If you are looking for cheap foods of high quality in my area, Bay Area, Ca. I have two, maybe three suggestions;
A. Grocery Outlet (Bargain Market).
B. Smart & Final
C. Lucky’s
Both A, & B. are loosely modeled after the Warehouse Model, where particular brand names are not always available, but something similar in that price range is. There meats, fish , fruits and fresh vegetables are great. I have no complaints. A & B still have plenty of live cashiers.
I’m fine with that too. I don’t mind sharing a friendly word with the cashier from time to time.
I rarely use the Self Serve Cashier, those which still remain. Not always easy to purchase certain items without asking for assistance.
We were recently invaded by Grocery Outlet stores. I walked into one just to see what it was all about. YUCK! The produce looked like it was stolen from a compost pile. The meats were sketchy brands. The canned goods were sketchy brands, and they sold stuff other than groceries, too. Just like Aldi's does. I bought nothing, as I was repulsed by the icky atmosphere and goods. Well, I was right. The store closed in only a few weeks.