USVI-On-Line

Hey Folks, We are getting into the final stages of planning for our week vacation in STJ starting 6/21. We have five adults going and we are renting a villa in Catherineberg.

I'm looking for some recent experiences and/or reccomendations on where to buy our villa provisions. We are renting Jeeps on STT and driving over to STJ. I've seen people say that buying raw chicken or steak on island isn't a great idea...etc.

What are ya'lls opinions, where should we buy staples, fresh veggies, beer, meat cheese, etc?

Any inputs are appreciated...thanks!

WE have never had a problem purchasing meat. We just got back and did all of our shopping at Lily's in Coral Bay. It's small but very well-stocked and we got raw chicken breasts there twice and no problem.. Dolphin Market in Cruz Bay has the best produce. Starfish is good also but there's a little local market called Pine Peace (I think that's correct and they have staples and good prices also). All of the markets sell liquor, beer etc. I think you'll find that any thing you get at home you can get on STJ. No problem. Enjoy!!

Hi

As said, you can get whatever you need on St John. However we shopped at Plaza Extra in Tutu on St Thomas for a few things. I can't quote prices, but we did find it cheaper there, with a larger selection. The only price I can quote is the flavoured Cruzan Rum was $6.xx there and was $9.xx at Starfish.

If you have rum what else do you need???

We rent our vehicle on STJ, so shopping on STT isn't an option for us. But even if we were to get a vehicle on STT, I doubt that we'd stop to shop. Grocery shopping isn't the way I want to start off a vacation. Once we do pick up our vehicle on STJ, we sometimes do stop in Cruz Bay to pick up some stuff, but more often just head over to Coral Bay. We don't bring much with us and do eat out often. We shop mostly at Love City Mini Mart, which takes care of our needs. We sort of build a meal around what's available and looking good on any particular day.

In April we went to Cost U Less on St Thomas before heading over to St John.
With a large group I would do this again. They carry alot of the same things Costco does.
Just remember they did not sell ice there(April)
Stopped at a gas station/store on the way to Red Hook and got ice.
Hope this helps.

Here are a few prices from the Starfish Market from 2 weeks ago.

1 Gal whole milk $7.99
6 pack of Dr. Pepper $3.99
12 pack of Miller Lite $12.99
1/2 gal of Tropicana O.J. $4.89
Bananas $1.29lb
8oz bag of Doritos $3.99
1 doz Eggs $2.99

Taking my daughter and SIL on thier first trip to STJ = PRICELESS

Thanks for the inputs thusfar...

So, where are the best places to get fresh produce (fruits/veggies) and fresh seafood? Are there any places that are best for fresh stuff?

Bevm- I see you like Dolphin for produce, where exactly is Dolphin market??

Thanks again!

Hey Sherban,

We just got back, and this is one person's opinion. We rented our 4WD on St. Thomas, but we were eager to get to our villa, and didn't want to stop for shopping on St. Thomas. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the fish and the beef at Starfish, and though I don't remember prices, the woman in our group who's a grocery packin' mama said the prices were surprisingly good. We got NY strips and mahi, and though there aren't a wide variety of choices, Starfish has the basics down pretty well I thought. I didn't look at vegetables specificially, but they did have fresh asparagus and portobello mushrooms, which kind of surprised me. Prices are high, undeniably, and I didn't try Dolphin because I didn't want to be running all over looking for groceries, and because the last time I was there the selection was disappointing. Lots of people seem to have had better luck than me, though.

Oh, look at that sad ticker...

Robin

We are staying on STT July 4 and 5 then head to STJ July 6 for a week. I vowed this was going to be the year I followed through with bringing down meat - not gonna happen since we wont have a freeaer (I dont think) at the Green Iguana for our 2 nights. I have never had luck finding "premium" meats on STJ. This is actually one of the most troubling things left in my planning

I really want some big ole strips and filets to grill, but never can find any. I like a nice thick cut but those dont seem to exist on island. I also like to have a big shrimp boil but dont remember seeing much shrimp in the stores.

Is Starfish going to have steaks/shrimp like I like? Is there somewhere better on STT we should look before coming over? Oh the delimmas

We got THICK cuts of Rib Eyes, Filet and NY Strips at Starfish. Their selection can vary each day of course, but more often than not I find their steaks too big! All four of us thought the ribeyes were fantastic when we were there earlier this month.

Marina market in STT had a good selection of steaks last year when we stopped there - didn't have time to stop this year.

If you can't stop at Marina Market in Red Hook on the way over it is pretty easy for one person to just hop on the ferry if you are all in town having happy hour at a local bar.
You can get butcher cut meats, homemade sausages, fresh fish and other excellent seafoods, some specialty veggies or fruits, cheese and fresh bread.
With 4,5,or 6 people in a villa,and with getting 3 or 4 dinners covered, the bag wouldn't be too big and heavy to carry across the street and back to STJ where helping hands will hand you a drink and carry the groceries.
You would be gone a little over an hour, --- but eating thick cut chops or steaks, good fresh seafood and enjoying Villa Gravity the next few days for dinner on the deck. ---Where is there a rental villa in St J called 'Villa Gravity' ? Many of you seem to hang out there.
Could be worth the $10 ferry investment?

Hummm...shop for groceries or have happy hour at a bar in STT? Given those two options, I'm fairly sure which I'd pick.

Exit Zero wrote: ---Where is there a rental villa in St J called 'Villa Gravity' ? Many of you seem to hang out there.

You know, someone should have submitted that name to the "name that villa" contest that got squelched a few weeks ago