Somebody Does It Better

The big chain grocery stores don't always have the best bargains

I didn’t set out wanting to crow about Lunardi’s supermarket. Sure, I live about half a mile from the Lunardi’s in Walnut Creek—and if they want to thank me with a carload of groceries, I’m in the phone book.

Just kidding. Sort of. (If there’s any issue involving finding a phone book, ours is the chocolate ice cream–colored house—I know, what were we thinking—in the little neighborhood up by the elementary school.)

Actually, I first headed out to check out Safeway yesterday on Patterson Boulevard in Pleasant Hill, because it has recently been done over with new fixtures and floors, and all kinds of fancy touches here and there. It even smells better than it used to—especially the deli.

I found a one-pound box of organic baby spinach  about as big as a baby bathtub for $5.99 at Safeway and organic strawberries for $3 for the double-wide box, which, I have to say, Safeway has been just great on this strawberry season. If you go to one of their stores in an affluent neighborhood (where people can concentrate on eating their fruits and veggies—the Lafayette Safeway kicks butt on the Oak Park one), these well-priced organic strawberries are at their best: super fresh and sweet. I also got an organic cuke for $1.49, a deal considering they’re often $2.50-$3.

But while indulging my bargain-hunting habit at the souped-up Safeway, I discovered that some of the foods you might expect to cost less at a big chain market cost more. Your friends at Safeway are not above separating you from more of your hard-earned money than you would spend elsewhere. Nor are they above posting a sign advertising a price on something even if it’s not that low, like Triscuits for $3.29 for the small 9.5-ounce box. Whatever.

Go to the cracker aisle at Lunardi’s and behold: the same box of Triscuits—a healthy cracker without a whole lot of crap in it, just whole wheat, soybean or palm oil, and salt—for $2.79. I stockpiled enough to make sure we’re not getting the car in the garage this year.

Similarly, Semifreddi’s bread is cheaper, and Nancy’s and Mountain High yogurt are considerably cheaper at Lunardi’s. However, baby spinach there is a great way to piddle away your what’s left of your life savings: $4.79 for five measly ounces. Which all means your life got more crowded with little details and to-do lists, including knowing the prices of the foods you like to buy. Puh-leaze.

But before you blow a brain circuit, here’s an easy Cheapskate recommendation. Check out the mountains of melons coming into stores now (Lunardi’s, hint, hint). While some are coming all the way from Texas, others are Californian. I saw prices starting at 35 cents a pound for seedless watermelon. What’s not to like about that?

And here’s an easy recipe: Cut a huge watermelon and arrange the slices on a platter. Place the platter in the center of your dinner table. Eat.

Okay, and I guess you’ll want to serve something before dessert, so take the bathtub size thing of baby spinach, and sautee it in a little olive oil, butter, and garlic. Cook up some pasta and put some olive oil, parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper and on it. Mix in the spinach—and a little prosciutto or cooked pancetta, if you like—and serve. Cheap, delicious, and healthy.

See you next time with more suggestions from the Cheapskate Gourmet.
 

Posted at 01:59 PM in Cheapskate Gourmet | Permalink