Detwiler's Marketplace — Local services in South Bradenton

At long last, Detwilers is FINALLY in West Bradenton. My first trip there was the day after the grand opening (I was wise enough to stay away on the day) to pick up deals on fresh chicken breast for $1.99 a pound, and chicken drums for $0.99 a pound. I filled my freezer for a song, compared to other store prices (I'm looking at you, P-Store!) I also scored a good deal on fresh pineapple (99¢ each) and a beloved treat from my old New England days: white birch beer.

I haven't gone to many other stores in the past three years because Aldi is really all we can afford these days, so I can't really give an opinion on prices compared to other grocery stores. But contrasted to Aldi's deals, Detwilers is wildly more expensive. In some cases, Publix or Winn-Dixie are better deals. Just like everything, you HAVE to know your prices before you go to a store that touts discounts and better prices.

What I loved about Detwilers - One word: artichokes! I haven't had an artichoke in about five years, maybe longer, so when they were on sale before Christmas, I snagged a few, stuffed them with garlic (a bulb per choke) and steamed them. Every bite was pure nostalgia and garlicky goodness.

Where Detwilers fell short: local navel oranges. I bought a couple the same day I got the artichokes. I purposely looked for oranges that were heavy for their size, because those tend to be juicy and sweet. However, each one of the four I bought was dry and tasteless. Now, I realize this isn't Detwilers' fault, but rather the result of a very dry summer during the orange grow season. I will try the honeybells when they come in, but I'm not expecting much from this year's citrus crop because of the summer drought.

I'll be back, but only to shop the sales, because despite their claim of "Eat Fresh For Less," their prices are rather...

I enjoy shopping here but I don't like how some employees especially where the hot food is looking down on people it's not dressed like other individuals this one lady in particular there I shop there no matter what sometimes I go in there late yes and they Mark and down stuff but I need the reason why I shop there this one lady when I was shocked when you're one time he's too old or a gentleman older than me I was asking can you mark down this can you mark down that oh sure sir oh sure looked over at me and another gentleman and I'm a pretty good size and I was well not dressed as nice and referred to us being greedy I don't like this type of business this is how they're going to treat the people I can take my business elsewhere I've done this with other establishments address to appease me and nobody else and if society don't like that and don't think my money is as good as everybody else's I don't need your guy's business I'm sure you don't need mine either but other people view this because this is not right I'm quite frankly sick of it I thought the American dollar no matter who had it dollar was good as this anybody's but I...

I was there to buy some cheessy potatoes and the employee was about to use the same pan for the new bag of the cheessy potatoes and I told her :"you can't do that because is cross contamination " she get mad and I talk to the manager and he told me :" you are allow to do it when is the same product and is hot " I told him,"no you are not allow " here is the rules :"Why You Can't Reuse Pans (Generally) Cross-Contamination Risk: Even if a product is "finished," a pan still holds residue from its previous use, which can contain harmful bacteria, fats, or particles that can transfer to a new dish. Flavor Contamination: The lingering flavors and browned bits ("fond") from one dish can negatively alter the taste of a new dish. Scorching & Debris: Food bits and debris left in a pan can burn and scorch when heated again, affecting the quality and safety of the new dish. Health Code Violations: Health departments have strict regulations about preventing cross-contamination, and reusing a pan without proper cleaning is a common violation that can lead to fines or closure. " I know what I said when I...