Tuscaloosa has grown exponentially in the past five years; it seems as if a new restaurant opens every other day, and while we're psyched to see so many new faces and places in the City of Champions, we are still suffering from a serious lack of Trader Joe's (and/or Whole Foods). 

I am ride-or-die for Trader Joe's, and yes, I know there is one in The Summit--and that there's a Whole Foods off 280 in Mountain Brook--but people, I am LAZY and I need these stores to be within a 15 mile radius of me.

I'd like to see them both in Tuscaloosa, but if I HAD to choose, I'd go with Trader Joe's. You can't beat their prices--and the food is SO GOOD and SO CHEAP that it blows my mind. It's a tough call, though--Whole Foods' Deli is basically #1 in my heart. Their ready-made meals are incredible, and you can get pretty much anything your heart desires there--the last time I went, I brought home fresh, real-deal ramen and sushi (and a whole box of caramelitas).

I may not be alone in my desire to get Trader Joe's to come to Tuscaloosa--when researching for this article, I stumbled across a Facebook page dedicated to the cause.

What do you think? What does Tuscaloosa need more--a Trader Joe's or a Whole Foods? Cast your vote in the poll below.

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