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Friendly Green Grocer Mitch’s Grocer’s Feedbag

Got any questions about grocery stores? Send in your queries and we may answer them on a future Double!

Comments

I had a job in the corporate office of a retailer where i was a data analyst of their bakery dept. One of the things we would do every so often is reevaluate the cookies, cakes, muffins, cupcakes, etc. to look for a better supplier. One of the things we would evaluate is taste, which meant taste testing between a handful and a dozen different types of cookies. This sounds great, until you realize you are eating a dozen or so cookies in a day! That is too much! We worked closely with the deli folks as well, so we would be included in their taste testing as well. They would have a room full of all a dozen different potato salads, and you would try them all and pick you favorite. My question to you, what would be the worst, and best food in the deli or bakery to taste test. You are going to have 12 different types of the same food, you can have one bite, (or more!) of each suppliers product.

Bradley Linnemeyer

I know y’all have talked about Franken-foods (sorry, Frankenstein’s Monster-foods*), but are there any Franken-brands or Franken-stores you wish existed? For example, Ben & Jerry’s style combinations in a Kellogg’s cereal form, or having the quality store brand options of say a Trader Joe’s in an Albertsons so there would be less hoity-toitiness and Mitch as a mascot. Also, while I’m on the subject of Franken-foods, as a broke vegetarian, I gotta shout out a quarantine monstrosity I’ve been calling SpEGGhetti. It’s cheap, filling and fun to say. Thanks, love the show! Peace & Love to Yusong, Emma, Wolly & Irma, too!

Jacob Prante

Hey Nick and Mitch! What is your super market shopping routine? Cart or bin? Produce first then weave through aisles? Do you guys make a shopping list? Or do you improv like on the show?

John Kearney

Grocery shopping: Mom vs. Dad. When I was growing up, my mom did all the shopping and would take me and my brother with her. Once and a while she’d leave town and then my dad would take us. These were very disparate experiences. Mostly because my dad was interested in expediency, and my mom was focused on nutrition. The only time we got Cap’n Crunch, Totino’s Pizza Rolls, or Bomb Pops was when my dad shopped. I’m almost 50, and the parenting paradigm has changed (I do most of the shopping for my family), but I’d love to hear from Y’all about grocery shopping: Mom vs. Dad.

Scott Greer

Hi Doughboys, I have been with my lovely wife, Caitlin, for over six years. Early on in our relationship I discovered that she is what I call a 'Mix Miner'. Meaning that, in any given snack mix (eg Trail Mix, Chex Mix, Pub Mix) she will 'mine' out her favorite bits leaving behind whatever bits she doesn't like. I'm getting tired of opening the bag of trail mix to be left with a sparse scattering of peanuts among a sea of raisins. Where do you land on the 'Mixer'/'Miner' spectrum? How do you keep the peace across 'Mixer'/'Miner' partisanship?

Aaron S

Hi Doughboys! I have a question. Have you ever encountered a supermarket-brand knockoff (a la “great value” or “shopper’s choice”) that’s been better than the brand-name original? Thanks men!

Sam Mendoza

I feel like I'm going to go the podcast, and the next episode is going to be 8 hours long. I'm not mad.

Eris

Hi Doughboys, I have been recently buying taco bell mild sauce from the grocery store in order to make healthy(er) foods at home and still have them satisfy my junk food itch. Do you have any restaurant branded food retail items that you enjoy and/or purchase regularly?

Jarod hunting

C’mon, we all know Wiger fucks the fruit until it explodes.

Joe

In pre-Covid times, what were your methods for checking if fruit was ripe? A squeeze? A lil sniff? What about post Covid?

Kyle Beaudette

I live in Massachusetts. Pre-covid, every morning after a major hockey or basketball game in Boston, the parking garage of The T (Subway) smells like urine and is filled with trash. Can Mitch explain why Boston sports fans are such awful people?

Mark Matiyosus

The Gremlin’s name isn’t Spike. It’s Stripe! #justiceforStripe

Anthony Newell

Hey Doughboys! Years ago as a college athlete we would travel to schools within our conference. For one meet in upstate New York, a teammate of mine introduced me to the grocery store Wegman’s, and I had one of the best sandwiches in my life. I can still remember it perfectly 13 years later. What are the most memorable prepared foods you’ve eaten from a grocery store?

Ciro Gaimari

Hey Yusong! I used to work at a deli in a grocery store and while working I would take an energy drink or snack off the shelf. My justification; the store did not pay me enough for me not to steal. Have you guys ever stolen from a grocery store or a place of employment?

Joseph Allison

Greetings and salutations Doughboys! I work at a high end grocery store in Virginia I’m a sous chef there. I never thought of myself being in the Hospitality industry working as a chef and a grocery store. So my question is what position would you see yourself in a grocery store what job would you want to do? Spoon nation for life.

Kristofer Sandbakken

Hello Doughboys crew! Supermarket Sweep got dumped on Netflix recently to commemorate Friendly Green Grocer Mitch's Grocery Store Month. If you were a contestant on the show, who would be your ideal teammate? I think Joe Saunders would be pretty good. Hope you're all staying safe!

John C Escobar

Hilarious!

Brendan Livingston

Hey Doughboys! Pushing a shopping cart and then jumping on to take a little ride in the parking lot on the way to your car: good clean fun, or no-good horseplay? Thank you!

Will H

Hi doughboys,

clump soul

I've taken a pregnancy test in a grocery store bathroom... just couldn't wait nor did I want to do it at home lol

clump soul

Hi Doughboys! What's a thing that you almost always pick up when you're in the checkout line? If I see a sugar free Red Bull, I am absolutely buying that bad boy. Thanks!

Jacob W.

Hey Doughmen, A few months back I was driving through the Ted Williams tunnel traffic (in Boston baby) while I was listening to the episode. I also have a doughboys sticker on my car cause what better way to let people know that you are a loser. Anyway, a car pulled up next to me honking and when I looked over I saw he was getting my attention because he was also listening to you guys. So my question is, where is the most random or unlikely place you met a fan or someone has recognized you guys?

Alan B

Wow good questions look forward to some interesting answers

Matthew Scheer

Mount Supermarketaislemore

Joe

Have you found a store brand item that is far better than name brand? I'm from Northeastern Ohio and I think Giant Eagle's cottage cheese is the best around here.

Jamie Saylor

Hey Doughboys, what is your favorite aisle at the grocery store?

Garrett Swaney

What are your favorite directions to nick wiger’s home from the closest grocery store?

Jake I

Hey, all! In these uncertain times, I'm been hearing more people express concerns about food waste. Is there a specific food item that too often goes to waste at your house, but you keep buying it anyway? For me, it's cucumbers. I always plan to put them in salads or drinks, but they will usually go soft and gross before I use them. Love the pod!

Ellie P

Have you ever taken a shit in the grocery store? In he bathroom Mitch, not in your pants.

Brendan Livingston

Do you follow the grocery store layout or do you decide to make your own path? I tend to stock up on dry goods first which is right in the middle of my grocery store then produce and meat then finally the frozen aisle to make sure nothing melts.

Cheesus Christ Superstar

Were there any snacks that your parents wouldn't let you get at the grocery store as a child My parents would never let me get Dunkaroos because they were too expensive for "a few graham crackers and icing."

John Overby

Ethical considerations aside: paper or plastic?

Andy Pederson

As a kid, I would always head to the magazine section at Kroger and read sports magazines while my mom shopped. Was there anything you all did to pass the time during childhood grocery trips?

John Overby

When you shop at a store, do you wait to pee until you get to the store or do you go beforehand? Me, I’m a pee at the store kind of guy. Also, if you could have one job at a grocery store, what would it be? I’ve held many jobs titles at grocers before I found my calling as an educator and I always wanted to work the meat counter. They’re the men and women in the store you don’t mess with and if you get in good with them, they give you a prime steak weighed out as ground beef. All around power position in the grocery store.

Jesus Chrysler

Ever have to return an item for a refund at a grocery store?

Dion DeLesia

Are you an organized grocery list keeper, maybe with items sorted in the order that they live in the store, or do you go off the cuff based on what you think you might want to eat?

Aubriane Taylor

Is there anything you buy just about every single time you grocery shop?

Aubriane Taylor

1. When you would grocery shop in the before times, did you typically go up and down every aisle, or did you visit specific aisles and just grab what you need?

Aubriane Taylor

When you’re shopping in your market of choice, what song popping up on the loudspeakers is gonna get you boogying in the aisles? And what song is gonna make you start jacking it? Thanks Doughboys! #SpoonNation #EmmaEmpire

John ketchupspectre

If you had to live forever trapped in any one supermarket, without ability to ever leave, which would it be?

Vinod Shankar

What is an unusual side from a fast food place you wish would be adopted by other fast food chains? I'm a fan of Cook Out's cheese bites, and I wish that deep fried cheese curds were more prevalent at other fast food chains.

Christian

When going to the grocery store how much room do you give yourself for variation and on-the-fly purchases? Personally I stick almost entirely to a list I make beforehand with only one or two in-the-moment purchases. My wife however is almost the complete opposite and goes in with maybe a general idea, but no specific list, instead letting what's available and displayed guide her decisions of what to buy.

Alex Anderson

When I was young, my parents would always let me have a snack in the grocery store while they were shopping. They would take a fresh box of Cheez-Its (my favorite snack) off the shelf, open it up, and hand it to me for the duration of the shop. When we got up to the checkout, my parents would place the open box on the belt to be rung up as normal. I don't remember a cashier ever saying anything or having a reaction. My parents would do this with crackers, cookies, popsicles, even apples and carrots! What is your tolerance for grocery store snacking and did your parents let you do this when you were younger?

Dean Mengaziol

Hey Dough Fam! I used to love doing the grocery shopping with my mom growing up because 1) I'm a good boy 2) I got to push the cart and 3) she always let me pick out a treat. I would always choose strawberry milk and drink it before I got to the car, leading to the inevitable rumblies. What is the one thing at a grocery store that you keep coming back to, despite the inevitable pains?

Chris Weeks

best grocery store versions of big brand food or drinks?

Michael

Hey doughboys, When I am too hungry and go to the grocery store, I inevitably grab a hot cup of popcorn chicken from the deli to eat on the way home, which I usually regret later. What's your go-to snack for consumption in the store or on the way home?

Erik S Mitchell

When you were young and went to the grocery store with your parents, what was your routine? Did you follow along with your parents or did you have specific places you liked to go? I personally made a b-line for the magazine section until my parent was out of the check out line. Shout out to the monster squad!

Dane Mancke

Hi, Doughboys! Hoping you can settle an argument my wife and I have had for years, and something that's caused a huge divide among our entire friend group - do you consider cheesecake a cake or a pie? Thanks for all the incredible content! #burgerbrigade

Francis D'Hondt

Hello Doughboys and Emma and also the Ghost of Yusong! I'm a very easy-going fellah. Typically I just let life come as it may and absolutely don't obsess over details and organization with incredible anxiety. However, as part of this legitimately easy going lifestyle, I like to organize my shopping lists in order of the aisles at the store. This provides significant efficiency. Do either of you do this? Additionally, if you do this, does it change if you know you're going to a different store and thus the list needs to be reorganized for THOSE aisles? Thank you both for so much, release the @ClareDotEXE Drop, Spoon Nation for Life, Yusong Did Nothing Wrong, Happy Doughcery Store Month!

JP Novak Esq Pumpkininny

Was there a must have item you wanted to get every time you went to the grocery store as a child? Does it still remain a valuable item today and do you still get it now?

Scott Brooks

What is the first thing you buy on your weekly trip to the supermarket, and why?

Mike Finnerty

Hey Nick and Mitch! When I was growin' up I always went grocery shopping with my mom. She always started with the produce and worked ended at the frozen food section. Is there a certain "order of operations" you abide by when shopping? Do you go straight for one specific item or section?

Zach Stetson

What grocery store do you shop at and why? What are some of your favorite things to buy? #thedoughboyscantbebought

Erica Branning

Should Nick stick a hot grocery salad between his legs and suck it?

Lance Huckabee

How does a grocery store's butcher weigh in our your ranking of that store?

Irvin

Hi Doughboys, Emma, Wolly, Irma, and the-ghost-of-Yusong-Liu. Happy Doughcery Score Month. One of my dinner-at-home staples growing up was a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket with some kind of veggie side. I used to hate it because it was so boring, but now that I have a hummus guy (shout out Brothers Products at the Los Feliz farmers market) it’s made me a rotisserie convert. How do you spice up your rotisserie chicken?

TheWickerMan

What candies did yall used to steal a piece of from the bulk bins tho?

Manuel Mancha

Mitch, how do you feel about Massachusetts's own Polar Seltzer? Have you ever made sure Wiger tried some? What flavor would you want to be waterboarded with?

Joseph Borkowski

Hey guys, being stuck working at home and dealing with the world falling apart, I've been doing a lot of nostalgia tripping recently. Watching old commercials, reminiscing about old snacks that have since been discontinued. My girlfriend and I were recently talking about how every grocery store used to have a lobster tank that kids would just go stare at. Are there any grocery memories you have that stick out? Store features, product packaging, or whatever, that is stuck in your mind or hits that nostalgia button?

Daniel Tomerlin

Choose your racer! Cart vs basket, and why?

Sam Wotherspoon

Hi Doughboys! What is the ideal item limit for express checkout?

Ben Stryker

Any name brand items you'll always buy over generic/store brands and vise-versa?

Shaun G.

Do you guys tend to grab anything from the checkout area just before you pay? What items do you guys like to see in that space?

Pat Kramer

Hi ‘boys, a lot of grocery stores have a pretty good prepared food section that includes pre-made meals that just need to be reheated. If you couldn’t go to a chain restaurant, and had to settle for prepared, what would be your go-to?

Jon Stenning

Hi Doughboys. Grocery stores often have stacked displays that can sometimes be rather precarious. Since Nick is known to spill drinks often, I'm curious if you've ever accidentally toppled one of those displays, or otherwise spilled or broke something at a grocery store. (I once knocked over an entire stack of ferrero rocher.)

Vinnie Spano

If you could only buy one of the two from grocery stores for the rest of your life, what would it be: Ketchup or Mustard?

Mike Louis

Hey Doughboys, I often find myself at the grocery store with no plan of attack. Are you grocery list guys or are you unprepared fools like myself? Love the show, take care.

Shane Moffett

I hate going to the grocery store so I usually do it when tipsy. Unfortunately I never end up buying the food I need to prepare an actual meal since I buy everything on a drunken whim. Do you two shop with a list? What time of day do you usually go to the store?

Brian Walton

Grocery store brand version of products are great because they usually taste the same or similar to name brand but are cheaper. What generic brand items do you avoid because you think it's worth spending extra to get the name brand? For me, it's crackers like Ritz. The generic ones never taste right to me. #yusongdidsomethingwrong #spoonnation

Darren Mark

Hey Doughboys, what are your favourite grocery store snacks that you get on holiday? Those paprika Lays crisps you get in Central Europe are ace.

James Gage

what happens to all of the food in Guy's Grocery Games' grocery store? I know it's just a giant set, but do other people get access to that food so it is not wasted? I'm assuming yes and also realize you may not know the answer. Thanks though! (do a full episode on GGG pls!)

doug c.

I enjoy getting the grocery brand cereal versions because I'm cheap. If you could create your own knockoff version of a name brand cereal what would it be called?

Dennis McLaughlin

Favorite checkout line snacks?

Juicy J

Mitch: Wegmans or Hannaford?

Julia Hudson

With the return to Netflix of Supermarket Sweep, how would you tackle the final round race to get the most groceries?

David Sky

Our Kroger has an in-store bar where they sell beer and wine you can drink while shopping. What drunk munchies would you buy while grocery shopping?

Laura Bellido Maniau

What is Mitch and Emma’s favorite East coast based grocery store item that they can’t get in CA?

Chasen Cromwell

Not a question but I've been calling Whole Paycheck... whole paycheck my entire life and have had to explain to so many confused Brits. Delighted to hear that Wiger is on the same (exceptionally clever) wavelength

Schuyler Barrett

I thought today was Thursday and I was refreshing my feed wondering where the episode was.... 😒😒😒😒😒😒😒

Bing Bong

Did you ever steal the PlayStation sampler discs from gaming mags? As a scumbag teenager i would go to Luckys with my mom n always try to steal those if they had a game I wanted to play on them. Also I remember getting into my teens and I would just head straight to the magazine aisle and hang there the whole time waiting for my mom to be done grocery shopping.

Matt G.

If you could only shop in one section or aisle (ie: frozen food, produce, bakery, deli, etc.) for the rest of your life, which would it be and why?

Natasha Willis

Hey guys some of the Texas Grocery stores like our Central Market (fancy HEB) and Whole Foods have a decent dine-in experience that makes for a good easy lunches. Are there any grocery stores that have a good lunch/ dine in experience that’s stand out to you?

Cameron Carter

Deli meats: from the counter or prepackaged (ie Oscar Meyer, Hillshire Farms) ?

Andy Schmidt

My parents always have Klondike bars in stock in their freezer. Visiting them recently, they had a new version called “Klondike bar donuts.” I open one up and discover that what makes them Donuts is that there’s a hole in the center! That’s the only difference. What a bullshit marketing ploy that deprived me of 20% of my ice cream! Have you ever been let down by a food because of it’s good marketing? PS go pats

Kelly

Hey Doughboys, Yusong, Emma, feline friends, and the Commissioner! Do you have a preference for name brand foods or the generic brand foods? My parents always bought groceries at Aldi’s where at the time there were no name brand items and I always wanted to have the name brand foods (what all the rich kids in school ate). Now as an adult I buy a mix of both name brand and generic brand. I find that some products are just better generic (is this because I have trash taste?) I loved meeting you all in Milwaukee! Stay safe!!

Maggie

Hey Doughboys, were you as disappointed as I was when you found out that Wal-mart wasn't a store dedicated to selling WALuigi merchandise?

Jason Dever

What are your favorite cash register impulse buys?

Austin Alter

The grocery store closest to me is laid out horribly and it is so hard for me to find items in there. The aisles make no sense on why items are with other items and the signs for the aisles are mislabeled. I go to the grocery store that is 5 minutes further because its better organized. Does the layout of a grocery store affect if you like shopping there or not?

Lj Holle

There has been a lot of talk about Nick’s romantic rendezvous with an apple - if you both had to make love to an item from a supermarket in 2020, what would you choose, and why? I’m going to go with a bag of marshmallows

Mark Smith

Hey Mitch! Hey Wiger! First time long time, thanks for the laughs. My favorite local grocery store growing up had a Hollywood Video inside it, right near the freezer aisles. If you could stick any side hustle inside your local store, what would it be?

GabagoolsAndGhosts

Any generic grocery store items that you prefer over their brand name counterparts?

Dana Ricke

Some friends and I visited a restaurant that we didn’t realize only served tapas until we sat down and ordered our drinks. We ate some overpriced food and then left to get hot dogs at another restaurant. Ever double up on a meal?

Jeff Muskovin

Possibly already been asked but what impulse buy items do you fall for most often? For example I'm real bad about buying caramel Cadbury eggs when they're in a box right next to the register.

Pierse Knowles

What is your Mount Rushmore of supermarket aisles?

Lizzy Furey

Pre-COVID, were you a self-check out or classic cashier check out man? Has that changed since COVID?

Joe

Oh no, bad news! You were in the grocery store food shopping by yourself and an earthquake occurred. It was a bad one! They’re not going to be able to clear the rubble for the rest of your life. What aisle do you choose to spend the rest of your days in? (Aisles are magically restocked once a week).

Shane Parker

Some of my earliest childhood memories are of going to the supermarket - my first word was “A&P” (not kidding). What are some of your early grocery store memories?

Victor Neumark

Whenever you go on a trip do you always check out the local grocery store? It seems like they all have local charms and it’s always good to find regional items

Nick Hedrick

Are there any discontinued supermarket foods from your childhood that you particularly miss, or items that changed which you'd want to roll back to the version you remember?

Bill Halsell

I would always go to Heritage Cafeteria in Springfield, MO as a boy with my grandparents. I loved getting to choose my food from a large assortment of options. I would get so excited seeing the cafeteria attendant assembling my meal, asking me about my side options, and sliding my tray down the line. My question is, how do you feel about grocery stores now offering a quasi-cafeteria experience with prepared foods and meals that you can also eat at the store? And, now that buffets are most likely going away due to our new hyper awareness of viruses and germs, do you see a future in cafeteria's making a resurgence? Thanks Mitch & Nick.

Sethyboy42

Do you follow deli etiquette when getting meats/cheese/sides from the deli? How many items is too many?

Keegan McDermott

If Nick and Mitch were a team on Supermarket Sweep, what would be their advantage over the other contestants? What would be your strategy to win big?

Miranda Selover

What store brand item is straight up trash? Is there a brand named product that you won't compromise for? I'm saying frozen pizza. Store brand toppings seem lacking in quality and quantity.

Arod

Big Grocer has decided to cut costs and remove all but one of the following grocery store counter service stations: the Deli, Seafood, Butcher, Hot Bar, and Bakery. The rest die painfully on the gears of capitalism for all of eternity. Which do you save?!

Brian C

When grocery shopping, do you prefer to go to a cashier or do self-checkout? For me, if there’s a self-checkout lane I’m there! I like as little communication with another person as possible, plus I like to bring my own bags so it’s more convenient to use the self-checkout. Thanks love you guys Spoon Nation forever!

Danielle Denti

What is your favorite grocery store generic product compared to the Name Brand versions? For instance I love Publix’s brand Sweet Tea and think it easily beats any name brand tea I have ever bought in a grocery store. Love the show and keep up the good work!

Patrick Campbell

Who would push the cart / run through the aisles on Supermarket Sweep? Mitch or Wiger?

CFitz

Has any member of the Doughboys family ever caused a scene in a grocery store, such as knocking over a display of spaghetti sauce or wetting/shitting themselves?

Benjamin Morin

Do you have a regular grocery store route? Does it follow the subtle psychological suggested route? Do you make a list, or shop as you go? In a non pandemic world, do you shop as needed, or let it ride and shop all at once?

Burgerchamp

What's your Mount Spicemore? Personally, I always make sure I have cinnamon, ginger, cayenne pepper, and cumin.

Jeremy Edwards

Have you ever noticed a strange song selection played over the store P.A. system? Which store plays the best shopping music? What songs are best for groceries shopping?

Spencer Davis

Go to coffee brand?

Tom C

Side note, this a Mcdonald's tip like to do. Order a saugage egg mcmuffin and hash brown then put the hash brown in the sandwich. I like to also put Mcd's salsa on that.

ryan

Why are hot dogs sold in packages of 10 but buns are sold in packages of 8?

Hayden Morphy

If you could take any two fast food items and combine them into one item what it be?

ryan

Which store boasts the best pre made salads?

Michael Martinez

Los Angeles has tons of "ethnic" grocery stores that I frequent for different things. Do you guys patronize any and, if so, do you have a favorite? I really love the Galleria Korean market for it's food court alone.

Francisco Gutierrez

If there were one condiment to kill them all, who is your warrior?

Pat

Just wanted to let Wiger know that for US men’s shoe sizes, the numbers refer to length in barleycorns (you guys were talking about this on the double). Crazy, but true.

Josh Zisson

What's the best grab and go dinner, fried chicken or rotisserie?

Jay S

What is the best item that you can purchase from the check out lane?

Josh Intemann

Any thoughts about the Santa Monica Burger King employee who was forced to work while showing signs of COVID and subsequently died?

James

What items (or category of items) will you go generic brand, if the price is right, and which ones would you only ever accept brand name? For me I’ll

Nandita Subhedar Sanchez

If you need a sweet treat from a non-fancy mainline grocery store’s bakery, what are you going for?

Simon Helton

Do you plan your meals out before going to the fruit/veg/fresh produce section or grab standard or seasonal selections and work backwards from there?

Gary Barnett

What's your Mount Breadbasket-more? Favorite pre-meal breads from chain restaurants?

Shaun G.

I once worked at a Shaw's supermarket on the east cost (North Shore MA represent!) and I quit after one day because I worked in the deli and the only training they offered me was essentially "be careful, go slowly, and don't cut yourself". I was then left alone to close after a few minutes and likely spoiled a couple cases of meat and cheese due to ignorance. At what job was your shortest tenure?

Christopher Brown

If you had to make a meal from only one aisle of the grocery store, what aisle would you shop?

Lauren

Are the conveyor belts magic and move of their own volition or do you think it's the cashier screwing with you?

WereinKeller

What's the most embarrassing combination of items that you've been ashamed to check out with a cashier?

Jared Dennis

Why does the cashier keep putting back the little plastic bar whenever I put it on the conveyor belt with my groceries? I would like to buy it!

Jackie niekamp

What do you guys think about Amazon moving into the grocery market?

Gabbagoon

What do you prefer - self-checkout lanes or cashiers? (In high school I worked at a grocery store and had to run the self-checkout lanes from time to time and it was truly so awful that in my speech class I had to give a tutorial about something so I did mine on how to use a self-checkout machine LOL)

Darcy H

One of my favorite things about shopping in a new grocery store is seeing the names they picked for their generic brand items, specifically Dr. Pepper since that seems to bring out the most creativity. I have seen Dr. Skipper, Dr. A+, Dr. Perfect and even Dr. Whatever. So my question is what is the Dr. Pepper variant called at Friendly Green Grocer Mitch’s (and Wiger’s) stores?

Matt

As a kid, I loved watching Supermarket Sweep. My friends and I would strategize what items we would load in our cart to get the highest bill. If you were a contestant on the show, what items would you load into you cart? Bonus question: if Mitch and Nick had to compete against each other on Supermarket Sweep, who would have the most grocery store knowledge?

Karina McGill

Hodgeman was very up-front about his favorite grocery store in the world - the Jensen's in Blue Jay right by Lake Arrowhead. Do you have a favorite grocery store - either a supermarket or a local bodega? If not, what are the things your ideal grocery store would need to have?

Kevin Pasternak

Do you shop at different stores depending on the items that your are getting? For example I typically get my dry good and frozen items from one store where I know prices will be cheapest (i.e Target, Walmart) and then get my meat, fruits and vegetables from someplace else where I know the quality will be better (i.e Sprouts, Wholes Foods, etc). Do you have a strategy for buying items based on the particular store?

Aaron Kelley

I work at a grocery store. Do the boys have any questions for me ?

Joshua Bain

Pre-pandemic Do y'all consider it stealing if you try the grapes in the Produce Section? I'm talking one or two grapes, nothing major

Zeke Gonzalez

When I'm not using the self-checkout and the cashier sees my conveyor belt full of gushers, lunchables, hot pockets, kids cereal, cookies from the baby aisle, ect. I always say out loud (but to myself), "did the kids want anything else for their sleep over" and act like I'm thinking. So that the cashier, who 10000% doesn't care, won't think I'm a monster. Do either of you do that in your everyday life? Other than saying it's for a podcast.

Mike

Thoughts on the produce cold room at Costco? Refreshing place to pick out greens or too chilly that makes your shopping decisions silly?

Joey Dachwitz

Hi crew! When you go to the grocery store, and you've pushed your cart just far enough to realize you have a squeaky/loose wheel, what do you do? Do you stick with the cart and hope it doesn't draw too much attention to yourself, or do you turn back and grab a new one?

Bradley Hill

If I'm planning to eat the ice cream I'm buying as soon as I get home, sometimes I'll grab it first so that it softens up as I do the rest of my shopping. By the time I get home, the ice cream becomes a cold "soup", and all I have to do it cut up some bananas, toss those in, along with a handful of frozen broccoli, and I'm good to go. Do you have any supermarket strategery you use when you're going through your list of items? Like resting lettuce under the heat lamp while you shop? Love the show, spoon nation for life, stay safe and party on!

Childhood Obesity

What's your go-to microwavable grab at the store?

Kyle Baker

Do you go left to right, right to left or start in a random aisle like a crazy person?

Joe Camargo

When's the ideal time of the day to go grocery shopping? I'm torn between super early in the morning when everything's fresh, and very late in the evening when you occasionally can get the store by yourself.

Martin Degrell

Thick cut or regular bacon?

Pat

Pre-pandemic, I always noticed that the dine-in seating for the Whole Foods hot bar, or other higher-end grocery stores, was almost always more crowded than the check out lines. Personally, I find most grocery stores impersonal and unwelcoming, and cant imagine sitting down to eat in one. Are there any grocery chains that you would willingly eat a meal in?

Bob

What type of eggs do you buy? How do you like them cooked?

Jeffrey Loh

are there any frozen foods you enjoy more than their traditional form? in example a tv dinner, white castle burgers, etc? Personally, I am a huge fan of Uncrustables PB & J sandwiches as the PB to J Ratio is perfected for my tastes.

Matt C

As a kid, whenever we got to the deli counter while grocery shopping, I would always get a free slice of cheese from the deli worker without asking! It was the highlight of the trip ... Sometimes my mom would grab cheese-Its and open them so we could snack while we shopped. So my question is: As a kid, were you ever given a snack at the grocery store by an employee or your parent? Or any other acts of kindness from a grocery store employee?

Calliope

I love the packs of 6-8 big soft grocery store cookies with the thick layer of frosting and sprinkles, even though they are probably made entirely of chemicals. What's your number one grocery store-brand treat? -Alec

Alec Lindsey

Do you ever cheat the self checkout? I'm thinking along the lines of grabbing an outrageously overpriced bulk food or produce item and typing in a cheaper product's ID#? I mean, I've totally never done anything like this before....

Doc Brown

Do you do your grocery shopping with a list or just freestyle it when you get there?

Vivian Chen

What’s your actual shopping strategy and how well do you adhere to it? Do you have a list and stick directly to it, or is it more wander and look for deals or what looks good?

Brett Berliner

And just to clarify Nick, I mean what is your favorite apple TO EAT.

ageeogee

Hey Yusong, Emma, and others! What is your favorite thing to buy in bulk? I recently realized what a huge cost savings and improvement in quality buying spices in bulk is and will never go back. Thanks! -Justus

Justus Niemeyer

What are your favorite hog-related grocery items?

Mr. Tay Tay

If you were on an episode of Super Market Sweep what items would you go for in order to have the highest total in your cart?

Andy Smith

If you booked a small part in a movie playing a grocery store employee but you had to shave your beard, would you do it?

Jimmy Apache

Hey DB gang, love the show! what are your favorite apple varietals? I'm a former Fuji partisan, but I've recently switched over to honey crisp.

ageeogee

Before it became a trap for covid I loved going to the grocery store to have some quiet time wandering the aisles. Was food shopping ever an enjoyable experience for you guys and what was your shopping strategy back when we had all the time to hang around, grab only what you came for or go up and down every aisle in case something looked enticing to you?

Aidan Martin

What is the weirdest thing you have seen in a grocery store? People watching or otherwise

Jared Cobb

DBs and any guests: what is one grocery store hot bar item that you think is better than most restaurants? Follow-up: Mitch, have you tried any crazy air fryer recipes yet?

Jeremy Hunt

I really enjoyed the frozen cheese filled Doritos they used to have at grocery shopping stores. Are there any novelty frozen foods that you wish they would bring back?

Michael Rowland

Mitch what are some grocery store items that are common in MA that you don't see much in LA? Nick I guess what kind of items are different from one part of southern california than another? Get around more.

Michael Mattson

Wow.

Bobby Beans

This question sucks

Bobby Beans

If you worked at a grocery store, which job would you want? Which job do you deserve?

Andy Pederson

Hi Doughboys. Jimmy and Alice from Scotland here. The major grocery stores here offer something known as a “meal deal”. This allows you to purchase a main (typically a sandwich), a snack (crisps, fruit or a sweet) and a drink for a reduced price of around the £3 mark. You can really rinse these deals to make major savings - for example, including speciality crisps such as Kettle Chips or Innocent Smoothies which have an RPP of £2-3. Our simple question for you is this: what would you put in your meal deal?

James Gage

If any - What items near the check out counter do you impulse buy?

Erik Kang

Hey DBs, I have been watching an unhealthy amount of 90s Supermarket Sweep on Netflix. What would your strategy for the sweep be? Also what 90s outfit would you rock on the show? I would be side pony, big bangs, and baggy Big Dog sweatshirt girl.

Brenna Johnston-Kosher

Any favorite grocery store tabloid cover stories?

Neil L

Hey Boyz, loving Friendly Green Grocer Spoonman's Grocery Store Month. What (if any) minimum standards for quality do you look for when grocery shopping? E.g., no hormones in dairy, no antibiotics in meat, organic produce, etc. Personally, I usually shop at Trader Joe's because they avoid hormones and antibiotics and I feel like I can substitute their judgment for my own when it comes to food quality so I don't have to think about it. But of course I get in the mud from time to time and eat McDonalds or Taco Bell like everyone else.

Bobby Beans

if the hot bar was still a thing, what’s your go to? Mount hotbarmore?

Michael Kezner

Do you like using self-checkout or do you feel it's an imposition? Additionally, have you had any weird moments with checkout people?

Makenzie Dolnick

Gotta hit y’all with the classic: paper or plastic?

Jet Puff

Do you guys go in for an Entenmann's sometimes? If so, what's your favorite guilty pleasure treat? Mine's either the Devil's Food Donuts or the Butter French Crumb Cake. Thanks, hi Yusong!!

Sean Perrotta

I'm sad to think that free samples will probably no longer be a thing at grocery stores. What is your Mount Samplemore of free samples? Thanks! Jonah from Cleveland

Jonah Grabelsky

Yay for sure...nay to drug store sushi!

Snappingturo

If you were hired to kill Ghislaine Maxwell what would you choose to cook to poison her with and at what grocery store would you buy the ingredients?

DartSpieg

When shopping for groceries, do you stick to specific brands for certain items, or can your allegiance be swayed by in-store specials?

Sam Wotherspoon

What's the best prepared food you've ever eaten at a grocery store? Are you a fan of cheesemongers at grocery stores? Do you like the assistance in picking the perfect cheese or would you rather purchase your cheese without disturbance?

Eric Guberman

Which gas station chain do you think best serves as a "grocery store" in a pinch? I've heard in Japan 7-11 serves that kind of purpose - Thnx <3

Will Conover

What is the most you’ve ever gotten from a grocery store and why?

Conor Ault

I know it's unlikely but do any of you have any experiance witch a grocery store Stew Leonard's. It has everything from actual on site from animals, complete with frequently escaping chickens, walk around characters, and animatronics. It's still one of the weirdest grocery store I've ever been to. https://www.stewleonards.com/

Aaron Michael

What’s your least favorite item to purchase at the self checkout because it always throws off the scale on those job stealing robot bastards?

Moira's Machine

Have you ever gotten something especially vile in the “cold case” or deli from a grocery store? I unfortunately bought a “reduced”/on sale sushi roll from Wal-Mart that the rice had the consistency of chalk that almost made me puke right there (I clearly should have known better).

Zach Roberts

The Gelsons in Silverlake has (or had, I guess) a sit down bar where they’d hold comedy open mics and musical performances. If you could add one experience you don’t normally see to a grocery store, what would it be? (For example, bowling alley, movie theaters, etc). Also this is assuming life went back to normal.

Michael Jonathan Smith

What would you change about the layout of the grocery store? Cereals first, instead of veggies and fruits? Hot bar right before checkout?

Francis Scott Young

What are your favorite drunken eats? i.e. what is your Mount Lushmore?

Mr. Tay Tay

How do you avoid purchasing way too much food that eventually just goes bad in your fridge? Can you balance combing the aisles and buying whatever seems good with making a strict list with a lot of planning in advance?

Jason Duval

Do you ever drink/eat one of your purchases while you shop? I will sometimes crack open a drink when I shop, but have witnessed others straight snacking their way through the store.

Brandon Gasowski

Have you guys ever thought about inviting The Report of the Week/Review Brah onto the show? Or does inviting someone who does your show better than you do intimidate you?

Alex R

What is the Doughboy's stance on self-checkout? I see lots of complaining about them online but for every time I need to wait 45 seconds for an ID check or improperly bagged item, I have ten other instances where I breeze through with no hassle nor wait.

Snappingturo

Do you make a grocery list before you go in, or just go based off of a mental checklist plus impulse purchases? If you do write a list, do you write it in the order you go through the store?

Michaela Parry

Yay or nay - supermarket sushi?

Nikki Duvall

Are there any store brand items that your prefer over the national brand? For example, up here in Canada, I’ve found the President’s Choice (you had their chips!) brand hot sauce to be better than Frank’s Red Hot.

Joel Yeomans

Do you use any apps for the stores that you go to either for deals or for pickup/delivery? Personally I really get a lot of use out of the J4U app, which covers Pavilions/Safeway/Vons/Albertson's

Matthew Arsulich

Whats the weirdest or most out of place thing you've ever bought or seen at a grocery store? My local A&P (now an Acme) used to sell an odd assortment of very unfashionable clothes, plastic costume jewelry, and souvenirs from other states.

Nikki Duvall

Do you have any childhood grocery store memories?

Octavis Witcher

What's the best thing you've ever found in a regional grocery store while traveling? For example, I once randomly discovered Cheerwine ice cream at a NC-based grocery chain

Tom DeFreytas

Hey Doughboys, So I have an unhealthy obsession with a midwest grocery store chain called Fresh Thyme. It’s very clean, reasonably priced, has a great app and the butchers have without fail beaten out local butchers as far as cuts and selections. I like them so much I offered to drive the 8+ hours to the nearest location when I was living in Boston. To which they sent me a $25 gift card because I can be bought. What is the farthest you would travel for a specific grocery store food item and what food item would that be? Thanks! Brian G

Brian Glowienke

Is there an impulse/checkout rack item you will always grab?

Stefan Kupych

I’ve noticed that self-checkout stands often don’t have item limits... Should there be? Also, if and when you self-checkout, do you have a limit of items before you just go to a regular check stand?

Tysen Allumbaugh

Do you have an allegiance to any grocery store? When I got older and found out Meijer isn't everywhere, it became my go to.

Jake from MI

Hey Mitch, what item from the produce department do you think Wiger is most likely to put in his ass? Maybe a better question for Natalie 🤷‍♂️

Chris Reid

What’s an item you won’t include on your shopping list but will always grab? For some reason, I never leave without either a bag of tortilla chips or a can of coconut milk

Ross Weisman

Which grocery store branded foods are better than the name brand equivalent?

Jeremy Ayala

What would be your ideal layout for a grocery store?

Original Ferg

Is there a variant that you enjoy more than the original? I recently had the S’mores Twin Bing and it is a lot better than the normal cherry version.

Jay

What order do you shop in? Ie do you hit produce first and make your way through the aisles?

Jake

What’s the unhealthy item that you just can’t resist if you see it on the shelf/on sale? This one’s more for Wiger, I guess

Shane McNichol

What's your favorite aisle in the grocery store?

Ricky Gutierrez

Admittedly this is not a question about grocery store. But, I thought of it during the Whole Foods episode. The question is for Mitch. Would you rather have to kiss Wiger on the lips every time you greeted him for the next 10 years or wipe his ass once?

Simon Johnston

Favorite impulse buy items from the checkout aisle?

Andrew Swindle

What's something you think every grocery store should offer?

Tyler Hammer


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