Favorite things about or foods from Whole Foods Detroit?

**Zacha341** · July-04-13, 11:10 AM

Well it's official Whole Foods is here in the D. I certainly can't afford to shop there for everything but I have found a few things I really like, such as their own brand Guacamole dip. Yum. Far better than TJoes. I found one brand of coconut milk in a carton cheaper at WF as well -- cannot recall the name.

What are some of your experiences?

**Crumbled_pavement** · July-04-13, 12:24 PM

When did they officially open?

**313WX** · July-04-13, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by Crumbled_pavement

When did they officially open?

June 5th, 2013.

I believe Meijer opens sometime this month [[July 2013).

As far as Whole Foods, I stopped by there the other day as I was in the area. It's not your typical grocery store, that's for sure. You're not going to find any of the staples you normally would find in Kroger or Meijer.

I was sorely disappointed in the apples I purchased there. Never in my life have I tasted apples that mushy. If anyone has seen those denture commercials where the senior citizens bite into their apple with their dentures, THAT'S how I want my apples to be.

However, the bananas were some of the ripest I ever had. I was impressed with the baked goods as well. Those cookies are TO DIE FOR!!! Quite frankly, I would be the one to make a trip just for the baked goods.

The clientale overall was very diverse. The employees were also very friendly. Parking was a big issue though. I had to circle that parking lot several times before finding a spot.

DarkestbeforedawnDetroit · July-04-13, 01:30 PM

I walk past it everyday walking to work. I thought they did a very good job with the interior design in making it uniquelly Detroit. The windows with our street grid, the murals in the back, The old sign letters that spell ale, and the car hoods for tables and etc. The only thing I didnt like was the exterior design[[yes im one of those people) I wish it was more raw and gritty. Exposed beams, metal with petina stiuff like that, but other than that I love the store.

**Zacha341** · July-04-13, 01:43 PM

I've found it to be one big reunion of folks; shopping and working there. There's even a staff member there from the original Cass Corridor Food Coop and someone else from the health store in Clawson [[Zerbos?).

I have a few deli favorites. Lots of food tasting per provided samples... I purchased a 69 cent apple once but that cannot be a habit... I spend little time in their produce area as its pretty high -- I get my produce elsewhere.

From the hot buffet counter I've found the Hindu/ Indian offerings to be ok if not remarkable. The prices is good for those items as well. The Quinoa mixes in the deli are also nice and tasty.

But no I would not purchase a bottle of organic catchup or mustard there.

Who noticed the upstairs area southwest corner of the store? I looked up one day and noticed tango/ ball room dance training going on up there? A community room of sorts I understand....

**Crumbled_pavement** · July-04-13, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

And from the hot buffet counter I've found the Hindu/ Indian offerings to be ok if not remarkable. The prices is good for those items as well.

They have a hot foods counter with Indian cuisine?

**Zacha341** · July-04-13, 02:48 PM

^^^ Yep, CP! You know I have a radar for that food... They do not have Nan bread but one of the of the dishes is like butter chicken, sorta curry mix stew. The other popular one is a vegan green stew with chick peas. Basmati rice, etc.

Not award winning but ok and it's $7.99 a pound, so it's a deal and that kind of food tend be be pricey. Great for a fast lunch or dinner to go... especially when they first put the items out. Yummy-yum good!

**Crumbled_pavement** · July-04-13, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

^^^ Yep, CP! You know I have a radar for that food... They do not have Nan bread but one of the of the dishes is like butter chicken, sorta curry mix stew. The other popular one is a vegan green stew with chick peas. Basmati rice, etc.

Not award winning but ok and it's $7.99 a pound, so it's a deal and that kind of food tend be be pricey. Great for a fast lunch or dinner to go... especially when they first put the items out. Yummy-yum good!

I'll have to pencil them in on my calendar one day to visit. Probably won't be anytime soon, they're a long way from where I live.

**Spartan** · July-04-13, 03:02 PM

I've only been to the Detroit version once, but the Whole Foods prepared foods area is as good as it gets. It's reasonably priced for some decent food, and the salad bar [[at least the one in Ann Arbor) is the best I've been to.

Their cheese selection was pretty great, although expensive. Most things though, I thought were fairly reasonable. I even got some fruits/veggies that were cheaper than Eastern Market the same day. The produce appeared to be in very good shape. I didn't buy much there, so I can't comment on actual quality, but it looked good.

**DetroitPlanner** · July-04-13, 08:01 PM

My favorite thing? The store employs people.

**Zacha341** · July-04-13, 09:32 PM

90 total as I here.

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

My favorite thing? The store employs people.

**Honky Tonk** · July-04-13, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

Well it's official Whole Foods is here in the D. I certainly can't afford to shop there for everything but I have found a few things I really like, such as their own brand Guacamole dip. Yum. Far better than TJoes. I found one brand of coconut milk in a carton cheaper at WF as well -- cannot recall the name. What are some of your experiences?

Better then La Colmena?

**Spartan** · July-04-13, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

Better then La Colmena?

I've never had WF guac, but the answer is no. Nothing is better than Honey Bee guac.

**Zacha341** · July-04-13, 09:29 PM

^^^ I still have to go to Honey Bee. Never been. Looking forward to it...

...

**Zacha341** · July-04-13, 09:31 PM

About the same. IMO...

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

Better then La Colmena?

**downtownguy** · July-08-13, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by Honky Tonk

Better then La Colmena?

Originally Posted by Zacha341

About the same. IMO...

Originally Posted by Zacha341

^^^ I still have to go to Honey Bee. Never been. Looking forward to it...

...

Huh? You do know Honey Bee is La Colmena, don't you? Tell me, are the tomatillios better at Whole Foods? Do they put limes on sale 20 for $1? It kills me all this fuss over Whole Foods when Honey Bee/La Colmena, Harbortown, Lafayette Foods, YOBS are all locally owned [[and yes, they employ Detroiters, too).

**Eber Brock Ward** · July-09-13, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by downtownguy

Huh? You do know Honey Bee is La Colmena, don't you? Tell me, are the tomatillios better at Whole Foods? Do they put limes on sale 20 for $1? It kills me all this fuss over Whole Foods when Honey Bee/La Colmena, Harbortown, Lafayette Foods, YOBS are all locally owned [[and yes, they employ Detroiters, too).

THANK YOU!!

YOBS and Honey Bee for life.

Unless there is something that you need that Whole Foods has that the others don't, please shop locally. I am effing floored when I walk by Whole Foods and see all the hipster types in there that are supposed to be all about buying local.

**Honky Tonk** · July-09-13, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Eber Brock Ward

THANK YOU!!

YOBS and Honey Bee for life.

Unless there is something that you need that Whole Foods has that the others don't, please shop locally. I am effing floored when I walk by Whole Foods and see all the hipster types in there that are supposed to be all about buying local.

Haven't been to YOBS or Ho' Foods, [[not in my 'hood), but it's The Bee for me! [[please feel free to use that in your advertising)

**HelloIDistance** · July-09-13, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by Eber Brock Ward

THANK YOU!!

YOBS and Honey Bee for life.

Unless there is something that you need that Whole Foods has that the others don't, please shop locally. I am effing floored when I walk by Whole Foods and see all the hipster types in there that are supposed to be all about buying local.

YOBS sucks. They won't be around much longer, guaranteed. I tried to like it. They messed up the pricing of my products, sold turkey that went bad two days later, gave me half of a random cheese and half swiss when I asked for swiss, etc. I wrote it off a few times and kept trying to support, but now that Whole Foods is open it's a no brainer.

Honey Bee on the other hand, is awesome. I will always go there for their great prices on certain items and guac/salsa. Whole Foods and Honey Bee have everything I need.

**Zacha341** · July-10-13, 12:29 AM

I was always underwhelmed by YOBS meat section especially as 'butcher' is in their name. Kinda of like meat 'light' to me...

I've seen far more robust meat shops, some less polished so to speak, somewhat crude [[where you can smell the fresh blood, ala 'eastern market' style) or a whole lambs head behind the glass type of scenes staring back at you!

We knew YOBS was not going to be that 'gamey' relative to their meats... and don't eat alot of meat... still it was disappointing.

WFs meat on average IMO is just too high. I'd do Holiday, before I do WF meat cuts. They are lower but not all organic or free range.

Originally Posted by HelloIDistance

YOBS sucks. They won't be around much longer, guaranteed. I tried to like it. They messed up the pricing of my products, sold turkey that went bad two days later, gave me half of a random cheese and half swiss when I asked for swiss, etc. I wrote it off a few times and kept trying to support, but now that Whole Foods is open it's a no brainer.

**Zacha341** · July-10-13, 12:10 AM

Local market, mom and pop, independent for sure my first choice, long before WF considered Detroit I've been a huge fan of the local authentic, old world, wooden floor, corn husks in the barrel, 10 lemons for a dollar, cluttered shelf, old guy stacking oranges and apples type of scene. WF will remain an occasional 'option'. YOBS too for that matter.

In response to the lack of produce at so many standard "canned and frozen" heaven Detroit grocery stores... I got into this about 15 years ago from the Caldean, Pakistan, Asian, Indian etc. shops in Detroit, Oak Park and Hammy. I discovered more from working in E. Dearborn where you can easily get two large bags of produce at like say Greenland for under $12 any day -- even more on their super sale days.

I juice and extract [[which requires a great deal of volume not just an apple or two) and unless your income is quite hail you might get your stuff at the at markets such as these or eastern market etc -- If you do non-organic. HF will remain a place for specialty things or their buffet items for when I want some dinner/ lunch to go and avoiding burger king...

In a nutshell over a span of time we sorta shop all over [[burb and city) including, Trader Joes, Hollday Market, SAMS even Gordon Food Service for some of their less chemical offerings. LOL! For sure I hit Aldies and Save-a-lot for certain things.

Honey Bee will be checked out very, very soon. I think I have been to La Colmena down on Vernor further south right? They are not the same store are they?

Originally Posted by downtownguy

Huh? You do know Honey Bee is La Colmena, don't you? Tell me, are the tomatillios better at Whole Foods? Do they put limes on sale 20 for $1? It kills me all this fuss over Whole Foods when Honey Bee/La Colmena, Harbortown, Lafayette Foods, YOBS are all locally owned [[and yes, they employ Detroiters, too).

**Vic01** · July-10-13, 12:39 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

Honey Bee will be checked out very, very soon. I think I have been to La Colmena down on Vernor further south right? They are not the same store are they?

here you go... the "one & only"
http://honeybeemkt.com/

**48202** · July-10-13, 12:45 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

Honey Bee will be checked out very, very soon. I think I have been to La Colmena down on Vernor further south right? They are not the same store are they?

Honeybee IS La Colmena on Bagley.
http://www.honeybeemkt.com/

You might be thinking of E&L Supermercado on Vernor.
http://www.el-supermercado.com/

**Zacha341** · July-10-13, 06:23 AM

I've been to Supermercado, once. Great salsa and what not. Thanks for the links.

Originally Posted by 48202

You might be thinking of E&L Supermercado on Vernor.
http://www.el-supermercado.com/

**Honky Tonk** · July-10-13, 04:38 AM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

Local market, mom and pop, independent for sure my first choice, long before WF considered Detroit I've been a huge fan of the local authentic, old world, wooden floor, corn husks in the barrel, 10 lemons for a dollar, cluttered shelf, old guy stacking oranges and apples type of scene. WF will remain an occasional 'option'. YOBS too for that matter.

In response to the lack of produce at so many standard "canned and frozen" heaven Detroit grocery stores... I got into this about 15 years ago from the Caldean, Pakistan, Asian, Indian etc. shops in Detroit, Oak Park and Hammy. I discovered more from working in E. Dearborn where you can easily get two large bags of produce at like say Greenland for under $12 any day -- even more on their super sale days.

I juice and extract [[which requires a great deal of volume not just an apple or two) and unless your income is quite hail you might get your stuff at the at markets such as these or eastern market etc -- If you do non-organic. HF will remain a place for specialty things or their buffet items for when I want some dinner/ lunch to go and avoiding burger king...

In a nutshell over a span of time we sorta shop all over [[burb and city) including, Trader Joes, Hollday Market, SAMS even Gordon Food Service for some of their less chemical offerings. LOL! For sure I hit Aldies and Save-a-lot for certain things.

Honey Bee will be checked out very, very soon. I think I have been to La Colmena down on Vernor further south right? They are not the same store are they?

Zacha341, the Honey Bee, La Colmena ARE the same store. They are, where they have been for over 30 years, on the corner of 15th & Bagley. Behind the newly renovated MCS. 48202, GOOD CALL! E&L Supermercado on Vernor is another EXCELLENT locally owned, employed, grocery store.