Publix

They’re expanding rapidly out into the Southeast, as far north as Virginia, even, but if you ask us, the best examples of this employee-owned brand are easily found in the parts of Florida where people appreciate Cuban food the most, because who doesn’t love a few crispy croquetas, or the odd potato ball, before tackling their weekly shopping? Which highlights the one thing we don’t love about this revered brand, which goes back nearly a century in Florida—not all stores are created equal; some are the “food palaces” founder George Jenkins dreamed of, back in the very beginning, others are average at best, and poorly managed. Two things you’ll find in every Publix store though, the two things that matter most: A wealth of store brand product, easily some of the best in the business, and—can’t forget this one—the deli, which turfs out an impressive amount of good prepared food.