Tesco better than Villa Market?

[themechanic]

Especially for fresh produce and most groceries. The produce at Tesco (the one near Makro on Viset) is usually better than the plastic wrapped packets at Villa Market. And huge difference in prices. 4 fresh apples, looked red and American to me: 70 baht. That's the price per apple at Villa Mart. I've decided to only go to Villa Mart henceforth to buy specialty Western food, mostly dressings, sauces and cheeses.

[LivinginKata]

In my opinion the fresh food at the Tesco near Macro is quite suspect. Better to drive up to the much bigger Tesco near Wat Chalong for fresher produce. Although why bother when Macro is available with the best fresh veggie produce at the best price.

It's no surpise that Villa is the place to buy 'specialist' food at a premium price. I just accept that.

[cloudhopper]

Nothing is better than Villa I wish there was one in Chiang Mai.

[DavisH]

Is there no Tops supermarket there? I've found it the best for fresh produce, compared to tesco/Big C, etc. I don't bother so much with Villa, unless some specialty is needed (e.g. meat pies).

[thrilled]

There are so many items at Villa that you can't find anywhere else

[hansgruber]

There are so many items at Villa that you can't find anywhere else

True but just specialty items.

Their fresh fruit and vegetables and meat selection has nothing on tops and makro.

Makro sell the same beef tenderloin for 1900 a kilo that villa sells for 2600.

[stevehaigh]

Nothing is better than Villa I wish there was one in Chiang Mai.

i'm very surprised they don't. i thought they were in all the farang hot spots.

[StefanBBK]

Big C has some selection of western food under their house brand "Casino", which is of acceptable quality and price. Also "Tesco" branded Western food is quite acceptable.

veggies and fruits we do buy at local farmers market. Meats etc. Mostly at Makro. Villa Market, Foodland and Tops are simply too expensive for regular use, but sometimes necessary for special stuff.

[bubba]

Nothing is better than Villa I wish there was one in Chiang Mai.

But I live in Bangkok and wish there was a Rimping here.

Do you really think that Villa's plastic wrapped, often stale produce is better than Rimping's. Villa even plastic wraps bananas. Much wider selection of locally grown, organic veggies. The specialist western items are far more diverse at Rimping. More seafood and fresher. Better wines, and some Rimpings even have wine cellars. Good selection of artisan breads. I could go on, but I am wondering what you find at Villa that is better than Rimping.

[bubba]

This isn't spam, but for those of you who may not have visited a Rimping in Chiang Mai:

http://www.rimping.com/home

[granny salmons]

For me, the best place is always the local farmers markets, you can find them here:

https://www.facebook.com/bkkfm

[Friendly Stranger]

I just go to villa for western treats or harder to find items. Yes, it's crazy, but spending 200+ baht on Frito lay corn chips is a nice little pleasure.

[NoshowJones]

Nothing is better than Villa I wish there was one in Chiang Mai.

Anywhere's better than Villa, you obviously don't eat corned beef, if you are in Bangkok, I recommend Foodland.

[NoshowJones]

There are so many items at Villa that you can't find anywhere else

Yes, OK if you have deep pockets.

[NoshowJones]

There are so many items at Villa that you can't find anywhere else

True but just specialty items.

Their fresh fruit and vegetables and meat selection has nothing on tops and makro.

Makro sell the same beef tenderloin for 1900 a kilo that villa sells for 2600.

Your last sentence, very easy to believe.

[Lone Ranger]

I have lived in CM,Samui,Pattaya,BKK & Hua Hin & there is no doubt in my mind & indeed that of my Thai wife that no 1 is Rimping in Chiang Mai ..their 5 [or6 now?]shops in CM are the best by a long way .Villa Market no 2 but grossly overpriced..No 3 Foodland ...the rest are just average sadly.

[KarenBravo]

It depends what you want.

Onions, garlic, chicken etc is best from the Dalat Nut.

Spaghetti, milk, yoghurt is best from Lotus, or Big C.

Other items are unique to Villa Mart, so, that's where you have to go.

[HerbalEd]

From my experience Makro has by far the highest quality and broadest selection of fresh produce ... and seafood. But I loves my Villa Market for it's selection of farang food.

[HerbalEd]

There are so many items at Villa that you can't find anywhere else

Yes, OK if you have deep pockets.

If you want it and only Villa Market has it then you pay the price ... or do without. Nothing wrong with being frugal, but when it comes to food I don't skimp.

[Suradit69]

Is there no Tops supermarket there? I've found it the best for fresh produce, compared to tesco/Big C, etc. I don't bother so much with Villa, unless some specialty is needed (e.g. meat pies).

The Tops on Pattaya Tai in Pattaya has meat on display that (always) has a greenish hue. I would only buy tinned, bottled or manufacturer-packaged things there. The Tops (I think it's a Tops) at Central Festival on the beach has a fairly good fruit and veg section, but it's pricey. Their fish and meat section leaves something to be desired.

Big C south and Big C extra here have a very good selection of meat and fish, although the fruit & vegetable section of Big C South isn't that great. Not too thrilled by the display of meat at Big C on Pattaya Nua. Some things seem to be dumped in a pile without adequate refrigeration.

It's difficult to generalize about any supermarket brand. Very much individual location specific. For price and availability of most things in Pattaya I prefer Friendship.

I like Villa for some things not available elsewhere, but they are pricey for most things.

Edited April 1, 2015 by Suradit69

[GordonP]

I also use Tesco for the majority of my shopping reverting to Tops or Villa for what I can't find anywhere else.

Interestingly, yesterday, I noticed Tesco Lotus (South Pattaya at the top of Threppasit had a new stand of imported goods such as English mustard, breakfast cereals and other stuff usually seen in Villa.

[ShinMusashi44]

I just go to villa for western treats or harder to find items. Yes, it's crazy, but spending 200+ baht on Frito lay corn chips is a nice little pleasure.

Sad to say this, but no more Frito corn chips. I was at the villa yesterday and it's all changed around and no corn chips to be found. I looked everywhere in the store and never found any. I used to only go there for that item too.

[lj cm]

Nothing is better than Villa I wish there was one in Chiang Mai.

I wish that Food Land was in Chiang Mai, because they have the best Bakery.

I'm afraid, it's not going to happen; because I believe, that the main supermarket chain here in CM, have an "agreement" with both of the above, to stay away!?.

[KarenBravo]

My only problem with Villa Chalong is that they keep changing where they put stuff.

During Christmas, I treated myself to a bag of Australian made soft, black licorice. Originally, it was on the Christmas goodie tables in front of the meat display.

Once Christmas was over, they were close to the other confectionery as you would expect.

Now, they have moved them opposite that back till near the magazines. I thought they'd run out until I spotted them by accident.

[hansgruber]

The villa supermarket at boat lagoon is amazing. They have things that chalong doesn't have.

[teacherpaul]

Villa isn't what it used to be.

Seven or eight years ago, you could buy really good, well-sized New York cut steaks for less thatn 200 Baht. They seem to have either disappeared or doubled in price.

Not every Villa branch stocks the same items. Sometimes you have to visit 2 or 3 to get everything you want.

I believe the good Tops branches (Silom and Central Pinklao) overtook Villa years ago. It's easier to buy stuffing and gravy in Tops than Villa.

Sausages and bacon in Villas are way overpriced. Who wants to pay 200 Baht for 4 sausages, when you can get a pack of 12 from Makro for roughly the same price? Makro is the best place for bacon too.

[steelepulse]

The villa supermarket at boat lagoon is amazing. They have things that chalong doesn't have.

Good to know as all of those suggesting Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Bangkok are suggesting a journey a bit too far for consumables.

[cloudhopper]

I just go to villa for western treats or harder to find items. Yes, it's crazy, but spending 200+ baht on Frito lay corn chips is a nice little pleasure.

Sad to say this, but no more Frito corn chips. I was at the villa yesterday and it's all changed around and no corn chips to be found. I looked everywhere in the store and never found any. I used to only go there for that item too.

NOOOOOOOOOO!

[cloudhopper]

The villa supermarket at boat lagoon is amazing. They have things that chalong doesn't have.

That I didn;t know. Ta

[cloudhopper]

Nothing is better than Villa I wish there was one in Chiang Mai.

But I live in Bangkok and wish there was a Rimping here.

Do you really think that Villa's plastic wrapped, often stale produce is better than Rimping's. Villa even plastic wraps bananas. Much wider selection of locally grown, organic veggies. The specialist western items are far more diverse at Rimping. More seafood and fresher. Better wines, and some Rimpings even have wine cellars. Good selection of artisan breads. I could go on, but I am wondering what you find at Villa that is better than Rimping.

Rimping is good but they don't have Clausen pickles, Pepperoncini, hummus, vanilla wafers, wheat thins, trisuits, butterfingers, Fritos etc - mostly US junk food items I crave. We grow most of our own organic fruit and veg so I never shop for that anyway up there. Oddly enough the only place I have been able to find dates (the fruit) is the Muslim shop in Pai...

If a Trader Joes comes to LOS somewhere I guess I will have to move there....