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Balducci's
Categories: Food Specialty Food Restaurants Delis Food Grocery Specialty Food, Delis, Grocery [Edit]
600 Franklin StAlexandria, VA 22314
(703) 549-6611
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 8 am - 9 pm
Sun 8 am - 8 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
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$$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
24 reviews for Balducci's
Review Highlights
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"...still gets in his happy place around a good cheese counter." In 3 reviews -
"Now, I am a regular at the Old Town Alexandria store." In 4 reviews -
"...and if you're going to stock up on wine, don't overlook the..." In 3 reviews
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24 reviews in English
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Review from Yelper D.
Alexandria, VA
3/12/2012
This review is of Balducci's bakery section:
WOW. For a grocery / specialty food store, Balducci's has a wonderful bakery section. I think it's much better than Whole Foods and many other bakeries (including Firehook and Bittersweet) in the area. It's my first choice when it comes to celebration cakes or fancy desserts. They also have a great selection of individually sized desserts. I've bought several cakes here and each cakes was beautiful on the outside, so full of flavor, and fairly priced for what you get. I think they have a French pastry chef here working in the bakery section who is actually French (I've heard him talking before) and he is always polite and responsive. The bagel and danish section is small and sometimes sells out, I've also had their version of an apple turnover and I always buy several when I can because they're always good. I've had their mini key lime pies designed for one or two servings, and they're comparable to the key lime pies they sell in Key West, Florida. But the part of Balducci's that I think is special are their specialty cakes. -
Review from annie w.
Alexandria, VA
8/26/2011
Oh, hell. I have a like/dislike relationship with the big B.
I like:
The store is near my place
They have yummy goodies like fresh cannolis, salads, sandwiches, and cheese.
They have lots of fresh fruits and veggies.
They have fun specialty crackers, olives, and other last minute party bites.
The cashiers are nice.
The fish guy is nice.
I dislike:
The freaking prices. Are you kidding me?!?
I have gotten nearly-bad sushi more than once.
The guys at the cheese counter can be kind of d-baggy.
Some of the managers just seem kind of nasty and ticked off that you are in their store.
Snotty customers. -
Review from Pumpkin S.
Washington, DC
2/15/2012
I'm reviewing the store and the hot/cold bar.
The prices are outrageous here... even more than Whole Foods, and given what appears to be low turnover of products (I've never seen many customers there on a given day), you're probably paying a whole lot of money for not-so-fresh stuff.
The hot/cold bar is decent, though.
I'm not a fan of the fact that they seem to have the same variety over and over (why shepherd's pie and mac & cheese? I figure that low-cost ingredients=high profit margin), but their baked salmon is pretty good, as are a few other items. Three stars-- good for lunch. -
Review from Michael F.
Springfield, VA
12/16/2011
Balducci's - a shadow of it's former self.
I used to love Sutton Place / Balducci's. They had a deli that was second to none, the best meat & cheese counter in the area and a great bakery. It's all gone. The deli is non existent; it's now an overpriced sandwich shop; the meat counter out overprices Whole Paycheck, the bakery is gone, and the cheese counter is just sad and stale.
Wegman's carries 95% of what Balducci's stocks and at 1/2 the price. -
Review from Justin S.
1/12/2008
After a long walk around old town I found myself about to swing by Safeway as I headed home. Chance brought me to Balducci's first, so I figured I'd stop there instead. I was greeted by a display of oranges prominently marked well over $1 each. There was no special label to distinguish them from regular fruit, but they did look slightly better than average. That trend continued as I made my way around the store. The produce and meats looked on average slightly better than usual, and all seemed to be priced 1.5 to 4 times what I'd expect to pay. For the only moderate improvement, I don't feel the cost would be justified. as I looked over the ground beef ($7.99 per pound) I realized shopping at Balducci's would probably cost about as much as going out to dinner, except I'd still have to cook everything myself.
-1 star for shockingly overpriced items.
-1 star for making the nearby Wholefoods look like a great bargin center
-2 stars for reminding me that the cost of eating in Old Town is quadruple what I'd pay at home in Buffalo for identical foodstuffs. (these last two stars are personal, so I've left them off the official rating)
Overall, Balducci's might be good in a pinch or if you need a hard-to-find high end item, but unless you're the sort of person that doesn't see a need to justify any purchase under $100, than the prices here will probably make you blanch. -
Review from Rebecca S.
Washington, DC
7/31/2010
OK, so for reasons that will take too long to explain right now but that involve Matt's previous experiences working as a cheese buyer for them, we're somewhat anti-Whole Foods in our house. My best friend has been raving about Balducci's forever, and today we finally checked it out. Holy crap.
Matt still gets in his happy place around a good cheese counter. Balducci's has it. Its better than WF, fresher, and with a stronger inventory without overstocking. We decided to get some of our favorite cheese, Midnight Moon (made by Cypress Grove creamery in California), and the stock they have right now is young but creamy, fresh, and all around tasty. Highly recommend it. The pieces they had out were all too big, but they were more than happy to slice us a piece closer to the size we wanted, and even cut us off a little sample before weighing to make sure we were happy with it.
Balducci's may be small, but it has a great cheese counter, fresh seafood counter, wine section, and just about everything else. The staff seemed laid back, engaging, and helpful. Its closer to us than WF, and while its a smaller store, prices seem to be equivalent if not a little bit better than WF. And Matt says I'm supposed to mention the yogurt section, which was absolutely amazing. The only complaint was that they didn't carry the Odwalla Limeade that Matt's been craving.
This is our new favorite specialty food store, beyond a doubt. We'll be back. Can't wait to sample the made to order sandwiches!
Edited to add: the baguette we bought was absolutely perfect. Too many stores are selling baguettes that are too thick, too dense in side, and not crusty enough on the outside. This one was just what it should be - long and thin, crusty on the outside, and fluffy in the middle. YUM.Listed in: Around the (Old) House
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Review from Sarah J.
7/23/2010
Yes, it's expensive. Yes, it has less of a selection than Whole Foods or any generic grocery store. Yes, both of those facts makes it hard to even like a place like Balducci's.
BUT if you're in the mood for a great bottle of wine, some cheese, crackers, and maybe a gourmet dessert, Balducci's is a great option. As someone who enjoys torturing herself by going to a store and peering through the glass at rib eye steak that goes for $20 a pound, I really like Balducci's.
Don't get me wrong, I don't go too often because it would most definitely add up, but I do enjoy purchasing appetizer items if I'm having friends over for dinner, or if I don't feel like baking, getting some delicious looking (and tasting) brownies. Plus, usually there are a bunch of good specials every day, and if you get on their mailing list, they send you 5% savings coupons every month.
So in a recession-ridden America, Balducci's might not be all that practical. But hey, it's yummy. Treat yourself once in a while.Listed in: NOVA is for Lovers, Within Walking Distance
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Review from Courtney R.
Arlington, VA
Updated - 8/6/2008 1 Check-in Here
In order to avoid knee-buckling to the unhealthier lunch options that abound in OT, I stopped in Monday to stock up on lunch fixings for the week.
I bought some roasted turkey and smoked ham that do, in fact, make my knees buckle. Being used to slimy U.S. deli-style meats, these were flaky and dry of texture and damn delicious. Not very cheap, but deli stuff normally isn't.
The stunner was the $6 I paid for HALF A LOAF OF BREAD. And that's because a full loaf of this "multigrain split-bread" was $12. Sure, I have done some indulgent shit in my day ($400 for shoes, $50 for face wash, etc.) but $12 bread seems outrageous. Except it's delicious.
It irks me that B doesn't put nutritional info on its house-made bread. I have no idea how much fiber I'm getting. The main ingredient is "6 choice grain mix (oats, wheat, rye, millet, corn and barley)" which rings in my ears better than the usual "enriched bleach flour, HFCS, etc" shit one normally gets. However, something tells me there has to be a great bread for a more frugal price, somewhere out there. Sing it, Fivel.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/31/2008
I find the produce reasonably priced here. I used to live right next door so this was my go-to… Read more »
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Review from Colleen M.
Washington, DC
8/15/2011
Is it weird to have a special occassion grocery store? Probably.
Whatever.
Balducci's is way too spendy for regular, every day grocery shopping and, frankly, their selection just isn't built that way. But there's not a better place around for fancy cheeses, deliciuos baked goods, single serving bottles of champagne, sixty different types of gourmet potato chips and amazing deli sandwiches.
It's my favorite place to stock up for a picnic in Old Town. It ain't cheap, but it's tasty! -
Review from Kelly G.
4/22/2009 1 Check-in Here
My first encounter with any Balducci's was actually at the Old Georgetown Road store in Bethesda with Lesly S. Now, I am a regular at the Old Town Alexandria store. I can always count on this place to help me feed my stress, especially now that bistro meals are $4 off on Thursdays. Thank you economic downturn.
I swing by the Balducci's and grab a grilled salmon, artichoke risotto, and grilled vegetable "bistro meal" almost every Thursday these days. The first time I purchased it, I thought the salmon would be all dry and tough after nuking, but it was just as tender and juicy as the moment it came off the grill. When you add a Grand Red Velvet cupcake and a bottle of wine, it's heaven. No, now that the weather is nice enough to sit outside at their little tables and eat, that's heaven.Listed in: Groceries, Cup Cake & Away!!!!
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Review from Mark G.
Alexandria, VA
4/24/2010
No, it doesn't have the selection of Whole Foods nor is it as inexpensive as Trader Joes . . . BUT, this store has the BEST selection of wine in the area. Check out their website and every 4-6 weeks they have a wine sale: 25% off any mixed case of 12 or more bottles . . . before buying, ask for Janet's help . . . she runs the wine department and is FABULOUS.
Oh, and if you're going to stock up on wine, don't overlook the cheese department, another strength of this store. Pricey? Yeah, a bit. But you'll find things here that you won't find elsewhere. -
Review from Dan P.
Springfield, VA
2/20/2011
Because it's not Whole Foods. Because their employees are hella nice and way too happy. Because yes it's that overpriced but damn it you're getting what you're paying for here.
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Review from Viet D.
Alexandria, VA
1/14/2009
This is the only place that I know that can cut my Proscuitto just the way I like it, thin but not ripping in parts see through thin. Other than that, Balducci's is over priced. This one in Alexandria doesn't seem busy so I would be leary of how fresh the prepared food is. Do like me, grab half a pound of proscuitto, a block of cheese from their vast assortment (I have found Trader Joe's sometimes has the same cheese at a much better price), and some crackers and bee line it to the cashier. If you start snooping around, you might end up spending $100 on one paper bag full of groceries. I made that mistake before, I will never do it again.
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Review from Hope A.
Alexandria, VA
9/10/2010
This review is just for the cheese counter -- I had a very bad experience there. While I was looking over there selection, a gentleman returned a piece of Gruyere because it was too old and ammoniated, and while they were able to get him a fresher piece from a more recent shipment, it was clear that the piece he bought should never have been sold. I bought a small piece of a soft cheese, and was so excited to eat my picnic lunch, and I find out that my cheese is also too old - it smelled like ammonia and was very bitter.
I did not find the staff at their cheese counter to be knowledgeable or helpful, which I really resent when I am spending $19/pound on a product. Whole Foods and Cheesetique are both much better options. -
Review from Melanie W.
Alexandria, VA
12/16/2007
I love this grocery store. I don't know if I'm supposed to call it a grocery store though - probably gourmet market is more appropriate. Ok be prepared for prices to be really high, but if you can deal with that then the selection of food here is excellent. The fish, the meat, the produce, the wines, the yogurt (I really like good yogurt and they have a lot of options), the cheese, the candy. The only thing you don't want to go here for is staples like detergent or cleaning supplies or something. They have only a very slim selection or none at all of items like that, because they are really focused on the food.
Ok so it's a nice grocery store you're thinking- who cares? There are a zillion good grocery stores in DC. It's just another shmancy chain store. What makes this place special is the service. If you need something and they don't have it, they will scour the country and tap all of their suppliers to get it for you. They did that for me once to find fresh wild blueberries for a recipe. If you are looking for just the right cheese they are eager to help you find it even if it means trying every cheese they have.
As an example, I was looking confused in front of all of these chocolate bars one day and a woman came over and asked if I needed help. I explained that I love very dark chocolate but I wanted one that melts really well in your mouth, which is tricky because many very dark chocolates are sort of dry in that way. She listens and then considers the selection and picks up a bar and opens it right up and says, "try this one" - I said, "oh you didn't have to do that! " I felt so bad because a whole bar would go to waste by opening it like that if I didn't like it. She reassured me that it was no problem and the priority was to find exactly what I wanted so I didn't pay for something I wouldn't love. I tried 3 before finding exactly what I was looking for. Now I know exactly which one to get when I go and I didn't have to mess around with buying a bunch that I wouldn't have liked - that is so helpful and rare.
One more example -they had a pinot noir on special a year ago that I fell in love with and then they ran out and it was no longer available. I was so sad. I've tried to find one I like as much but I really wanted that one again and like a moron never wrote down the name. The man in charge of wine displays spent several minutes with me to try and remember the winery that produces this specific wine they carried a year ago and haven't carried since. It was a long shot but I thought that if any store could pull a rabbit like that out of their hat, these guys could - and after awhile talking about where specifically in the display it was sold he did! They are so great. It's so luxurious these days to get really good customer service and this Balducci's nails it.Listed in: Best of Old Town
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Review from Jill H.
Alexandria, VA
1/29/2010
I do like Balducci's! It's different from Whole Foods in that it offers more high-end food items. For example, they sell more exotic produce & offer Nehaus chocolates. Anyway, I'm writing this review for the cupcakes. I was recently in the area and got the red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting. It was quite good and wasn't too expensive.
Listed in: Top a da cupcake to ya!
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Review from Marty S.
Washington, DC
4/19/2010
Oh Balduccis, how I want to love you...yet you toy with me. Overpriced items, small selection of basics, and the $90 special order rib eye roast last Christmas was adequate but not worthy of your lofty name...if only I could love you for your wine selection but I do better at Total Wine in Springfield.
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Review from E N.
Chicago, IL
7/20/2011
Friendly staff. Basic things here are way overpriced (even the things that you can find at other stores). With that said, they do have a good cheese and wine selection, some of which is reasonably priced. Don't go out of your way to come here, but if you live in the area, it's a good alternative to a convenience store. I have not tried their food bar.
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Review from nate s.
Panama City, FL
4/14/2009
For what you get and for what you pay, there's no way that this place is worth it, especially when there isn't that much to choose from and there are larger options around town that offer comparable quality with cheaper prices. That being said, they do have a great selection of cheeses and they have fresh meat and seafood available. I think their main purpose is to have a not wholly, but largely organic shop where people in Old Town can come and support their haughty needs. The store is connected with Farrah Olivia so you can plop right into the restaurant after shopping if you thought ahead and brought an ice chest with you.
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Review from Blanca W.
Alexandria, VA
11/5/2009
A qualified 4 Stars. When they switched from Sutton Place to Balduccis a few years ago things definitely went down hill - merchandise got dumbed-down, selection suffered, and new staff (especially in the deli) not properly trained (ex didn't know how to cut and package meats like brasceola and prosciutto). Some problems persist: Items at the Soup Bar are consistently mislabeled (yesterday, a vat of "Chicken Noodle" soup without a single noodle, and a vat of "Broccoli Parmesean" without broccoli - looked like Gumbo); Deli counter service is SLOW. But - it's the only place to get hangar steak, the selection of butter is good, and when you finally get your deli order, the cold cuts are the best around. Also good deals in the wine department.
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Review from Kevin v.
Philadelphia, PA
3/1/2010
Great food! Great wine selection. But expensive.
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Review from Katherine M.
Alexandria, VA
5/11/2010
Why do I live a block from you??!!! I love your salmon and your friendly staff. I think I would go daily if I could afford it.
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Review from Regina H.
Alexandria, VA
Updated - 4/29/2009
Just saw an update that Balducci's has "extended" Farrah Olivia's lease for a month. What kind of answer is that?
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/24/2009
The new owners of Balducci's have decided to not renew the lease of Morou's Farrah Olivia. Not a… Read more »
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Review from Neil M.
Alexandria, VA
5/19/2011
Terrible. How can any store justify these prices? Go to Trader Joe's and get much better service, quality, and price.
