Worcester for ice cream and a taste of home

Visited Tri in Worcester to pick up some motorcycle boots off a guy on craigslist.  Afterwards we grabbed some lunch at my ol’ fave Wegmans!  I had to get one of their amazing subs, plus some chicken gyoza on the side (tots normal rite???).  By the checkout is a wall of cold beverages.  As I perused my eyes landed on something I grew up with, and only thought could be bought in New York:

We then went for ice cream at a place on the lake.  It was a little hot to be out in the sun, but the ice cream made up for some of it.  Tri, the Diva, didn’t want to be photographed eating so these were the only shots I got.

Wegmans Comes to New England

A little piece of upstate New York, Wegmans is a way of life for some.  Growing up near Pittsford, NY it’s easy to take for granted having gourmet pastries, bulk candy, a pizzeria, dry cleaning, and valet parking at a grocery store.  It’s been a few years since I have visited a Wegmans, but at last they have made their way east to Massachusetts.

It took nearly an hour, but the drive was worth it.  I think they purposely put it at the end of a long winding road to build the anticipation.  But at last, there it was, in all of its traditional-modern-gigantic-prestigious glory.  As expected, the parking lot was packed but we snagged a spot right by the Market Cafe.

I was overcome with feelings of excitement, wonder, and nostalgia.  It even smelled like a Wegmans!  This store is very reminiscent of the flagship Pittsford location from the exterior style, to the covered shopping cart returns, and endless amounts of prepared foods.  Jesse was excited over the assortment of tea’s near the front.

And I found an old favorite of mine:

Tri met up with us as we explored, and I think we were all excited over this find:

Both Jesse and Tri stocked up on dumplings to compliment the BBQ chicken and macaroni and cheese:

I came across something I had missed living in the South and New England:

I’ve been to a lot of “NY style” deli’s over the last few years and nothing measures up to Wegmans subs.  I think other native Rochestarians would agree.

This is what a sub should be. If it's not bigger than my forearm it's garbage

Plenty of private seating

After stuffing our faces we had to walk it off so we explored.  Jesse was impressed with the selection of magazines:

I think Jaleel White would share in my excitement over this find:

But I was on the hunt for my favorite shopping experiences: bulk candy.  We walked towards the center of the store when I saw in the distance the train.  I knew bulk candy was near.

At last!

Two walls of bins of assorted candies from chocolates, to gummies, to dried fruit and nuts.  You bag and weigh your own candy, I like to mix and match.  I heard rumors in high school that you if you lift the bag while you hit “print,” you can acquire a modest discount…I’ve heard…but not confirmed…ANYWAY

On the way out we found an old favorite of mine, Wegmans chocolate cake:

On the next visit I might have to partake in the coconut cream…I also grabbed a loaf of ciabatta bread to truly take me back to my childhood.  I don’t know if Jesse found it to be worth the drive, but it’s better than the six hour drive back to Rochester just for donuts!  I will surely be back.