You ever walk into a grocery store and see a nine-pound box of pork egg rolls sitting next to organic millet flour and pumpkin spice marshmallows in the middle of July?
That's the vibe at Mike's.
Honestly, calling Mike's Discount Foods Fridley a "grocery store" feels a bit like calling a treasure hunt a "walk in the park." It is, at its core, a salvage grocer. It's the place where the leftovers of the American supply chain go to find a second life, and for those of us living in the Twin Cities, it’s basically the "GOAT" (Greatest of All Time) of budget shopping.
If you’re tired of paying $7 for a box of cereal that your kids are just going to spill on the carpet anyway, you need to be here.
What’s Actually Inside Mike’s Discount Foods Fridley?
The Fridley location on Osborne Road is arguably the flagship of the Mike's empire. It’s huge compared to some of their other spots like Hilltop or Anoka. When you walk in, it smells a little like cardboard and nostalgia.
The inventory? It's wild.
You’ve got your staples, sure. Milk, eggs, and bread are usually there. But the real magic is in the stuff that big-box retailers like Cub or Target rejected. Maybe the box was slightly crushed. Maybe the manufacturer changed the label design and the old ones had to go. Or maybe—and this is the big one—the "Best By" date is coming up fast.
💡 You might also like: Wire brush for cleaning: What most people get wrong about choosing the right bristles
The Mystery of the "Best By" Date
Most people get this wrong.
A "Best If Used By" date is not an expiration date. It's a quality suggestion from the manufacturer. Mike's specializes in "short-dated" goods. This means you might find yogurt that "expired" yesterday or crackers that have a week left.
Is it safe? Generally, yeah.
The USDA actually notes that most shelf-stable foods are safe indefinitely if they aren't damaged. The quality—like the crunch of a chip or the zing of a soda—might fade over months, but it’s not going to hurt you. If you’re squeamish about a date on a can of soup, Mike's might not be your speed. But if you want a 12-pack of Mountain Dew for three bucks because it’s a "limited edition" flavor from last summer, you’re in the right place.
The Tuesday 10% Rule
Here is a pro tip that most casual shoppers miss: Go on Tuesday.
Every single Tuesday, Mike's Discount Foods Fridley takes an extra 10% off your entire bill. This applies to everyone. No weird apps to download, no "loyalty cards" to lose in your junk drawer. You just show up, fill a cart, and the cashier knocks the price down at the end.
📖 Related: Images of Thanksgiving Holiday: What Most People Get Wrong
It gets busy. Like, "line-snaking-through-the-aisles" busy.
If you hate crowds, Tuesday at 10:00 AM is a nightmare. But if you’re trying to feed a family of five on a shoestring budget, that extra 10% on top of already slashed prices is a lifesaver.
What to Look For (and What to Skip)
Don't expect to finish your entire grocery list here.
Mike’s is a scavenger hunt. You go with an open mind and a flexible menu. If they have three cases of organic pasta for fifty cents a box, you’re eating pasta this week. If they don’t have milk, well, you're stopping at Kwik Trip on the way home.
The Good Stuff:
- Specialty Items: This is the weirdest part. You’ll find high-end vegan, gluten-free, and keto products that usually cost a fortune at Whole Foods. Think Kalona Supernatural milk or soy-free tofu.
- Frozen Meat: They often have massive bags of chicken nuggets, sausages, or even steaks that were overstocked.
- Snacks: Cereal, chips, and granola bars are the bread and butter of this place. You can often find "esoteric" brands from other parts of the country, like Kroger-brand items that somehow wandered up from the South.
The "Proceed with Caution" Stuff:
- Produce: It’s hit or miss. Sometimes they get "wet" strawberries that a warehouse rejected because they only have two days of life left. If you’re going to eat them tonight or freeze them for smoothies, buy them. If you want them to sit in your fridge for a week, forget it.
- Berries: Check the bottom of the container. Always.
- Dairy: Most of it is fine, but check the seals.
Why Fridley specifically?
Fridley is the "big" one. While the Anoka store is great, the Fridley location (230 Osborne Rd NE) often gets the weirder, bulkier stuff.
Recently, they’ve even been stocking "Gaylord" boxes (those massive cardboard crates) full of Target overstock. You might find clothes, toys, or home decor buried in there. It’s 4 or 5 pieces for $10 sometimes. It feels more like a flea market than a grocery store in those sections.
👉 See also: Why Everyone Is Still Obsessing Over Maybelline SuperStay Skin Tint
Store Details for the Fridley Spot:
- Address: 230 Osborne Road NE, Fridley, MN 55432
- Phone: (763) 572-2254
- Standard Hours: Mon-Sat 8 am – 8 pm; Sun 9 am – 7 pm (but check locally as holiday hours vary).
The "Scratched and Dented" Philosophy
There’s a certain honesty to shopping at Mike's.
In a world where everything is airbrushed and "curated," Mike’s is just raw commerce. It’s loud, the signs are written in thick neon marker, and you’re probably going to have to bag your own groceries in an old banana box because they ran out of plastic bags years ago.
Actually, they don't even do plastic bags anymore. Bring your own or grab a box from the front.
It’s a business model built on reducing waste. Every pallet of "expired" granola bars sold at Mike's is a pallet that didn't end up in a landfill. That’s a win for the planet and a massive win for your checking account.
How to Win at Mike's
If you want to master the art of the discount, you have to change how you think.
- Lower your expectations. You won't find every brand. You might not find any brand you recognize.
- Buy in bulk. If you see a protein bar you actually like and it's 25 cents, buy the whole flat. It won't be there tomorrow.
- Check the specials. They post daily deals on their Facebook page and website.
- Inspect everything. Look for punctures in bags and bloated cans. (Never buy a bloated can—that’s botulism territory, and no discount is worth that).
Mike's Discount Foods Fridley isn't for everyone. If you need a pristine shopping experience with a Starbucks in the lobby, go to Target. But if you want to feel like you’ve successfully cheated the system while loading your trunk with name-brand groceries for $40, there is nowhere else like it.
Actionable Shopping Plan
To make the most of your next trip, start by clearing out your freezer to make room for bulk finds. Check the Mike's Discount Foods website or their social media on Monday night to see what "special pallets" just arrived. Arrive at the Fridley store on Tuesday morning with your own reusable bags, and head straight for the back freezer cases first—those are where the highest-value meat and dairy steals usually hide before the afternoon rush clears them out.