The Best Grocery Store You’ve Never Heard Of (But Need to Know)

Stew Leonard's isn't your typical grocery store. It's an entire experience. Want to know more? Join me as I navigate my first adventure to what has been dubbed the "Disneyland of Dairy Stores."

To celebrate the grocery chain's newest location being built just minutes from where I live, I thought I'd celebrate by embarking on my first Stew Leonard's adventure and bringing you all along for the ride.

What Is Stew Leonard's, Anyway?

Stew Leonard's is a regional chain of family-owned supermarkets with roots in Norwalk, Conn. It now has seven locations throughout Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. It was once dubbed the 'Disneyland of Dairy Stores' by the "New York Times" because of its costumed characters, silly entertainment, animatronics, and even a petting zoo in some locations.

Beginning as a dairy store in 1969 that carried just eight items, Stew Leonard's has now become a renowned grocery store, expanding into meats, fish, produce, bakery, cheese, and wine. While 'Stew's' is packed with everything from fresh, fun foods to try, to alcohol, flowers, balloons, and even an ice cream and coffee bar, each store carries 2,200 carefully selected items, as opposed to traditional grocery stores, which typically sell an average of 30,000 items.

A strong sense of pride and dedication to both customer and employee satisfaction is a pillar of Stew Leonard's philosophy, helping to earn the store's ranking on "Fortune" magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For in America" for 10 years in a row.

Field Research: Feedback from Frequent Shoppers

In preparation for my first field trip to Stew's, I did research and took a few Instagram polls. My Tri-state area followers had very passionate and steadfast feelings, opinions, and advice they were more than eager to share. The love and dedication of those who shop there is evident, and I was sort of hoping to become one of them. Read on to learn a few best practices and tips prior to your first Stew Leonard's trip, according to those who visit on a regular basis.

Top Stew Leonard's Brand Recommendations

• Upon Entry: Coffee Bar
• Fresh Mozzarella
• Kettle Potato Chips
• Pull Apart Garlic Bread
• Snowball Rolls
• Donut Holes
• Meat Department
• As You Exit: Pistachio Soft Serve Ice Cream (Pro tip: If you spend $100 on groceries, you get a complimentary ice cream or coffee as you leave!)

How to Shop at Stew Leonard's

Check the Best Times to Shop

The store is busy and bustling on the weekends with energetic entertainment at a high around the store. This makes it fun to experience but also very busy to work through. If you're looking for a quieter time to shop and explore all that Stew's has to offer, stick to a weekday morning or afternoon.

Learn the Traffic Rules

The store flows in one direction, with arrows directing shoppers which way to move along. According to my sources, it's best to keep it moving and bring a list to stay consistent with the traffic flow. I received a very collective "there's no turning back" vibe from my sources.

The store is divided into convenient and easy-to-navigate sections, and the shelves are impeccably organized. If you miss something as you move through the store, it's organized in a way that you'll probably run into that item again, so don't worry. The prepared foods section is heavenly and everything is fresh, clearly cooked with experience, and very well-packaged.

The Highlights From My First Stew Leonard's Adventure

Taking my newfound knowledge and putting it to the test, I embarked on my first trip to Stew Leonard's in Paramus, New Jersey. Conveniently located as you enter the store, the coffee bar invites customers to grab a coffee to enjoy while shopping. I tried a Hot Breve Latte which was freshly prepared and hot, and a bargain at just $2.67. The barista handed it to me with a big smile, wishing me a happy shopping experience! I wonder if she could tell I was a first-timer by my excitement, or if everyone feels this way whenever they arrive at Stew's.

Navigating the Aisles

I realized immediately that the one-way street approach to the store is very much implemented by both employees and shoppers. I found this a little anxiety-inducing. There are so many items, features, and elements to stop and gawk at along the way as you experience Stew Leonard's for the first time, and I wanted to enjoy the moment. You could probably tell I was a rookie, and veteran shoppers kindly but swiftly excused themselves past my cart more than once. I felt a bit rushed but adapted and learned quickly that if there's something you want to stop and check out, pull your cart to the side so that traffic can continue flowing. I'm aware this is classic cart etiquette at any grocery store, but not every store has all of THIS going on. So be sure to pull over and stop to smell the roses…and freshly baked donut holes, jumbo pretzels, and famous Snowball Rolls, or to watch the Avocado Girls (Chicas Aguacate) perform at the salad preparation station.

Enjoying the Family-Friendly Atmosphere!

Stew Leonard's has a warm and welcoming approach, making it way easier for parents to get shopping done sans temper tantrums. This alone is a huge win in my book. There are constant twists, turns, and surprises that will enchant and entertain children throughout the entire visit. There are animatronic displays like dancing avocados and bananas, acrobatic stuffed animals, generously sized and freshly prepared samples, and even an employee dressed as a cow making rounds throughout the store, posing with customers, and quite literally adding character to the entire shopping experience.

Meeting the Happy Employees

When employees seem really happy to be at work, it speaks volumes about the workplace. Anyone I talked to or had a question for was eager to help with an upbeat and overall lovely attitude! Stew Leonard's reputation for customer service and quality precedes it. The overall cheery demeanor from start to finish set the tone for a really pleasant and fun shopping trip. And if you forget to stop by the ice cream bar as you leave, don't worry—your cashier will remind you to treat yourself!

Seeing There Is Something for Everyone

Stew's is a great place to shop for quality meat, fish, farm fresh produce, prepared foods and platters, gorgeous salads, and mouth-watering baked goods. The store has a natural flow, and the shelves, albeit jam-packed with items, are so meticulously organized, that it feels curated like a specialty grocery store. It has, however, achieved a perfect balance of feeling incredibly approachable and shopper-friendly. From prepared meals, to large platters, to everyday groceries, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy, and it isn't at all difficult to stumble upon something that catches your eye and sparks your appetite.

Appreciating the Convenience

To find everything I need, from meats and fish, produce, snacks, and prepared foods, to alcohol, and even gorgeous flowers for my kitchen, all in one place, is a total win on a busy schedule. It was easy to move through the store, even as a first-timer, because of the organized layout and flow of sections.

Stew Leonard's Products We Tried and Loved

• Freshly Prepared Jumbo Pretzel with Cheese & Bacon Dip
• Coconut Shrimp with Mango Salsa
• Mussels (SO meaty and plump!)
• Kettle Chips (potato and sweetpotato)
• Prepared Grilled Extra Jumbo Shrimp (the char is chef's kiss!)
• Apple Cider Donut Holes
• Pistachio and Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream
• Freshly Roasted Bavarian Almonds and Cashews

The Bottom Line

Stew Leonard's is a fun specialty grocery experience and worth a visit if you're preparing to entertain and shop for group gatherings, but it's equally useful as a market you can visit for everyday needs. Some items are more expensive than large supermarket chains like Shoprite, but still less expensive than stores like Whole Foods. It is possible to shop on a budget and still get what you need with fresh, well-stocked aisles. I am officially a proud Stew Leonard's hype girl, because this store totally lives up to its reputation for being fun, welcoming, lively, and packed with high-quality items! I would completely agree with the consensus that this is a Disneyland for grocery shoppers. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy at Stew Leonard's, and I can't wait to go back soon.