Fresh and Easy

Ghoulish Delight · 12-14-2007, 08:05 PM

So I just took my first trip.

Sadly, I was underwhelmed. Perhaps I was expecting too much, or was just confused on what to expect. What I expected was something in between Trader Joe and a standard market. Namely, I figured it would have some of the higher quality/price competitive types of items that TJ offers, while keeping the advantage of selection that a standard grocery has. On top of that, with a name like "Fresh and Easy", I was kinda figuring on it being a good place for quality fresh ingredients for cooking (as well as bunny food).

Well, it delivers on none of those counts. The produce section, while having some quality organic items, is VERY short on selection and is mostly pricey. Same goes for meat, or any other ingredients I might be looking for if I were, say, coming home from work and stopping by the store to put a meal together. They had nothing to compete with Trader Joe in terms of the selection of quality, delicious snack foods. Passable cheese selection, but the prices were nothing to get excited about, especially compared to Trader Joe's excellent cheese prices. And in terms of overall selection, by choosing a small location (they are purposely limiting the size of the buildings they are moving into), they don't stand a chance of competing with the Ralph's across the street.

I really wanted to like this place. I HATE the Ralph's (and the next closest choice, also a Ralph's). And while there might be a limited reason that I'd choose Fresh and Easy instead (for example, they did seem to have a good selection of ready-to-serve lunch and dinner options), and they can't possibly be worse in terms of service than the Ralph's, there is just too much stuff that Ralph's has and they don't that I purchase regularly.

In the end, I feel like they were trying to create a compromise between supermakerts and Trader Joe, and what came out was a place that just isn't as good at either at their respective specialties.

Stan4dSteph · 12-14-2007, 08:28 PM

Places like Tesco and Marks & Sparks are a godsend in London where you get screwed on the exchange. Tasty food at affordable prices. They're meant for takeaway convenience meals, not really to get ingredients for your own cooking.

Cadaverous Pallor · 12-14-2007, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan4dSteph

Places like Tesco and Marks & Sparks are a godsend in London where you get screwed on the exchange. Tasty food at affordable prices. They're meant for takeaway convenience meals, not really to get ingredients for your own cooking.

Yup, same deal here. As a lazy person I know I'd use it. Since GD wants to cook, it's not the best choice for him. The lack of veggies is a deal breaker on my end.

12-14-2007, 08:05 PM	#1
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	So I just took my first trip. Sadly, I was underwhelmed. Perhaps I was expecting too much, or was just confused on what to expect. What I expected was something in between Trader Joe and a standard market. Namely, I figured it would have some of the higher quality/price competitive types of items that TJ offers, while keeping the advantage of selection that a standard grocery has. On top of that, with a name like "Fresh and Easy", I was kinda figuring on it being a good place for quality fresh ingredients for cooking (as well as bunny food). Well, it delivers on none of those counts. The produce section, while having some quality organic items, is VERY short on selection and is mostly pricey. Same goes for meat, or any other ingredients I might be looking for if I were, say, coming home from work and stopping by the store to put a meal together. They had nothing to compete with Trader Joe in terms of the selection of quality, delicious snack foods. Passable cheese selection, but the prices were nothing to get excited about, especially compared to Trader Joe's excellent cheese prices. And in terms of overall selection, by choosing a small location (they are purposely limiting the size of the buildings they are moving into), they don't stand a chance of competing with the Ralph's across the street. I really wanted to like this place. I HATE the Ralph's (and the next closest choice, also a Ralph's). And while there might be a limited reason that I'd choose Fresh and Easy instead (for example, they did seem to have a good selection of ready-to-serve lunch and dinner options), and they can't possibly be worse in terms of service than the Ralph's, there is just too much stuff that Ralph's has and they don't that I purchase regularly. In the end, I feel like they were trying to create a compromise between supermakerts and Trader Joe, and what came out was a place that just isn't as good at either at their respective specialties. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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12-14-2007, 08:28 PM	#2
Stan4dSteph Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: East Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,156	Places like Tesco and Marks & Sparks are a godsend in London where you get screwed on the exchange. Tasty food at affordable prices. They're meant for takeaway convenience meals, not really to get ingredients for your own cooking.
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