99 cent stores with good produce/food in la?

[dzyalo]

what the subject line says.

i live in west la, but am willing to travel a little bit. are there any hidden gems that anyone would care to share?

thanks in advance!

[mlgb]

They all carry pretty much the same stuff. Sometimes they have good stuff, and sometimes not. It's too erratic to go out of your way, and any gems might be gone when you get there. Not everything is a great bargain, but sometimes you hit the lottery. Things to look for are Del Cabo mini tomatoes, Earthbound organic lettuces, peppers, and fresh berries. I also bought some of those nice asparagus. In the refrigerated case, sometimes you'll get name brand yogurt and cheese. They're carrying overstocks of Hershey's chocolate bars at the moment.

Always look for the expiration date on anything packaged.

[apple7blue]

At 99 cent store on Washington Blvd west of Centinela and west of B&B Hardware was selling 2 small avocados for 99 cents, not really a gem . . .

[Gingergirl]

Dunno about "over the hill," but there are two 99 cent stores in the SFV that often have more than a few nice produce items:

Chatsworth Street in Granada Hills

Ventura Boulevard - just West of Corbin Avenue

[Akitist]

I imagine they all get pretty much the same stuff. Some may have nicer presentations, depending on store personnel. Gems would be more what the veggie buyer (corporate) was able to score, seasonal or being lucky. They've had some pretty fair red and yellow bell peppers recently, but those seem to be over. Much of their stuff isn't too appealing.

[Waverly SGV]

Agreed. You're not going to find "good" produce at the 99 cent store. Save on gasoline and go to your local farmers market. Or try a nearby Asian market, where there's usually reasonably priced, fresh veggies. It's crazy how prices of just about everything have skyrocketed.

[ipsedixit]

Well, that might be overstating it just a bit.

Just this past week, I found nice and firm asparagus at my local 99 cents store. Round (not fat) stalks that were firm with tight buds. Good bargain.

But, you're right. Generally the produce is nothing to get excited about at 99 cents.

[Waverly SGV]

Buyer beware. I just saw some expired soda at the TC store. Didn't even know that pop can go bad.

[Burger Boy]

Are you sure it was expired, and not the manufactured date?