The 6 Store-Brand Items I Always Buy at Wegmans

There are two types of grocery shoppers: those who already love Wegmans, and those who will. With its roots in Rochester, NY, Wegmans now boasts locations throughout a good deal of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, much to the delight of shoppers who value excellent quality foods at a good price. Yes, that goes for Wegmans store-brand items, too.

Somewhere along the way, "store-brand" became associated with a lesser product. At Wegmans, this couldn't be farther from the truth. I'm a pretty picky shopper, and I never leave the store without a stash of their store-brand goods. Here are a few Wegmans store-brand items you'll always find in my cart.

Wegmans In-Store Baked Bagels

I'm not a snob, but I take my bagels seriously. I like a sturdy crust that toasts just right, and a chewy center that stands up to a generous smear of cream cheese. Wegmans In-Store Baked Bagels pass both of these tests with ease. Plus, they come in a seemingly endless variety. At my house, we routinely get a dozen or more to stash in the freezer.

Wegmans Sparkling Water 12-Pack Cans

It might seem tough to get excited about sparkling water, but my family goes through a lot of it. After spending a small fortune on the name-brand stuff, my wife and I made the switch to Wegmans Sparkling Water—and we never looked back. I grab a can of the plain sparkling water to cool off after a run, or as a caffeine-free pick-me-up during the workday. The dragon fruit berry, passionfruit, watermelon, grapefruit, lime, and mandarin orange flavors make great mocktails and cocktails, too.

Wegmans Organic Lemon & Garlic Marinade

Wegmans Organic Lemon & Garlic Marinade is my go-to pairing for any chicken I put on the grill, especially in the summer. It's also great on fish and pork. This citrusy, garlicky dressing is so goo, my out-of-town relatives used to demand that I bring some with me when I went to visit—that is, until they got their own Wegmans. Want to make things even easier? Wegmans also sells ready-to-cook lemon garlic marinated chicken thighs and chicken breast in sealed airtight packages that are easy to stash in the fridge or freezer.

Wegmans Organic Toasted Sesame Chopped Salad Kit

Clearly, convenience plays a big role in my shopping decisions. I love cooking and preparing my own meals, but the Wegmans Organic Toasted Sesame Chopped Salad Kit is hard to beat on a weeknight. It's loaded with fresh Napa cabbage, shredded carrot, broccoli, cilantro, and green onions. Crisped quinoa, sunflower seeds, and tangy sesame vinaigrette seal the deal. This salad kit is a crowd-pleaser, and it's ready to eat in 30 seconds.

Wegmans Organic Bagged Pink Lady Apples, Family Pack

Upstate New York is apple country, so we have definite preferences—and a whole lot of options—around here. For days when I don't feel like walking the rows at the local orchard, I pick up Wegmans Organic Bagged Pink Lady Apples in the Family Pack size. The first thing you'll notice is that these apples are a beautiful pink-yellow color. They're also exceptionally crisp, with sweetness and tartness in perfect balance.

Wegmans Ultimate Chocolate Cake

Okay, I don't always buy Wegmans Ultimate Chocolate Cake, but I would if my waistline could handle it. Definitely take note of the "ultimate" designation here: this cake is intensely rich and chocolatey. It's also exceptionally moist, which is a virtue not often found in store-brand cakes. In other words, just add candles. Or don't. And when your friends ask for the recipe, give them directions to Wegmans.