Grocery Shopping at New Bedford Price Rite vs. Market Basket in New Bedford

After shopping at Market Basket for the last 10 years or so, I finally found its match.

At least once a week, my fiancee and I go grocery shopping at the North End Market Basket off of Coggeshall Street in New Bedford. Sure, the store is crazy-crowded, but there's a good reason why everybody and their mother flocks to it. The prices are cheap, the deals are sweet and overall it's a convenient place to get to.

The other day I proposed trying Price Rite in New Bedford's South End just to see what it had in store, and boy, am I glad we went. From the second I walked through the doors to the moment I packed my groceries into the backseat of my car, I was hooked.

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As we walked through the store, I took notes on the pros and cons of Price Rite and rated it in comparison to Market Basket. This is in no way a jab to Market Basket, mind you, just a side-by-side analysis of the two food stores combined.

Price of Meats

Winner: Price Rite

Although Market Basket's prices are fair in the meat department, chicken, steaks and even a rack of ribs at Price Rite were the lowest prices I've ever encountered: $7.99 for a seven-pack of 5-pound chicken breasts. Two diced-up chicken breasts made four salads, which provided us with two nights of dinner. Even this giant rack of ribs (pictured above) was less than $10. If you're looking to stock up and freeze some meats, I would check out Price Rite.

Gluten-Free Options

Winner: Market Basket

Where Price Rite lacked gluten-free options such as pasta, cereal and snacks, Market Basket thrived. It's understandable: Price Rite is not as large as Market Basket, but still has most of the essential groceries.

Less Crowded

Winner: Price Rite

Perhaps it was the time and day of the week that we went to Price Rite, but there was only a handful of people in the entire store (not accounting for the workers). It was a much more relaxing and less-stressed shopping experience to not have to be on a mission from aisle one to the registers. I've shopped at Market Basket on a Sunday and mid-week, and it was a zoo regardless. Being able to take our time was heaven-sent at Price Rite.

Shopping Carts

Winner: Price Rite

This was a clear win for Price Rite. Their carriages are plastic rather than metal and are much easier to maneuver. Not only were the wheels well calibrated, but the cart in general was much lighter to push.

Rotisserie Chickens

Winner: Market Basket

Unfortunately, Price Rite does not have a rotisserie chicken station, so this one is an easy win for Market Basket. Their chickens are not only among the best prices out of any grocery store around the SouthCoast, but I find that they provide more meat per whole chicken than other chickens from competing stores.

Condiments, Especially Ranch Dressing

Winner: Market Basket

As niche as this category may sound, it's more preference than anything. While Price Rite only offers Wishbone Ranch Dressing, Market Basket sells both Wishbone and Hidden Valley. My tastebuds have always leaned towards Hidden Valley, so Market Basket is my choice when it comes to picking up a bottle or two of Ranch.

Bedding and Sheets

Winner: Price Rite

I'm only adding this to the article for the sole reason of how strange it is that a grocery store sells bedding. Sadly, Market Basket cannot provide your Queen or California King with fresh sheets and comforters, but Price Rite has your back (and mattress).

Cleanliness

Winner: Price Rite

While both establishments do a great job keeping the shelves tidy and the floors shiny, my OCD was in love with the presentation of Price Rite's floor layout and all-around cleanliness. I will say, though, it's much busier over at Market Basket and thus likely harder to keep up with, but the lighting and product placement was spot-on over at Price Rite.

Customer Service

Winner: Price Rite

This was a clear winner in my eyes. Perhaps it was because the store wasn't as buzzing as a normal grocery store, but when I went to check out, the customer service was over the top friendly and helpful. Price Rite has a self-checkout section, while Market Basket has fully staffed registers. Even while I was self-checking out, one of the workers still helped me ring my groceries through in half the time it would have taken me to scan everything and did it all with a smile. That, to me, speaks volumes.

Ethnic Food Brands and Variety

Winner: Market Basket

While Market Basket and Price Rite are hotspots for imported products, Market Basket is simply a bigger place with more selection. Although I did score some authentic (to my knowledge) Puerto Rican ground coffee that wasn't too shabby.

Avocado Selection

Winner: Price Rite

I'm a sucker for a fresh avocado and was blown away to find that the ones at Price Rite were not frozen and perfectly ripe. Market Basket freezes its selection so if you're looking to make some guacamole as soon as you get home from the store, you're out of luck. With Price Rite, you can find the ones that will last a few days from the date of purchase before getting too ripe and the ones that are ready to go as soon as you get home.

Again, regardless of where you shop, there are benefits to each store.

My suggestion: If you're planning on bringing home a large haul of groceries, head to Market Basket. If your shopping list isn't too overwhelming, then head to Price Rite. Either way, you're saving money and getting what you need.