Wild Oats vs. Whole Foods

Earlier this week, Polly wrote about the changes afoot with the Whole Foods / Wild Oats merger. I know there are some who insist Whole Foods isn't as wholesome as it appears, but I'm impressed by the lowered prices and increased and diverse offerings it's brought.

I've never been able to make a vegetarian meatloaf that tastes quite like mom's meat-based loaf, but the Whole Foods vegetarian meatloaf (available at the deli counter, $6.99/lb) comes deliciously close to the real thing. The husband and I both loved the red bean and rice salad, also available at the deli counter. And the chocolate chewies? Absolutely divine. Even better, all ingredients are clearly labeled and contain no no artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, or synthetic preservatives.

Polly, too, was impressed with the sheer bounty of prepared foods. As she noted:

There was such abundance of prepared foods, it made me wonder if anyone cooks anymore. There are bars with curries, chili bars, a huge salad bar, a barbecue bar, a tofu bar and a great olive bar. There’s a gelateria, a pizza station, an Italian foods deli, a bakery with fancy French pastries.

I'm also liking the Whole Foods website, which lists oodles of recipes and health and wellness topics.

How about you? Have any fabulous Whole Foods finds to share? Or do you prefer Wild Oats?