American Grocery Stores Ranked from Worst to Best

This article was originally published on Lizanest.com

Not all grocery stores are created equal—and if you’ve ever argued about where to shop, you already know that. Some places win on price, others on quality, and a few manage to make the whole experience actually enjoyable. This list ranks 60 of America’s most well-known grocery chains, from frustrating and forgettable to genuinely great. Along the way, it looks at what each store does well, where it falls short, and why shoppers keep coming back—or don’t. Whether you’re chasing deals or just a better weekly run, there’s a clear winner.

#60: King Soopers

King Soopers is a grocery chain that started in 1947 and is now owned by Kroger. Most of its stores are in Colorado, with a small presence in nearby states. It’s known as a convenient, everyday supermarket with pharmacies, fuel centers, and a wide range of basic groceries.

This store earns its spot at the bottom because shoppers run into the same problems again and again. Pricing errors, long lines, and understaffed stores come up a lot, and some people even report getting overcharged. When a grocery store makes people double-check their receipt, it’s hard to rank it any higher.

#59: El Super

El Super is a discount grocery chain that launched in 1997 and mainly serves Hispanic communities across California, Nevada, Arizona, and Texas. It’s known for low prices, fresh tortillas, and a strong selection of Latin American ingredients. The stores focus on value and cultural staples rather than a polished shopping experience.

This store lands near the bottom mostly because of consistency issues. While prices are low, shoppers often mention crowded aisles, long checkout lines, and stores that feel a bit chaotic. It works great if you know what you’re getting, but for many people, the overall experience can feel stressful.

#58: Dollar General

Dollar General started as a small family business in 1939 and has grown into one of the biggest discount chains in the country, with thousands of stores mostly in rural and small-town America. It’s known for cheap basics, quick stops, and locations in places where bigger grocery stores often don’t exist.

This store earns its spot near the bottom because the experience can be rough. Shoppers often run into messy aisles, long waits, and pricing mistakes at checkout. It’s convenient and affordable, but when people feel like they have to double-check every receipt, it’s hard to rank it any higher.

#57: DG Market

DG Market is a newer concept from Dollar General, launched in the late 2010s to offer more of a true grocery experience. These stores are still mostly found in rural and small-town areas, but they add fresh produce, meat, and refrigerated items alongside the usual low-cost basics Dollar General is known for.

This one lands slightly higher because it’s clearly trying to fix what people don’t like about regular Dollar General stores. That said, many of the same issues still show up—staffing problems, cluttered aisles, and inconsistent quality. It’s a step up, but not quite a full solution.