Western Market

As I continue on my expiration reviews of Western Supermarkets, I come across my least favorite of the bunch. While it has been a few years since I have come here, I am sure not much has changed. While the other locations are much bigger and have gone through upgrades, this one has stayed more like a convenience store than anything. Not much parking and no reason to do a full shopping trip at this location. I have mainly come here out of sheer convenience of living nearby or visiting friends who live nearby.

When I lived over this way, the redeeming quality was the draft beer to-go. But now that I am out of my college aged/single mindset, draft beer in a milk gallon has lost its appeal. I will not just too harshly because of my absence in coming here for a few years. But overall, it served its purpose and more when it comes to convenience. But as a full grocery, it always fell a little short. Averaging this review to an A-ok 3 star rating.

FINALLY... I found my beloved Perrier... I normally have these in stock at my house but it's grocery store shopping time and I ate like today was the 2nd Thanksgiving!!! Something struck me as odd, the flavor was Pink Grapefruit! While I've had this flavor before, the clerk made mention that she's never seen them carry that particular flavor before... who knows?!? I'm just glad I can finally go home, sip this and call it a night... My 1 hour journey for a Perrier is finally over!!! Thank GOD.

Side note: The Western has some high prices but the staff makes up for it... They're always pretty cool.

Small market. What drew me in was the name because I thought it would be a different kind of market but it's just a regular market however what was surprising is that they do have pretty much everything a larger market would have including a deli counter, sushi, rotisserie chickens, etc.

You could do all your shopping here and be in and out pretty quick. Staff were friendly which I always appreciate.

Even though we didn't buy any food, I actually did buy a hanging basic of Gerber daisies which I love and have never seen in a basket before. So I left happy!

Western is ..... Ehhh... Ok. On my most recent trip on a Friday night, I spent almost 15 minutes circling around trying to find a parking spot. I saw several accidents almost take place in the cramped lot!

You can find essentials here, but if you're looking for something specific (or a specific brand), it's hit or miss.

Also, they always have great sales on wine when you first walk in!

The place looks like its 2 stars, smells like its 3 stars, but feels like its a solid 4.

Ever wonder where all the high and drunk kids go when they have the munchies? Westerns... Its a pretty nice place, great selection for being so small, perfect for the munchies, but prices can be a little bit steep.

They also have a great selection of beer, but are next door to Highland package store. I'm not sure how they compare on beer prices, I will have to make a random survey.

I usually go to this store wearing scrubs at 1:00AM. The kids holding bags full of chips and ice cream alwas ask me for medical advice while waiting at the checkout. Its very difficult to teach them when their eyes are so unexplicably red. I must admit that these "future" UAB dropouts are quite polite and friendly.

The employees are actually super friendly as well. They make small talk, say hello, and they never rush me. I overpay for everything that I buy here, but where else can I go at 1:00 AM. Where can all the people that are stoned and drunk at 1:00 Am go?

Western Supermarkets: A feeling from the past, prices of the future.

For a small, local, 24 hr grocery store this place is pretty solid. We frequent this store very often out of convince since it is blocks from our apt. They have a decent selection of cheeses, fruits and veggies, and meats. They also have a full bar of ready to eat stuff (wings, potato salads, fried stuff) I wouldn't touch that stuff but hey, someone might right? They also have a decent beer section, if you don't want to walk next door.

The prices however are a little higher then a chain store but you pay for the easy access and the fact that it never closes.

The young ladies that work behind the reg are usually really friendly and are almost always listening to some sick tunes that make your shopping experience fun. 24 hr grocery shopping dance party? I'll take it!

This grocery store is really convenient since you don't have to leave the area, but it's a little bitty grocery store. So chances are if you need something that is not an everyday cooking item, you won't find it here.

The staff is really friendly, so that's a plus.

The sign as you enter the door says no soliciting, but they allow a guy in a wheelchair with a computerized voice to sit right at the exit door asking if you would like to buy his candy. I don't necessarily like to feel like a bad person every time I leave here since I never buy anything from him, and quite frankly, it is annoying they let him do this.

The super horrible thing about this strip mall is that the parking SUCKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

This conveniently located supermarket proffers a limited selection of somewhat overpriced items, but it's open 24 hours and the staff is chipper (at least my cashier was). You may have to fight for a parking spot during prime grocery shoppin' times.

This place is convenient, open 24 hours, and the staff have always been friendly. Decent selection of meat, spices, and cheese (there are good deals on select cuts of meat if you are there in the right place at the the right time). I've also tried the produce, and it's okay, if not a bit overpriced. The fruit tasted fresh and they carry local basil-- BUY IT (or don't, so I can buy the rest of their stock..it's only $2.99 for a bunch). Because of the way they sell it (with a bit of soil), you can even plant it in your home/apartment, as long as you have your own little pot and fertilizer.

That being said, there is room for improvement. For one, I wish they had a better selection of cooking/cleaning products as well as yogurt. The only options that stood out were Dannon, Chobani, Yoplait, and the generic brand. Props for carrying Shirataki noodles, though, and decent cheese and hummus (they sell the Taziki's hummus here).

I love supporting local businesses and love that they're a grocery option located in the downtown area but I just can't support this Western Supermarket location. The employees are unpleasant, they stock expired goods and moldy produce and the store smells like ammonia which is very troubling. I've been in the supermarket several times on different days at different times of the day and it's always the same story. I hate to say it but I would not recommend this location to any patron.