6 Grocery Store Chains With The Best Deli Sides, According To Customers

People patronize grocery stores to fill their bellies and feed their families. These establishments house a wide range of foods, from fresh veggies to prepared meals. With that in mind, we wanted to explore the world of grocery store deli sides; you know those randomly packaged foods in the deli section. Sometimes you'll see foods in those enormous containers behind the counter, ready for the employee to scoop, weigh, slap a sticker on, and hand it over for your enjoyment. We sought to identify grocery store chains renowned for excellent sides — no main dishes and full meals here. 

These are all backed by customer reviews that praise the flavor, versatility, and other aspects. Though you could eat anything as a meal, especially if you eat a lot of it, these are generally regarded as sides. Some of these stores are sprawled throughout the United States, making them easy to find, while others are more concentrated in certain areas; they are all chains (the smallest of which has 46 locations). Next time you head to the grocery store hungry, avoid packaged snacks like chips and opt for one of these enticing sides instead.

Publix was founded in 1930 and has over 1,400 stores in eight states — concentrated mostly in Florida, followed by Georgia and Alabama. If you're around the area, its deli department is excellent. The Southern-Style Potato Salad fared particularly well in a Tasting Table review on Publix prepared foods, where our writer praised the great seasoning and flavor that was noticeable in every bite. There's a mix of sweet and tangy, some creaminess, and a touch of mustard to round it all out. And that's all coming from "a tough Southern critic," as our writer said. 

The potato wedges are perfect if it's your first visit to the chain. People love the potato dish and say you get a lot for your money. It is consistently called out as a favorite from the chain, with people saying they buy a double order or that it's their guilty pleasure food item. Even so, some customers prefer the store's mashed potatoes. It's safe to say, then, that Publix has many great potato deli sides to choose from, so you can purchase one that best suits your next meal. But plenty also praise the store's salad options, including the macaroni salad, chicken salad, and even the egg salad. "Publix egg salad SLAPS," according to one TikTok comment. You'll find some incredible eats at Publix's deli to make snack time and meals more interesting. Though you might have to wait in a considerable deli line, which is one unwritten rule to be aware of before you go.

If you want to be more intentional with your sides, Whole Foods is a good option. The chain, which has been around since 1980, bans various colors, flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives from its ingredients list and has a pretty hefty selection at its prepared foods department. The Smoked Mozzarella Pasta Salad came up multiple times on Reddit as a top pick, with customers saying that they adore it and search for dupes to make it at home. But there's a lot to love in the deli section, including Broccoli Crunch Salad, dolmas, and just about any pasta salad. One customer said they've "never had anything bad" from the hot food bar or prepared foods section. "It's nice to just make your own slop bowl and get as much or as little as you want," they continued. 

Our Tasting Table writer tried a bunch of prepared foods and also reiterated that the dolmas are really good. The writer's top item, however, was the Garlicky Kale Salad, which really captured the complexity of roasted garlic. Everything from the Parmesan to the croutons made each bite loaded with flavors and textures. "This salad tastes absolutely divine and will actually make you look forward to eating it," they said. Others agree that it is their go-to, praising its simplicity but amazing flavor. There are 500 and counting Whole Foods locations throughout the U.S., but you can also find stores in Canada and the U.K.

Next time you're strolling through Albertsons, you'll have loads of highly loved deli options to pick from. Albertsons has over 350 stores, with most locations in California, but there's a fair amount in Texas, Idaho, and Nevada, as well as a few other states. However, it's part of Albertsons Companies, which also includes Acme, Vons, and more — that comes to around 2,200 stores. If you want to snag a deli snack, you're in good hands. First off, you must get some of the potato wedges, which you can purchase as early as 10 a.m. They're flavorful with a well-seasoned, crispy exterior and a pillowy inside that makes them so enjoyable to nosh on. "Hot and ready cost less than an order of fries at a fast food restaurant," one review on Albertsons' website says. If you have leftovers, one person says they're even tastier when reheated. 

You can also find fried chicken in the deli area, which never disappoints. People claim it's fantastic value, always fresh, and with a non-dry texture. Even picky eaters say it's "out of this world" and "better than KFC." The antipasto salad is also highly regarded, with people praising its flavor. It's perfect for anything from baby showers to 98th birthdays, so there's no wrong occasion to get it. The deli department has loads of meats and cheeses too; the Dietz & Watson rosemary ham was a favorite when we tried it. 

Costco has plenty of prepared foods in its deli department, sure, but it's harder to find things one could consider sides. Still, there are some enticing hits to pick from. You can't go wrong with the delicious Kirkland Signature Grain & Celery Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette, which has chickpeas, quinoa, bulgur, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and a bunch of other ingredients. One Redditor shared how much they loved it after trying it for the first time. "Costco knocked this one out of the park," they said, and mentioned it's worth pairing with the Kirkland rotisserie chicken — always a classic. Others were equally enthusiastic about it.

The Kirkland Signature Rotisserie Chicken Salad is another top contender from the deli side options that people think could even pass as homemade. It's the ideal balance of crispy and creamy, ensuring every bite is interesting. Though you can totally eat it on its own as a stand-alone side, people like to use it as the base for a sandwich. If you want a colorful, hearty side, try the Kirkland Signature Tortellini Pasta Salad. People say it goes fast in their household because people devour it. Though it's technically a side, you could definitely fill up on it, as some report it is pretty heavy. While you're shopping Costco for tires or picking up your prescription, stop by for a deli side to take home.

Alright, we're veering off course here, away from the world of potato salads and heading into new territory. Northgate Market has 46 locations all around California, so it's on the smaller side of the grocery chain spectrum. It has Mexican roots, an array of Mexican food, and plenty of customer accolades. People say it's one of the best grocery stores to buy prepared and ready-to-eat foods in the r/orangecounty Reddit thread. And in equally popular r/FoodLosAngeles thread, dozens of people agree that the store's guacamole is the best thing you can get at the chain, with its chunky texture and colorful mix-ins. 

Ceviche and aguachile are also highly recommended by many customers, and yes, these dishes are often served as appetizers or snacks, even though they are hearty enough to fill you up like a meal. Also, ceviche is the perfect snack to bring to summer gatherings. Chicken salad and chicharrón are other top deli options, but if you want something to warm you from the inside out, you can pick just about anything from the hot deli section. People enjoy how fresh the food is at the grocery chain. Northgate is considered by some as the best deli with an absolutely enormous selection of foods, so you'll want to stop by if you can find one.

There are over 400 Sprouts Farmers Market stores throughout the United States, and the chain has plenty of happy customers who love filling up on the deli sides. Honey Nut Chicken Salad, specifically, receives praise on the Sprouts website for its fantastic texture, chunky chicken bites, and fantastic flavors. It's no wonder, as it contains chicken, mayo, honey, cranberries, raisins, pecans, and celery for a medley of consistencies and pops of sweetness. Who can say no to the tender chicken? "It has become a favorite lunchtime treat," reviews say. 

If you prefer something seafood-based, the tuna salad has received rave reviews. Customers think it is probably the best salad you can get, with a pronounced dill note that sets it apart. Others consider it fresh, creamy, and clearly well-seasoned and herb-forward. "This tuna salad is so delicious that I will drive to Sprouts for no other reason than to buy this tuna," one person commented. If you want a quick side for your meal, the mashed potatoes are a good pick. People like that it uses red potatoes, that the skins are incorporated into the dish, and that the taste is as though they were homemade. 

When you don't want meat, get a good heap of the egg salad instead. If you're thinking it's just egg salad and can't be that interesting, reviews say otherwise. As one fan said, "there is no other egg salad I have had in my life that I have had the urge to rip open while I'm barreling down the highway and finish the whole container before even arriving home."

We identified top grocery chains by looking into what actual customers had to say. We located reviews from the product page on the respective grocery store's website, Reddit, Yelp, previous Tasting Table reviews, and other sources. People complimented the food's taste, which is the highest priority, but other praise centered on texture, versatility, and other factors.

Each grocery store had to have several highly praised deli sides to be included in the list. We also wanted to find a variety of items rather than focus on a single highly reviewed deli side. That way, there are some options should you visit the chain and seek ideas on what to get.