Villa Market

[4niceight 32]

Some friends have told me that Villa Market is great particularly the cooked meat section. Having visited there expecting something special, I am now wondering what all the fuss is about. For me Big C beats it hands down. Anybody think differently, and why?

[joekicker 53]

In all my years in Thailand I have never heard Villa Market praised for the cooked meat section.

 

Villa Market is roundly praised, and has been for 40 years for its fresh meat section, and its imported foodstuffs. It has supermarket-type stuff on the shelves that no other market in Thailand has. It employs western trained butchers using top Thai and imported meats, particularly beef.

 

You may not like it, but that *is* why it is praised.

[MM 6,562]

I went to the new Villa in Pattaya and, among other things, bought some chicken and mushroom pies (made locally). The next day, I decided to cook one and noticed that the "Best Used By" date was the day before...the day I bought them!

I was not impressed.

[tom21 19]

I went to the new Villa in Pattaya and, among other things, bought some chicken and mushroom pies (made locally). The next day, I decided to cook one and noticed that the "Best Used By" date was the day before...the day I bought them!

I was not impressed.

 

 

 

you should of looked. i have been caught out a few times like that and allways check the exp date. that is if it has one

[MM 6,562]

you should of looked. i have been caught out a few times like that and allways check the exp date. that is if it has one

 

I think they should have removed it from the stock or marked it down in price. For an upscale, relatively expensive store, that's what I would expect. I'll give them another try sometime, but will be sure to check dates on their products from now on.

[crobe 12]

I am sitting here woirking in Munich, Germany

 

My wife called me today to say that she had been in Villa Market and they have that most valuable of commodities

 

Branston Pickle

 

Only Brits will undeerstand the significance of this

 

Cannot get it anywhere in Germany

 

Crobe

[joekicker 53]

My wife called me today to say that she had been in Villa Market and they have that most valuable of commodities

 

Branston Pickle clap2 clap2 clap2

 

 

And THAT, 4niceight, is what all the fuss is about. That and the meat.

[zaphodbeeblebrox 0]

My TG loves chicken bologna from Big C. I have brought her chicken bologna from Friendship and Foodland and she gives it the thumbs down. I brought her some from Villa Market and she admitted that it was better than Big C. The cooked meat section (which I assume is the ham, bacon and roast beef I see in front of the deli counter) looks good. I prefer their deli meats, but that is a personal preference. My TG also liked their chicken and cheese sausage.

[Emil 0]

I like Carrefour. They have a wide selection of food, its close to my appartment, their prices are reasonable (bought a fresh watermelon the other day for 5 baht a kilo or less than 7 cents a pound for us Yanks) and if your purchase is at least 1000 baht they will deliver it free to your place. I eat and enjoy Thai so I'm not looking for any Falang food, in fact when they have the Carrefour TGs handing out samples of lunch meats I frown and tell then I would like some dom bak khon and always get a chuckle.

[4niceight 32]

In all my years in Thailand I have never heard Villa Market praised for the cooked meat section.

 

Villa Market is roundly praised, and has been for 40 years for its fresh meat section, and its imported foodstuffs. It has supermarket-type stuff on the shelves that no other market in Thailand has. It employs western trained butchers using top Thai and imported meats, particularly beef.

 

You may not like it, but that *is* why it is praised.

Villa Market...ad on ThaiVisa..."the original supermarket since 1974". Joekicker, it sounds from the tone of your posts that you're trying to flame me. If so, get your facts straight. If not, thanks for your contribution. I wanted to know WHAT BMs thought was good about Villa Market that I couldn't see, and perhaps I've a little better insight now, especially regarding items that one cannot get at Big C, or other supermarkets. However, I found that the shopping experience there wasn't as pleasant as Big C and Festival Centre, and the prices I compared were higher. My opinion only!

[joekicker 53]

Villa Market...ad on ThaiVisa..."the original supermarket since 1974". Joekicker, it sounds from the tone of

 

You're very wrong about being flamed. Why would I flame you for such a thing anyway? That's pretty sensitive. As an aside, I would hope that if I were to flame you, that I'm good enough that you wouldn't wonder about whether I'd done it.

 

I would have bet Villa was around for more than 33 years, but I freely admit I missed the part that said this was a history test, my apologies for that or I would have researched it or not answered at all. I didn't notice anyone else getting the correct answer, so I'm not actually ashamed, though, other than not living up to your expectations and being off by 7 years.

 

As I said, there are prices you cannot compare, because the reason Villa is famous is that it has items that other markets do not. You can't compare the prices of US beef, halal chicken, most of the wine, much of the beer, Dinty Moore's stew or a hundred other items -- because the other stores don't have what Villa has. If you want a rack of Australian lamb, it's pretty sure you'll be going to Villa and not Big C for it.

 

You asked why it was famous/admired, and I gave you *the* two reasons -- imported stuff and meat. Damned if I can imagine why that's controversial or somehow inflammable, either one.

Edited October 19, 2007 by joekicker

[MM 6,562]

Once they've worked out their stocking/restocking procedures in the new market, I'll give them a go again.

 

I met an expat living in BKK on a flight to the US a year or so ago, and she was telling me about the meat (steaks) available at Villa in BKK...I have been anxiously awaiting their arrival. Dinty Moore Beef Stew, eh? I'll definitely be back.

[PerpetualTroll 0]

I went to the new Villa in Pattaya and, among other things, bought some chicken and mushroom pies (made locally). The next day, I decided to cook one and noticed that the "Best Used By" date was the day before...the day I bought them!

I was not impressed.

 

This is a trick found in almost every store with the exception of Foodland. It just wouldn't happen there. I see the squad of workers go out at Midnight scouring the shelves for anything out of date.

 

And to the poster who thinks the meat is better at Big C - I buy nothing except for Foodland meats and poultry. My wifes friend fixes the meat slicers all over Thailand, Cambodia and Laos and he knows which ones are clean.

 

Stick with Foodland.

[joekicker 53]

The original Villa Market is between Sois 33 and 35 on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok. Not too long ago, maybe five or so years ago I think, they started to open branches.

 

I've heard stories, and I have no idea if they are true or just common conception, that the programme to open other stores has been somewhere between barely adequate and terrible. I've been in two of the branches once each and I have no feel for how good they are.

 

I do shop at the original branch, roughly every couple of weeks.

[MM 6,562]

This is a trick found in almost every store with the exception of Foodland. It just wouldn't happen there. I see the squad of workers go out at Midnight scouring the shelves for anything out of date.

 

And to the poster who thinks the meat is better at Big C - I buy nothing except for Foodland meats and poultry. My wifes friend fixes the meat slicers all over Thailand, Cambodia and Laos and he knows which ones are clean.

 

Stick with Foodland.

 

I agree. I've never had a problem with Foodland. Good meats, good imported products, good service.

[touristman 1]

I've heard stories, and I have no idea if they are true or just common conception, that the programme to open other stores has been somewhere between barely adequate and terrible. I've been in two of the branches once each and I have no feel for how good they are.

 

I used the one at soi Thonglor when i was living in Bkk.It became my supermarket of choice.Excellent, if a little expensive.

 

I'm sure that there will be teething problems with new stores, but once they settle down, it will be the same standard as the Bkk stores................excellent.

 

p.s Foodland is great too, and i have a better selection of food here than i ever did in England.

[simon_cook 22]

Where is it and is there parking?

[rogercw 3]

The Villa Market is in the new Mall (The Avenue) across Second Road from the Lek Hotel. It has parking you enter directly from Second Road. As you come up Second Road look for the McCafe (McDonalds) at the entrance to the mall.

 

I agree with previous posters. Most of the prices are high but they have a lot of items that no one else sells.