How could you be a fan of a supermarket? When your family eats as much rice as mine does, and you…read morecan by cheap rice in bulk (as well as supplies for Japanese food), then you would also be a fan. In comparison to other Korean supermarkets, this one is pretty huge. Generally, if they don't have it, you don't need it. Btw, if you sign up for a red card, you amass points which you can use for future discounts.

I was only having a discussion with someone a week ago about Persian supermarkets. His argument was…read morethat the Persians make the best kebabs, to which I said, "well get thee to Joe's Pizza and Arax in Lindfield (review http://frid.co/nhjor1 )". To this he retorted that he would not be able to survive without regular visits to his local Persian supermarket... And so less than a week later I walk by a brand new addition to the Hornsby community. It was pretty small, and some of the items I think I might be able to get at other shops, but admittedly I am no expert on this type of food. That said, when I saw a bottle of sour cherry jam, I had to have it. I love a good sour cherry. Especially if it is in a German strudel... or ... as it would seem... on toast with a bit of peanut butter... :-) I know right... I am all class. :-) In any case, if this is something you are seeking out, and you are in the area, this is going to be one of your only options. They have only been open for 3 weeks so far, so are still filling out their stock base, but it is always great to be able to find different types of foods (at least I think so).

Ever felt the desire to cook bak kut teh from scratch? Need to find some sort of root or spice for…read moreChinese cooking? This is our go to shop for all things Chinese in Hornsby. While sometimes I require help with the translations ( I understand 0% Chinese), I have not been steered wrong yet. Have always found this place to be good value.

Prices are reasonable but today bought some beans but not the price I thought it was, they said for…read moreanother vegetable bit all there were was green beans. Put the right Prices or have it in English not Chinese! I'm Chinese but can't read Chinese. Their customer service is appalling! I'd rather shop elsewhere. Learn to speak English if you work at a place not only Chinese people shop at!

Years after moving home from England, I'm still staggered at the price of fresh produce. I know…read morewe're an island in the middle of nowhere, but come ON! This is why you need a good greengrocers. And Freshco is very well stocked (including Sonoma bread!). It's by no means the cheapest - keep an eye on the specials out the front for a good deal - but the staff are lovely and it's the place you can confidently go for all your healthy produce. That's if Thomas Dux doesn't lure you upstairs.

While I am often a bit suss of the value to be found inside the store, you can often find a decent…read morebargain just out the front. I normally will check the prices before heading to Woolies or Coles. Makes for better peace of mind when shopping, as there is nothing worse than buying something and then finding it cheaper only minutes afterwards...

This one has been here for years, probably almost 30 years now. It survived the Westfield being…read morebuilt and the new train station and apartments around it. Kind of amazing it hammer l hasn't changed. Good prices and decent range of Asian stuff.

This is a rather soulless incarnation of Woolies. Sterile fluorescent lighting combines with…read morepolished impersonal lino to create a mental space indistinguishable from wandering a psychiatric ward, but I digress... The Hornsby Woolies is both well situated/located (close to - parking, Dan Murphys, the deli, the fruitshop, the seafood place) and well stocked. Size-wise it's a big boy. You could lose a lot of time here if you shop aisle-to-aisle. Speaking of aisles... you could drag race Zambonis down the frozen veggie aisle! The downsides? Despite the size and ample aisle space, the place is populated by spatially unaware cretins. People, if you could call them such, who have no concept of time; who believe that if it takes 5 hours to do their shop that's sweet as bro. The same people who believe they are the sole occupant in an aisle which is crammed like sardines; who stand and look at labels whilst their trolley blankets the thoroughfare in the perfect position for a t-boning... And they seem offended when you ask them politely to move? (watch them scurry when you ask again, sans politeness). The other huge downside is the checkout. They have a large self-service checkout section which is something I've never advocated. Having self-serve means they supply less actual staff, and hey I don't come to the shops to scan my own goods. YOU do it. That's what I pay you for. Otherwise take money off my bill.

I'm not surprised this place is all kinds of packed. Let's rename it Sardinia! Everything is well…read morelaid out, easily accessible and stock is at a low height so that even the vertically challenged can gets what they wants. This alternative to Woolies and Coles actually manages to be better than both, despite being 1-floor up, making it probably the least conveniently located of the 3. But where they excel is that despite being packed and people having apocalypse-sized "I'm re-stocking the bomb shelter" loads of groceries, the checkouts fah-lyy!!! I think they have 2 active, maybe 3, and they run like a well-oiled machine. Aldi have cracked the supermarket sudoku, by implementing the checkout trifecta: 1. The checkouter is seated. 2. They've done away with bags. 3. They utilise a multi-scan system. Can you feel that warm fuzzy? You are doing the planet a solid; whilst doing your fellow man a favour; and saving yourself some precious time. I watched as the smiling checkouter used his arm like a hockey stick to send 8 puck-like cans of identical cat food flying through the scanner at once. None of this individual *beep* -wait- *beep* -wait- *beep* crap, he just sidearmed that stuff straight through and was on to the next items... that is some sweet timeology right there! The no-bag thing is inspired. Unlike Woolies and Coles who have had this ongoing "we'll do away with bags eventually" broken promise, Aldi just stepped up to the plate as a competitor and said "We don't do bags, bring your own". It's that kind of brass balls that makes me respect this place. If this thing was on the ground floor and the size of the other 2 players, they'd both be out of business.