Walmart is an easy place to stretch a grocery budget. You can grab groceries, cleaning supplies, snacks, and just about everything else you need without making five different stops. For plenty of everyday items, the prices are hard to beat.

But cheap doesn’t always mean it’s the best buy.

Some foods are worth picking up somewhere else because the quality, freshness, or taste may be better. Sometimes spending a little more gets you something your family actually enjoys eating, lasts longer, or doesn’t end up in the trash after a few days.

If you’re trying to get the most out of your grocery budget, here are some foods you might want to buy somewhere other than Walmart.

Store-Brand Meat

Walmart’s Great Value meat can be a bit unpredictable. You might find a perfectly good package, then come across another with more liquid in the tray than you’d expect or meat that doesn’t look quite as fresh. Meat is also one of those groceries where quality matters. If you’re already spending a decent amount on chicken, beef, or pork, it can be worth checking out a local butcher or a grocery store with a well-regarded meat department.

A little more consistency can make the extra cost feel worthwhile.

Seafood

Seafood is another grocery item where freshness makes a big difference. Walmart carries a range of seafood, but selection and quality can vary depending on the store. If you cook fish or shrimp often, you may notice a difference between seafood from a regular grocery case and what you’d find at a good fish market or a grocery store with a busy seafood counter.

For something like seafood, I’d rather buy less of it and get something I know I’ll enjoy.

Great Value Cereal

Cereal is one of those foods where the store brand can sound like a great deal. Save a couple of dollars, pour yourself a bowl, and move on. Except sometimes the cereal just doesn’t taste the same.

Some Great Value versions are close enough to the name brands, while others can fall short in flavor or texture. If your family has a favorite cereal and actually finishes the box, saving a little money on a version nobody wants to eat doesn’t really save much.

Fresh Produce

Walmart has plenty of fruits and vegetables, but the condition of the produce can vary from one location to another. You might find beautiful berries and crisp greens one week, then run into bruised fruit, wilted lettuce, or avocados that seem to go from rock-hard to overripe overnight.

Fresh produce is only a bargain if you actually get to eat it before it goes bad. Stores with a lot of produce turnover, farmers markets, and local grocery stores can sometimes be a better place to shop for fruits and vegetables.

Pre-Packaged Salads

Pre-packaged salads are supposed to make eating a quick lunch easy. Open the bag, add the dressing, and you’re done. The problem is that bagged greens don’t always stay fresh for very long. Nobody wants to open the package and find brown lettuce or slimy leaves.

If the salad looks questionable by the time you get around to eating it, the convenience isn’t much of a convenience anymore. Buying a head of lettuce, some vegetables, and your favorite dressing can also cost less over time.

Great Value Cheese

Cheese is another one where small differences in texture can matter. Some shoppers find that certain store-brand shredded cheeses don’t melt quite as smoothly as their usual brands. Sliced cheese can also have a different texture or flavor than what they’re used to.

If you’re making grilled cheese, casseroles, pizza, or anything else where the cheese needs to melt well, it may be worth paying a little more for the kind you already know works.

Bakery Goods

Walmart’s bakery has plenty of affordable cakes, cookies, muffins, and pastries. For a last-minute birthday cake or an inexpensive treat, it’s a convenient option. But if you’re buying baked goods for a special occasion, a local bakery or a grocery store with an in-house bakery may be worth checking out.

Freshness can make a big difference with baked goods. A cake that’s soft and fresh or a pastry that’s still flaky can feel very different from something that’s been sitting around for a while. And if you’re already treating yourself, you might as well enjoy it.

Frozen Dinners

Frozen dinners are convenient, especially on those nights when cooking is the last thing you want to do. The problem is that some budget frozen meals can leave you wishing you’d made something else. Texture can change after reheating, portions may feel small, and some options are loaded with sodium.

You don’t have to give up frozen meals completely. Making a few easy meals at home and freezing individual portions can give you the same convenience without relying on packaged dinners every night.

Great Value Coffee

Coffee is one grocery item where everyone seems to have an opinion. Some people are perfectly happy with Great Value coffee. Others find the flavor too weak or notice a bitter aftertaste.

If you’re drinking coffee every morning, taste matters. Saving a couple of dollars on a bag you don’t enjoy can feel like a bad deal by the time you’ve made your third cup. Try a few brands and stick with the one you actually look forward to drinking.

Store-Brand Canned Goods

Some Great Value canned foods are perfectly fine, while others may have a different texture or flavor than the name-brand version. Canned vegetables are a good example. If you’re tossing them into a soup or casserole, the difference may not matter much. But if you’re eating them on their own, you may notice it more.

The same goes for canned soups, beans, and other pantry staples. If a certain brand consistently tastes better in your recipes, the small price difference may be worth it.

Great Value Spices

Spices aren’t usually the most expensive thing in your cart, but their quality can make a difference in your cooking. Some budget spices can taste less intense, especially if they’ve been sitting in the pantry for a long time. You may end up adding more just to get the flavor you’re after.

Since a single jar can last for quite a while, spending a little more on spices you use often can make sense. Just check the dates and store them properly so they stay fresh longer.

Snack Cakes

Snack cakes are an easy grab when you’re craving something sweet. Walmart has plenty of inexpensive options, but the cheapest box isn’t always the one you’ll enjoy most. Some people prefer the taste and texture of certain name brands, while others are perfectly happy with store brands.

If you’re going to buy a treat, taste is really the deciding factor. A snack cake that tastes stale or overly sweet isn’t much of a bargain just because it costs less.

Bottled Water

Walmart’s bottled water can be inexpensive, but bottled water isn’t always the cheapest option in the long run. Warehouse clubs can sometimes bring the cost per bottle down if you’re buying cases. For everyday drinking at home, though, a reusable bottle and a home water filter can save money over time.

There’s also a lot less plastic to deal with, which is a nice bonus.

Pre-Cooked Chicken

A rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken can save you from having to cook dinner from scratch. It’s one of those grocery shortcuts that can be genuinely useful on a busy night. But quality can vary. Some chickens are juicy and well-seasoned, while others can be dry or bland.

If you’re buying pre-cooked chicken often, compare a few grocery stores and see which one you actually like. A slightly higher price may be worth it if you’re getting chicken that your family will eat instead of picking at.

Deli Meats

Pre-packaged deli meat is convenient, but freshly sliced meat from a deli counter can have a better texture and taste. Packaged varieties can also contain a fair amount of sodium and preservatives, depending on the product. That doesn’t mean every packaged option is bad, but it’s something to check on the label.

If sandwiches are a regular part of your lunch routine, compare the price and quality of packaged meat with what’s available at a deli counter. You may find that freshly sliced meat is worth the extra trip.