Gilmore Girls: The 10 Best Doose’s Market Scenes, Ranked

The humble establishment of Doose’s Market is one of the best spots in Stars Hollow. The small grocery store might not look too exciting, but it’s the ideal place for characters to bump into one another. With such small aisles, it’s easy to come face to face with another Stars Hollow resident while doing one’s shopping.

There are many exchanges between main and supporting characters at Doose’s. It can be hard to mind one’s business and check out quickly when everyone knows everyone’s affairs. From funny and sweet to spicy or embarrassing, these scenes at Doose’s are the best on Gilmore Girls.

10 Dean’s Shopping Trip

At the end of season four, Dean’s disillusionment with his marriage to Lindsay is obvious. While Kirk is working at Doose’s, Dean and Jess happen to stop in at the same time. It’s interesting to see Dean positioned as a shopper at the store, and it almost gives the viewer the sense that Dean feels weaker in this role.

Jess stands by while Kirk reads off Dean’s items at check-out. They’re all beauty and body care products for Lindsay, which Dean feels the need to explain to Jess. It might seem like a mundane scene, but it helps sets up the tension that explodes in the finale of season four.

9 Jess’s Interruption

When Jess is new to town, it doesn’t take him too long to shake up Rory’s love life. He loves to get a rise out of Dean and will do almost anything to annoy the boyfriend and get closer to Rory.

Jess even interrupts a kiss between Rory and Dean at Doose’s. He’s obnoxious about it, Rory isn’t too upset, and Dean is livid. This kind of love triangle moment gives fans of the show a lot of satisfaction.

8 Jess & Rory’s Showdown

Another great Jess scene at Doose’s is early in season three at the end of the summer. Dean is nowhere to be found as Rory and Jess corner each other to make accusations about summer love.

The passion between Jess and Rory here cannot be denied, and Jess counters Rory’s questions about Shane with his own line of questioning about Dean. Rory and Jess leave one another at a bit of a stalemate, but fans know exactly how they finally come together in the third season.

7 Groceries Are Expensive

Some of the occasional realistic money moments belong to Lane and her band. She goes shopping in season five with Zack and Brian and tries to save money however she can. Zack wants to buy extra luxuries anyway, leading Lane to think more about her relationships.

While the fiscal struggles are going on, Taylor and Jackson have a tiff about the greenhouse, leading to the town selectmen battle between the two.

6 The Gilmores At Doose’s

The sixth season presents a plot twist for Lorelai when she assumes that her parents are scouting out a property for themselves in Stars Hollow. Lorelai is terrified of having Richard and Emily live right in her backyard, so she takes great pains to paint Stars Hollow as a wretched place.

At Doose’s, Lorelai lays it on thick and complains about the meager selections and off-brand, expired foods. Taylor Doose has no idea that she is bluffing, so he defends Doose’s honor and chides Lorelai for “disparaging” his store. It’s hilarious to see Lorelai put on this act and just as funny to watch Taylor quote the laws against the disparagement.

5 Miss Patty & Her Fruit

Miss Patty says a lot of funny things on Gilmore Girls, but one of her best adages is, “Try a plum; they’re better than sex.” After teaching Rory Gilmore about the sensuality of fresh fruit, Miss Patty has a run-in with Kirk, who is Doose’s Assistant Manager for a time in his long line-up of jobs.

Kirk demands that Miss Patty pay for her fruit, and she turns on the charm and starts flirting with Kirk. The short scene is a treasure for fans and quickly comes to mind when they think of Miss Patty.

4 Rory & The Lettuce

After being educated in the fruit corner by Miss Patty, the same episode cuts to one of the most iconic Gilmore Girls scenes of all time. Rory’s only reason for going to Doose’s is to look at Dean, but she realizes that she has to buy something. At check-out, Dean is Rory’s bagger, and he makes a comment about her essential items.

Rory only has a dollar, so she purchases nothing more than a head of lettuce. Dean is easygoing with her and finishes the exchange with a classic, “Paper or plastic?” Poor Rory leaves the store with her lonely lettuce.

3 Lorelai Invites Dean For Movie Night

The Gilmore movie nights are a trademark of the show, and Lorelai uses the tradition to get to know Dean a little better in season one. Lorelai and Rory go to Doose’s to stock up on everything they need for a cozy night of movies.

Behind Rory’s back, Lorelai takes it upon herself to invite Dean to the house, and he accepts. The scene is an early example of the mom butting in and trying to micromanage Rory’s dating. The movie night becomes another favorite scene, though.

2 Rory & Dean’s Kiss

Rory and Dean graduate to kissing later on in another scene fans can’t forget. Dean is helping Taylor set up an autumnal store display when Rory comes in. Rory awkwardly meanders over to the cornstarch section. Dean compliments Rory’s uniform and offers her a pop, which Rory insists is called a soda.

Dean unexpectedly kisses Rory, who can’t manage to respond with anything but “thank you” and a glazed-over look. She then runs out of the store, into the street, and over to Lane’s to tell her best friend all about it.

1 Rory Running Into Dean Years Later

Dean gets the smallest amount of screen time out of any of Rory’s old boyfriends in the reboot, but his brief appearance is used wisely. Rory and Dean are surprised to see each other at Doose’s and exchange a few words with friendly smiles and hugs.

Rory tells Dean what she would say about him in the book she is writing. In a callback to their first kiss, Rory even grabs a box of cornstarch, and Dean tells her to “pay for it this time.”

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