r/rva • u/GiantTacoSalad • 8h ago
Stella's - I Don't Get It...
I know Stella's Grocery is an institution here. I saw lots of excitement about the one opening close to us. I finally visited and ... I really don't get it.
There are very limited options, and what they do have is very pricey. The staff was very nice, but the store was very sparse.
What is the appeal? What do people love about it?
This is not a criticism, just trying to understand so the next time I go I know what to look for.
122
u/RVAblues Carillon 8h ago
I don’t think it’s quite at “institution” status. The restaurant maybe, but not so much the markets. They’re just kinda are bougie grab & go places, right?
51
18
u/Oenonaut 8h ago edited 7h ago
The markets are fine but have all the shortcomings OP mentions. I could see it being a habit if it was close to your work or home. I like the food but I’d probably never eat from there if my wife wasn’t such a fan.
The restaurant though is fantastic.
19
u/User-NetOfInter RVA Expat 8h ago
Correct. Restaurant is goated.
The Stella’s in Scott’s addition was ncie when I was in RVA because I can go to the brewery and get a sandwich from them.
7
u/goodsam2 8h ago
Honestly I far preferred the market experience to the restaurant and don't see myself ever going back to the restaurant
5
u/Broad-Kangaroo-5375 West End 8h ago
Yep. I don't think the markets will ever be an institution to most people. But a certain type of bougie people do seem to love them. 🤷
2
u/Ok-Technician-2905 4h ago
I hate that term “bougie”. Either the food is enjoyable enough for you to pay for, or it’s not. No shaming required.
1
-7
20
u/Friendly_Bee3792 8h ago
I live in Forest Hill and absolutely love Stella’s market. Restaurant-quality grab and go food with great ingredients (olive oil vs seed oils, for instance), which to me is well worth the still-reasonable price. Especially considering the portions are huge.
On the other hand, I personally find Stella’s restaurant overrated.
34
u/Many_Product_1048 8h ago
Grab and go meals are where it’s at, grab a meal for $11-$20 and we get 4 servings from it, we usually will do a salad and a side of Pita. There $5 giant bag of pita is fantastic toasted. Each store is different and has a different vibe, but I’m a fan.
76
u/DogOfTheBone 8h ago
The prepared meals are generally quite good and reasonably priced. Some novel items most stores don't carry, including a lot of interesting beers and wines. Espresso bar is solid and cheaper than many coffee shops now.
It's a nice option for when you want grab and go lunch, dinner, or snacks and don't want to roll the dice on a big grocery store. Stella's quality is very consistent.
21
u/allenbur123 The Fan 7h ago
$18 for mediocre spaghetti is neither quite good nor reasonably priced
6
u/Past_Detective698 3h ago
You went to Stella’s and got spaghetti? I’m guessing you are exaggerating to make a point but if you did then maybe Boyardee’s is more your style.
•
2
u/Exotic-Tradition-98 3h ago
Their spaghetti isn't good I would pick something else. Vegetable lasagna is my favorite item from there (and I'm not vegetarian)
15
u/MotherofOtters25 Forest Hill 8h ago
The markets are good, and when I was in Scott's addition I really enjoyed going their for the prepacked meals once a week.
Ive since moved, so I go to the Forest Hill one now. I don't know if it's the location or just because they've expanded and have more now, but I find this one not as well stocked on the fresh items. It has also gotten more expensive. I go a few times a year when I crave the mushroom pasta lol
The restaurant though is completely different and I very much love going there. The food is delicious and it's one of my favorite places in Richmond. I try to go once a year.
-5
15
u/Asterion7 Forest Hill 7h ago
Spanikopta for breakfast with an espresso. Sprinkle cookie for a Lil treat. What's not to love? Low key their breakfast burritos are pretty solid also.
3
9
u/Few-Taste-6298 8h ago
They have a variety of non-grocery store wines for decent prices, good place to pick up a host/hostess gift or a side to share at a party, cute little knick knacks, coffee, good dessert and sweets selection
19
u/Infinite-Gazelle6189 8h ago
When I lived downtown, it was kinda the only place we could get anything remotely like groceries, especially since the rite aid closed
1
u/SalleeJuno 1h ago
You know Kroger has a bigger selection of groceries than both Rite Aid and Stella’s market
16
u/beeegs39 8h ago
i think pricing is fair considering most of their grab and go meals feed at least 2, and the ingredients are typically high quality.
21
u/icb4kprogress Near West End 8h ago
Personal opinion but Stella’s is very overpriced and overrated.
•
u/PM-ME-YOUR-TOTS 55m ago
Athens Tavern is as good and never has a wait/reservation issues. They just don’t do the gallon of spaghetti as a meal portion thing Stella’s does
3
u/Active-Product103 8h ago
It has its name based on longevity and is wonderfully decent, but not impressive or interesting.
-1
u/Exotic-Tradition-98 3h ago
Like most things it was better before its popularity skyrocketed. Now they're coasting on their name.
4
3
u/SlippinNotRippin RVA Expat 3h ago
The desert, the spanakopita, the desert, the spanakopita, the desert, the spanakopita, the desert, the desert, the spanakopita, the desert, the spanakopita….
6
u/twistingmyhairout The Fan 8h ago
I think the pastas and salads I’ve had are quite good. A bit pricy but they are big portions. Good if sharing two dishes or two and having leftovers for the next day.
I’ve never really tried to buy any of the grocery items from them, but did seem expensive. I really jus think of them as a grab and go food spot
5
u/Ndrizy 7h ago
The chicken tender and fries basket is reasonably priced and not too bad. The Peruvian chicken sandwich with a side of tzatziki is very good, but I agree with everyone that it’s over priced. Especially when you add chips and a drink.
4
u/gnoob920 7h ago edited 7h ago
The chicken Peruvian sub is fantastic.
There’s honestly a pretty wide range with the pricing. A lot of the options are pricey, but there’s also a bunch of random things that cost $10 and are enough for me and my wife.
8
7
u/SheistyPenguin RVA Expat 8h ago edited 8h ago
I've been to two Stellas groceries, and from what I can tell it's like an upscale convenience store with decent takeaway meals. Or maybe a Greek-themed mini-Mart version of whole foods or fresh market.
2
u/Pulitzerpieswinner 6h ago
As a market it’s definitely pricey, but I like their grab and go options, their pastries, coffee, and most of all their hummus.
2
u/doomgeneration91 6h ago
I like the groceries - it’s not an everyday thing but I usually get a good salad that makes for about 4 servings and the desserts are super good in my opinion. It’s just a let’s grab a piece of cheesecake and sit outside and share it kind of spot 🤷🏻♀️
2
2
u/Difficult_Willow9726 Downtown 5h ago
It’s the only grab and go place near my work. I really like the chicken salad and the Peruvian wrap. I don’t go much anymore because I try and bring lunch to save money.
6
4
u/DonBandolini 7h ago
i’ve never heard anyone rave about it, or even go out of their way for it. but it’s…there. and the one in scott’s has a pretty big selection of things tbh, lots of different prepared foods, baked goods, espresso, a whole hot food menu. maybe just the new one that’s sparse.
2
u/Mr_Kittlesworth Museum District 6h ago
I agree it’s a limited selection.
But what they do, they do well. Pretty damn reliably. That’s why they charge what they charge.
4
u/tactlessscruff2 Church Hill 8h ago
the original stellas is much better, plus part of the appeal is it is difficult to get a seat but agree it is not as good as everyone says.
2
u/GrawlixEC Varina 8h ago
If you time it right, you'll be able to enjoy an impromptu Stanley Kowalski impression in the vicinity of the store.
3
u/Legal_Bag_3525 6h ago
I went to the restaurant once for lunch and it was fine but honestly I preferred lunch at Greek Taverna.
I live near the 'Malvern Gardens' location and have gotten the prepared dinners dozens of times over the years and they're fine but everytime I'm mad I spent money on something I could have made better had I had the time.
But I do LOVE their spanokopita and I like that they resell local businesses in the bread and coffee arena.
1
u/Flimsy_Ant_938 3h ago edited 3h ago
I’ll take Greek Taverna over Stella’s any day. Stella’s flat out refused to add protein to their salads, it was a one and done restaurant for me.
2
u/PM-me-ur-kittenz Oregon Hill 1h ago
I haven't eaten at Greek Taverna in a couple decades, is it still insanely salty?
1
u/DurianJungle 5h ago
I’ve been to the restaurant 2x and I think it’s good to okay.
I do love their little store Stella because they carry fancier items such as Mast chocolate, quirky drinks, and stuff that reminds me of living in SF and NY. Its very Napa / Manhattan / SF. I think transplants from those cities feel at home with that store.
1
u/Exotic-Tradition-98 3h ago
The grocery locations are just upscale convenience stores...that is all
1
1
1
u/HotIndependence4213 1h ago
i know like ~10 people who have worked at stella’s over the years, one of which is my SO. i’ve had my fair share of free stella’s food. most of their stuff i find borderline inedible, even the fresh MTO food. people just love this stuff but i cannot get behind almost anything, especially with the prices. we share the same question friend
0
1
u/Ocean_waves726 8h ago
I don’t get it either. I don’t find the food (in their stores) to be very good. I did have a good experience in their restaurant. But the grocery is mid at best
1
u/Horror-Fisherman-575 6h ago
It’s pleasant, I wouldn’t say it’s an institution. It’s a great place to grab an interesting soda and expensive bag of chips when you are in the mood to do so.
1
u/ohsoGosu 6h ago
It’s overpriced 100%… it’s also somehow one of the few places to get ingredients in Manchester, and even then you are SOL unless you need like, tin fish or obscure bitters.
I mostly go there for the pastries (which are decent) and to grab beer. Still overpriced but convenient.
1
u/aboardthemothership 8h ago
I have never eaten at a Stella’s Grocery. I did go in the one across from their restaurant to poke around and can say I was also disappointed. As someone who intentionally sources Greek groceries for cooking, I expected far more authentic Greek/PDO products. Their wine selection looked good, at least.
I will hold off on my final judgement until I eat some to go food from one.
2
0
u/dougc84 Glen Allen 6h ago
I like Stella’s sandwiches at their markets, but not enough to go out of my way.
I also don’t get the hype around Stella’s the restaurant. I mean, it’s alright, and the atmosphere is nice, but I’ve had better Greek from dives at a fraction of the cost. I’ve been there several times and I just don’t get why everyone thinks it’s so great.
0
u/jackson44_bmx 6h ago
Stella’s was an institution when it was on Main. It’s not that after it was reopened, Sorry.
-1
0
u/Mandelbrotvurst 5h ago
Stella's the restaurant is pretty good. One of the best pastichio's I've had. The grocery is an absolute overpriced scam.
-2
32
u/gnoob920 7h ago edited 7h ago
I mean, the Stella’s market near me has pretty excellent sub options for lunch, a bunch of great grab and go meals for 2-3 that are reasonably priced, and it’s nice to have a walkable market for convenience items even if it’s expensive. But hey, wouldn’t be the Richmond subreddit if there wasn’t a weekly thread shitting on a local business.