The American Grocery Stores Canadians Can't Resist
Some Canadians will happily drive across the border just to visit a grocery store. From Trader Joe's famous snacks to Target's exclusive products, American retailers offer plenty of things shoppers can't find at home. But the appeal goes beyond those familiar names, with regional supermarkets, discount chains, and even a luxury grocer turned tourist attraction.
Which American stores are really worth the trip?
Cross-Border Grocery Shopping Is Nothing New
Canadians have been travelling south for groceries and household essentials for decades. Shopping trips to Buffalo, Detroit, and other border communities have long offered access to American retailers. A University at Buffalo study documented Canadians visiting Western New York supermarkets as far back as 1991. Lower prices have often been part of the appeal, but are the savings always worth the trip?
But The Savings Aren't Always What They Seem
Lower American prices don't always mean savings after converting to Canadian dollars. In 2024, Canadian food researcher Sylvain Charlebois warned that exchange rates could make cross-border bargains less attractive. However, American stores often carry products unavailable in Canada. For some shoppers, the selection matters more than the savings.
Walmart: A Familiar Store With Different Products
Walmart is hardly exotic to Canadians, but visiting an American location can still reveal some surprises. U.S. stores carry food brands, regional products, and flavors that aren't necessarily available in Canadian locations. The company's extensive grocery departments also make it convenient to stock up during a road trip. For shoppers already visiting the States, Walmart offers an easy introduction to the differences between the two markets.
Walmart Has A Surprisingly Strong Grocery Reputation
Walmart ranked 11th in dunnhumby's 2026 American grocery rankings, which measured customer perceptions and retailer performance. It's also among Canada's leading grocery retailers, according to dunnhumby's 2025 Canadian study. Its familiarity makes it a convenient cross-border option, even if it lacks the novelty of smaller American chains.
Meijer: Michigan's Hometown Retail Giant
For Canadians crossing into Michigan, Meijer offers something different from the usual national retailers. The family-owned chain began as a grocery store in Greenville, Michigan, in 1934. It eventually pioneered the modern supercenter concept with the opening of Thrifty Acres in 1962. Today, its combination of groceries, fresh foods, and general merchandise makes it a recognizable Midwestern shopping destination.
Meijer Has More Than 90 Years Of History
Meijer remains owned by the founding family, a distinction that separates it from many national retail giants. Its stores offer fresh produce, bakery products, meat, and household essentials alongside clothing and other merchandise. The company operates hundreds of locations across six Midwestern states, including Michigan. That geography makes Meijer accessible to Ontario travelers heading through Detroit or Port Huron.
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Lidl: The European Discount Favorite
Lidl is a German supermarket chain that has expanded into the U.S. but has no Canadian locations. Its smaller stores focus on affordable groceries, private-label products, and a carefully selected assortment. Canadian media has identified Lidl alongside Aldi and Trader Joe's as a discount grocer attracting Canadian interest. For travelers, the appeal includes discovering products unavailable at home.
Lidl Has An Unexpected European Twist
Approximately 80% of Lidl's American assortment consists of private-label products, including many international specialties. The stores feature fresh bakery items, imported cheeses, European pastries, and weekly changing merchandise. Lidl has also expanded across the East Coast, opening a Manhattan location in October 2026. For Canadians visiting New York City, it's another grocery experience worth exploring between sightseeing stops.
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Tops Friendly Markets: A Buffalo Shopping Tradition
Tops might not be famous across America, but it has a surprisingly strong connection to Canadian shoppers. The chain traces its origins to a grocery business established in Niagara Falls, New York, during the 1920s. Its first modern supermarket opened in 1962, and Tops subsequently expanded throughout Western New York. That history makes it especially relevant to Canadians crossing the border near Niagara Falls or Buffalo.
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Tops Once Dominated Canadian Grocery Trips
A 1991 University at Buffalo survey found that 36.9% of respondents had visited Tops in the previous year. Among cross-border shoppers from Ontario's Niagara region, that figure reached 92.7%. Wegmans attracted considerably fewer respondents. Although historical, these figures provide clear evidence of Tops' popularity with Canadian shoppers.
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Publix: A Florida Favorite
Florida has long been a popular vacation destination for Canadians, making Publix a familiar name to many visitors. The supermarket chain operates throughout the southeastern United States and places considerable emphasis on fresh foods and customer service. It even maintains a vacation-shopping guide featuring groceries, prepared meals, and pickup options. For travelers staying in vacation rentals, Publix is an essential stop.
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Publix Has A Sandwich Worth Seeking Out
One of Publix's biggest attractions is its deli sandwiches, affectionately called Pub Subs. They're made to order with fresh-baked rolls, meats, cheeses, and toppings. Popular choices include chicken tender, Italian, and turkey subs. For Canadians, it's a chance to try a regional American favorite while grocery shopping.
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WinCo Foods: A B.C. Border-Shopping Favorite
WinCo Foods has attracted Canadian bargain hunters to its Bellingham, Washington, location. In 2024, Daily Hive Vancouver reported on a Canadian shopper who crossed the border to explore the discount supermarket. They highlighted its low prices, including bagels selling for just 68 U.S. cents. For British Columbians visiting Washington, WinCo offers a grocery experience unavailable at home.
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WinCo Has Some Impressive Prices
WinCo is an employee-owned supermarket chain known for discount groceries and extensive bulk-food sections. In an October 2026 price comparison, the Bellingham Herald found WinCo had the cheapest basket of five grocery staples among nine local stores. Its total was $12.93, compared with $16.55 at Trader Joe's. While prices vary, the comparison helps explain why budget-conscious Canadians might visit.
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Wegmans: A Buffalo Favorite
Wegmans is a particularly appealing option for Canadians travelling through Western New York. Founded in Rochester, the regional supermarket chain has become known for its extensive food selection and prepared meals. Wegmans also finished ninth nationally in dunnhumby's 2026 grocery rankings. Its combination of conventional groceries and restaurant-style options offers something different from the average supermarket visit.
Wegmans Is Almost A Restaurant And Grocery Store Combined
At Wegmans, you might find dinner before even reaching the grocery aisles. The chain offers sushi, sandwiches, salads, and ready-to-heat meals, with selections varying by location. Shoppers can pick up ingredients or grab something ready to eat. For Canadians visiting Buffalo, it's an easy place to combine lunch with grocery shopping.
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Erewhon: The Grocery Store Turned Tourist Attraction
Erewhon might be the most surprising store on this list. The luxury Los Angeles grocery chain has become famous for its celebrity clientele, extravagant prices, and viral food products. In 2025, the Los Angeles Times reported that tourists were adding Erewhon to their itineraries alongside major city attractions. For Canadians visiting California, it's an unusual way to experience LA's celebrity-driven wellness culture.
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Erewhon Is Famous For Its $21 Smoothies
Erewhon's celebrity-inspired smoothies have become some of its biggest attractions, particularly its famous Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie. Visitors line up to try the expensive drinks, photograph their purchases, and browse shelves filled with premium health foods. The grocery chain has become so popular that some tourists visit simply to experience the hype. It's a far cry from an ordinary trip to the supermarket.
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Aldi: The Discount Store Canadians Want
Aldi is a popular American discount grocery chain with no stores in Canada. The German-founded retailer focuses on private-label products, low prices, and smaller, streamlined supermarkets. Canadian news outlets have identified Aldi as a chain attracting interest from cross-border shoppers. Its appeal lies in affordable groceries and unique products without the overwhelming selection of larger stores.
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Aldi Has The Rankings To Back Up Its Reputation
Aldi placed fifth in dunnhumby's 2026 ranking of American grocery retailers. That's an impressive result for a chain that emphasizes efficiency and low prices over elaborate presentations. The research identified savings as an increasingly important driver of long-term grocery retailer success. While American shoppers provided the data, Aldi's strong performance helps explain why Canadian bargain hunters are curious about the chain.
Target: The American Store Canadians Never Forgot
Target holds a special place in Canadian cross-border shopping history because it once operated stores throughout Canada. The retailer closed all 133 Canadian locations in April 2015 after its expansion failed to meet expectations. Even before that closure, many Canadians had been familiar with shopping at its American stores. Today, crossing the border remains an option for Canadians who want Target products unavailable at home.
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Some Canadians Make Regular Target Runs
In 2022, Narcity profiled Toronto content creator Tara Michelle, who regularly drove to Buffalo with her mother to shop at Target and Trader Joe's. The roughly two-hour trip let them stock up on products unavailable in Canada. Target's exclusive brands include Good & Gather groceries and Favorite Day treats. Their trips show that Target's Canadian appeal continued long after its stores closed.
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Trader Joe's: The Store Canadians Travel For
Trader Joe's is one of the clearest examples of an American grocery chain attracting Canadian cross-border shoppers. With no Canadian locations, fans must travel south to visit. Its shelves feature private-label snacks, frozen foods, sauces, seasonings, and unusual treats. Much of its appeal comes from discovering products unavailable at home.
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Trader Joe's: A Grocery Treasure Hunt
More than 80% of Trader Joe's products carry its own labels, with new snacks and seasonal favorites appearing regularly. On her Buffalo shopping trips, Toronto content creator Tara Michelle stocked up on dips, oat creamer, frozen pizza, and other groceries. She even brought a cooler to transport her purchases home. It's easy to see why Trader Joe's earns the top spot on this list.
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Don't Forget About The Exchange Rate
Before making a grocery trip, Canadians should consider the full cost of shopping in American dollars. Gas, bridge tolls, currency conversion, and taxes can quickly reduce potential savings. A Canadian food expert interviewed by NOW Toronto in 2024 warned that cross-border grocery bargains were becoming harder to find. Shopping for unique products may be more rewarding than expecting everything to be cheaper.
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Same-Day Trips Have Different Customs Rules
Canadians returning after less than 24 hours don't qualify for a personal duty-and-tax exemption. After 24 hours, eligible travelers can bring back up to CAN$200 in goods, increasing to CAN$800 after 48 hours. All purchases must still be declared, and additional conditions apply. The Canada Border Services Agency recommends reviewing the rules before traveling.
Not Every Grocery Item Can Cross The Border
Some foods face restrictions when brought into Canada, including meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables. Requirements vary depending on the product and its origin. Canadian border authorities require travelers to declare all food, plant, and animal products. Checking the rules before shopping can help avoid surprises at customs.
Which American Grocery Store Would You Visit?
From Tops' long history with Canadian shoppers to Trader Joe's exclusive snacks, American grocery stores offer plenty of reasons to explore beyond the usual tourist attractions. Aldi and Lidl appeal to bargain hunters, while Wegmans and Publix are known for their prepared foods. Meanwhile, Erewhon has become a tourist attraction in its own right.
So, which American grocery store would convince you to cross the border?
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