Which Publix? Watercolor or PCB?

The Watercolor Publix on a Saturday is a jaw-dropping spectacle - go to the other one! At most other times it is 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of another, but avoid it on Saturdays!!!

For local produce go to Toni's in Grayton or For the Health of It in Blue Mtn.

I live on the north side of 30A, across from Watersound. I usually shop at the Publix in PCB instead of Watercolor - it is bigger, less crowded and they don't have the shortage issues that Watercolor Publix has... Last night I stopped at the Watercolor Publix on the way home from work and they were out of the milk I like, the ice cream I like, and a few other things - the shelves were pretty bare.

The drive to PCB is slightly longer mileage, but less traffic, fewer pedestrian issues, and generally more pleasant... it never takes me 14 minutes, I'd say more like 10. For a slightly quicker route, take 30A East to Watersound Parkway (where Camp Creek Golf Course is) and turn left. Follow Watersound Parkway to Hwy 98 and turn right... You avoid the slow speed limits and lights in Alys & Rosemary Beach... (those are both beautiful developments though, you should check them out at least once on your visit.)

For local produce, definitely Toni's or For the Health of It...

The Publix bakery is actually very good, I've never been disappointed... For really yummy treats though, head west on 30A to My Daddy's Cheesecake in Gulf Place (corner of 393 & 30A)

Oh, yeah, lemme into this one...we use the PCB location exclusively after an initial try at the other and found it to be 1)overcrowded, 2)bare in spots, 3)full of nice yet posing vacationeers, ready to stop mid-aisle and chat up a friend or three, 4) hard to park. PCB, as mentioned, is less crowded, has far fewer outages, has easier parking and generally has shoppers ready to grab and roll. It has a super deli, god bakery, fine produce. And there's a liquor store next door. Toni's for produce and emu meat, but haven't tried Blue Mtn yet. I vote ----Tah Dah PCB!

I also vote for PCB ~ if they are out of an item there is a Winn Dixie across the street that you could go to.

I actually prefer the one at Grand Boulevard. Never anywhere near as crowded as the other two. Maybe an extra ten minutes of drive time, but worth it, IMO.

I also vote for PCB ~ if they are out of an item there is a Winn Dixie across the street that you could go to.

PCB Winn-Dixie is underappreciated! Usually empty, very clean, plenty of stuff on the shelves. Open until midnight to boot!

Because of the lack of shelf space and their clientele is the short term visitor, you won't find the larger sizes of items many times therefore you pay more per ounce, etc.. Maybe not a big thing but one of the reasons I shop the PCB store most times , but I live here.

Thanks for all the postings! You've convinced me to shop at the Publix in PCB rather than Watercolor. I'm definitely going to buy produce at Toni's.

PCB Winn-Dixie is underappreciated! Usually empty, very clean, plenty of stuff on the shelves. Open until midnight to boot!

Don't forget the self checkout as well. Great for the gotta-get-it-in-a-hurry items.

Don't forget the self checkout as well. Great for the gotta-get-it-in-a-hurry items.

I love/d the self check out. I always used it unless I had a basket full and the place was busy...

I'd say avoid both on Saturday if you can. We were just there and did our stock up shop for the week @ the PCB Publix. It was crowded but a bigger store so they weren't out of stuff. And the liquor store right next door is a plus!! I think the meat department is better at Watercolor though. I agree about the Publix @ Grand Blvd. being a great choice too but it is a lot further than PCB from Watersound.

I actually prefer the one at Grand Boulevard. Never anywhere near as crowded as the other two. Maybe an extra ten minutes of drive time, but worth it, IMO.

Are you high Clarie? :blink:

The SanDestin Publix is a mob scene most of the time.

Are you high Clarie? :blink:

The SanDestin Publix is a mob scene most of the time.

I was in there at 2:30 in the PM Friday before last and there were almost no lines at the checkouts. None of this matters to me, because when I shop at the beach, it's always after 9 p.m. Never had a problem.

I was in there at 2:30 in the PM Friday before last and there were almost no lines at the checkouts. None of this matters to me, because when I shop at the beach, it's always after 9 p.m. Never had a problem.

Oh okay, that's because all the renters are leaving the next day. I've never shopped on Friday before. Thanks for the hint. ;-)

Don't forget the self checkout as well. Great for the gotta-get-it-in-a-hurry items.

And don't forget cool knick-knacks Publix would never carry. I am still kicking myself for not buying the Miller-Lite Christmas wreath that was deeply discounted after the holidays!:bang:

And don't forget cool knick-knacks Publix would never carry. I am still kicking myself for not buying the Miller-Lite Christmas wreath that was deeply discounted after the holidays!:bang:

I'm sure punzy is counting her blessings. :shock:

And don't forget cool knick-knacks Publix would never carry. I am still kicking myself for not buying the Miller-Lite Christmas wreath that was deeply discounted after the holidays!:bang:

Oh, but the stories you would have had...

forget about it and use the beach butler...you are on vacation!

Are you high Clarie? :blink:

The SanDestin Publix is a mob scene most of the time.

It is a mob scene, but they carry sooo much more things and really are never out of items. They are also more patient as a whole with a mom & 3 kids. Maybe it's just that they know us by name now. However, Tom the cashier will tell me when I've been in too much in a day or a week.😀

It is a mob scene, but they carry sooo much more things and really are never out of items. They are also more patient as a whole with a mom & 3 kids. Maybe it's just that they know us by name now. However, Tom the cashier will tell me when I've been in too much in a day or a week.😀

Which hottie is Tom? 😀

Watercolor the most profitable of all Publix

Because of the lack of shelf space and their clientele is the short term visitor, you won't find the larger sizes of items many times therefore you pay more per ounce, etc.. Maybe not a big thing but one of the reasons I shop the PCB store most times , but I live here.

I live in Watercolor and walk or skateboard over there in the evening for small stuff. Did you know that our Watercolor Publix is the most profitable Publix per square foot in the State? It always seemed smaller, and a little more boutique, but I didn't know it was #1 till recently.

Lucky us huh?

Which hottie is Tom? 😀

Tall, gray haired,glasses, sarcastic, late 50's gentleman. Tells me I need to stop buying all the healthy stuff & I'll actually save money.:floor:

We are checking into our place at Watersound this Saturday. According to mapquest, we are 14 minutes from the Publix in PCB and 11 minutes from the Publix in Watercolor. Which one do you think is better? We will be shopping for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack foods for the week. I like a grocery store with many selections. But I also appreciate a store that has upscale items and prepared foods.

I would like to buy local produce. Any suggestions?

How about a great bakery?

Whichever Publix you choose, remember:
1-Get your seafood at Goatfeathers or Shrimpers. A lot of the Publix stuff isn't fresh.
2-Absolutely, positively, pick up a key lime pie.
3-The French hamburger rolls at the bakery are SO much better than packaged buns. They are the same ones they use at Flip Flops.
4-The rotisserie chickens are really good and are cheap, too.
5-If you're going to Destin, pick up your wine at Chan's. Definitely cheaper than Publix, but not enough so to justify burning $10 worth of gas and an hour of time.

6-And my new top-secret recommendation....
Get the organic Lays chips. To my palate, they taste noticeably better than their standard equivalents. Publix sometimes keeps them with the rest of the chips, and sometimes in a separate organic section. But they will be there, somewhere.

Tom the cashier

is a real professional. :clap: He is the best checkout person I've ever encountered - competent, quick, polite, and friendly.

another Publix tip

Another tip. Just in case you need a pharmacy, there is one at PCB Publix, and they're really nice people! Unfortunately, there isn't one at the Watercolor Publix, which is much closer for me....at any rate, just so happy to have a Publix!!