In a world of mega-sized grocery stores with acres of wine bottles and craft beers, organic boutiques and glutton-free everything, there is Reid’s Super Save Markets. All they have to offer are the best meats and the best varieties of meat in town, plus fresh local produce and many brands you won’t find elsewhere.
I was in Kroger’s recently and struck up a conversation with another couple – we had both been looking for country ham in the deli, preferably Kite’s Ham. They had no country ham of any description, but my new friends reminded me of Reid’s.
Reid’s, of course.
Reid’s will also have shad roe when that time comes and the best and freshest oysters this side of Tappahannock – and their ground beef is simply the best. Reid’s has their own butchers, and I don’t know what they put in their 80/20 burger, but it’s so good that many restaurants will buy only from this local store down on Preston Avenue. And if you need beef hearts or chicken feet or livers, they’ve got that as well.
My late father-in-law, Cyril Goldsmith, swore by Reid’s. He loved their salted fish and other delicacies. Like many, he went there weekly.
Reid’s has been a Charlottesville institution for over 50 years. They have a modest size store, but all of the essentials. For many in town, Reid’s Super Save is the ONLY grocery store. It remains one of the few places where you can ask the butcher for a special cut of meat – most any meat – and he will accommodate. Reid’s is open seven days a week, until 7 on Sundays and till 9 on other days. They also have a store in Dillwyn if you’re in that area.
I’ll be stopping by this week for some Kite’s Ham, and whenever I’m at Reid’s, I’ll pick up a pound or two of ground beef and maybe some oysters. Reed’s is my kind of grocery store.
Contact Reed’s at 434-295-4149 for special orders.