Best discount grocery stores and bakery outlets

Here’s our list of the best discount grocery stores, bargain warehouse stores, specialty discount grocers, and bakery outlets in Seattle and around the Puget Sound region.

Notice that we focus on Pacific Northwest owned companies. So, that’s why we’ve left out some stores usually recommended for grocery shopping on a budget, including IKEA, Safeway, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, and SAM’s club.

Discount Grocery Stores

These grocery stores offer discount prices every day.

Cash & Carry Smart Foodservice (25 WA stores, over half in the Puget Sound region) is a restaurant supply and wholesale food store catering to small businesses, but is open to the public. No minimums or membership required. They accept major credit cards, cash, or business checks, but do not take personal checks. Shopping Tips: Groceries and produce at case prices (single packages also available on most items), fresh meat, dairy products, and frozen foods.

Fred Meyer (multiple Puget Sound locations). A one-stop shopping center originating in Oregon, though now owned by Kroger (along with QFC stores). A well-stocked grocery store featuring modest prices. Shopping Tips: Like Safeway, a good store for anyone watching their food budget closely. Save more by taking advantage of weekly ad specials, digital coupons on their website, and using their mobile app.

Grocery outlet (multiple Puget Sound locations). A primarily West Coast, third generation family-owned and operated business. Grocery Outlet sells product at 40-70% off conventional retail prices by sourcing product that is outside the “normal retail channel”. This includes product overruns, surplus inventories, and packaging changes. They also stock basics like meat, dairy, and eggs, selling at or below the lowest prices in the area. Shopping Tips: Brand-name groceries and fresh produce. Be flexible and look for unfamiliar products you might like. Many products are one-time deals, so prepare to stock up on non-perishable bargains. Sign up for “WOW” email alerts to be notified of unadvertised deals from your local store.

Warehouse, Bulk, and Specialty Stores

Big John’s PFI, 1001 6th Ave S # B, Seattle, WA 98134 is a second-generation specialty food store, offering a variety of mostly European and Mediterranean imported foods at affordable prices. A little hard to find, but oh, so worth it. Located ¾ of a block north of Royal Brougham, in a red brick warehouse on the West side of 6^th Avenue South (toward the stadiums). Shopping tips: ½-pound minimum purchase (unsliced/no slicer) when buying deli meats , sausages, cheeses (domestic and international), and olives. Large variety of bulk dried goods: rices, beans, spices, grains, flours. Large selections of olive oils, specialty oils, and vinegars. Also chocolate and candy from around the world.

Costco Wholesale (multiple Puget Sound locations) is a membership warehouse club founded in Seattle in 1983. The large membership base yields tremendous buying power and combined with operational efficiency keeps prices low. Annual membership fee is $60/household or $120/business; business members earn 2% back on eligible purchases, and receive service benefits. Shopping tips: best value is found on Kirkland brand products, bulk foods, organic products, frozen foods, dairy products, and perishable foods you and your family eat routinely. Be especially careful when buying large quantities—if the product spoils before you can consume it, it’s a waste of money.

DK Market, 720 Lind Ave SW, Renton, WA 9805. A warehouse store with the biggest selection of international foods in the region, including Asian, Indian, Mediterranean, Eastern European, and Mexican groceries. They offer bulk foods, frozen foods, hard to find spices, large tea selection, Chinese herbs, and fresh produce. Shopping tips: Try to go during the week, or early on the weekend as the parking lot is small and can be crowded. Allow plenty of time for your first trip as the store is large and not well-laid out.

Uwajimaya Asian Grocery (Seattle, Bellevue, Renton) is a modern, well-stocked Asian supermarket, featuring products from Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines, plus, fresh meats, Asian meat cuts, fresh seafood, fresh sushi, frozen foods, and Asian cookware and other goods. Shopping tips: Regular prices can be high on some products, so take advantage of weekly specials, and if you qualify, the following discounts:

Tuesday AM Senior 10% off: If you’re 60 or older, shop every Tuesday morning between 8am and 11am and get 10% off most regular-priced groceries (no coupons).
Friday PM College Student 10% off: If you’re currently enrolled in college, shop every Friday evening from 6pm until closing and get 10% off most regular-priced groceries (no coupons). Must present valid photo student ID to participate. You might also like our Flexible grocery list for college Students plus easy recipes.

WinCo (multiple Puget Sound locations). Employee-owned warehouse grocery store, founded in Boise, ID as Waremart. No membership required, anyone can shop there. Shopping Tips: Take advantage of printable coupons on their website, weekly ads, in-store specials, and some bulk items that are discounted 5% when you buy a case. Are you a clipper? Be sure to read the WinCo coupon policy information on the WinCo FAQ page.

Bakery outlets

Bakery outlets sell factory overruns, holiday-theme leftovers, and products approaching their sell date. Shopping tip: Plan to freeze most breads and use within a month to ensure product doesn’t spoil before you can consume it.