Publix v. Harris Teeter. Ok. I'm biased...

[JanMichael]

I've been in North Carolina for 4 years now and the monopoly in grocery stores happens to be HT. But---

HT is a decent chain...and my main monopolistic option, other than expensive and under stocked specialty stores (Earth Fare and Whole Foods which are elitist "green" stores with limited options (((LOCALLY!!!))))), which is OK but not perfect.

Anyway it struck me recently how much better Publix deli sandwiches were than HT sandwiches. OK. I'm a vegetarian now but I had a vegetarian Publix sub recently and fuckin' hell it ROCKED! They just do that right, period. The ingredients were better, the bread was better, the CHEESE was better, etcetera.

Plus Publix has a special section for organic and, fuck me to the wall, canned fake meats! HT has that stuff spread all over the place where Publix made it easy for us weirdo vegetarians...Which is not all that common.

Which is weird as Publix, while a decent employer with good benefits, is run by asshole Republicans (at least is was) and HT I have heard is a fairly liberal company. Maybe not but the end result is that Publix STOMPS HT on sandwiches and vegetarian options. Canned fake scallops? Publix has them in quantity - HT doesn't have shit other than expensive frozen beef crumbles and and assortment of other nationally available fake meats (soy and wheat gluten based) and cheeses (soy and rice based). Publix has a better selection than my local lefty co-op when it comes to fake meat staples!

Anyway does anyone else have an opinion on this?

[DarkTirade]

1. I've never shopped at Harris Teeter

but I lived in a Publix-saturated area for 20 years or so, and I gotta say, that was a great store. The only times I shopped anywhere else were A) before I had a car and I had to shop at the store on the way to my job, and B) when I was working the night shift and the only time I was free to shop was at 3-4 in the morning.

I even found some good unfiltered apple juice to use in my brewing there. And their subs were FANTASTIC.

[JanMichael]

2. Bingo! They have great subs!

HT no...

You will be disappointed, if you dig great subs for lunch (even the vegetarian versions!) in HT if you ever make it to NC.

[DarkTirade]

3. I've only been to one area there

a little middle-of-nowhere place not too far from Greensboro. Kinda scary area. The kind of place where friendly cops would pull over any black person they saw driving through there... to give them alternate safe directions around that area. :\

[JanMichael]

5. Oh now that I'm in NC I just roll through reds.

I'm kidding but I'm not afraid of tickets here. I'm a "white" guy in a station wagon. I can go 150mph without a look. Stop signs can be run with no problem. I could go at least 20mph over the limit in a school zone and they'd still pull over other folks for insane reasons (like being "black") rather than me.

It's sickening.

[DarkTirade]

6. This area was even more blatant than that.

They would hold klan meetings out in the open. Sometimes even at the local high school.

And no, I'm not exaggerating. My ex was forced to live there when she lived with her mom and stepdad for a few years. She went to that high school.

[littlebit]

4. I have been in NC

for about 8 years now. I have only been in a Harris Teeter once. I didn't like it much. I thought they were a little overpriced.

[Akoto]

7. An acquaintance of mine lives very well, thanks to Publix ...

I don't remember exactly how, but some relative of hers owned founder's stock in Publix. She inherited it when he passed on, and lives quite nicely on the benefits.

Even though it's run by Republicans, I admit to shopping regularly there. Their goods are quality stuff, and I really like their bakery and produce items.

[FloridaJudy]

8. My local Publix rocks

I'm not a vegetarian, and their Philly-cheese-steak sandwiches are to die for. They're not the cheapest in town, but they're so humongous they easily serve two (or two meals for one). Publix has also started selling its own brand of organic canned food at little more than the usual canned stuff costs, and I've been impressed with the quality. Their bakery is outstanding as well.

I'm sorry to hear they're owned by a bunch of Republicans, but since they treat their employees well (I've known several who work there), I'll continue to shop there. Not to mention: Publix is four blocks away, nearest other supermarket is more like 5 miles. I need the exercise, and the planet could use the break from driving.