When I moved off to college, I stayed with an aunt on weekends and would often make grocery runs for her. She was amazed I could find my way through the aisles and bring home not only what was on her list, but also things I observed she "needed."
Later, I had an efficiency dorm. Stuck in a deserted college town with nothing better to do, my college roommate and I would often go grocery shopping on Saturday night. Our greatest find was mis-marked blueberries. This was "back in the day" when stockers would put a sticker on each item and the checkers would ring them up. I had received a yogurt machine for Christmas (another story for another time) and we decided to make blueberry yogurt. The two of us found a whole case (or two) of blueberries at Safeway tagged 39 cents instead of $1.39. We had blueberry yogurt and pancakes ... and even created a few other blueberry recipes. I don't know how many cans we discovered, but we left college with more than a can or two of blueberries in our belongings.
After college (and getting married), the grocery stores were a long way from the East Texas town where we lived but they were on my travel route. Plus the Mini-Max stores were clients, so it was "good business" for me to shop there. Since I enjoyed cooking and she was going to college completing her masters degree, it worked out, too.
Moving to Houston, I worked in Houston near a wide assortment of grocery stores, large and small. I would duck in and out of them in my rounds and find the weekly values. A guy friend, who was also into cooking, would compare shopping lists. Somehow all the females with whom we worked (I think there were 20 ladies and only 4 guys at this place) would be mesmerized he and I would spend lunchtime planning not only meals for an entire week, but also how to double and triple coupons (while eating our homemade molé or lasagna) when their husbands had no clue coupons even existed ... or who Vlassis was (and still is).
Through the years, when I visit friends and relatives, part of my travels includes going to Dierberg's, Schnuck's, Publix, Winn-Dixie, Ralph's, Minyard's and other "fun" places.
My Dad and I enjoy going to the grocery stores and checking out things - especially the bakery and the meat counter. This comes from my time growing up and one of my fondest childhood memories ... going with Dad to Plagens' and Kowalski's to get meats to grill and choose lunch items, respectively.
As you can imagine, I don't shop in just one place in my area. And yes, I "know" associates in a number of stores
With that in mind ... here's the picks of the week from grocery stores in the Houston area. I'm hoping this can become a weekly blog feature (and make me post something), but without the long introduction!
Some of these are not things I will be buying (frozen pizza), but I try to spot good food deals for YOUR carts and baskets.
CENTRAL MARKET
Prince Edward Island Mussels - 2/lb bag for $6.99
WHOLE FOODS
has a "Deal-A-Day" ... check the ad for the one you like
H-E-B
Boneless Beef NY Strip Steaks - $3.77/lb
Large Cantaloupe - 98¢
Bartlett Pears - 77¢
Nilla Vanilla Wafers - $1.50
HEB Buns - $1
HEB Soft Drinks - $2/12 pack
HEB Potato Chips - $1.50
Red Baron Pizza - $2.50
HEB Tortillas - BO/GOF
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or New Belgium Fat Tire - $11.97/12 pack
KROGER
Kroger Value Fresh Split Chicken Breasts - 99¢/lb
Assorted Pork Loin Chops - 1.99/lb
Ground Turkey - 1.79/lb
Springdale Milk - 2.99/gallon
Black Seedless Grapes - $1/lb
Medium Cantaloupe - 99¢
Big K Soft Drinks - $2/12 pack
Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt - 4 for $5
RANDALLS
Fresh Boneless Pork Loin Roast - $1.88/lb
On the Vine Cluster Tomatoes - 99¢/lb
Signature Cafe Family Size Pizza - $5 each
St Arnold beer - $6.99/6-pack
SPEC'S
St Arnold ... all varieties - $6.99/6-pack
Shiner ... all varieties - $5.99/6-pack
Newcastle ale - $11.99/12-pack
