TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Super U?

We are spending a week at a villa on the hill above Happy Bay, and are planning on doing our grocery shopping at Super U. Having only shopped on the Dutch side, I really don't know what's available there, but am excited to try some new things. I know there will be some baked camembert happening along with some pate. Any other suggestions from those of you who have shopped there? We will have a nice kitchen, and also an outdoor grill. Note that we're not big meat eaters. Also, do they have liquor and mixes like we find on the Dutch side? Thinking gin and tonic, along with the makings for bloody Marys. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!!

Super U has everything you need, good selection of wines, liquor, tonic can be scarce so if they have some buy a few bottles. Nice selection of baked goods, cold cuts and cheeses

Georgia--If you haven't shopped at Super U before, you're in for a treat! In general, you will not find many US brands, so be prepared for that. However, Super U is extremely well stocked for veggies, wine, every kind of cheese on the planet, etc. The selection of liquor isn't nearly as large as Carrefour, however. As far as mixers, they have Super U brand stuff that works fine. I don't drink Bloody Mary's, so haven't looked for BM mix there.

I assume you know there is a Super U in Hope Estate, as well as the one in Marigot. Hope Estate is a bit closer than Marigot from Happy Bay, and no traffic to get there. I haven't been there myself, but I understand that there is a store right there by the Super U in Hope Estate, with many pre-made goodies. If you are stuck for something that is a US made product, you should check at Petit Casino in Orient Village. I would bet they have Bloody Mary mix there.

Enjoy the villa!

Super U is my favorite store. You will usually find everything you need - perhaps not all the American brands, but definitely Super U's version of them. And their brand of cookies and snacks is great. Also at Hope Estate is L'express where you can get pastries, breads, sandwiches, etc.

I enjoy shopping at Super U and have been there many times. My biggest issue is I don't speak or read French very well so I often have difficulty reading the various labels. Thank goodness many of the locals that shop there are willing to help me.

Yes, we were planning on going to the one at Hope Estate, and we definitely don't need US brands. I'm excited to get unpasteurized cheese!

Google Translate is your friend here CaribLee! Just open the app and point your phone. It will translate text for you!

CaribLee--Regarding speaking French, should have seen us dithering in front of this cabinet which had sour cream, etc., in it, trying to figure out which one to buy! I guess maybe a person could put a French to English app on their phone? We just wing it and see what happens! So far, haven't had any disasters!

Kathleen--I was typing the same thing at the same time!

L'express is by far my favorite bakery on island, just not convenient to where we normally are. Often a stop there on the way to Grand Case on beach days.

The Super-U at Hope Estate has really gone upscale. The only things I think are better at Carrefour on the Dutch side are the beef and fresh produce sections.

Check out the frozen veggies, really have some nice things that are easy took cook! Like little veggie souffles or haricot verts (nice little green beans).

I love the French yogurt. Baguetes and wine are less expensive there. But don't make the mistake of buying something that needs prep because container directions are in French.

We go to Super U at least once for entertainment because they have such different items.

Thanks for all the great tips!

These days, with the camera option in Google Translate, even those who don’t speak French can easily translate printed cooking directions.

Thanks for that tip; I've downloaded the app. I don't generally buy packaged foods that require instructions to prepare, but this will help with reading product labels, not only in SXM, but also here at home in the Asian market.

Super U does 1:1 exchange between Euros and dollars as long as you pay cash. So be sure to have cash with you and save!

We shop at Super U a lot. One of the items that Kim likes to tell newcomers about is Duck Confit. It's not exclusive to Super U, but you'll find piles of it there.

Duck Confit comes in what looks like a large tuna can, but it's full of duck legs that have been cooked in goose fat. It's super-easy to prepare, just put the legs in a hot skillet to re-heat and crisp up. It's a delicious and easy protein. We cannot eat the whole can just the two of us, so we use the leftovers the next night to make duck fried rice. It's amazing.

We do also love the WALL OF CHEESE! We've never been good at recording which varieties we particularly like, as we have liked pretty well all of them. I grew up with two kinds of cheese - cheddar and Kraft Singles, so the cheese section at Super U is awfully impressive.

Pro-tip: Look for the wines at the end of the aisle that are the last of the batch at clearance pricing. There are often remarkable values and interesting wines to discover for 3 or 4 Euro.

That's pretty much the going exchange rate whether CC or cash. At least with CC you can get the miles too.

Another place you may want to check out is in Orient Village, shop called On Dirait Le Sud, great shop for pates, cheese, store made pastas, they have a facebook page and i think a few pics on trip advisor

yes but the sign at super U specifically says cash to get the 1:1 exchange.

True but that is pretty much what you'd get by using a CC with the way the exchange rate is currently. Might be different for you Canadians but using a CC might be easier than converting Canadian money into US dollars just to get 1 to 1 on island.

We love Super U too! I love looking at all the different products. The yogurt is good and I love the President butter. Wine selection is usually great, but in November they seemed to be lacking in whites. No problem though, we always make a visit to see Sylvain at Select Wine Cellar and stock up.Years ago, when it was still Match, their home goods department was much larger, and 1 year I actually brought home a bread box.

Super U, French mustards, mayos etc. Condiments are great. Katsup Manis is big in SXM. My friends on island use it to baste grilled meats.
Indonesian Soy Sauce. It's great.
We used to make our own Duck Confit. Freshly killed Ducks from France. Tagged.
Cheers
irina

LOVE duck confit; thanks so much for that info!! And Duck Fried Rice!!! Also where to find wine bargains!!

Exactly. The exchange rate isn't that high to worry about using cash.

I do wild duck with fried rice often during hunting season but may have to try it from one of those cans. I bring wild mallard breasts to one of our island friends every year. He looks forward to it.

Wine bargains can be found everywhere at Super U!! Seriously, French wines are really a great price there.

If I could recommend a local lunch restaurant that you may not know close to Happy Bay. COOL HEURE, on the curve of the main road where you turn to the back road to Friars, rue Happy Bay. Opens from 12pm - 2pm, and by 12:15 all the tables are taken for the day. Really delicious food from a husband and wife team, and the menu changes regularly… Very reasonable prices. You will be the only tourists amongst the workers and French ex-pats in the know who make up the clientele, and you will want to go back.

Yes, second Cool Heure. Had a lovely lunch there!

Yes, I've been there twice so far (once with BillandElaine) and have written about it in a trip report. Enjoyed it very much.

Do I need a coin to use a cart at Super U? If so, does it have to be a Euro, or will a quarter work?

HI, we’ve been shopping at the Super U in Hope Estate. Nice store but I find the cheese selection a little sparse. Great prices on rose. Currently 1 to 1 for US / Euro if you pay cash.
However just behind Super U is Bacchus – love the wine and liquor selection with excellent rices
Also in Hope Estate is Totems and Grapes for more wine choices. Across from Leader Price is a small building with fresh fish , closed Sundays and open 8 to 1 pm.
In Orient is an excellent Deli - On Dirait le Sud – with great dried meats – all from Italy, homemade pasta and some interesting cheese – loved the brie with truffles and the pecorino with pistachios. It’s just north of Good Morning Café.
Enjoy your stay.

Yes, a quarter works fine, both at Super U and at Carrefour.

If you go the service desk inside, they give you a plastic coin NC to get a shopping cart. You get it back when you return the cart and relock it

J&B

You get your coin back regardless.

I never worry about getting coin back. After I tip the box boy I have him take kart back and he gets the coin.

Scuba--Super U does not have anyone to bag up groceries or help you to your car.

Exactly

I was refering to your earlier post mentioning Carrefore.