Food shopping guide to Metro Boston area

Last updated June 26, 2015

"Guide" is a strong word for this listing, but it's where I like to shop. Since I was in the process of updating the list of stores I attach to all my class handouts, I thought I'll post it here for all my Metro Boston readers.

All-purpose

Russo's - most of my shopping happens here except for fish and meat. They carry the best quality and variety of produce (besides farmers' markets), dairy, eggs, cheese, deli (the best prosciutto prices in Boston), Iggy's bread, and many great Asian products. I was never impressed with the quality of their meats, but poultry variety and quality is excellent.
560 Pleasant Street / Watertown MA 02472 / 617-923-1500

Whole Foods – great for one stop shopping including fish and meat, but way more expensive than Russo's.

Stop and Shop, Roche Bros, or Shaw's - that's where I buy Diamond Crystal Kosher salt that I use for everything from cooking to baking. For some reason, Whole Foods doesn't carry it.

Costco - my shopping list here usually includes King Arthur flour, Cabot Cheddar, Buffalo Mozzarella, campari tomatoes, onions, haricot verts, fish, prime steaks, and boneless short ribs. Quality is consistently high, prices are exceptionally low, but the packages are very large, and you'll need to pay for a membership.

Fish

New Deal Fish Market – the best fish selection and quality in Boston, particularly for whole fish. They carry sushi grade salmon, tuna, branzino, hamachi, fluke, etc. Carl Fantasia (the owner) is a walking encyclopedia of fish and a fabulous cook always willing to share his knowledge and recipes. The fact that this little gem survived the Whole Foods invasion and consumers' drive to have everything fast and cheap is a joy and a miracle. Just be patient. Every customer has her turn, and as Miracle Max said in Princess Bride, "You can't rush a miracle, sonny."
622 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA, 617-876-8227

Captain Marden's – this is where the restaurants get their fish, so the quality is consistently high. The retail store only has fillets, but they can get you whole fish and all kinds of interesting species if you call a few days in advance.
279 Linden St, Wellesley, MA 02482, (781) 235-0860

Costco - very good quality (often comparable to high end fish markets) for much lower prices. Unlike other Costco products, fish packages are reasonably sized (1-3 Lb). Selection is very limited.

A more extensive fish market list

Meat

Costco - unbeatable for prime rib-eye and NY strip steaks. The quality is as high as it gets in Boston and the prices are unbelievably reasonable.

Whole Foods – sometimes local, sometimes prime, sometimes dry-aged, always expensive.  I do like their pork products (rib chops and boston butt) -- good quality and reasonably priced compared to other meats.

Savenor's - They carry it all: rabbit, foie gras, goat, interesting cuts of beef, several types of duck. The tastiest chickens you can buy in Boston (Giannone). Prices are generally high.
92 Kirkland Street / Cambridge, MA 02138 / 617-576-6328
160 Charles Street / Boston, MA 02114 / 617.723.6328

Bread

Iggy's – excellent breads (particularly if you like sourdough).  Not the best baguette in the city, but cranberry nut loaves, Francese, multi-grain, country sourdough, and brioche burger buns are outstanding.  You can get some of their breads at Whole Foods and Russo's.
130 Fawcett St, Cambridge, MA 02138, (617) 491-7600

Clear Flour – excellent breads, croissants, and brioche. We rarely make it to Brookline, but often buy their baquette (the best in Boston) and focaccia at Whole Foods, John Dewar's, Formaggio's, and Fresh Pond Market.
178 Thorndike St, Brookline, MA 02446, (617) 739-0060

Japanese Ingredients

H-Mart – huge and not particularly easy to navigate, but offers a good selection of Japanese products

Has locations in Burlington and Cambridge

Farmers' Markets

In the summer, I buy as much of my produce as possible in the farmers' markets.  Here is how to find one near you.