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| - It's difficult writing a review for this place, as I don't typically do grocery type stores and the like. Nevertheless, with a recent cutback in eating out and more attempts at home cooking, I'm finding myself at the grocery store far more often than I used to be and, now that it's open, that includes Winco.
This particular location has an enormous parking lot, so finding a place to park is probably never going to be an issue, especially if you go after dark, and certainly if you go late at night (my preference). There seem to be ample supply of carts now, where as it was a problem before, so that's another big plus if you're stuck going at peak times.
From the outside, this place looks huge, but once you get inside you realize it's actually even bigger than you thought. Think Costco-sized grocery store to get a rough idea. The layout is pretty decent and there's very large signage to tell you what's down each isle, which is nice. The isles are wider than most grocery stores as well, which is another bonus, especially when it's packed with people. Surprisingly, despite the size and cavernous layout of the store (nice tall ceilings), it seems to be pretty well air conditioned.
The produce section, where I find myself more often than about anywhere else as of late, is actually pretty good. Selection is better than most of the regular grocery stores and there's typically more bulk, so you don't have to hope you're the only person who needed rhubarb that day (Winco had two boxes full of them!). The prices on the produce are just about rock bottom and I don't know any other grocery stores that come close on some things (again, the rhubarb was almost $3 difference in price).
Another interesting find is that Winco carries some brands that you won't find in typical grocery stores. I found a number of items from Mexico, ranging from cookies and candies and snacks to condiments and even hot chocolate. Definitely worth the trip if you're interested in trying something new. It's also worth noting that I didn't see any of this stuff at the typical import stores (think World Market), so this might be one of the few mainstream places to acquire these items if you're looking for them. I picked up some of the hot chocolate, just to give it a try.
There are also some domestic brands that are probably more popular in other parts of the country but aren't so prevalent out West. You'll find most of this stuff in the freezer and ice cream sections, along with a few other places in the store, so that's also a bit refreshing if you're looking to try something different.
Last but certainly not least, some animal care products are extremely well priced at this store. You can buy the massive 37+ pound boxes of cat litter for much less here than anywhere else, along with most of the more common brands of dog/cat foods and treats. It's on my list of regular purchases when I go there.
Unfortunately, it's not all rosy and there are a few sour spots for me. First and foremost, is the people this chain (and this particular location) seems to attract. I have never, not even at Walmart, seen so many examples of trashy societal filth. I'm not talking about class or ethnicity but just the way people carry themselves, the way they and their 10 children behave (why even bring them?) and the ridiculous spectacle that they make of themselves. I've even seen one guy in there, had to be at least 250 pounds, short little chubby guy, but he's got a handgun with an extended magazine strapped to his side while he shops in there. Seriously, where am I, the ghetto? Does this guy think his life is in jeopardy by shopping at Winco and that he needs the extra long magazine to protect himself in case he needs to wipe out a small army?
The other negative I have is that they close the self checkouts at some point, along with most of the registers. If you're unfortunate enough to go out at night, but not quite late enough (note: 9pm is not quite late enough) then you end up with all the welfare queens in front of you with 1,000 items in their cart, at the only open register, rather than breezing through the self checkout in 3 minutes and being on your way. Really, really annoying, considering that it takes 1 person to manage the entire self-checkout section. Plenty of staff wandering around looking useless, but nobody running the self checkout? For God's sake, why, I ask you?
As with all things, Winco isn't perfect and there are definitely some drawbacks to shopping there. Nevertheless, there's also some serious coin to be saved and they do have a number of things you simply can't get anywhere else. If you can brave the crowds and the human debris that litters the store, or you're willing to shop at the witching hour, you should be a-OK, and you might even find something about the trip that's worth going back for.
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