Food Shopping Around Eindhoven

Two places stand out when you’re talking about food shopping outside of Eindhoven.  The first is Delhaize, one grocery store of a Belgian chain in Neerpelt, just south of the Dutch/Belgian border as you head out of Valkenswaard.  The Dutch that appreciate fine food love to shop here, too.  You can get all types of game, interesting fowl, French cheeses, etc.  We shop here when entertaining.

Also, absolutely critical if you are from the states and have a car is Grare’s American and Mexican food store in Antwerp (Prins Boudewijnlaan 175; 2610 Wilrijk).  It’s just a little south of the ring on the south side of Antwerp; once you get to the ring and start south, take the Mortsel/Berchem exit.  Go left over the freeway and take the first right (Elizabethlaan) that is not a freeway exit.  On this road, drive almost to the second traffic light (one to two miles)… it’s on your left across a berm.  At Grare’s, you can find a lot of baking ingredients that you will be unable to find elsewhere, presuming they are in stock, such as real vanilla, Baker’s unsweetened chocolate, chocolate chips, corn meal, pumpkin filling for pumpkin pie, etc.  They also have the best selection of Mexican and tex-mex ingredients I’ve seen since I moved here, along with old staples like Cheerios, Captain Crunch, Oreos, Quaker Oats cereal and fishy crackers.  Lastly, they get frozen bagels from New York.  I can’t leave this place without spending $200.

So, here is my list of things that you cannot buy in Eindhoven for love or money; bring them from the states!

• Allspice
• Children’s cough syrup
• Children’s Tylenol and Motrin
• Cream of Tartar
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Real brown sugar
• Spermicidal gel… appears to be by prescription only
• Monistat and other feminine hygiene over-the-counter meds… same
• traditional Easter egg dye
• traditional Easter baskets with handles
• traditional Easter grass