2 Of The USA 10 Best Grocery Stores Are In The Southern Tier (and NEPA)

Everyone has their favorite grocery store. I actually visit several different stores depending on what I need, how much I need and my current location. Does that make sense?

For example, if I'm at camp in Pennsylvania, I obviously shop at the nearest grocery store, which in this case, I have three to choose from in the Towanda area, Tops, Aldi and Hurley's Super Market.

At home, it depends on how much effort I want to put into it. If it's just a few items, I may go to a grocery store that I can to, and get in and out of quickly. Fortunately, I have a lot of choices in the Greater Binghamton area.

And we have some very popular grocery stores in our area, not just locally, but in the opinion of others around the country. USA Today recently conducted a poll from readers along with USA Today editors, listing the top ten most popular grocery stores in the country as part of the USA Today's 10 Best.

There were a few I have never heard of, including Gelson's Markets, located in Southern California coming in at #6, and Heinen's Grocery Store, found throughout Ohio and Illinois. Coming in at #3 is Stew Leonards, which has stores in Connecticut and New Jersey.

But there are two on the top 10 list that you will find here in the Southern Tier of New York and Northeast Pennsylvania. At #4 is Aldi. Aldi is growing fast. The Greater Binghamton area has three, and just last spring, a new Aldi's opened up in Wysox, Pennsylvania (Towanda.)

And at #10, it's Wegmans. I'm surprised that Wegman's didn't land higher on the list, but that's why reader's polls can be subjective, I suppose. You'll find Wegman's ranking very high on most lists of grocery store chains, customer service and other categories.

What supermarket chains came in at #1 and #2 according to the USA Today Ten Best readers poll?  Hy-Vee is #2, This chain can be found in several states throughout the Midwest.

At #1, it's The Fresh Market, which USA Today notes focuses on fresh produce and private label items. The Fresh Market stores are located in 22 states including New York and Pennsylvania. The closest stores can be found in the Albany area.