Would you travel for a grocery store? I would. One of my favorite parts of travel, domestic or international, is exploring local grocery stores. Some of the best souvenirs come from the condiments aisle, whether I’m bringing home fancy pistachio paste from Italy or jars of chowchow from Tennessee.
Grocery stores hold a special place in Southerners’ hearts. The Pig (or Piggly Wiggly), Publix, and H-E-B, all have cult followings in the region, but there are other equally as beloved but smaller stores across the South that could be deemed just as legendary. We’ve collected some of those local gems here, from the Florida coast to small-town Mississippi, that are more than worth visiting next time you’re in town.
Your DeKalb Farmers Market – Decatur, Georgia
Opened in 1977 by Robert Blazer, Your DeKalb Farmers Market is a favorite among Georgia chefs and families alike. The expansive produce section is stocked with basics like carrots and potatoes, but also fresh galangal root, culantro, and rambutan. There’s even fresh sugar cane, which is processed in-store into juice.
Folks are drawn to the market specifically for items, especially international ingredients, they can’t find anywhere else. Leave room in your suitcase or car trunk, you’ll be tempted to load up on bulk spices, global snacks, and sweets from the bakery after visiting.
Phoenicia Specialty Foods – Houston, Texas
This gourmet international food market has been a staple in Houston for more than four decades. It was started by an Armenian couple, Arpi and Zohrab Tcholakian, and while it certainly specializes in Middle Eastern foods, like an extensive olive bar and a shawarma counter, it also carries more than 20,000 products from over 50 countries…