With more than 1,300 stores, Publix is one of the top 10 grocery retailers in the U.S. But even regulars might not know all the inside tricks to make the most of their grocery store visits.
And in the age of TikTok, these tricks are exploding.
Here are five Publix shopping hacks to help you get the best, healthiest deals and make grocery shopping smoother and more enjoyable.
Check out Publix’s veggie plates
JHVEPhoto/Shutterstock @devmoon4/Tiktok (Licensed)
TikToker Dev (@devmoon4) shared a viral hack for getting a box of groceries at Publix for just $4.79.
“Publicx always treats me well,” she says, holding up her packed to-go order. She opens the meal box to reveal corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, potato wedges, two rolls, mac and cheese, and a generous veggie plate with gravy.
“Look at the amount of food,” she exclaims. “So I [expletive] “day.”
The video, captioned “Publix, you’re in my heart forever,” left many viewers stunned by the price.
In the comments section, Dev further explained how to purchase the dish, writing, “Just say you want the veggie plate, then ask for a delicious looking side dish!”
How to make Publix sandwiches taste better
Felix Mizioznikov/ShutterStock @iamlexupnext/TikTok (Used with License)
TikTok user @iamlexupnextb posted a video showcasing Publix’s new sandwich recommendations, recommending an artisanal white bread known as “Mountain Bread” instead of the standard sub.
“I’m going to show you the best sandwich ever, and I’m not talking about a Subway sandwich,” she begins. “Go to Publix and get a Mountain Bread sandwich. Not the kind of sub that cuts your gums.”
Her go-to sandwich comes with turkey, lettuce, tomato, jalapeño and crispy cucumber on top of the aforementioned mountain bread.
Another tip she suggests is adding fried onions purchased specifically from another part of the store to add to deli sandwiches.
In the comments section, viewers expressed a desire to try it, with one person writing: “That might be a great idea.”
Ken Walter/Shutterstock @rantz_raves/Tiktok (Used under license)
In a viral TikTok video, a Publix shopper is warning people not to put groceries in the car seat area of their shopping carts.
TikTok user @rantz_raves starts his video by focusing on a typical shopping cart, as he opens up a car seat and says, “Don’t put your groceries in here. If your kid sits in this with a dirty diaper, it will leak. I’ve seen it.”
The video quickly went viral, leaving viewers in awe.
One viewer commented: “Wow that’s my wallet holder! I’m a mum and I never thought of something like that!”
Another added: “I’d never thought about that until today. Glad the stores still provide disinfectant wipes.”
Concerns about shopping cart cleanliness aren’t new: A 2012 study found that 72 percent of grocery carts had some sort of fecal bacteria, according to a Washington Post article, likely due to sources like kids with dirty diapers, cross-contamination from raw meat, or bird droppings in the parking lot.
Stay healthy with affordable Publix salads
@butterflymegg/TikTok Michael Berlfein/ShutterStock (Used under license)
TikTok user @butterflymegg posted a video expressing her gratitude for the cheap, fresh salads she buys from her local Publix in Florida.
“Do you know how much this salad cost?” she asks. “It’s an Italian salad from Publix, made fresh right in front of me. It has lettuce, tomato, banana peppers, pickles, onions, jalapenos, bell peppers, cucumbers, salt, pepper, oil, and vinegar. Do you know how much it cost? She’s fat.”
“Six dollars. That’s six dollars,” she continues. “That’s all I wanted to say. Goodbye.”
Her video sparked a debate about the affordable, healthy food options available in US grocery stores, with many pointing to Publix as a place to get healthy, affordable meals.
A viewer in the comments section shared another Publix salad hack, writing, “Buy a Publix salad and use the ingredients in another dish. All prep done!”
Buy groceries directly from stores instead of through Instacart
@sophiakokolakis/TikTok sdx15/ShutterStock (Licensed)
A TikTok user caused a stir after revealing that the items she ordered from Loblaws through Instacart had a price increase of $77.
In a video, TikTok user Sophia Kokolakis (@sophiakokolakis) shared her shock at finding that groceries cost $221 on Instacart but only $144 in the store.
“Wow, this is the first time an Instacart delivery person has left me a receipt,” she said.
Commenters suggested shoppers order directly through grocers’ websites to avoid the extra charges.
For example, Loblaws offers discounts and delivery via DoorDash, and Publix, Walmart, Amazon, and Kroger also offer delivery with no markup on items.
Essentially, Instacart offers convenience, but often at a significant cost, and shoppers who prioritize saving money may be better off buying groceries in person or ordering directly from a grocer’s website.
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