McQuades Marketplace — Local services in Westerly

The bottom line with McQuades is that the regular working people who work there are all super nice and you can get in and out very quick, and a lot of people including me (until now) shop there for the convenience. But McQuades is willing to regularly put substandard produce on the shelves, and this is hurting people. We've bought apples there 6 or 7 times which had to be thrown out. And I'm not talking about just being flavorless and chalky which can happen in the winter. I'm talking about they had gone bad inside. Their pears are similarly problematic. Brussels sprouts twice were so woody twice that they were inedible. Same thing cauliflower once. This time, 3 lbs of zucchini which have gone to starch and are like tree bark and had to be tossed. They leave avocados on the shelves until they turn into guacamole. You can go in a feel the beets they have on the shelves and sometimes they are so soft from being on the shelf for so long. This might be acceptable at a bargain basement inner city bodega, but for the prices they charge, which are more expensive than anyone else in town, this is not right. One bad review might be discounted, but the reader is advised to go read the many other reviews saying the very same thing I'm saying, and make their decision. I've tried to address this situation with the owner and manager, and they act sullen, annoyed, and rushed, never apologize, and you have to call back multiple times and wrestle them to even get a partial credit. I'm sorry Mr. McQuade, but your management team is clearly taking their cues from you, and it seems you have a lot to learn about how to treat customers so that they come back. I am disabled and on a fixed income, and you are literally taking food out of my mouth. Unfortunately, I simply cannot afford to throw food out any more, and I don't feel comfortable patronizing someone who is willing to shaft people, so I'll be shopping at one of your many competitors in town. Again, read some of the many reviews of the customers who you take money from on here and on Google reviews. The lobster review is...

I have shopped at this market for years. The quality of produce, meat, and already prepared foods is not better anywhere else. They have a great variety of locally caught seafood along with farmed fish, which I choose to not buy, and their cheese counter is most representative. Their deli meats are properly stored, the bakery items beautifully displayed. I do not usually buy deli items or bakery ones either for all the health reasons involved.

I am an inveterate checker of grocery shopping slips. I have on only one occasion ever questioned a price. It was on potatoes. The checkout clerk quickly had someone check and I had picked up Idaho instead of the boiling version of Russets. There is no area checkout that comes near their accuracy.

The pharmacy's Pharmacist is what is known as a Compounding Pharmacist. This is the upper echelon of achievement in Pharmacy. Let me add they deliver directly to your door.

I particularly like their IGA brands marketed there. The Independent Grocers Brands are equal to and far superior to many other brands.

So to criticism! The aisles are narrow and sometimes at peak hours (When is it not peak?)difficult to maneuver. They realize they need a larger store, but there is no longer additional land in the area on which to expand. Parking can be difficult at times. The aisle layout of the store, not the usual straight front to back, may take some getting used to.

Some people seem to think they pay more to shop there. I shop the mailed grocery flyer, and this week everything I purchased cost less than the same or comparable product at Walmart. I'll add the store personnel will shop for you and then deliver for a fee any groceries ordered. Obviously this is my preferred grocery store...

5 stars and above for Jimmy the Butcher. He went above and beyond helping me with a custom cut of meat I needed to make Vietnamese beef noodle soup. He doubled checked my preferences and offered to cut it to my liking. He even offered to keep the bones for me on the side that I will use for soup stock. I greatly appreciate the time and customer service Jimmy provided! He asked if I needed help while I was browsing. Jimmy was very quick, efficient, helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly.

It’s hard to find certain cuts of meat like beef shank, pork belly, oxtail etc that I need to make authentic Vietnamese and Korean dishes but McQuades has them. Not only that - the meat is also excellent quality. I use the beef shank and the bones to make Vietnamese pho. I needed a larger section of the shank to simmer whole to make tender and then cut into thin slices for the beef soup. The bones give it a good broth flavor as well. I’ve been to other locations and I might have a to drive a bit further but the Westerly location is #1 to me. Highly recommend this branch. Thank you again, Jimmy and the team at the meat...