We spent a lot of time figuring out where to go for what at our grocery stores in Vitacura and on the road. Here’s some of our findings.
Unimarc
In Santiago, about 2 months after we moved in, the Unimarc down the street reopened after being closed for a fire. We could find mostly what we needed there but would still hit the Jumbo for our meats and peanut butter and the traveling market for fruits and veggies.
Santa Isabel
A subsidiary of Jumbo seemed to be a bit more run down but still offer many of the same jumbo products at a cheaper price. We shopped here in Puerto Varas and liked it!
Jumbo
Best selections of meats, produce (on shipment days) and has the largest international section. Jane called Jumbo the target of Chile, and while it pales greatly to target, she’s right. It offers some clothing, house supplies, and school supplies while also the largest selection that we found in our time in Chile. It seems to be pretty consistent across geographies as well.
Lider
Owned by Wal-mart its really hit or miss. The one in Lo Barnchea was very nice the one in Pucon was very picked over and the produce was nonexistent.
Totus
This was our original grocery store from day 1. We would walk there but honestly nothing special. The free parking was nice though.
Produce Stands
Produce in Chile tends to be purchased at either neighborhood markets or special frutieras, stores that only sell produce. This can also be said for breads. We had great luck with our neighborhood market in Santiago but the frutieras we’ve shopped seem to have produce that is ready to use. They don’t seem to have produce that you buy and use for the week. I do believe two things. First, Chileans eat out often. Most times it can be cheaper than finding, buying, cooking the food. Secondly, I think they shop every day for groceries, using what they buy that day in their cooking. My weekly meal planning just doesn’t seem to jive with their culture.
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