Christina’s Epicure

I stayed at the East Norwich Inn across the street while I was in town for a night. I thought this place offered a lot of great healthy ready made food (hence, epicure). I had an amazing and huge turkey/​cheese dam which and salad. They have many options. All the places next to them are Italian mostly and a random (seemingly overly priced) steakhouse.

I love Christina’s Epicure! The food is fantastic and always fresh! If either my mom or myself are not there every day, then we are there just about every other day. I get things for dinner from the prepared foods counter or the grab-​n-​go section. Some of my favorite dishes are the caprese lasagna roll ups (probably my absolute favorite!), chicken cacciatore, chicken Marengo, chicken bruschetta and the chicken meatloaf and meatloaf with mozzarella. I also really like the chicken meatballs, honey chicken strips, chicken empanadas, mashed sweet potatoes, mixed roasted potatoes, home fried potatoes, vegetable fried rice, sautéed vegetables and balsamic vegetables just to name some more delicious items. The best is getting the lasagna roll ups and a couple of chicken meatballs to have together. They don’t always have the same things each week; it depends on what is on special for their weekly sale (which runs from Thursday to Wednesday), but they do have some staple items, like chicken cutlets (breaded, lemon and balsamic), fried chicken and chicken wings to name a few. I also get my cold cuts and tuna salad there to have for lunch. The cold cuts I like are usually on special and I really like Christina’s own double roasted turkey, which I get often. The tuna salad is very good, although I have to say that at times it is a bit dry and I would have to add a little mayo. I like that it is a bit cheaper than Bagel Boss! Sometimes I will treat myself and get a salad for lunch. They are a little pricey, but so delicious and filling and well worth it! The only thing I will say is that I am not overly crazy about all of the Italian meals from the grab-​n-​go section. They are okay, but not great. I like a lot of sauce and they do not put much sauce on them, so I find myself asking for an extra container of sauce at the counter (I do that for the lasagna roll ups too). I have sampled some of the dips and spreads and the ones I have tried are very good. If you are in the mood to get dessert, the chocolate pudding is soooooooo good and I like some of the muffin flavors!!! The staff is friendly and helpful too. Overall, I have not been disappointed.
I agree with the review about there being no lines ever! If even one or two people are waiting, they add another cashier to ring up. I also agree about their plastic bags. They are very sturdy and never rip or leak. I was almost going to give Christina’s 4 stars because there have been times when they did not have something that was advertised on special in their circular for the prepared foods or grab-​n-​go section. Sometimes I was looking so forward to something and it was disappointing to get there and find out that they did not have it. If a particular item is advertised, then they should have that item. Lately though, they have been much better about having everything that is advertised in their circular. I have to say, every now and then they will have something I really like that I was not expecting to see. It is a nice surprise! I definitely recommend Christina’s! I never had a bad experience there and I don’t understand how anyone could. To the ones who posted a negative review, I say try going again! I don’t think you will be sorry. I never am and I don’t know what my mom and I would do without Christina’s!

Whenever I’m «home» on Long Island I pop in to this cute little spot which is right across from my mom’s neighborhood. It has the stuff I used to keep in my place when I lived in the city and in walking distance. Stuff I couldn’t ever get when living in Michigan.
While you probably couldn’t do ALL of your shopping here, it does offer excellent meats, deli, fish, produce. Better still: the brined snacks. I don’t know what else to call them… but like peppers stuffed with prosciutto/​salami and provolone, olives, oil and brine packed veggies. Amazing. Also great fresh bread. They have great brie options including some brie tortes that make a perfect, simple, option for entertaining.
The beer selection is small but always interested with some local beers stocked. You can’t get wine here (because NYS has yet to update their blue laws) but there are wine shops in the shopping center that have great offerings.
If you don’t want gourmet cheeses there is an open wall fridge along the back wall that has the mass-​produced cheeses and other dairy products that come at a lower price.
When I was a kid this was a gristedes with a cigarette machine near the back door. Kind of funny to see how high end it’s gone but definitely keeps the locals happy, especially the ones who live in some of the more exclusive areas nearby. But, even for regular middle-​class schmoes like me it’s a great spot to pick up picnic goodies or game night munchies.

this is on my way to and from work, so it is a no brainer to stop in if I need a fast garnish or veggie. Everything is beautifully displayed. Cheeses, produce, prepared foods. I usually just buy an apple or a pear, but dream about just buying everything here.

We love this place. When we are on the way home and we have to get something and think about the alternatives in the area, we almost always opt for Christina’s. First off, everyone inside is friendly and the store is immaculate. They have an unbelievable selection of cheeses and dips. The help is always courteous and helpful.
You won’t find everything on your list or, at least, in twenty varieties, but they have most of what you need. Their prepackaged meals are much better than you might expect. In all the time we have been coming here, I’ve never seen a line develop before they add cashier staff– a huge plus because I hate lines.
A hidden secret… Well not so secret… They have the best bags around. The bags don’t break and they don’t leak. Why don’t other store get this right? I’ll never know.
A little pricier than other groceries in the area for some things, but at this stage of my life, I don’t mind paying for quality and a pleasant shopping experience. Well done Christina’s!

I love this place when I want to get good food without being crowded or wandering lost in a big supermarket.
The veggie section has the freshest choices and everything is laid out beautifully. I love their meat department but their fish department is probably the best around… even better than the local fish stores around.
If I want to grab a quick lunch, they have an assortment of interesting salads and sandwiches and good sushi, too.
I have used them to cater two small dinners for me. One of them I picked up and it was great. The other I had delivered. Peggy the manager had it timed perfec