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, now CHEF’STORE (chefstore.com) (Over 25 WA stores, most 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 and across Washington State). 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 email or follow them on social media to get notified about special offers and store events.

Grocery stores are a great place for produce and meats as well as ready-to-eat foods – image via Depositphotos_161299016

Warehouse, Bulk, and Specialty Stores

Big John’s PFI, 1608 S Dearborn St Seattle, WA 98144 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: rice, 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 on Yelp, 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.

H MART Pacific Northwest (Bellevue, Federal Way, Lynnwood, Seattle, Tacoma). Wide selection of groceries, snacks, and Asian foods (especially Korean), including fresh produce, meat, frozen foods, spices, gifts, liquor, and ready-to-eat foods such as fried chicken, stir-fries with rice, bento boxes, soups, and pickled foods. To-go meals are good portion for the price. Shopping tips: the downtown Seattle and U-District locations are compact stores more focused on grab & go items. If you want a big-box experience, head to one of the suburb locations. Either way, it’s a great grocery store to shop.

Town & Country Markets (Bainbridge/Winslow, Ballard, Bellevue/Lakemont, Mill Creek, Poulsbo, Shoreline) is a family-owned company that got their start on Bainbridge Island in 1957. Their multi-cultural legacy shaped a commitment to foster a work culture in which all people feel welcome. Their casual, laid-back style focuses on freshly harvested and beautifully crafted foods. Shopping tips: plan menus around their weekly specials and don’t forget to check for seasonal treats. If you need to save time or don’t like to grocery shop, use their Personal Shoppers.

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.

Maximize your grocery dollars with 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 – image via Depositphotos_38385127

Bakery outlets

Bakery outlets sell factory overruns, holiday-themed 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.

Franz Bakery Outlets in the Puget Sound region:

• Bremerton – Auto Center, 4800 Auto Center Way, Bremerton WA 98312
• Bremerton – Perry, 2547 Perry Ave, Bremerton WA 98310
• Centralia, 1107 Grand Ave, Centralia WA 98531
• Everett – Casino Road, 430 East Casino Road, Everett WA 98208
• Everett – Marine View, 1515 E Marine View Dr, Everett WA 98201 Seattle – 6th Ave., 2901 6th Ave S, Seattle WA 98134
• Lynnwood, 430 164th St SW, Lynnwood WA 98087
• Mt Vernon, 3813 Old Hwy 99 S, Mt Vernon WA 98273
• Olympia, 7028 Martin Way E, Olympia WA 98516
• Seattle – Main, 2006 S Weller St, Seattle WA 98144
• Tacoma – Pacific Ave, 10014 Pacific Ave S, Tacoma WA 98444
• Tacoma – Parkland, 11216 Golden Given Rd E, Tacoma WA 98445
• Tukwila, 17500 W Valley Hwy, Tukwila WA 98188

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But wait, there’s more!

• Free (and cheap) cooking classes and food tours
• Farmers markets in the Puget Sound region
• Local CSA delivery from farms and other food producers
• Month-by-month u-pick crops around Puget Sound
• Find free and cheap things to do every day on the Greater Seattle on the Cheap calendar.
• Visit the Greater Seattle on the Cheap home page and choose from a menu of free and cheap activities in the Puget Sound region.

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