy as I went there during my days at L & C (90-95) and it hasnt changed. Same creepy guy w/a stache working the cash register at the far end by the burger king.
I think their floor cleaner is urine. And nothing says white trash like muzak that skips.