stew leonard's east meadow

My first trip to Stew ever and I was not thrilled. Stimulation overload with the loud music and dancing puppets.

I didnt know what I was thinking because I couldn't hear my own thoughts

I dont think I would go back, it seems pretty $$ for many items

I went in looking for soup, $4.00 for a small, and I bought some hot food... cost almost $12.00

To top it off, I wanted some oyster crackers for my soup, you have to buy them


Im prob in the minority

Message edited 9/6/2017 5:00:20 PM.

Re: stew leonard's east meadow

You have to only buy things that are on sale (meats, seafood) otherwise everything else is $$

And of course some of their baked goods are heavenly and I don't care what they cost lol

stew leonard's east meadow

Totally not worth it IMO. I went once and never again!

Re: stew leonard's east meadow

stew leonard's east meadow

I also didnt like being forced to walk in a Maze, and I noticed they offer very few "grocery" items, more prepared foods

Re: stew leonard's east meadow

I went to the one in Farmingdale (guessing it is the same as EM) and I loved it. I agree I could do without the noise and puppets, but the food seemed like less $. Especially the produce, which was fresh. The produce and meat were the best I've seen so far. My receipt was $30 less then it usually is when I go to King Kullen.

Stop & Shop meat has been gross since they got rid of their butchers. Shoprite meat is Gray every time I go there, wild by nature - 4x the meat was rotten when I got home. King Kullen has been the only consistent place for meat for me but its so expensive! I was shopping at all the stores for different reasons and it was becoming a pain in the ass.

A neighbor mentioned Stews and I gave it a try. Definitely a drive for me, but it was worth it because i wasn't going to 3 stores. I've gone twice and still love it.

Re: stew leonard's east meadow

Message edited 9/7/2017 2:57:34 PM.

stew leonard's east meadow

Love the Farmingdale location. We only get meat, fruits/veggies, bakery and dairy there though. Staples come from Stop and Shop/Costco.

Yes, it is more expensive but the quality is so much better. Fruits and veggies from Stop and Shop are rotten after 2 days and their meat is gross.

As for being stuck in a maze, there is a cut-thru to exit at every turn towards the registers. So I will skip sections or go direct to the section I need.

In the beginning there are lots of gawkers. It stops after a bit and you realize who is going to be looking at every little thing and go around them.

Re: stew leonard's east meadow

I do Stews for fresh items, and Shop Rite for grocery items.

Sale items are great, if it's not on sale, I won't buy it.
Love the seafood and butcher shops, the quality is consistent and great. Same with produce, it is fresher than what I can buy in a supermarket.
I try to sneak past the bakery, but apple cider donuts or the chocolate chip cookies usually wind up in my cart. Maybe a baguette too.
I do like their prepared soups and chili, DH and I will buy them once the weather gets colder. It's just the two of us, so a container is the perfect size for a meal.
I like Stew's jarred marinara sauce. It's pretty good and not a bad price either.
Naked eggs and milk are a weekly staple.

Yes the store is a maze, but once you get to know the layout, you can just zip through it or take the shortcuts to the front.
DH and I drive from Bayside to shop there on a weekly basis, not sure if I want to go to East Meadow yet. I've gotten to know so many of the Stew's employees at Farmingdale

stew leonard's east meadow

I go to the Farmingdale location all the time, and we tried the EM one last week- it is much closer to our house. It's impossible to do your weekly shop there- they don't have a lot normal grocery stuff. But we pretty much only get our meat & seafood at Stew's or Fairway. I also love Stews for fruits & veggies, cheese, eggs, milk, their prepared foods are delicious. Once a month or so I will buy the apple cider doughnuts...the boys love those for the occasional "treat" breakfast on the weekends.

Re: stew leonard's east meadow

I am the complete opposite- I have been to the new Stews in EM three times so far. Yes, the singing avocados, etc are loud and obnoxious but it makes the kids enjoy running errands with me.
I only get stuff that is on sale...their sales are fantastic! Meats, seafood, deli meats, produce etc. Definitely not a place I could do my weekly shopping in but great for certain things.

stew leonard's east meadow

bump