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The Best Things to Buy at the Grocery Store

We tasted our way through the supermarket so you don’t have to.

3 Jul 2024
4 min read
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Grocery stores stock thousands of products. How do you even start to find the best, say, extra virgin olive oil, or frozen buffalo wings? That’s where Block Party comes in. 

Our Block Party team of expert food writers, test kitchen veterans, chefs, and connoisseurs — plus their willing partners, lucky friends, and hungry kids — conduct a whole lot of taste tests to discern the best of the best grocery store staples. 

From string cheese to frozen dumplings to ranch dressing, they taste dining room tables full of products, take copious notes, and snap libraries of phone photos so they can confidently recommend the products that best deliver on flavor, texture, and quality. They diligently air fry, pan fry, dip, drizzle, stir, and swirl. 

Next time you fill your cart, you can be sure you’re doing so with expert-backed guidance. Here are our guides to the best grocery store items, for the next time you’re staring at the endless shelves of food wondering what to buy. 

Shop GroceryShop Grocery

PHOTO CREDIT:
Photography: Paul Quitoriano
Art Direction: Sarah Ceniceros Gomez

Never let an empty fridge ruin your plans. From everyday staples like eggs, milk, and pasta to snack hits, pantry must-haves, and quick meal ingredients, having the right groceries on hand makes weeknight cooking a breeze. Whether you’re prepping for a busy week or just topping off your fridge, score all your favorite grocery essentials in a flash with DoorDash and keep your kitchen—and your life—fully stocked without stepping foot in a store.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ordering Groceries on DoorDash

You can get your entire weekly grocery haul delivered in one order by choosing a full-assortment grocery store in the DoorDash app and adding all your essentials—from fresh produce and proteins to pantry staples and household basics. Features like saved lists, list import, and one-click reorder make stocking up fast, and Pro Shoppers handle your items with care. Need something your main store doesn’t carry? DoubleDash lets you add items from a nearby partner without starting a new order. Pick your delivery window, check out, and your weekly shop is done.

DoorDash makes it easy to top off your fridge with those last-minute essentials—eggs, milk, fresh fruit, veggies, salad kits, yogurts, sparkling water, or snacks. You can also grab easy meal helpers like rotisserie chicken, frozen options, or pre-cut produce when you need something fast. It’s all about speed and convenience, so you can get what you need without a full grocery run. If you’re looking to top off your fridge right now, you can browse nearby stores through our grocery delivery page and get what you need in minutes.

​​Finding grocery staples like eggs, milk, or pasta on DoorDash is simple and quick. Just open the app, head to the Grocery tab, and use the search bar to type exactly what you need—whether that’s “2% milk,” “large eggs,” or your favorite pasta shape. You’ll see options from nearby stores, along with helpful categories like Dairy & Eggs or Pantry Staples if you prefer to browse. Add everything to your cart, choose your delivery window, and you’re set with the essentials you need, delivered right to your door.

Yes — there are plenty of options on DoorDash for fresh produce, meats, and dairy from both national chains and local grocers. The platform lists a wide range of stores where you’ll find full grocery assortments including produce, meat, dairy & eggs.Whether you’re restocking your fridge for the week or looking for specialty items from a neighborhood market, you’ll find what you need and have it delivered—fresh, convenient, and fast.

Yes—you absolutely can schedule your grocery delivery for a specific time that fits your busy life. When you’re checking out on DoorDash, just pick the Schedule Ahead option and set the date and delivery window that works for you. That way your items—produce, meats, dairy, pantry staples—arrive when you’re ready, not when you have to drop everything. Whether you're prepping for dinner, planning ahead for a party, or just want your weekly stock-up delivered at a quiet hour, DoorDash has you covered.

If an item you ordered is out of stock, you can easily handle substitutions on DoorDash. When you’re placing your grocery order, look for a Substitution Preferences section where you can choose options like “Yes, substitute,” “Contact me first,” or “Refund if unavailable.”If your shopper runs into an out-of-stock situation, you’ll get a notification and can approve a replacement or choose to have a refund instead. If you want even more control, use the “Special Instructions” box at checkout to tell your shopper whether you’re okay with swaps or want exact items only.

If a grocery item arrives damaged or spoiled, you can report the issue right from the Orders tab in the DoorDash app. Select your grocery order, tap HelpGrocery Order Issues, then choose the applicable problem like “Item damaged,” “Spoiled/expired,” or “Missing item.” You’ll be asked to upload a photo and provide details so DoorDash’s support team can review. Depending on the situation, you will receive a refund, credit, or sometimes a redelivery. DoorDash stands by the freshness and quality of your groceries—so you’re covered if something arrives less than perfect.

You can expect your groceries on DoorDash to arrive in as little as 30 minutes, depending on your location and store availability. The app will display a realistic delivery window before you checkout, and once your order is picked up you’ll be able to track your items in real time. Whether you're grabbing essentials or doing a full stock-up, the speed and flexibility mean you get your groceries when you need them, right to your door.

*Delivery times vary by location. See app for estimate.

Yes — you can link your grocery store’s loyalty account to your DoorDash orders, making it easier to earn points and access member-only discounts. When a merchant offers “Store Member Loyalty Deals,” you’ll be prompted to add your rewards number during checkout and see savings reflected on eligible items.Just check if the store you’re shopping in is part of the program—then you’ll get the benefits of your loyalty account while enjoying the convenience of delivery.

Yes—DoorDash offers deals, promotions, and strike-through pricing for grocery orders to help you save. You can find in-app offers found under the Offers Hub, and DashPass members get access to $0 delivery fees and members-only deals.You may also see strike-through pricing or “original price” vs “sale price” tags for items marked down at certain stores. So, when shopping groceries via DoorDash, keep an eye on both the Offers section and the item listings for discounts.