Grocery Outlet -- April 2008

[Ruth Lafler]

At Oakland:

Imported Italian honey -- chestnut and "high mountain" -- $1.79 for 500 gm. Hidden in the snack/condiment aisle at Oakland, didn't look like they had much. Also peach and strawberry jam from the same producer

Cascadian Farms organic strawberry fruit spread -- $3.99 for a twin pack of large (28 oz, I think) jars. They also had small jars for $1.49. http://www.cascadianfarm.com/products/product_detail.aspx?cat=17

Aidell's Charburgers -- cheddar and blue cheese versions, $2.99. I actually paid full price for these (over $5) a couple of weeks ago after sampling them.

Imagine Organic Beef and Chicken broth, 99 cents for 1 quart tetra paks.

California Chips Creamy Chipotle potato chips. "All natural" chips, crisp, good, but really, really hot. http://www.californiachips.com/index.htm

[rworange]

The Berkeley store is selling 750 ml bottles of Corto Arbequina Extra Virgin Olive oil for $7.99.

It's an interesting story and a surprisingly good oil ... very much worth the price. It is lightly grassy without being obnoxious and has a bit of a peppery bite. However the main quality is the rich butteriness.

Corto is trying to produce large-scale commercial olive oil growing in California. They are trying to woo Lodi grape growers to switch to olives. They have invested in a Pieralisi Fattoria press system, mechanical harvesting and are working with UC Davis.

One article said that 99 percent of olive oil sold in the US is from other countries. I like the idea of a local grower producing oil and not relying on immigrant labor to harvest the crop while producing a good oil to boot. Some more info here

http://www.oliveoilsource.com/scripts/dictionary.asp?p_do=item&p_id=267
http://www.olives101.com/2007/06/13/lodi-olive-oil-ads-lure-winegrape-growers/
http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=27015
http://www.organicnewstoday.com/newsviewer.php?ppa=%3Apqop_%5CifhrxwwZUgc%7D38%7Dbfen_!

A few other items from the Berkeley store -

- Gaviña coffee. Four ounce bags 79 cents. Ok but nothing special
http://www.gavina.com/about.asp

- Dilled Del Monte beans ... yuck. Should have read the label ... sugar is in there and it has an awful sweet/sour quality ... just awful.

- If you missed your Manischevitz (sp) ... the cherry version is $2.99

Speaking of coffee, since my S/O prefers cheap supermarket canned coffee I've been trying the stuff at GO. The S&W mellow roast ($3.99) was the coffee that even he couldn't tolerate. Very acidic and just ... gross. Not to be confused with the cans of C & W which are ok and inoffensive. Small cans of Chase and Sanborn are being sold which is another canned coffee I don't like.

Another loser - the Hershey's mildly spiced Aztec cacao reserve ($1.49) ... spiced with WHAT? I read the label a number of times (too late ... at home) and the only flavoring in there is vanillan. The S/O likes it and that was the reason I bought it. While it has a little stuff in there like guar gum, it is better than the usual junk he buys. There is real sugar in it.

[lemoncoke]

I just went to the Oakland GO:

Aidell's chicken & apple sausage $2.99
Margaritaville jazzy shrimp jambalaya (frozen) $2.99

[zippo]

Berkeley Grocery Outlet this afternoon:

- Orchard Valley Harvest Organic Cashews, 10 oz. plastic tray, fancy roasted and salted, from Brazil, India or Cambodia, certified organic by Organic Certifiers. $2.49;

- Bella Campagua Beef Salami, 5 oz. chub, 99 cents;

- El Sabroso lightly salted Tortilla Chips made with organic white corn, from Snak King of Los Angeles, 13 oz. package, $1.49;

- Zola Acai Power Juice, with organic acai pulp from the Amazon rainforest which is high in antioxidants, organic pineapple juice, whole organic guarana, 11 oz. carton, 50 cents/carton, distributed by Zola of San Francisco and

- Kashi Mountain Medley Granola with cranberries, raisins, almonds, percans, 34 oz. box, $5.99 with lotsa fiber.

[kivarita]

This weekend at RWC GO -- finds not previously mentioned this month:

Gebhardt's Chili Powder - 99c (This was the chili -- yes, with an "i" -- powder I grew up on...but I seemed to need 3x as much now to make a good pot of chili)

Aidell's Spicy Mango with Jalapeno sausage (new flavor for RWC) -- $2.99

Haagen Dazs -- Mocha Chip and Tropical sorbet -- $1.49

Hershey's Special Dark choc. chips -- $1.49 (also had Heath Toffee Chips and Cinnamon chips)

[Mahbret]

This may not be of general interest, but the unfrosted Frosted Mini-Wheats currently in stock are perfect as treats for horses because of the no added sugar. My horse seemed stunned by the perfection of it--first there was a look of puzzlement and then a hungry lightbulb switching on--I think he enjoyed the delicate crunch. I'm stocking up.

[hhc]

First time at Berkeley GO on Sat 4/19/08. Stuff I bought:

Pure Clover Honey from Hungary 16 oz for $2.19. Very runny, very mild.
M&M Dark Chocolate 3lb 8 oz for $5.99
Imagine Organic Chicken broth in quart $.99c
Clif Bar Honey roasted 4 @ 2/$ 1 = $2
avocados $2.99 for 4 (pre-bagged)

My total $14.16

Restrooms in the front of the store, didn't check out. Credit cards taken.

Hrs: Daily 8a-9p

[zippo]

Berkeley Grocery Ootlet yesterday afternoon:

1) Tonnino wild caught Yellowfin Tuna fillets with jalapeno in spring water, from Costa Rica,in a 4 oz. tin, 99 cents (Best before 9/2008) and
2) Zoe's health bars, various flavors, witn 1300 mg Omega-3's, 1.69 oz. bar, from Zoe's Foods of Needham, MA and made in Canada, 4 bars for $1. Best by July 2008.

[Ruth Lafler]

Slim pickings at Oakland this week. Best buy was Clif organic Nectar bars (four flavors) for 79 cents and Luna bars (lemon zest and berry almond, plus orange blossom tea cakes) for 50 cents.

[Ruth Lafler]

I can recommend both the berry almond Luna bars (I was already a fan of the Lemon Zest) and the Clif Nectar bars. For people looking for a healthy snack product, the Clif Nectar bars are great -- the ingredients are all organic and really simple. There is no sugar, even, just organic dates for sweetness, and nuts and flavorings. The ingredients on the cinnamon pecan bar (which was delicious) are: organic dates, organic roasted pecans, organic cinnamon, organic vanilla. The ingredients on the dark chocolate mocha (which I haven't tried yet) are: organic dates, organic almonds, organic unsweetened chocolate, organic cocoa, organic coffee concentrate and organic coffee. Such a high quality product for 79 cents is a real bargain!

[Ruth Lafler]

The Oakland store also has cherry pomegrante Clif Nectar bars. My kitchen, my desk drawer and my tote bags are now all fully stocked.

[Mahbret]

If the Italian peach jam is actualluy peach and almond, I tried some--not recommended, too insipid, but they had a berry jam that was very flavorful and tart. Didn't see the strawberry jam.

[kivarita]

I've been trying to mix up the days of the week I stop in a GO to see if things turn up in smaller quantities during the week, but no luck so far.

Envious of the honey and jam everyone's talking about, I picked up a jar of Sun Organic Foods (product of Brazil) Lemon Jam for 99c. They've got various Sun Organic Foods products -- coffee and cocoa, in addition to the jams. Other jam flavors were passion fruit and orange marmalade.

Also - large 46 oz Pom teas (pomegranate peach white tea) for $1.49.

[baron45]

Stopped at the Berkeley GO today---specials that I bought:

Imagine Chicken broth, 99 cents for 1 quart pak

Red Wild canned red canned salmon 99 cents

10 lb bag of Sunkist oranges $3.99 (these were $2.99 at the PH location last month)

2004 Covey Run Syrah for $2.50 a btl (there was also a Cab-Merlot blend for the same price)

[rworange]

Did you notice if they ever got that chipotle bacon?

[baron45]

None. Only a couple of other brands of standard bacon.

[Columba]

Chipotle bacon at SR store yesterday.

[cmvan]

Chipotle bacon is also at Rohnert Park

[Ruth Lafler]

So, has anyone tried it yet?

[kivarita]

Yep - I tacked it onto last month's post (even though it was already a few days into April).

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/49587...

[frangelica]

Pleasant Hill had Pancetta, "irregular sliced" for $2.99/lb have not tried it yet. For the second time I have tried the Tuna and I must say it is some good eating. This month it is cut in kabobs at a really great price too, $2.99/lb (I think). No honey.

Dave, give us CoCo county folks some of the good stuff. I work near the Oakland store which always has a much better selection, but with commuting during rush hour I prefer to head out of town as early as possible...fewer stops before hitting that damn tunnel.

[David Carlson]

I don't have any control over the food side - I'm the Hardware and Lawn & Garden Buyer...
Talk to the store owner - tell them what kind of products you'd like to see and that you'll shop more frequently if you find them there.

[rworange]

At San Pablo store ...

QUART ... not pint ... of Double Rainbow blueberry ice cream ... $1.49.
Good blueberry flavor but DR uses regular corn syrup in addition to sugar so it is a bit sweet.

Lots of flavors of Hagaan Daz pints $1.49 including pistachio. The coconut sorbet is still 50 cents a pint.

Aidell's mango ginger breakfast sausage $2.99.
I like this quite a lot. There is a nice ginger zing along with pieces of sweet mango. These would go great with pancakes and maple syrup.

There are still the Niman Ranch cheese jalepeno sausages ... or something like that. I bought these a while back. I don't like them as much as the Aidell's. The flavor is ok, but the cheese oozes out a little watery.

Mariani walnut halves 8 oz $2.99
SNC(?) pecan halves 6 oz $2.59
Both fresh and worth the price.

I just have the ad but forgot to look but Santa Cruz organic apple/blueberry or apple/raspberry sauce ... 99 cents for 6-pack or 21 oz jar.

[gordon wing]

I was glad to see the stock of Hagaan Daz coconut sorbet .... really enjoyed it and for 50 cents it's a great value. The HD Pistachio is also delicious and a good value at $1.49. There was another tropical fruit sorbet for $1.49 also and as you mentioned several other rich sounding flavors: Macadamia Nut brittle? and a very chocolatey combination with an interesting label that declared: extra rich and light at the same time! Love those marketing guys!
Got a few of those Lindt milk chocolate bars with pistachios/almond filling for 99 cents each. Also tried one of the Dark Chocolate Snickers Bars ( 3 for $1) - don't actually like it as much as the regular bar - the chocolate doesn't complement the filling as well but for 35 cents........

[David Carlson]

I think it was the Dulce de Leche that was described as extra rich and light - found that amusing...

[Ruth Lafler]

I generally find that the nut prices at GO, while better than supermarkets, are not nearly as good as Trader Joe's. Actually, I bought some gorgeous walnut halves at the farmer's market for $5/pound.

[David Carlson]

RW - are you sure those walnut halves are 8oz?
Only one I can find in our system are 10oz for $2.99 - which works out to $4.78/lb.
Of course, they're probably not as gorgeous as the ones from the farmer's market...

[rworange]

Ah ... probably right. I put them in a jar and threw out the bag.

[Mahbret]

THe Santa Cruz applesauce is very good, not overly sweet.

[BigWoodenSpoon]

Went to Oakland GO on Friday and they still had a few flats.(None to be had in Berkeley) My friends love chestnut, so I got 3 from them and also picked up the Pear and Lemon Jam from the same producer. The texture is kinda in between jam and marmalade and the flavor is really good, very lemony which I like. Heck, for $1.49,
why not! Also, Oakland had the Kettle Buffalo Blue chips (yum!) in the large bag for $1.99 (I think)
The Mayan Chocolate Haagen Dazs we got at Berkeley was pretty good after the second bite, but I liked the Triple Chocolate (chocolate ice cream, chocolate swirl, truffle pieces) better. Happy Shopping!

[Ruth Lafler]

I would have loved some pear and lemon if they'd had it. I was there late Sunday, maybe they will have restocked or it will show up somewhere else.

[David Carlson]

No more Pear & Lemon - we only got 36 cases total. The Hayward, Newark, Fairfield and San Jose (on Monterey) stores also got it and should still have some.
The Kettle Chips that BigWoodenSpoon (hi honey) mentioned are good, but I prefer the Creamy Chipotle chips mentioned in the OP.

[Ruth Lafler]

Thanks, David! Hayward, here I come. I should mention that the Creamy Chipotle chips were only 99 cents for a 6 oz. bag -- great price.

[Ruth Lafler]

Only Strawberry, Peach and Wildberry at Hayward, but I found some other gems:

Native Kajalii Roasted Green Mole (review: "the green is a standout, with an exotic savouriness from ground pumpkin seeds and quite the chipotle aftertaste") -- $1.49

Christopher Ranch organic roasted garlic and organic "stir fry" (ginger and garlic) -- 99 cents

Terra Red Bliss Roasted Garlic and Parmesan potato chips -- one of my all time favorite chips. $1.99. Note that the sell by date on these is 4/20, and they seem to be verging on stale.

If you missed the limited edition razzleberry M&Ms, they have tons of them -- 3/99 cents.

Also: four different brands of organic bread and butter pickles, all $1.99. I bought the refrigerated Stroud's, which I've had before and are excellent.

And if your dog eats as well as you do: Nature's Recipe Rabbit and Rice canned food, 5.5 ounce cans 2/89 cents. This is a very high quality, hypoallergenic food with no fillers, etc.

[chocolateninja]

Does anyone know if the Italian honey and jams are at the Sonoma county GOs (Rohnert Park and Petaluma)? If there is a good chance, I might have to take a trip out to the RP location this week to see what I can find.

[David Carlson]

Nope, neither got any of it. Closest to that area that got any was Santa Rosa, and they only got the Chestnut honey.

[chocolateninja]

Ah, thanks. DOH, I totally forgot about the Santa Rosa GO (closer to me than RP or Pet.)! I'll have to go check this week on the off chance they have any of the Chestnut left.

[Columba]

From Santa Rosa store today- the honey at $1.79 is Eucalyptus. Slightly granular, very good - layers of flavor.

If I'd read this thread, I would have looked for jam...too late now.

Also, check the pasta aisle for same distributor - Organic farro Penne half kilo (1.1 lb) for $1.99. And Organic La Casarecce same size & price. Looks beautiful, I haven't cooked it up yet.

Enjoy!

[cmvan]

I also went to the Santa Rosa store yesterday and saw only the Eucalyptus Honey.. I asked Tiny, the manager, about it and he didn't know what I was talking about. He didn't even know they had the eucalyptus.

I tried to explain about this board, but I don't think he quite got that either.

[Columba]

Found today in Santa Rosa (on end aisle facing exit door) from same distributor - Aceto Rosato - a pinkish red (rose) wine vinegar half liter bottle for $1.69. It's milder than balsamic & would go well with tender greens or fruit.

Never saw any jam. Still lots of pasta - it's great!

[Ruth Lafler]

David -- you wouldn't happen to know if other stores have different flavors of the Clif Nectar bars. I think I'm addicted.

[hhc]

Ruth, please post back on the Imported Italian honey. I hope you both kinds. I love honey. Did you buy the peach & strawberry jams? Those prices are incredible!!

Oh, please also post on what you thought of the Cascadian Farms organic strawberry fruit spread.

Is there any good places to eat near the Oakland GO? I'd like to make it worth my time to drive over there.

[Ruth Lafler]

I didn't buy any jam -- I'm not big on peach and strawberry. They looked good, though -- I wouldn't have hesitated to buy the twin pack of Cascadian if I knew what to do with that much strawberr jam! I did buy one each of the honey and they are very good -- dark, rich, with the chestnut having the distinctive slightly bitter note of chestnut honey. The high mountain had started to crystallize slightly (still usable, of course), but the chestnut was still completely liquid. Great bargains!

There's not much to eat right around the GO, although there's a taco truck parked on the street on the Broadway side of the parking lot on weekdays. However, it's not far from a few other chowish destinations (the Grand Lake farmers' market, the new Oakland Whole Foods, Piedmont Ave. (Dopo, Cesar, etc.)). I wouldn't guarantee there would be any honey left, though -- I don't know how much they had, but it didn't look like much.

-----
Grocery Outlet
2900 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94611

[Hunicsz]

I got the acacia honey, as well as plum jam (did they not have plum at the Oakland one when you were there?). The jam is fine, and good for the price. I am very, very pleased with the honey. It's got a lovely, light floral taste. The texture is a little funky (kind of granular), but the taste (and the price) more than makes up for it.

[Ruth Lafler]

No, they didn't have plum jam or acacia honey when I was there. Sounds like the acacia is starting to crystallize slightly, too. It doesn't hurt the honey, and if you need it to liquify you can heat it slightly.

[mmerino]

FYI that taco truck has tasty, authentic food. Its the best taco around North Oakland until you hit International/Fruitvale. I had a yummy al pastor quesadilla. Big spicy deelish. Unfortunately, I don't think its there Sat. Sun.

[Marc Wallace]

It is tasty, but I've often been past there and the truck was nowhere to be found. Weekends seem very unlikely, but weekdays 10a-1p are probable.

[oakjoan]

It's also near Luka's Taproom at Grand and Broadway. A great place for lunch. Amazing soups, great hamburgers, catfish sandwiches and salads. Laid back chic.

[kc72]

Can eat at Oghane. Or head over to Telegraph and check out one of the other Korean places

[Sarah]

A Grocery Outlet will be opening soon in Novato -- wonder if they all carry the same products.
http://www.marinij.com//ci_8773178?IA...

[Ruth Lafler]

Stock varies from store to store, depending on how much they have.

Oops, someone already started a thread: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/506641

[David Carlson]

All the stores have the same product available to them, except occasionally when we don't have enough for all the stores - then the first ones to order get it. Stock varies quite a bit from store to store because not all stores order the same items and when they do, they order different quantities and sell at different rates.