Publix, a popular supermarket chain in the Southeast US, is beloved by Southerners for its selection and deals.

Author Chelsea Greenwood visited her local Publix location to get an inside look at what the store has to offer.

Publix — a supermarket chain with 1,202 locations across the Southeast — claims to be the place "where shopping is a pleasure."

I certainly think so. I'm a 20-year resident of Florida, where the company is headquartered, and Publix has long been my go-to grocery store — not just for its great selection and killer deals but for its deep-rooted tradition of Southern hospitality.

Service with a smile is the foundation of Publix, which was founded in Winter Haven, Florida, in 1930 by George W. Jenkins, who grew up working in his father’s general store. He aimed to treat his supermarket employees and customers "like family," and 88 years later, his legacy is still going strong.

Publix is a popular grocery store nationwide — it tied with Wegmans for first place in Market Force Information's 2018 survey of best US supermarkets — but it has an extra-special place in the hearts of many Southerners.

To find out why Southerners love Publix so much, I visited my favorite location and observed its offerings with fresh eyes. Here are my findings.