Most locals have a favorite Fred Meyer. Some people might have a fling with Trader Joe’s while keeping Safeway as their standby. Definite opinions are had about Amazon-owned Whole Foods vs. Portland-founded New Seasons. 

But most Portlanders also have a beloved corner market, or a specialty store they can always count on for a new discovery. Try these, and chances are you’ll soon form a lasting relationship:

Hit NE Sandy’s Providore for Spanish potato chips, indie-label pickles, imported cheeses, and deep-cut Euro-wines.

Aiming to bring healthy chow to food deserts with its gourmet convenience store model, local chain Green Zebra has a well-curated hot food bar (oh, the breakfast!) and a killer selection of Oregon beer and cider.

While store closures have left the staple gourmet grocer with a smaller footprint, Zupan’s still pulls fresh mozzarella daily to augment a generally astonishing deli, and is one of few grocery outlets for local bakery Ken’s Artisan Bread.

Ready-to-grill kebabs made at World Foods’ SW Barbur mothership (also available at the store’s Pearl District location) make cosmopolitan barbecue easy, while its jam selection makes breakfast much, much more interesting.

Just across the Willamette from downtown, miraculous Old Portland survivor Sheridan Fruit Company might be named for produce, but it’s an all-around great grocer, including a wall-to-wall display of sausage rarities (like a Basque-style chorizo) that could bring a tear to the most jaded eye.