This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to Karyn and Gwen whose comments were randomly chosen as winners. Thank you to everyone who took the time to comment in the blog.
I’m not a traditional food shopper, as I shop all around town to meet my family’s food and household needs. Costco for olive oil, yeast and yogurt; Trader Joe’s for Dishwasher detergent and toilet paper, Fred Meyer and Safeway for loss leader sales and The Grocery Outlet Bargain Market for gourmet goodies and whatever amazing bargains I happen to come across that day.
See? Here I am at the gourmet cheese station, my go-to spot for whenever I have guests over for sophisticated drinks and nibbles. Or vacations. Or when I’m craving fancy cheese. Or Sunday through Saturday.
High end deliciousness without high end prices.
This giveaway was prompted by an earlier purchase of an entire shelf of Columbus brand smoked pastrami. I recognized this brand, as it’s sold at both Trader Joe’s and New Season, (our locally owned Whole Foods-y chain.) My husband brings deli meat sandwiches to work, and it gets pricey. He doesn’t want to eat nasty processed meat, so I knew this was a must-buy situation.
I first bought a couple of packs to try them out, and then returned to the store and cleared the entire freaking shelf! Twice in the past I’ve picked up amazing deals at The Grocery Outlet and returned for more only to find that it was all gone (Bonne Maman jam and Pomi tomatoes.) So yes, I snapped them all up!
I recommend that if you find an amazing bargain on something, that you stock up right then and there.
I Tweeted about my amazing deal, and The Grocery Outlet reached out to me about doing a blog giveaway.
Ummm . . . heck, yes! And when I floated the idea to the Facebook group, the response was a resounding “Yes, I love The Grocery Outlet!”
For those who may not be familiar with The Grocery Outlet, they are individually owned franchises that stock their shelves with extra food, beer and wine, plants and dry goods, selling the extra merchandise that traditional stores were not able to buy. They do not stock expired food, and as a result of their non-traditional business model they’re able to price their items for much, much less than other stores. They also put out circulars that feature specific deals.
I was given a $50 gift card to spend for review, and I got to work straightaway. Camera in hand, I creeped around the store documenting some of great deals that caught my eye like these pretty bottles of dried parsley. It’s hard to tell in the photo, but these are big bottles! I like the chem-lab style graphics.
I snapped up a big-ole bundle of asparagus for the low price of $1.79. Not $1.79 per pound, but for the entire bundle! (Needless to say, they were perfection.)
I don’t know what’s going on with lime prices lately, but I knew that that 50¢ apiece was a great deal, so these too went into my cart.
I ventured into the non-food aisles as well, and had my eye drawn by this inexpensive bar of olive oil soap. Partially because the original price was $9.95, (who spends that?!) and also because it’s “Antioche Zeytinyagi.” My husband and I both went to Antioch College in Ohio, and let me tell ya’, the student population would have benefitted from some extra soap.
Unlike other food outlet shops I’ve visited through the years, The Grocery Outlet stocks a ton of organic, vegan and gluten-free items; which are normally a pricey part of a food budget.
Vegan/organic:
Gluten-free/organic:
I ended up having to make two separate shopping trips to spend my entire $50 gift card, but my favorite bargain that came home with me was this $6.99 5-pound bag of bleu cheese crumbles. Considering that bleu cheese normally costs $10 per pound and up, this was a screaming good deal! (We put bleu cheese in our daily dinner salads.) I’ll be freezing the cheese in small portions, and enjoying the year (or so) of crossing this expensive item from my family’s shopping list.
Luckily, the fine folks at The Grocery Outlet sent me two $50 gift cards to give away to lucky readers.
To enter to win one of the gift cards, simply write your name in the comments section below. One entry per person, please. I will randomly choose two winners, Friday June 6th at 9 P.M. PST.
Good luck, and happy bargain hunting!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
{ 240 comments… read them below or add one }
wow, great stuff. what a great deal on asparagus!
Just my name?
leigh bunkin
wow
Thank you so much for the review!
– Charlotte
My name is Michelle
My fave thing from g.o. Is gourmet cheese too. Such deals!
What a great opportunity 🙂 I don’t have one of these nearby, sadly, so count me out of the giveaway, but good luck to the entrants!
(This place sounds awesome, btw. Like a high-scale Big Lots!)
My name is Jessica! 🙂
Sue
wow… no hoops to jump through. LOVE IT!
Thank you,
Kelsey Nicholson
Jennifer Adrien
Sound like it’s time I hit up my Grocery Outlet!
I’d love to win! ~ Mara
Dana Thomas!
Such great deals!
Larisa
I’m Nancy. Hope I win!
I used to go there all the time. Thanks for reminding me.
Hm, I have one within walking distance; will definitely have to check it out again. Thanks!
Jennifer Bath
Karen. One of my favorite finds has been boxes of Satin Ice fondant for $1! They sell for a LOT more, if you can find them in your area, which we can’t.
Rachel
What great deals!! I would love to win one of these gift cards, but I will shop there anyway! I had never heard of this store before until you posted about it. Thanks!!
Wheee! The closest one is about 20 miles from my house, but I’m game.
Erin Halovanic 🙂
Sarah C.
I love to treasure hunt at Grocery Outlet!
Lisa
I bought Basil from Grocery Outlet in one of those very cool bottles, I think I bought it as much for the packaging as the basil!
Hmm, think I’ll stop by and check it out!
Aubrey Archuleta
Great giveaway!
Thank you
Bev O
Awesome! Love that they tell you how much it would be elsewhere.
(Megg)
Erin here.
Marie!!!!
Gail P. loves Grocery Outlet!
Gail P. loves Grocery Outlet!
Kelsey!
Alycia Patterson
Heather Juno!
Kristen Bentley!
My name is Victoria.
Emilee 😄
I’m Linda!
Carissa Reid.
I love Grocery Outlet!
Maranda!
I love Grocery Outlet… it’s like a thrift store for food – you never know what bargains you’ll find…
John
I LOVE Grocery Outlet. So many great finds…
Thanks for the giveaway Katy!
Karen
Fingers crossed!! 🙂
Jennifer
Hope I win, we have one within walking distance!
Tracy!
I’m Jessica, too!
Kate 🙂
I live in SoCal but we shop at the Grocery Outlet in Stockton when visiting my parents. It would be awesome to stock up their kitchen before we leave.
Blair B. from Washington!
Caitlin 🙂
LOVE this store, as long as I can keep my eye on the prize and stay away from the over-processed food-type products. Great deals on many real foods, though. Organic whole milk!!
-Mary
Olivia K.
Love GO!
~Becky S.
Katy Riker
Hi, I’m Pam! Thanks for the review and giveaway.
Oh you know I want to win a gift card!!! Too funny you bought the same huge bag of cheese I did. Yes you are correct buy buy buy as much as you can because you won’t see it when you go back. Hopefully I win!
Jillian Kelish
As I read through your post, I was insanely jealous and already convinced that the Grocery Outlet was going to be yet another thing my area was lacking (ie. Trader Joe’s, Costco and Whole Foods!). As it turns out, there is one 5 miles from me. I’m ashamed to have not realized this sooner.
Thanks!
Melissa K.
Thank you! Have a great weekend! 🙂
Elaine! Thanks for the giveaway. 🙂
Rebecca D.
Alicia Ramirez
Julie Harrison, GC is a life saver!
Have shopped grocery outlet for years. The nice couple and crew that own and run it are amazing. Lots of wonderful food and thinks every time I go there. Very very reasonable also.. my place to shop first!!!!!!
Nena
Yes, please!
Alina Harway.
I love grocery outlet especially for cheese and coffee.
Mary Ann
I love the Grocery Outlet!
lulu west
Choose me! Choose me!
I used to shop there quite often when my kids were small, but got out of the habit. It is always an adventure to see what you might find!
Mary Beth
Jenny Harrah. I didn’t even know they HAD gift cards at G.O. Awesome!
We love Grocery Outlet…it’s like a grown up treasure hunt!
Farhana.
Love grocery outlet! Julie Durst
I have a Grocery Outlet in my town, but have never shopped there.
This is not to enter, because I don’t have this store near me. But your limes are so expensive because of Mexican drug cartels activity!
Really? That’s sad.
Nikki:) NPR did a story that gives some insight on the lime prices.
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/05/19/313020751/with-cartel-on-the-run-mexican-lime-farmers-keep-more-of-the-green
Nelda Barnes-Gay
Allison Walters
Annie Bowen
Kris Van Beek
Pat Casjens loves Grocery Outlet!
Kim
I would love to win this! Have been a fan of the Grocery Outlet since I went to the Oregon City one 25 years ago.
Karen
Great post. Thanks, Erica B
Janna
Donna
We’ll be visiting Portland later this summer, and I’d love to put my of these goodies in my suitcase!
Lynda Reynolds
Karen Johnson
(If I win, I will give it to my daughter that lives in Portland!)
Thanks for the chance…
Wendy
Linda P. I need a gift for someone in CA, so this would be great. I must find a store like this in AL or in NY for my daughter. Those prices are unbelievable.
Kelly Skinner
Jessie here. Have a great weekend.
LOVE Grocery Outlet!! Loved it when it used to be MacFrugal’s! 🙂
Great deal!
I go there at least once a week. Love it! Christy B.
Hello,
Last weekend, I went to a Grocery Outlet in a neighboring town for the first time ever and I was amazed at the prices on the organic stuff I’ve seen at my regular food co-op. I got a bag of organic dark chocolate peanut butter cups and Mama needs more of those, for sure. 😉
Thanks for the opportunity to win a gift card.
Julie C.
I’ve been a big fan of GO for 15 years. Now I have friends who also shop there and we tip each other off when we find a good deal.
I love Grocery Outlet. The people are really friendly and helpful there. Loads of bargains. Never been disappointed with whatever I’ve purchased!
We are getting one soon – I hope it is good as yours! Heather N.
Yes please – I would love to win this! Cheers – Ellen Jacobson
Love the Grocery Outlet. I got canned cat food for my new kittens – 4 cans for $.99 yesterday. I don’t usually buy canned cat food, but this seemed like a pretty good deal.
Meresa
I love Grocery Outlet! Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
Linda
Kat
I always buy my bleu cheese at GO but i’ve never seen it in a 5# bag I’m going to stop after work Saturday to see if my neighborhood store has it. I use it on Cobb Salads among other things.
Love it!
I’m also a Grocery Outlet fan – I always stock up on greek yogurt, typically 50 cents or less
Shut up. Best giveaway ever.
Mindy Northrop
Karen
Love your blog!
Kerrie – have never stopped out Grocery Outlet, will definitely take a look!
I have never been to a Grocery Outlet, this would be a good opportunity to try them.
Gerhard
Most. Exciting. Giveaway. EVER.
Debbie W.
Hey, 2 Mindys! (We should both win. )
Just found your blog and I’m cracking up. I’m a super cheapskate but I don’t care cuz it’s fun!
Chrissy Higdon
I’d love to buy their organic food.
I had never heard of them! I googled them and found one not too far from us. I can’t wait to try them! Thanks!
Please enter me for a gift card.
PS I had no idea you could freeze blue cheese!!
Thanks so much for posting about this store…I’ve been waiting for this concept my entire adult life!
My name is Melissa.
Would love to try out the Grocery Outlet, Katy! Thanks for the opportunity to do so!
Suzanne Perkins
Thank you!
Jami Sutter!
April Nelson!
Faithful Portland reader, thanks for the tip on the lunch meat deals 🙂
Oona
April Nelson! (And no, not trying to enter twice in case I show up twice–the first attempt stalled out!)
April Nelson (who keeps getting kicked into cyberspace while trying to comment!)
We love love love the Grocery Outlet! In fact, I bought the Chinook Book just for the Grocery Outlet coupons. Everything else in it was a bonus. -Gigi
Stacy Nielsen
Ooo. Great giveaway!
Carla
Another Nancy! Great giveaway !
Thanks for the chance! Brenda
mm, blue cheese crumbles – in eggs Florentine.
I love Grocery Outlet—the Hollywood store isn’t far from my office and I can stop by after work.
It’s my go-to place for bleu cheese crumbles—not the humongous bag but the smaller containers. I add the crumbles to my daily lunch salad at work.
Enter me, too, thanks!
-bari (in Pdx)
My name is Christie! 🙂
Crystal Campo
Sarah 🙂
me, me, me! i have a grocery outlet in biking distance from me! i’d love to spend $50 there!
emmer
me, me, me! we have a grocery outlet in biking distance from us. i’d love to have $50 to spend there!
emmer
Melissa! I would love to win this! Awesome giveaway!
What a great giveaway! My name is Monica G. 🙂
Never been to G.O. Would love to try a shopping spree with a free gift.
D. Doyle
Why yes I would looove that!
Tami
I would like to win the gift card to help out a friend who lost her job. I think the grocery outlet would be a good way to do that. Maybe I will get lucky.
Emma
What a great give-away!
Ellie
Great giveaway!
Julia Bonser
Wow! Renee.
thanks!
Lisa Y.
Never visited this store but now I am intrigued!
Diana Z.
I love Grocery Outlet!!
Emily
Nice!
Theresa Smith 🙂 Love the grocery outlet!
Thanks for the info – I love The Grocery Outlet in my town. Shelley
There’s a Grocery Outlet within 2 miles and I rarely go there. From now on I’d better hit it up often.
Lori Nast!
I love Grocery Outlet – from their food to their household items, I always find great prices there!
Maria Tran
thanks!
Darn, now everybody knows about my secret budget stretcher! Dibs on the manchego cheese. Michelle W.
Super deals. Thanks for the heads up.
Hi, I’m Deby. I haven’t been to the Grocery Outlet in years. I think I need to check it out again.
Katy I love your blog and the ideas you share!
Meghan McD
I’m Cheryl, and I love Grocery Outlet! Ours is located next to a favorite thrift store, so it’s always double the fun.
MARTHA NORRIS,,,,,TY
Didn’t know they had mushroom broth! Can’t wait to try!
– Amy Brennan
Hilary Andriesian
Thank you for the chance 🙂
Lisa Brown
jslbrown2009(at)aol(dot)com
My name is Beth 🙂
walking in the store is a little excitingbecause you never know what treasure you will find. I had no time to cook for my last potluck at work, so I started in the meat n cheese case.One of my favorite things besides the cheese is the soyriso, so I grabbed a package along with Mexican cheese and also mozzarella cheese. A couple cans of mild roasted green chiles, small can of HOT serrano chiles, a dozen tortillas and I’m on my way. The next morning, I threw it all in my crock pot (except tortillas), took it to work and set it to HI. Cut the stack of tortillas in quarters, and within an hour,I was the hero of the day. I’m so manipulative making friends with food;)
Mmm asparagus with hollaindaise sauce sounds wonderful
Stacey 🙂
Wow, what screaming deals! We have two Grocery Outlet locations that opened in our city recently, but we haven’t been able to visit yet. Here’s to hoping I win a card so I have a reason to check it out. Thanks for hosting the giveaway! – Lorena Ruggero
Woohoo!
Thanks, Heidi Yavornicky
Karen B –
Love Grocery Outlet!
Margaret O
The Grocery Outlet is not in the most convenient location for me, but I try to get there once a month just to check for any good deals.
Karyn Woodard
pick me pick me!!!
Our family LOVES Grocery Outlet!
Emily N
Emily Lynch!
Denise Pedroza. Our nearest Grocery Outlet is 40-ish miles away. Not close enough for a weekly stop, but plenty close enough to spend $50 that came for free!!
Tracy Ceddia
I don’t have one. Wish I did!
Lisa Fargo
I can definitely get lots of bang for my buck at the Grocery Outlet!
Jenny H.
I love finding surprise deals at our grocery outlet!
Love grocery outlet.
Mona
Tina S.
I need to go to Grocery Outlet more often!
Tricia 🙂 Yay cheap groceries!
Alana 🙂
They call me Erin. Thanks!
My name is Mary Beth and I LOVE the Grocery Outlet Bargain Market.
Melissa H.
(And thanks to you and to Grocery Outlet for the generous giveaway!)
I’d love to win! I shop at the Boise GO all the time.
Laura
Kris Lindquist 🙂
Interesting advertising!
Meaghan 🙂
There is one by my house, never shopped there though! would be cool to check it out!
Lindsay 🙂 I googled this and realized there’s one not too far from me. I had no idea!! I’m going to check it out whether or not I win a gift card (but I hope I do!!).
Mychele Morrill me me me me me!
Pick me! Pick me! She says losing what ever dignity she had left by jumping up and down waving her hand.
I love grocery outlet!! Thanks for the amazing giveaway
Tracy
Love Grocery Outlet, never know what you’ll find!
Wow! GO is amazing!! Thank you! -Jan
Been following NCA for a few years now. Not often I try for giveaways, but this feels and looks great!
Alicia Epperly
Thought I entered, but didn’t see my comment, so just to be sure: Leslie!!
Kathi Anderson
Pick me! pick me!
My name is Gwen.
My sweetie and I used to shop at the Bellingham grocery outlet when we lived there and always referred to it as the BGO. Now we live in Seattle, but still refer to ALL grocery outlets as BGO.
Great review. Their is one 2 blocks from my house.
Miranda Lucker
We have a great store near us called Friendly Fruit. They sell produce at unbelievably low prices. I love it. I wish there were a Grocery Outlet near me. Oh well, can’t have everything!
Michele Young
Jennifer Tillery
Amanda
Great bargains! Hope to win.
-Brittany B.
Just my name…Nancy!
My mom could sure use this (there isn’t one near me, unfortunately).
Hi, my name is Lisa G
My name is Rachel!
Sarah V!
Hi, I’m Heather. Great bargains!
Savannah Frank
Our family loves bleu cheese!!!
The asparagus looks kind of gray. How did it taste?
Julia Vickery
Susan Herper
Never been to Grocery Outlet, definitely interested now.
Interesting post-thanks!
My name is Nanci.
I love Grocery Outlet!
My name is Carolsue
I shop there a lot! My name is Krissie.
Love a good bargain!
What a great giveaway! Jennifer R.
Good post!
Dezsea Galati Zenner
Suzanne Percy
I always find great deals at Grocery Outlet.
My name is Grace. Hope I win!
Karen L (I see other Karens!) Thanks!
I am Bonnie and hope I win!
It’s been a pleasure shopping here, especially the workers, checkers, they make the store happen, thank you all for being so compassionate towards your customers,