To add to the things that are incredibly different in Seattle…grocery shopping.

It seems like the really big grocery store in Seattle is Safeway. Following that is QFC – not to be confused with KFC or QVC. There are a couple of Fred Meyer stores, and then there are the rest… So far, I’ve tried a Safeway (it’s still spendy in Seattle to shop there), a Grocery Outlet (don’t know if it was the neighborhood or the store, but WORST EXPERIENCE GROCERY SHOPPING EVER!), a QFC (not too bad, but still a wee pricy it seemed), a Fred Meyer (similar prices to the Tri-Cities), and now…a Trader Joe’s.

Oh – and a home-delivery fresh produce service.

For uniqueness at a pretty good price, Trader Joe’s totally wins out. I was surprised that the prices weren’t higher than they actually were! And it made me happy and adventurous. For example, tonight’s dinner is chicken stir-fry served over cous cous! Their fish selection (frozen) was incredible, and it was just plain fun to shop there!

I’m not sure where the others stand, really. But it IS different going grocery shopping in Seattle – at least it feels like it to me. Maybe it’s just because I’m so accustomed to the fact that in the Tri-Cities, you basically have the super WalMarts, Wincos, and Fred Meyers to shop at. Yes, you have Safeway, but when was the last time YOU in the Tri-Cities saw a Safeway parking lot actually be FULL?

I think I’ll end up at either QFC or Trader Joe’s for groceries from now on. And, when I feel an itch for home, I’ll hit the gargantuan Fred Meyer up north.