Where to buy cheap groceries in Vancouver?

October 2, 2008 5:00 PM

Where can I buy cheap groceries in the Vancouver/Burnaby area? I'd like to know where all the ethnic markets are, or smaller shops that offer lower prices than supermarkets. Economy-of-scale savings are out as I don't have a car. For the purposes of this question, I'll define "cheap" as "cheaper than Superstore".
posted by Xianny to shopping (9 comments total)

Commercial Drive. Take the Skytrain to Broadway Station and head north along Commercial. You'll find lots of excellent affordable stuff (groceries, bakeries, delis etc) starting at around 6th (3 blocks from the Skytrain), then carrying on for about 15 blocks ... until you get to Venables.
posted by philip-random at 6:07 PM on October 2, 2008

Cheapest place for vegetables, fruit and Asian food is a place called Sunrise on the corner of Powell and Gore.
posted by melgy at 6:23 PM on October 2, 2008

Smaller shops generally have higher prices, because economy of scale works against them.
posted by Class Goat at 6:43 PM on October 2, 2008

Not in Vancouver, Class Goat, don't ask me why. Safeway ends up priciest, then Superstore, and then the myriad little local grocery shops.

The little fruit and veggie shops along West 10th is where you want to be. Fresh, in good condition, and cheap cheap cheap.

For "ethnic", I just have to say that if you like feta, you have to hit the Mediterranean market on the same strip. The old location burned down so I'm not totally sure where on 10th the new one is, but they have 20 kinds of feta at the cheapest prices I've ever seen. And of course everything else Greek.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 6:55 PM on October 2, 2008

Blargh, I was thinking of my street. Make that West Broadway (aka: west 9th) anywhere west of MacDonald. The Greek shop should be somewhere further down closer to Alma.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 6:58 PM on October 2, 2008

Donald's Market at Hastings and Nanaimo. They are cheap, and have a ridiculously large selection of everything. It's amazing to see so many ethnic ingredients. Try the delicious buckets of local yogurt (best I have ever had), local made bread and traditional breads from other countries, huge bags of cheap almonds, traditional pastries from all over the world, and so much more! My saddest moment when moving was being far from Donald's Market.
posted by shamble at 7:39 PM on October 2, 2008

Donald's Market!! Damn, shamble beat me. The one on Hastings is huge but there's a smaller one on Commercial just north of Broadway as philip-random says. Both are great.
posted by PercussivePaul at 9:04 PM on October 2, 2008

I also recommend Donald Market at Hastings & Nanaimo (the 135 express bus is super fast from downtown or SFU). That strip of Hastings has the beautiful quality of lying between an Italian neighbourhood and a Chinese one so you get the best of both worlds, food-wise. They also have a location near the Commercial skytrain station, but I think it's smaller.

SUNRISE, FOR GOD'S SAKE. SHOP AT SUNRISE! Their produce is a little scary sometimes, but for grocery staples, they're amazing. They also always have crazy luxury products at deep deep discounts. I used to live 2 blocks from the store (I know, I know) and was devoted to it.

T&T Market is great for produce and Asian-food staples. They have the largest noodle collection I have ever seen as well as beautiful, fresh, and affordable seafood.

Kin's Farm Market can seem expensive but they always have crazy deals on some really nice produce. It's not a place to go if you think "I need asparagus today" (because I guarantee you, that's the day that it's $6 a pound), but browse around for inspiration and you'll find some excellent things very cheaply. They also have a lot of local produce (dependent, of course, on the time of year).

I've heard that DTES butchershops are the best. Save-On Meats on Hastings (by the army & navy) and Pay-less Meats at Powell & Jackson (#7 westbound stops out front) are both supposed to be insanely good and affordable (but I'm not meaty, so you don't have to believe me). I lived above Pay-less for a year and a half and there would be a constant stream of nice big cars, catering vans, and hot firemen in their firetrucks(really) buying vast quantities of meat.

Wander chinatown. There are dozens of little shops with different specialties and excellent and cheap produce and staples. (Walking around there made me desperate to learn to cook with dried seafood.)

Also, (I cringe while anticipating how unpopular this particular response is going to be...) strategic shopping with a safeway card in hand has saved me from starving to death when my student loans start to run dry at the end of term.

Good luck!
posted by rhinny at 9:18 PM on October 2, 2008

Ooh, Sunrise is excellent. Good pick.
posted by Durn Bronzefist at 10:46 PM on October 2, 2008