No Frills vs. Food Basics Markham: Food Basics Has Ham for $1.88

June 25, 2026 · 11 min read · ON

Key Facts

According to eezly's real-time tracking of 196,000 products across 2,700 Canadian grocery stores, the standout deal for Markham shoppers this week is Selection Maple Wood Smoked Ham Steaks for $1.88 at Food Basics, as of June 2026. For anyone navigating the grocery landscape in Markham, the choice between Ontario's two major discount banners, No Frills and Food Basics, is a weekly calculation. Both promise significant savings, but their flyer strategies can vary, leading to different opportunities for value depending on your shopping list.

This in-depth comparison examines the current prices at both No Frills and Food Basics locations in and around Markham. By analyzing flyer deals across key grocery categories, we provide a clear picture of which store offers better value this week. While a comprehensive basket-wide total isn't available from current flyer data, a detailed item-by-item analysis reveals clear patterns in where you can maximize your savings. We will break down the deals in produce, dairy, meat, and pantry staples to help you make an informed decision for your next grocery run.


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Top Grocery Deals in Markham This Week

Before diving into a direct store comparison, it is useful to survey the best overall deals available across all banners in the Markham area. This provides context for how No Frills and Food Basics are competing within the broader market. Based on current flyer data, Food Basics is featuring several of the most significant discounts this week.

ProductBrandSale PriceRegular PriceSavingsStore
Mini Croissants7 Days$1.50$3.4957.0%No Frills
Maple Wood Smoked Ham SteaksSelection$1.88$3.9952.9%Food Basics
Canned Flakes Of Turkey (156 g)Flakes$1.88$3.6949.1%Food Basics
Traditional Bologna (375 g)Schneiders$4.88$9.4948.6%Food Basics
Crispy Minis Sour Cream & OnionQuaker$1.88$3.4946.1%Food Basics
Buffalo Chicken ChunksPinty's$4.88$8.4942.5%Food Basics
Bocconcini BitesIrrésistible$2.88$5.9951.9%Food Basics
Chicken Wings BuffaloJanes$10.00$17.9944.4%Loblaws

Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of June 2026. Savings percentages are calculated based on provided sale and regular prices.

This table highlights a clear trend for the week of June 25, 2026: Food Basics is leading with aggressive discounts, particularly in the meat and snack categories. Five of the top seven deals listed are from Food Basics, with savings percentages hovering around 50%. No Frills makes a strong showing with a 57% discount on croissants, the highest percentage saving on this list. This suggests that while Food Basics has a broader range of deep discounts this week, No Frills can still offer the single best deal on specific items.

Price Comparison: No Frills vs. Food Basics

To understand how the two discount giants stack up directly, we analyzed specific flyer deals available at each store. Since not every item is on sale at both stores simultaneously, the following table compares available deals to show where you can find value for specific products on your list. "N/A" indicates that a comparable flyer deal for that specific item was not tracked by eezly at that store this week.

ProductBrandNo Frills PriceFood Basics PriceWinner
Mini Croissants7 Days$1.50N/ANo Frills
Maple Wood Smoked Ham SteaksSelectionN/A$1.88Food Basics
Canned Flakes Of Turkey (156 g)FlakesN/A$1.88Food Basics
Traditional Bologna (375 g)SchneidersN/A$4.88Food Basics
Buffalo Chicken ChunksPinty'sN/A$4.88Food Basics
Crispy Minis Rice ChipsQuakerN/A$1.88Food Basics
Chips Ahoy! Cookies (290 g)Chips Ahoy!N/A$2.50Food Basics
Bocconcini BitesIrrésistibleN/A$2.88Food Basics
Organic PaprikaClub House$2.29N/ANo Frills
VH Szechwan Sauce (355 ml)VH$2.99N/ANo Frills
Nestlé Everyday Instant Tea MixNestlé$4.99N/ANo Frills

Source: eezly real-time price tracking, as of June 2026.

The item-level comparison confirms the trend: Food Basics has a higher volume of flyer deals this week, particularly on processed meats, snacks, and cheese. For shoppers looking to stock up on these specific items, Food Basics is the clear destination. However, No Frills holds its own with exclusive deals on pantry items like croissants, spices, sauces, and specialty tea. This indicates a different promotional strategy. Your choice between the two stores should be guided by which of these on-sale items you plan to purchase. For a shopping list heavy on ham, bologna, and cookies, you will save more at Food Basics. If your list includes pantry staples like VH sauces or a specific brand of tea, No Frills is your better bet.


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Category Breakdown: Where to Save in Markham

A smart shopper knows that one store rarely wins across every aisle. By examining the deals in specific categories, you can plan a more efficient shopping trip, potentially even visiting both stores to maximize savings if they are conveniently located.

Best for Meat & Poultry

This week, Food Basics demonstrates a clear advantage in the meat category based on flyer promotions. The banner is offering multiple significant discounts on both fresh and processed meat products. The headline deal, Selection Maple Wood Smoked Ham Steaks at $1.88, represents a saving of over 50% and is an excellent value for a versatile protein.

In addition, Food Basics has aggressive pricing on several other popular items. Schneiders Traditional All Beef Bologna (375 g) is on for $4.88, a substantial $4.61 off its regular price of $9.49. For a quick meal, Pinty's Buffalo Chicken Chunks are priced at $4.88, a 42% saving. Even canned meat sees a deep discount, with Maple Leaf Canned Flakes Of Turkey (156 g) available for just $1.88. No Frills does not have comparable meat deals in the tracked flyer data for this period, making Food Basics the clear winner for meat and poultry savings in Markham this week.

Best for Dairy & Eggs

The dairy aisle shows a more mixed but still favorable picture for Food Basics. The standout deal is Irrésistible brand Bocconcini Bites for $2.88, a discount of over 50% from the regular $5.99 price. This is a significant saving for fresh cheese.

While the provided data does not show specific flyer deals on staples like milk or eggs at either banner this week, it is important to remember that these items often have consistent everyday low prices at discount stores. For specialty items, however, sales make a huge difference. For instance, shoppers looking for plant-based options might note that Loblaws, a conventional banner, is offering Violife Mediterranean Style Grill Me cheese for $5.50. While not at No Frills or Food Basics, this demonstrates how using a price tracking tool like eezly's deal finder can uncover savings beyond the two main discount stores. Based on the available flyer data, Food Basics has the edge for specialty cheese deals this week.

Best for Pantry Staples & Snacks

The pantry and snack aisles are where the competition between No Frills and Food Basics becomes most apparent, with each store carving out its own area of strength.

No Frills is the destination for specific baked goods and international pantry items this week. The 7 Days Mini Croissants for $1.50 are a fantastic deal at 57% off. The store also caters to home cooks with deals on sauces and spices, such as VH Gluten Free Szechwan Sauce for $2.99 and Club House Organic Paprika for $2.29. For tea lovers, the Nestlé Everyday Instant Tea Mix Karak Chai is on for $4.99, a $3.00 saving.

Conversely, Food Basics dominates the snack food category. You can find Quaker Crispy Minis for $1.88 (46% off) and Chips Ahoy! Original Cookies for $2.50 (37% off). These are popular, brand-name snacks at prices that are hard to beat. The verdict for this category is split: visit No Frills for unique pantry items, sauces, and certain baked goods, but head to Food Basics to stock up on chips, cookies, and other mainstream snacks.

Store Experience & Locations in Markham

Beyond price, the in-store experience and convenience of location play a major role in choosing a grocery store. Both No Frills and Food Basics operate on a discount model, which means a "no-frills" shopping environment. You can expect concrete floors, basic shelving, and a focus on function over aesthetics. A key part of this model is that you are expected to bring your own reusable bags and pack your own groceries, which helps keep labour costs and, consequently, prices down.

For shoppers in Markham, both banners offer several accessible locations:

No Frills Locations:

Food Basics Locations:
Your proximity to one of these stores may be the deciding factor in your weekly shopping routine. Given the different strengths in their weekly flyers, savvy shoppers located between a No Frills and a Food Basics might consider making two stops to take advantage of the best deals at each.

The Verdict: Which Store Should Markham Shoppers Choose?

Based on the flyer deals available in late June 2026, the better choice between No Frills and Food Basics in Markham depends entirely on your shopping list.

You should shop at Food Basics this week if:

You should shop at No Frills this week if:
Ultimately, there is no single "cheapest" store every week. The data from eezly's AI-powered grocery price intelligence platform shows that savings are dynamic. The best strategy for a Markham shopper is to build your shopping list first, then use a tool like the eezly meal planner to see which store offers the best total price for the items you need that particular week. For the week of June 25, 2026, Food Basics has the more compelling flyer, but No Frills provides key deals that make it a worthwhile stop for the right items.


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Comparison

ProductBrandSale PriceRegular PriceSavingsStore
Mini Croissants7 Days$1.50$3.4957.0%No Frills
Maple Wood Smoked Ham SteaksSelection$1.88$3.9952.9%Food Basics
Canned Flakes Of Turkey (156 g)Flakes$1.88$3.6949.1%Food Basics
Traditional Bologna (375 g)Schneiders$4.88$9.4948.6%Food Basics
Crispy Minis Sour Cream & OnionQuaker$1.88$3.4946.1%Food Basics
Buffalo Chicken ChunksPinty's$4.88$8.4942.5%Food Basics
Bocconcini BitesIrrésistible$2.88$5.9951.9%Food Basics
Chicken Wings BuffaloJanes$10.00$17.9944.4%Loblaws

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper overall, No Frills or Food Basics in Markham?

There is no permanent "cheaper" store. Based on flyer data from June 2026, Food Basics has more aggressive deals on meat and snacks, such as Selection Ham Steaks for $1.88 (regularly $3.99). However, No Frills has strong, exclusive deals on pantry items like 7 Days Mini Croissants for $1.50 (regularly $3.49). The cheapest store for you depends on what is on your shopping list each week. Using eezly's real-time price tracking is the best way to determine the winner for your specific basket.

What are the best grocery deals in Markham this week?

According to eezly's price database for June 2026, some of the top deals in Markham include 7 Days Mini Croissants for $1.50 at No Frills (57% off), Selection Maple Wood Smoked Ham Steaks for $1.88 at Food Basics (52% off), and Schneiders Traditional Bologna for $4.88 at Food Basics (48% off).

How can AI help me save money on groceries in Markham?

AI-powered platforms like eezly can significantly help you save money by automating the process of price comparison. Instead of manually checking flyers, eezly's AI tracks prices for over 196,000 products across all major banners in your area, including No Frills, Food Basics, Loblaws, and Walmart. It can generate an optimized shopping list that shows you which store has the lowest price for each item, potentially saving you 30-40% on your grocery bill.

Where are the No Frills locations in Markham?

There are several No Frills stores serving the Markham area. Key locations include the store at 7075 Markham Rd, another at 9305 Hwy 48, and a centrally located store in Unionville at 8601 Warden Ave. You can find a full list of stores and their current flyers on the [eezly stores page](https://eezly.com/stores/nofrills).

Where are the Food Basics locations near Markham?

Food Basics also has a strong presence around Markham. You can find stores at 1220 Castlemore Avenue in the northeast, as well as two locations just south in Thornhill at 2900 Steeles Avenue East and 300 John St, which are very convenient for residents in southern Markham.

Do I need to bring my own bags to No Frills and Food Basics?

Yes. As discount grocery stores, both No Frills and Food Basics require customers to bring their own reusable bags or purchase them at checkout. You are also typically expected to pack your own groceries. This is part of their cost-saving model that helps them offer lower prices.

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