Publix has a system that filters and treats the air much better than the one that Publix uses. Meat and vegetables all produce odors, even when fresh, and these merge into a characteristic smell. In Mexico, city markets are the norm, but are unheated and unairconditioned and at most they use fans to circulate the air, and they have this stink. This is a smell Mexicans associate with food sales and most markets in Mexico do not use any filters at all.
Winn Dixie spends a lot less on training its employees at keeping the store pleasant and making the customers feel comfortable, and it shows. They have been trying to improve and have improved somewhat, but I no longer darken the doors of the Dim Pixie, since they use these stupid customer loyalty card things, and they consistently have one price on the shelf (69¢) and another (89¢, for example) when you check out. If you complain, they send someone back to check, since they will never believe you and everyone in the line (always a long line at the Dim Pixie) gets annoyed.
For cheap, I prefer Presidente and Bravo. Each has its own smell and more crowded aisles, but better prices on veggies (example 4 lbs. of potatoes for 98¢, compared to Publix' $1.99 to $2.99).
Publix has by far the best bakery. Expensive, but bakery bread is soooo much better, and I don't eat much bread, anyway).
Publix does not charge to use its ATMs with a debit card. Everyone else sticks you $2.00. Publix has nice restrooms, the Latino markets seem to be defying the health inspector. There is always a sign to wash your hands, but then there is no soap and there are no towels.
