Straub’s

The prices in this place make Whole Foods look like a discount grocery shopping destination. This particular location is one of their smaller stores but nicely laid out and staffed by incredibly friendly people. We bought a couple of items from their cold case… mashed potatoes and sour cream potato salad. They also had a smoked gouda potato salad which I liked but unfortunately kid 2 rejected. Both items we bought were in the $ 6/​pound range so not horribly expensive. The potato salad went over better at home and may be worthy of the occasional detour to procure more.
We also picked up something that looked like stickless cake pops. At about a buck a bite we will be leaving them alone next time around because they just weren’t that good. Mere pennies more for the ones from Starbucks AND you get to enjoy a healthy dose of attitude from the coffee-​infused twenty-​something whose parents most certainly had higher aspirations for their offspring’s career path. The Starbucks version also tastes a lot better and are about 50% larger.
Side note: I spied a tray of fillet mignon priced at about $ 40/​pound. I consider myself a pretty good backyard griller but cannot envision the day when I will ever trust myself with a $ 40/​pound protein of any sort. I’m sure they’re spectacular but I left them alone…

Straubs’ meat market is without peer. Their beef tenderloin is the best I have ever had, even versus expensive restaurants. My in-​laws from Iowa — tand they know their beef — think it is thr best they ever had. Prime cut, dry aged. Not cheap, but a real value for the quality. And their butchers are extraordinarily helpful. The cheese selection is very good and the deli and prepared meals are great. They have an etensive wine selection, and as mentioned elsewhere, the employees are very helpful. We live in far west county and only wish there was a store closer, but it is well worth driving the extra distance to go there.

Oh, how I wish I could afford to go to Straub’s all the time. I mean, I COULD, but then I’d be broke, so I really don’t actually wish that all.
This small grocery is very nice for certain items — they have outstanding meats & the most amazing chicken salad EVER. Keep an eye out for their meat sale & you can get 10 American Kobe burgers for $ 40, a really great deal. Sure, it’s not Japanese Kobe, but they’re damn good anyway.
That said, the selection at Straub’s is a little limited due to the size of their stores (I wasn’t overwhelmed by their bread selection) & their prices are pretty high, but I don’t think anyone who regularly shops here really cares about price.

Straubs chicken spedini is out of this world good, as are all of their ready to cook and premade products. The prices are a little high but you absolutely get what you pay for in service, quality, and awesome unique selections.

Wow. The service here is simply outstanding! I came here for the first time last week to buy a bagel and cream cheese for lunch and when I was checking out, the lady asked if I had everything I need («Do you need a knife for that?»). I was so shell-​shocked I responded with a blank stare for a few seconds. Then, the recovery: «Yes, I grabbed a spoon from the soup section that’ll work but thank you for asking!»
I love that they have so many free samples here. I had a heyday with the cheese. Yum! I came back a few days later and they had samples of the wraps they were selling in the deli. I ended buying a Greek gyro wrap for $ 4.50 (not bad at all for the size and quality) that was superb. It had roast beef, peppers, onions, sauce, and spinach. I’ll be coming back for that one! I’d love to try the turkey wrap next time around. They also had some amazing looking tomatoes Florentine.

«…since 1901»
this small, neighborhood-​oriented grocery is a breath of fresh air among the giants.
newly re-​decorated, the one at clayton & mason road is where i go. the new deli section is awesome! beats trader joe’s for food on the go though may be a bit pricier. and their home-​made soup counter has good selections year-​round
you can spend a lot or less, here. Ordinary items won’t break your bank — but the cool stuff they have to tempt your taste-​buds will cost you more.
well — isn’t that what quality is about? «…you gets what you pays for???»
great stop for i-don’t-want-to-cook-tonight chefs…
i like their marinated veggies — things like tomatoes, herbs, & mozzerella balls — YUUUM! i just bought meatloaf, garlic mashed potatoes, fresh lemon-​peppered asparagus — all ready to warm up for dinner in a hurry.
very friendly people work here — they’ll go out of their way to help you find just what you’re looking for!
you can also find a straub’s in the central west end, webster groves, & clayton.