
File photo. A Publix Food & Pharmacy in Florida.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images)Maybe it's the Pub Subs. Maybe it's the BOGOs. Maybe it's the workers. But Floridians love us some Publix. When you leave the state, it's odd to have to settle for a chain that just doesn't quite cut it.
Publix has announced they will open their first location in Kentucky in a few weeks. The grand opening of the store in Louisville will be on January 10, 2024. Former Floridians among the 4 or 5 million residents living in Kentucky will surely be glad to see those trucks rolling in. The location will be at 2500 Terra Crossing Boulevard right off Interstate 265. BTW, if anyone in that area is reading, that's right next to a Zaxby's... another one of my favorite spots.
Nationwide, Publix employs over a quarter million people and is the largest employee-owned company in the United States. Where else can you satisfy that Pub Sub craving when you're traveling? Here are the other 6 states that have Publix, in order from most to least locations.
By a wide margin, Florida has the most Publix locations... 861 to be exact, according to the Publix website. It makes sense. Publix was founded in Winter Haven back in 1930. But Georgia has quite a few too.. 210 stores. Alabama has 89 Publix stores, followed by South Carolina (69), Tennessee (57), and North Carolina with 54 Publix stores. But you can even find Publix in Virginia. You'll have to look a little harder. Right now, they have the fewest number of Publix locations with 19.
The 10 Cities With The Most Publix Stores, 9 Are in Florida
No matter where you live in Florida, you can't be far from a Publix. They're everywhere. Seems like every time we see a lottery story, someone won those millions by hitting the lottery counter at Publix. But which Florida city has the MOST Publix stores? Scrape Hero did the research.
Only 8 states have Publix. Florida has the most by far with 854. The next closest would be Georgia with a mere 207. Alabama has 87. The list rounds out with South Carolina, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky has a measly 1.
#10: Pompano Beach
You'll find a lot of beach towns on this list. Publix has lots of beach necessities from coolers to subs to beverages and snacks.
#9: St. Pete
Pinellas just barely made the list. Probably would be closer to Tampa's number if you lumped in the Clearwater locations.
#8: Naples
All those retirees have 18 different stores to hit the pharmacy.
#7: Hollywood
No, not California. We're talking that little beach town south of Fort Lauderdale. They have 19.
#6: Tampa
Thought we'd rank higher on the list? Me too. There are 26 Publix-es in Tampa. Is that the correct plural? Probably not.
#5: Jacksonville
Jacksonville beat us in Tampa by 1 with 27 locations, almost as many as our next one on the list... Atlanta.
#4: Atlanta
The only non-Florida city on the list. Georgians love their Publix too. There are 32 locations in the ATL.
#3: Orlando
Mickey and Minnie can get a good deal with BOGOs at the 34 different Publix locations in the 407.
#2: Fort Lauderdale
Seems like there's a Publix on every corner whenever I visit Fort Lauderdale. I remember seeing one block where there was a Publix across the street from, you guessed it, another Publix. Fort Lauderdale has 41 stores.
#1: Miami
It's Florida's biggest city so maybe it stands to reason that Miami has the most Publix locations anywhere. There are 61 different places in Miami to get your Pub Sub on your way to the beach. Just try to be patient to eat it while you sit in Miami traffic.
Ranking The Best Tampa Publix Stores
Everybody has an opinion about SOMETHING! But we never would've thought to review a grocery store. It seems funny to rate a store that has the same items, specials, and prices. But hey, that's what the internet is for, to voice your opinion. The Tampa area has an insane amount of Publix locations, so we're going to rank the 25 most popular locations from best to worst based off of Google reviews. The locations range from Lutz to Temple Terrace, to Bayshore/Gandy. We say "ranking" but really each Publix store has over a 4-star rating. So no matter where you shop, you'll more than likely have a pleasant experience.
Publix stores are scattered all around Tampa. It's not uncommon to go out of your way to go your "better" Publix rather than what's closer. We'll admit we're kind of guilty for this, but only when it comes to getting a Pub Sub. We just know there are some people at our usual Publix store that just have that special touch (or are able to roll a FAT wrap). There are also some Publix stores that don't have a liquor store next to it. One common complaint you hear from someone who's not visiting their normal Publix is that they have no idea where anything is. Every Publix has a different layout, so when you visit one that's not your usual, it's almost like stepping into another world.
How We Created The Publix Rankings.
According to the Publix website, there’s 20 Publix stores in and very near the Tampa area. Then we went to Google reviews to see how many that store has and what people were saying. If you usually go to the Publix off Bayshore, then you're not going to go out of your way to Dale Mabry just because of a couple opinions. But if there is one in your area with a higher ranking, then maybe you can try it out!
Here are the rankings of the best Tampa Publix stores:
1. Publix Super Market at City Plaza at Tampa Palms
Rating: 4.7
Number of reviews: 1,238
What people are saying: There are a few bad reviews about the Sub station, however they could have been visiting after a big rush. But those are just a few bad ones among hundreds of 5 star reviews.
2. Publix at Pavillion Crossing
Rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 1,997
What people are saying: It's a clean store that is normally well stocked. Someone did say that their cake from the bakery looked like it was from an episode of Nailed It.
3. Publix Super Market at USF
Rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 1,669
What people are saying: Plenty of reviews say that the store is clean and organized.
4. Publix Super Market at New Tampa Center
Rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 1,376
What people are saying: Most reviews mention how this Publix store is very clean and organized. The main reason for complaints was their deli.
5. Publix Super Market at Carrollwood Shopping Center
Rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 1,294
What people are saying: This Publix has raving reviews of the deli, staff and bakery department. There are very few complaints, one person mention that it could use a spruce up as it looks a little outdated.
6. Publix Super Market at Westshore
Rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 1,280
What people are saying: This location only has a handful of bad reviews. Most people have been going for years and speak very highly of the cleanliness and friendly staff!
7. Publix Super Market at Britton Plaza
Rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 1,109
What people are saying: A lot of people have been shopping at this location since it was Albertson's. Many complaints come from the deli department, so maybe go to another location for your Pub sub.
8. Publix Super Market at Channel Club
Rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 1,115
What people are saying: A lot of people have said that this Publix location has more options than the Bayshore location. Most complaints are about the tight parking spaces.
9. Publix Super Market at Shoppes of Citrus Park
Rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 1,105
What people are saying: This Publix store offers a catering counter and the cooking school, which most others do not!
10. Publix Super Market at Hyde Park
Rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 1,050
What people are saying: This location has glowing recommendations for their deli! People have posted beautiful cake photos and had mostly good things to say about the deli. Some aren't used to the "city style" store, so they knocked off some points for that.
11. Publix Super Market at Gandy Commons
Rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 1,049
What people are saying: People are LOVING the hot food bar at this location. They also offer a good selection of beer, wine, coffee, smoothies, etc. They've also said very nice things about the managers at this location.
12. Publix Super Market at North Pointe Plaza
Rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 931
What people are saying: Most reviews tell a great experience. Some people complain about the parking lot and less variety of certain items.
13. Publix Super Market at Northgate Square
Rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 803
What people are saying: Lots of compliments to the deli and seafood department at this location!
14. Publix Super Market at Lutz Lake Crossing
Rating: 4.6
Number of reviews: 647
What people are saying: Some people prefer this Publix compared to the one on Van Dyke since this location is bigger.
15. Publix Super Market at Dale Mabry Shopping Center
Rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 1,140
What people are saying: This location only has a few bad reviews. Multiple tourists have left reviews BEGGING for just one Publix in their state.
16. Publix Super Market at Hillsboro Plaza
Rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 2,474
What people are saying: Most people have pleasant experiences, but there are a handful that have had negative ones. This Publix also has a crazy parking lot, many people will constantly drive the wrong way down an isle.
17. Publix Super Market on W. Hillsborough Ave
Rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 2,380
What people are saying: People find this parking lot a disaster (and we agree)! But overall, the customer service and all departments are very nice.
18. Publix Super Market at Twelve Oaks Plaza
Rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 1,695
What people are saying: There are multiple reviews of of this store having items for sale past their sell date. The bakery also has a couple of bad reviews (with pictures). But it seems the customer service makes up for it!
19. Publix Super Market on Bayshore
Rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 1,626
What people are saying: This store seems to be a little smaller than most Publix stores. So people have said the layout is kind of weird but overall good!
20. Publix Super Market at Westchase
Rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 972
What people are saying: The rest of the store is great, but most of the bad reviews are for the deli.
21. Publix Super Market at Gandy Shopping Center
Rating: 4.5
Number of reviews: 900
What people are saying: People have actually called this location a "tourist attraction." They're loving the Pours Café and hot food bar!
22. Publix Super Market at Temple Terrace
Rating: 4.4
Number of reviews: 2,613
What people are saying: Some people have had complaints about the customer service at this store, but it doesn't outnumber the good reviews and 5-stars.
23. Publix Super Market on N. Nebraska Ave
Rating: 4.4
Number of reviews: 2,447
What people are saying: The deli here is slacking and has had multiple occasions with missing items for online orders. However it is a smaller Publix, so it's easy to make it a quick trip.
24. Publix Super Market at Mango Square
Rating: 4.4
Number of reviews: 1,884
What people are saying: Good location but most complaints are about online ordering at the deli.
25. Publix GreenWise Market at Water Street Tampa
Rating: 4.3
Number of reviews: 190
What people are saying: The newest store in Downtown Tampa has a lot of great reviews, as it should! One person did mention that the signing up for the rewards program was not "a five star experience".