Fresh and Easy

Cadaverous Pallor · 12-14-2007, 06:18 PM

www.freshandeasy.com

One of these just opened walking distance from us, across the street from our awful Ralphs. We've been watching it go up with high anticipation.

I went in on opening day last Wednesday. For the most part it's fantastic. Name brands when you need them (Heinz, Quaker, Cheerios) and no name brands when you don't (rice, tomato sauce). The balance there is perfect. The prices are competitive - no reason to cross the way to get things for cheaper. They are limited in the number of brand choices and they apparently have room to expand once they acquire more deals (they don't need 5 rows of Cheerios). This is especially noticible in cereal and beer. The beer options aren't horrible - Corona, Hornsby's, even Fat Tire, about 5 decent choices. But we may eventually go elsewhere if we need something different.

We were really hoping for a large veggie selection to feed the bunny, and I was a bit disappointed there. No large bunches of parsley and no carrot tops. They did have various lettuces and other items at great prices but it's obvious we'll have to supplement with trips to Ralphs. I'll mention this the next time I'm in.

They have full aisles of pre-made dinners of varying sizes, some party sized. There was a party sized tray of sausages wrapped in bacon, heh. Lots of choices there and I felt lazier just looking at all of it. They use real-deal ingredients and as little preservatives as possible - real homemade style. I bought their butternut squash soup, thinking of the sweet Trader Joe's version. F&E's is savory instead, and I could taste the onions and garlic - it was lovely. Bread isn't cheaper but it isn't way expensive either - I'd have no trouble buying it here.

They have parking spaces for hybrids, which I think is kind of lame, since I have park further because of it. Their carts are shallow yet wide which make it easy to reach everything in the basket yet are big enough to hold all your food.

There were a million people working there for opening day, being overly helpful of course. I used self checkout and I had a lady "helping" me by bagging my stuff, and thereby messing up the check out (items removed from bagging area). The place is clean, wide aisles, simple displays. They had all the basics, including beauty products, gift wrap, etc. There are banners talking about their environmental choices.

They gave me a free bag which they sell for 20 cents. You are supposed to use it over and over and when it gets worn out they'll give you a new one for free, forever, and recycle the old one. Don't know if I'd remember to use it, but it's worth throwing in the car.

All in all I'm much happier having this there than a TJs, because I'd be more inclined to do all my shopping here. Though I love TJs, they just don't carry what I personally need for an everyday shop. The less we have to hit that Ralphs, the better.

So yay F&E...and we'll see how it goes.

12-14-2007, 06:18 PM	#1
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	Fresh and Easy www.freshandeasy.com One of these just opened walking distance from us, across the street from our awful Ralphs. We've been watching it go up with high anticipation. I went in on opening day last Wednesday. For the most part it's fantastic. Name brands when you need them (Heinz, Quaker, Cheerios) and no name brands when you don't (rice, tomato sauce). The balance there is perfect. The prices are competitive - no reason to cross the way to get things for cheaper. They are limited in the number of brand choices and they apparently have room to expand once they acquire more deals (they don't need 5 rows of Cheerios). This is especially noticible in cereal and beer. The beer options aren't horrible - Corona, Hornsby's, even Fat Tire, about 5 decent choices. But we may eventually go elsewhere if we need something different. We were really hoping for a large veggie selection to feed the bunny, and I was a bit disappointed there. No large bunches of parsley and no carrot tops. They did have various lettuces and other items at great prices but it's obvious we'll have to supplement with trips to Ralphs. I'll mention this the next time I'm in. They have full aisles of pre-made dinners of varying sizes, some party sized. There was a party sized tray of sausages wrapped in bacon, heh. Lots of choices there and I felt lazier just looking at all of it. They use real-deal ingredients and as little preservatives as possible - real homemade style. I bought their butternut squash soup, thinking of the sweet Trader Joe's version. F&E's is savory instead, and I could taste the onions and garlic - it was lovely. Bread isn't cheaper but it isn't way expensive either - I'd have no trouble buying it here. They have parking spaces for hybrids, which I think is kind of lame, since I have park further because of it. Their carts are shallow yet wide which make it easy to reach everything in the basket yet are big enough to hold all your food. There were a million people working there for opening day, being overly helpful of course. I used self checkout and I had a lady "helping" me by bagging my stuff, and thereby messing up the check out (items removed from bagging area). The place is clean, wide aisles, simple displays. They had all the basics, including beauty products, gift wrap, etc. There are banners talking about their environmental choices. They gave me a free bag which they sell for 20 cents. You are supposed to use it over and over and when it gets worn out they'll give you a new one for free, forever, and recycle the old one. Don't know if I'd remember to use it, but it's worth throwing in the car. All in all I'm much happier having this there than a TJs, because I'd be more inclined to do all my shopping here. Though I love TJs, they just don't carry what I personally need for an everyday shop. The less we have to hit that Ralphs, the better. So yay F&E...and we'll see how it goes. __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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