Hello Paul,

Bigger Stores:

Cost U Less
Pricesmart
Pueblo
Food Center
Plaza Extra

Sea Food - there is a fish market - but its early early am and sometimes the fishermen will be out at certain areas selling from their trucks particularly on Saturday mornings, local fresh catch.

Marina Market is a smaller store with a good deli.

K-mart is it, Cost U Less and Pricesmart have everyday things but in bulk, smaller local stores might also sell these items like Mr. Dollar or IslandFair.

--Islander

Food Center is great if you're on the east end. It's a nice, clean, well-lit supermarket with a very good selection. Prices are higher than Pueblo but not as outrageous as Gourmet Gallery. Rarely crowded.

Pueblo is fine for everyday shopping as long as you don't mind the minor inconveniences of shopping there. Prices are lower than at Food Center, though the store is dirtier, produce not as nice, long lines, parking lot is very busy, especially at night. You can get a Pueblo card and save approximately one half penny for every $3000 you spend.

Gourmet Gallery in Havensight and Marina Market in Red Hook are pleasant shopping experiences until you get to the cash register. What works best there is to have a self-imposed limit of perhaps $20 so you don't go too overboard. Cracklin Oat Bran, for instance, costs over $7 for a small box! (for some reason that particular cereal is more expensive everywhere you go, don't ask me why...)

If you have a family and/or a full size fridge you can shop at Cost-U-Less or PriceSmart. Food selection is similar, with PriceSmart being a slightly nicer shopping experience (though lines are sometimes long). PriceSmart costs $10 to join for the year. Good meat at both stores, especially if you're cooking for a big event.

The thing about grocery shopping here is that no one place will have everything you need. For instance only Food Center has the brand of chicken patty that I like, only Pueblo has Mozzarella sticks, only Cost-U-Less has a good deal on frozen orange juice (6 big cans for $10!).

By the way... can anyone tell me if the following items are available:

1. Frozen California Pizza Kitchen pizzas. These are available in the states for $5-6, in several delicious flavors. Yellow box. Barbecue chicken is to die for!!

2. Starbucks Frappucino drinks, sold at room temperature in four packs. I know this is specific, but to my knowledge you can only buy these individually and cold at Gourmet Gallery and Food Center for $2.50 / $2.25 a pop -- which is ridiculous for such a small bottle.

3. Good bagels. What is the best place for bagels? Is there anywhere on island that they are baked fresh?