Top 10+ Things I Wish I’d Known Before My First Trip To Wegmans

This grocery chain might have New York roots, but take one step inside and you'll understand how Wegmans developed a loyal following around the South.

1. You Should Join The Shopper’s Club, 2. You Will Regret Not Bringing Your Own Bags, 3. You Might Fill Your Buggy Without Leaving The Produce Section, 4. It’s A One-Stop Shop For Entertaining, 5. Don’t Breeze Over The Store-Brand Items, 6. You’re Sure To Find Gems In The Freezer Section, 7. The Bakery Is A Playground For Anyone With A Sweet Tooth, 8. Wegmans Catering Options Might Have You Volunteering to Host, 9. The Store-Made Shortcuts Aren’t Cheap, But They Will Save Dinner Time, 10. They Sell Buffalo Bills T-Shirts, Even In Their Southern Stores

If you’ve lived in the South for any bit of time, you know that where you grocery shop is a deeply personal decision. Your go-to store can facilitate some of your favorite gatherings and allow you to make beloved family dishes. The aisles are places to socialize with neighbors and find weekly inspiration. When I returned to my home state of Virginia after living in Texas for years, I mourned leaving behind my routines at H-E-B and Central Market. (Bye, bye butter tortillas.) I spent months trying to find a one-stop shop that carried high-quality produce, a variety of pantry staples, and shortcuts that make hosting a breeze. My tour de grocer came to an abrupt stop when I stumbled into my local Wegmans. 

1. You Should Join The Shopper’s Club, 2. You Will Regret Not Bringing Your Own Bags, 3. You Might Fill Your Buggy Without Leaving The Produce Section, 4. It’s A One-Stop Shop For Entertaining, 5. Don’t Breeze Over The Store-Brand Items, 6. You’re Sure To Find Gems In The Freezer Section, 7. The Bakery Is A Playground For Anyone With A Sweet Tooth, 8. Wegmans Catering Options Might Have You Volunteering to Host, 9. The Store-Made Shortcuts Aren’t Cheap, But They Will Save Dinner Time, 10. They Sell Buffalo Bills T-Shirts, Even In Their Southern Stores

The story of this Rochester, New York-based chain began in 1916 when brothers John and Walter Wegman started peddling produce on a pushcart. Today, three generations later, the Wegman family continues to run the business across nine states. While this chain might not have Southern roots, the company’s commitment to quality products over rapid expansion feels worthy of my grandmother’s approval. There are just 28 Wegmans stores in the South with locations in North Carolina, Virginia, Washington D.C. and Maryland, but if you love grocery stores you’ll want to pencil in a visit next time you’re on vacation near the East Coast. Before you grab a buggy, let me be your guide.

1. You Should Join The Shopper’s Club, 2. You Will Regret Not Bringing Your Own Bags, 3. You Might Fill Your Buggy Without Leaving The Produce Section, 4. It’s A One-Stop Shop For Entertaining, 5. Don’t Breeze Over The Store-Brand Items, 6. You’re Sure To Find Gems In The Freezer Section, 7. The Bakery Is A Playground For Anyone With A Sweet Tooth, 8. Wegmans Catering Options Might Have You Volunteering to Host, 9. The Store-Made Shortcuts Aren’t Cheap, But They Will Save Dinner Time, 10. They Sell Buffalo Bills T-Shirts, Even In Their Southern Stores

1. You Should Join The Shopper’s Club

Who doesn’t like to save a few extra dollars when they run their weekly errands? Download the Wegmans app, sign up for the Shopper’s Club, and it’s easy to clip digital coupons. I like to make my grocery list in the app where I will automatically be notified if any items I’ll be buying happen to have associated coupons. As an added bonus, you can sort your list by store department or aisle to make your Sunday trip a breeze.

2. You Will Regret Not Bringing Your Own Bags

While I’ll gush about other areas of Wegmans, the bags in the checkout line leave much to be desired. You’ll only have the option of paper bags and even those do not have handles. This just encourages me to bring my own reusable bags to the store, a habit I’ve been meaning to solidify.

1. You Should Join The Shopper’s Club, 2. You Will Regret Not Bringing Your Own Bags, 3. You Might Fill Your Buggy Without Leaving The Produce Section, 4. It’s A One-Stop Shop For Entertaining, 5. Don’t Breeze Over The Store-Brand Items, 6. You’re Sure To Find Gems In The Freezer Section, 7. The Bakery Is A Playground For Anyone With A Sweet Tooth, 8. Wegmans Catering Options Might Have You Volunteering to Host, 9. The Store-Made Shortcuts Aren’t Cheap, But They Will Save Dinner Time, 10. They Sell Buffalo Bills T-Shirts, Even In Their Southern Stores

3. You Might Fill Your Buggy Without Leaving The Produce Section

Wegmans produce section feels bigger than entire grocery stores in my city. No matter what cookbook I’m using that week, I’ve never had to make a second stop to buy fresh vegetables. The rows of colorful berries and bright citrus make healthy snacking easy, plus I love that they sell bundles fresh herbs outside of those plastic boxes. 

4. It’s A One-Stop Shop For Entertaining

If I rolled up to Wegmans two hours before a party at my house, I am confident that I could source just about everything I needed. The deli carries cheese from all over the world, plus sells trays of ready-to-serve charcuterie slices so busy hosts can put together a tasty display in no time at all. The entertaining aisle offers pretty paper napkins, wooden platters and bowls,  melamine trays, and tablecloths. If I was in a real hurry, I’d stop by the floral department for their pre-arranged tussie-mussie bouquets in clear glass vases which I could spread around my home. Lastly, the vast bar selection offers something for every guest, including non-alcoholic beers and Virginia wines local to my region.

5. Don’t Breeze Over The Store-Brand Items

In a new-to-you grocery store, it might be tempting to go after the brands you know best, but many regular shoppers prefer Wegmans own staples. Reddit users rave about the $1.19 tomato basil pasta sauce, the fresh pesto, the diavolo sauce, and the Tuscan garlic bread, helping family pasta night come in under budget. Their potato chips in flavors like salt & pepper, sweet potato, and jalapeño consistently receive positive reviews, as well as their chips and salsa. In a Wegmans subreddit one member shared, “Wegmans Organic Medium Salsa is amazing for its price. Blows competitors away. Tostitos salsa? You could never go back.”

6. You’re Sure To Find Gems In The Freezer Section

While Wegmans doesn’t have all of the specialty items that I purchase at Trader Joe’s, their freezer aisles are full of high-quality staples and party-ready treats. I regularly keep boxes of frozen pierogies and Roman-style pizzas in my freezer to help simplify dinnertime during busy weeks. Their affordable bags of mixed berries come in handy nearly every morning as I blend together smoothies for my husband and me. If you’re the type of host that keeps appetizers on hand for drop-in guests, Wegmans has you covered with frozen spanakopita, mini quiches, and franks in puff pastry. For a dessert worthy of a special occasion, pick up a Junior’s cheesecake or a Carvel ice cream cake on your weekly grocery run.

1. You Should Join The Shopper’s Club, 2. You Will Regret Not Bringing Your Own Bags, 3. You Might Fill Your Buggy Without Leaving The Produce Section, 4. It’s A One-Stop Shop For Entertaining, 5. Don’t Breeze Over The Store-Brand Items, 6. You’re Sure To Find Gems In The Freezer Section, 7. The Bakery Is A Playground For Anyone With A Sweet Tooth, 8. Wegmans Catering Options Might Have You Volunteering to Host, 9. The Store-Made Shortcuts Aren’t Cheap, But They Will Save Dinner Time, 10. They Sell Buffalo Bills T-Shirts, Even In Their Southern Stores

7. The Bakery Is A Playground For Anyone With A Sweet Tooth

It can’t replace my beloved neighborhood bakery, but it’s hard for me to avoid the sweets at Wegmans. The miche sourdough has quickly become a staple in my buggy every single week, and I know better than to buy an entire box of the “Double the Chips Cookies” because they’d certainly disappear before I made it home. Online fans list the almond croissants, Butter Boy cookies, fruit tarts, cannoli dip, and tiramisu as must-haves from their shopping trips. You can even buy slices of their cakes and other larger desserts, making it easy to sample these customer favorites before your next gathering.

8. Wegmans Catering Options Might Have You Volunteering to Host

My in-laws recently hosted a birthday party with more than 30 guests and the menu almost exclusively featured selections from Wegmans Meals2Go menu. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of both the crispy chicken tenders and the pinwheel appetizer tray, but the easy process of picking up the food stuck with me the most. I was able to park near the café entrance where an employee had all of my items ready to go on a single cart and he even helped me load the trays in my car. Although I haven’t tried the large format dinner options like Chicken Marsala for six or Lobster Mac and Cheese for 10, next time I entertain I would certainly consider leaving some of the menu to the catering department at my local store.

9. The Store-Made Shortcuts Aren’t Cheap, But They Will Save Dinner Time

While I would never recommend grocery shopping while hungry, the Wegmans Market Café is full of options to help you serve dinner right away. Pick up fresh pizzas, rotisserie chickens, made-to-order subs, and flavor-packed grain bowls for an easy supper, no cooking required.  Reddit users mention paying a premium for these low-lift meals, but during hectic holidays sometimes the convenience is worth it.

10. They Sell Buffalo Bills T-Shirts, Even In Their Southern Stores

The blue and red logo of Western New York’s favorite football team might look out of place in most Southern states, but Wegmans sells plenty of gear in reverence to their New York roots. As a concession, my neighborhood store has t-shirts from Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, and Virginia Commonwealth University. Just don’t expect to pick Commanders, Panthers, or Ravens gear, even if you’re shopping in our region.

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