Grocery shopping: an easy, simple task, right? In a large metropolitan area like Washington, D.C., not so much. Living on the fifth floor of a large apartment complex and relying on public transportation makes what is usually a straightforward errand in Texas a somewhat complicated, inconvenient chore that takes planning days ahead of time. Not to mention the increased cost of living that plagues student budgets in the big city. Here’s what I have learned about stocking my pantry efficiently in Washington, D.C.
The first thing that comes to mind when discussing this topic is the wide variety of grocery stores in the area and choosing the right option depending on the occasion and one’s specific needs and budget. Of course, there is no HEB here, and Walmart stores are relatively scarce around my apartment and workplace. For reference, I work on Capitol Hill and live in Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia. Here is a breakdown of the best choices in grocery store with an emphasis on proximity to my apartment, Capitol Hill, and the walking distance between the store itself and a Metro station, based also on price and likelihood of food/product waste:
- Amazon Fresh: I highly recommend an initial move-in order from Amazon Fresh to get the basics for your pantry and household. It is delivered right to your door at a scheduled time and has a decent selection for basics. The delivery fee decreases as your order increases, and I like to combine orders with my roommates to split the cost of the fee. Personally, I prefer to choose my own produce and meat, so I typically do not use Amazon Fresh to purchase these goods.
- Harris Teeter: a basic grocery store with any basic goods you’ll need. It is located right outside the Pentagon City mall next door to the Target, which is one Metro stop away from Crystal City. They have a good selection of produce, a deli, and a pharmacy. Groceries here run a little more expensive than some of the other stores on this list. There is a bag fee for plastic bags from Harris Teeter, so I recommend bringing reusable shopping bags. Another downside to this location is that you have to walk through the mall to get to Harris Teeter, which can be a pain when carrying lots of bags and tempting when passing Auntie Anne’s and smelling fresh pretzels right after a long day of office work (I have fallen victim many times). The mall is connected to the Metro stop though, so the trek is not too far, but not as convenient as others on the list.
- Trader Joe’s: my personal favorite. They have the most unique and delicious specialty products for to-go and frozen meals and snacks, and fresh produce and meats. The prices are very reasonable, as well; I always leave paying less than I expected to. Some apartment favorites among my roommates and I are their dark chocolate peanut butter cups, Italian chicken sausage, Scandinavian Swimmers candy, and chicken soup dumplings. While they also charge for bags, Trader Joe’s uses large paper bags, so it’s more efficient than other stores, but I still recommend bringing reusable bags. My preferred location is in D.C.’s Eastern Market, which is one Metro stop east of the Capital South stop.
- Costco: classic wholesale store for items you need in bulk. While I haven’t visited Costco in my time in D.C., I know other interns that have shopped there for household basics to last the entirety of the summer. If you’re big on dry foods, buying rice, pasta, or beans in bulk would not be a bad idea. If you plan on running the dishwasher every night, dishwasher pods would be much cheaper to purchase once in bulk. It all depends on individual preference and use of products. Just keep in mind that everything you have left over at the end of the summer you will either have to throw away or take with you back to Texas.
- 7/11: a 503S favorite. Not the best for necessities, but great for late-night junk food runs and roommate bonding experience! We are partial to the fudge brownies and Big Gulp Slurpies, but there are plenty of options in this convenience store located less than a block from Crystal Plaza.
Rachael Detten
Office of Congressman Brian Babin
Washington, D.C. | summer 2023