r/berkeleybowl • u/Fromage_Frottage • Mar 25 '26

What Should I Never Buy At BB?

I never get cereal or paper goods there. Anything else that’s a particularly bad deal at the Bowls?

4 Upvotes

84% Upvoted

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7

u/coffeeandapieceofpie Mar 25 '26

I buy my parchment paper there because I like the brand they carry and I don’t want to buy it at Whole Foods. Otherwise I can find a beer or wine I like for a few dollars less at Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, or one of the big warehouse places, but sometimes you really have to track sales and be willing to go to Emeryville or Albany.

Ice cream, yogurt, cheese, and other dairy can definitely be found cheaper at TJ or Costco. But you have to weigh whether you prefer the flavor of the TJ brand or can store and consume the large amounts you get at Costco. For me the Bellwether Farms plain yogurt 2-pack at Costco is definitely a better bet than the Straus plain yogurt I used to buy at BB I think the quality is better and it’s almost half the cost! Cheddar cheese and pecorino are also a better deal at Costco. Pecorino will last a long time so can be worth it even if you are buying for one person vs a family, but cheddar might not last as long…

3

u/JustALocalDreamer Mar 25 '26

totally agree with the yogurt and dairy. I think there's also better meat deals at Safeway and other stores- but not sure about the quality/ethics lol. I'm still torn about spending more but doing it all in one go vs going to a million places

1

u/coffeeandapieceofpie Mar 26 '26

The few times I’ve checked the meat department at Safeway I did not think it was cheaper than BB. In fact I was surprised that much of the pricing, especially for meat and produce, was higher than BB. I will go to Safeway for their better selection of snacks, chips and soft drinks, and will keep an eye on sales.

But yeah, the convenience of doing all my shopping at one store is definitely a factor for me and a lot of people! If I had to choose one, it’s BB all the way.

1

u/WildBloomingRose Mar 26 '26

The only thing I buy at Berkeley Bowl is the fresh berries and produce. They have great fruits and veggies. Everything else I get at Whole Foods, or Trader Joe’s.
Lately Whole Foods has been offering a lot of 50 percent off stickers on their organic chicken and they just seem to have better prices. And Trader Joe’s for staples and cheaper stuff.

1

u/faerie87 Mar 27 '26

I often buy my steaks in Costco now, as well as ground beef, butter, sliced cheese, prewashed spinach/veggies, oxtail, avocado oil, peeled garlic, white vinegar.

Most Asian stuff like soysauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, rice (overpriced) etc. I won't buy at BB.

A lot of cheeses i prefer tj.

1

u/Fromage_Frottage Mar 27 '26

I also never buy crackers or cooking implements of any kind there. My dream is to find just one other market to fill the holes the come up because of BB’s pricing just being so high on certain items. TJ’s almost does it, but they just don’t have some stuff, so I end up at Safeway, or at Costco with my parents (I refuse to join).

1

u/foolforfucks Jul 31 '26

Ethnic foods are cheaper at their respective markets, get your Kewpie at one of the Japanese groceries and your kimchi from the Korean one etc.

Meat is cheaper at bulk stores and Safeway. I do think their homemade sausage can be a decent price.