Donelan’s Super Mkt

The people that work here are absolute idiots it’s the only supermarket I’ve ever been in that makes you choose credit card and then you have to sign when using Apple Pay.

Great place to shop as the selections are top of the line as well is the atmosphere and pricing. I usually only stop by for the Boarshead meats and occasionally a bottle of wine. Great parking and easy to get to from rt 495

August 2015 update: I ran into Donelans this past Sunday for a few small items like milk, bread, facial moisturizer… since i was driving by. One of the items i chose was clearly marked as Olay moisturizer on the shelves; when i got home and looked closer, it was labelled as Top Care but priced the same as a similar Olay product I had just recently purchased at Donelans. Figured i’d try it since i had it; bottom line, vaseline is better and cheaper and smells better, too.. I continue to wish Donelans would revert to their ‘old’ business model and value.
For over 15 years, Donelans has been our ‘go to’ grocery store despite painfully listening to ear jolting harp music and breathing in the aromas of dried out ‘to go’ food and yucky sushi. Over the past few months, Donelans has shifted decidedly down market and what were once broad, brightly lit aisles of all sorts of items like lotions, toothpaste, pet food, etc… are now dark, unsmoothly paved, rows of dingy and very limited offerings. For example, over the past month, there has been just one brand of cat litter available. Our family used to spend at least $ 700/​week at Donelans. We are now shopping at Roche Bros. in Acton which is further away. We will going forward, opt to drive further for a better experience.
Plus, Pet Thingz used to be situated next door and we shop there regularly for pet supplies and camping needs. Now that an appliance store is next door, and PetThingz has moved to Westford near Market Basket and the soon to arrive Whole Foods, there is even less need to visit Donelans.
I like to support locally owned businesses, and Roche Bros. is also local and ‘gets it’.

I was in the area visiting my boyfriend’s family for Mother’s Day. We went down to Donelan’s on the way to Kimball’s Farm to pick up some wine for dinner. My boyfriend’s mother LOVES jammy Zinfandel wines, and I was hoping to pick up a specific bottle for her. I was so excited when I saw that they carried it at Donelan’s (despite the fact that it was overpriced) that I rushed to the cashier with my prize. My boyfriend was in the middle of purchasing another bottle, when I noticed a sign that said the store only accepts Mass driver’s licenses. When I asked the cashier if an out of state ID would be acceptable, she said it would be fine and she just needed to get the manager to check it out.
I handed the manager both my driver’s license and my UMass school ID, which is generally accepted in Massachusetts. The manager barely glanced at my driver’s license (didn’t even look at my school ID or my face), rudely stated that my ID was unacceptable, refused to let my boyfriend purchase the bottle for me, and brusquely directed us to a liquor store down the street, which SURPRISE, did not carry the bottle I was looking for.
I realize that my ID is exotic (I’m a Hawaii girl going to Mass for school), and have dealt with other managers verifying — and occasionally rejecting — my IDs (once I had to give three forms of backup school IDs and credit cards). Always, though, the managers have been apologetic, kind, and keen on customer service. At Donelan’s, however, I was treated as if I were a 20-​year-​old hooligan trying to purchase a handle of tequila on a Saturday night.

While it is true that some things here may be priced higher than other super markets, it is always a pleasant experience to shop here and the staff is friendly. I am a big fan of their chicken wing bar at $ 6.99/lb — they are delicious and great for game days!

Stopped there in a pinch a couple of times recently and am upgrading my rating to 3 stars. It seems like they have been trying to feature their sale items more prominently lately which I appreciate. Also they now have beer and wine which is pretty handy if you are trying to avoid multiple stops. I don’t get the live harp player but my kids are mesmerized by her and I love looking at their expressions when they are watching.

I love this little market. I know that the prices are high but the food is fresh and when the harp player is there, I feel like I am floating on air. Love it!!!

Given the limited lunch options in the area, the meal center at Donelan’s was a pleasant surprise. I’ve been back several times because I know I can get something good and relatively quick.
My favorite go-to’s are the salad bar and the sandwiches. The salad bar has a great selection that varies daily — plenty of veggies, meat, toppings, and dressings. They have a nice variety of sandwiches (made while you wait) that I’m slowly working through. Guys are nice behind the counter, too. I haven’t tried the hot foods yet, but some of the stuff looks really appetizing!
The sushi is good in a pinch, but (call me a snob) I haven’t met any «supermarket sushi» that I’ve really enjoyed. They do a good job, but I’ll stick with sourcing my rolls from elsewhere.
Clean store, looks like they have a great grocery selection as well.
And at what other supermarket can you see a live harpist?

Wow. What a great place for food. I recently discovered this place while looking for some cold bottled water and now make it my weekly stop for lunch.
They have a prepared food section that is fantastic. You can purchase five different types of wings, pulled pork, rolled sandwiches, hot sandwiches, steak tips to meatloaf dinners. They also have a great salad bar which is constantly stocked with fresh ingredients all day. You walk in and the place is very clean and friendly. The store often have a women playing a harp during the lunch hours which to be honest is very relaxing. They are a little pricey so you can’t make it a daily stop but a couple of times a week is a nice treat.