Since 1927, a small, rather ugly building on Montreal's rue Saint-Laurent has been home to a beloved store that still somehow manages to maintain an unassuming air of secrecy. This is Segal's Market, an independent épicerie known by word of mouth for its low prices and good selection. But is it really as cheap as everyone thinks it is?
Maxi or Super C, Super C or Maxi? That is the question, and to answer it, I sat down to order the same fake groceries from both stores to figure out which is cheaper or at least, better value for your buck.
Aubut might just be Montreal's best grocery store.Though it's easily overlooked. Its single Montreal location sits tucked between CN tracks and rue Saint-Ambroise in one of the last underdeveloped pockets of gentrifying Saint-Henri. The area's towering heritage industrial towers literally overshadow the squat warehouse. And it's uninviting; pedestrians have to brave a walk through a sidewalkless parking lot past loading docks and windowless brick walls just to get to the nondescript entrance. But those who do are rewarded. The interior is a labyrinthine warehouse of commercial-grade goods and bulk items: torso-size bags of pasta, tubs of Nutella and ice cream, and refrigerators full of cheese.
Groceries are only getting more expensive, with some items even pricier than others. There's got to be a way to get food for less, right? Besides visiting Segal's for reasonably priced Plateau produce, there are several apps that fight food waste by selling it to consumers for cheap.