Anyone familiar with Star Market?

[Rural]

I'm traveling this summer on business and will be staying at a hotel with a Star Market next door. I gather that's a grocery store from the website, which, if true, is exciting for travel food purposes. Is anyone familiar with the chain? Are they full grocery stores? Any tips?

[windypig]

Here in the Boston area Star Market is a full fledge grocery store. Given the generic nature of the name the one you are staying near may be something different.

[Rural]

Sorry about that. I'm staying in Cambridge near MIT, so probably the Star Market you're talking about is the one I mean. I only saw passing references in reviews of the hotel, but the name was definitely Star Market and it's the Boston area.

[ruthiegirl]

Oh, but you'll be in Boston, so call it Stah Mahket or people will look at you funny. 

[Rural]

Oh, but you'll be in Boston, so call it Stah Mahket or people will look at you funny.

Heh. I've lived in the Deep South all my life. One little Stah isn't going to help. :-)

[Rural]

I've lived in and around Boston my entire life. You'll be better off going to Market Basket in Somerville. Much cheaper and higher produce quality. However, I agree that even if you do go to Star Market you'll be better off than going to a restaurant.

I'll be on foot with very limited time, so I'm just glad there's a grocery there. What's wrong with Star Market? Prices?

[dude]

Market Basket in Somerville is very popular, but if you're into organics, you won't find much.  Star Market/Shaw's (same co.) has been tilting more toward specialty foods/organics, especially in Cambridge.  I live close to the one in Porter Square.  There are also several Trader Joe's in the Greater Boston area, including at least two that I know of in Cambridge.

[Mrs. Frugalwoods]

I've lived in and around Boston my entire life. You'll be better off going to Market Basket in Somerville. Much cheaper and higher produce quality. However, I agree that even if you do go to Star Market you'll be better off than going to a restaurant.

I'll be on foot with very limited time, so I'm just glad there's a grocery there. What's wrong with Star Market? Prices?

I live in Cambridge near MIT, so I'm excited for you! It's a fun area with lots of free stuff to do. I don't shop Star Market because it's on the pricey side, but, it's certainly better than a restaurant. However, if you walk down Massachusetts Avenue towards Central Square, you can go to my favorite spot for cheap produce: the Korean H Mart.

[windypig]

Considering this has turned into a cambridge / somerville food shopping thread I thought I would share there is an indian grocer on Mass Ave in North Cambridge Called "foodland" good and cheap produce.

[cambridgecyclist]

I also live near Porter Square. Shaw's is more expensive than Whole Foods. Whole Foods is higher quality. Otherwise, Market Basket is great for staple foods, although the seafood, except lobsters, is of very poor quality.

There are loads of farmer's markets weekly within walking distance of just about any place in Metro Boston. A full list is available here:

http://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/FMFM_Main.aspx

[ivyhedge]

We live in Northpoint.


There is a Shaw's 2-3 blocks north of the Lechmere metro station. Its prices are low, and the store is more modern and cleaner than the Somerville Market Basket. The former is a 20 minute walk from Kendall.


There is also a Whole Foods across the Gilmore Bridge at the Community College orange line metro stop. It was shoehorned into a reclaimed building, but isn't bad, though considerably pricier than Shaws (like an Harris Teeter, if your area of the south has those). Add 10 minutes to cross the bridge.


On Friday/Saturday, your best bet for fresh fruits and veggies (among other things) will be the farmer's market near the Haymarket metro stop. Walk to Lechmere and metro to Haymarket.


We eagerly awaited the new H Mart, but its selection and quality are "meh", and its prices are "downtown".

[galliver]

Sorry about that. I'm staying in Cambridge near MIT, so probably the Star Market you're talking about is the one I mean. I only saw passing references in reviews of the hotel, but the name was definitely Star Market and it's the Boston area.

Is that one right off the 300 block of Massachussets Ave? My sister lives in the MIT dorm literally 2 mins from there (she timed it) and shops there for staples all the time. Particularly, I guess, for midnight ice cream. ;) Went there when I visited her. It's a full-fledged supermarket, if on the smaller side (so, smallish selection). Apparently produce is better/preferred (probably not cheaper) at Whole Foods half a mile walk away on Prospect St, but Shaws/Star does in a pinch. So, if you have time for a 20 min walk and picky about your fruit and veg then that's an option.

[Rural]

Sorry about that. I'm staying in Cambridge near MIT, so probably the Star Market you're talking about is the one I mean. I only saw passing references in reviews of the hotel, but the name was definitely Star Market and it's the Boston area.

Is that one right off the 300 block of Massachussets Ave? My sister lives in the MIT dorm literally 2 mins from there (she timed it) and shops there for staples all the time. Particularly, I guess, for midnight ice cream. ;) Went there when I visited her. It's a full-fledged supermarket, if on the smaller side (so, smallish selection). Apparently produce is better/preferred (probably not cheaper) at Whole Foods half a mile walk away on Prospect St, but Shaws/Star does in a pinch. So, if you have time for a 20 min walk and picky about your fruit and veg then that's an option.

Probably; it's right off Massachusetts, but I don't know which block. It's right on the edge of campus for sure, based on my wonderful Google map. I'm not likely to have the time to walk 20 mins based on the schedule I've seen, actually, but the event itself is going to be intense techy nerdy coolness for six days, so hopefully it will be worth the grind that it will be. I am usually picky with vegetables, but given that I won't have a refrigerator or microwave anyway, I can definitely make do.


Glad to hear it's full fledged. I can feed myself in that case, the meals that aren't part of the event, and I don't have to worry about packing any food. I don't do checked luggage with airplanes, too big of a hassle these days. So everything I don't have to pack is a plus. Midnight ice cream is a plus, too!

[CommonCents]

I also live near Porter Square. Shaw's is more expensive than Whole Foods. Whole Foods is higher quality. Otherwise, Market Basket is great for staple foods, although the seafood, except lobsters, is of very poor quality.

Wait, whaaaat?

There's a reason Whole Foods is known as "Whole Paycheck."  I would never say it's cheaper than Shaw's/Star Market and don't know anyone else that would agree with you either.  (Yes, Whole Foods is higher quality.)

[cambridgecyclist]

I also live near Porter Square. Shaw's is more expensive than Whole Foods. Whole Foods is higher quality. Otherwise, Market Basket is great for staple foods, although the seafood, except lobsters, is of very poor quality.

Wait, whaaaat?

There's a reason Whole Foods is known as "Whole Paycheck."  I would never say it's cheaper than Shaw's/Star Market and don't know anyone else that would agree with you either.  (Yes, Whole Foods is higher quality.)

Let me qualify that statement. It depends on what you buy. Produce and fruits are comparable or cheaper and of higher quality. Proteins are more expensive at Whole Foods. A random basket of goods will likely even out.

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/blogs/the_angle/2011/02/by_rob_anderson_5.html

To get the best deals, shop at many stores. Around the Cambridge area, I shop at these places:

Chicken -- Mayflower Poultry
Seafood -- Shaw's or New Deal (be careful of pricing)
Produce -- garden, farmer's markets, CSA or Whole Foods (in that order)
Spices -- Christina's Spice Shop
Lamb and beef -- McKinnon's meat market

Also on the list is Super 88 in Medford and Little India by the Market Basket, depending on what's on the grocery list.

[starbuck]

Also, to compete with the ever-popular and growing Market Basket, Shaw's/Star Market got rid of their discount card program and dropped a lot of their prices over this last year. (I don't shop at the Shaw's near me because their produce department is shit. Other locations have nicer produce, just not the one in my town.) You should also be able to find their sales flier online ahead of time, if that helps with your planning.

You can also call the hotel and ask if a fridge can be placed in your room. (I do this all the time when I travel for work.) I think some hotels charge for it though, so be careful.

[Rural]

Also, to compete with the ever-popular and growing Market Basket, Shaw's/Star Market got rid of their discount card program and dropped a lot of their prices over this last year. (I don't shop at the Shaw's near me because their produce department is shit. Other locations have nicer produce, just not the one in my town.) You should also be able to find their sales flier online ahead of time, if that helps with your planning.

You can also call the hotel and ask if a fridge can be placed in your room. (I do this all the time when I travel for work.) I think some hotels charge for it though, so be careful.

Yes, this one does charge, but I can manage without, maybe with some milk in the ice bucket. I can do a lot with oatmeal, raisins, bread and peanut butter, and apples and bananas keep without refrigeration. Couscous cooks in a coffee maker, too, as do frozen veggies, given time. I'll probably pack some TVP and tea bags, but no other food.