Smogless air, traffic-free streets, enough energy to withstand heatwaves. There are many things that LA lacks. However, there is one thing in no short supply here, unlike Manhattan, and that is the supermarket. Picture, if you will, your average coupon-clipping grocery shopper. "Hmm... does any store have a special on top sirloin?" A simple enough question. Whose answer lies buried in a thick stack of weekly ads: Albertson's, Vons, Food 4 Less, Pavilions, Ralphs, Jons, Bristol Farms, Gelsons, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Smart & Final, ... it's enough to make David Blaine leap out of his acrylic box and cry, "Stop the madness!"
To save you from this third circle of hell, your salvation awaits: the WeHo Ho Food Shopping Guide.
And let's group them like so:
Premium Grocery Stores: Whole Foods, Gelson's Market, or Bristol Farms
Your Average Supermarket: Ralphs, Pavilions
Discount/Ethnic Grocer: Jons
In a League of Its Own: Trader Joe's. Oh, Trader Joe's, how I heart thee. Let me count the ways. But I'll spare you and save the TJ's poetry for another day.
Yes, we're all counting our pennies for gas money these days. So the short answer to "where to shop?" is "whatever's closest." Whether that's a market, a convenience store, or your neighbor's fridge.
The next shortest answer is this:
For all things, go to Trader Joe's first.* (Surprised?)
If you don't find what you're looking for there (they stock about 1/10th of the number of items in a normal supermarket), you'll have to choose your own adventure. Are you a:
Nordstrom shopper? For quality produce, meats, and prepared foods, go to a Premium Grocery Store.
Target shopper? For average produce in a comfortable environment, hit Your Average Supermarket.
Wal-mart shopper? For bargain lesser quality produce, go to Jons. You may even enjoy the surlier atmosphere.
For packaged, processed, national brand-type items, it's a toss-up between Your Average Supermarket and Jons. Check the front pages of the ads using the links above for the loss leaders. And Ralphs doubles coupons, so clip away!
Now what was that asterisk next to Trader Joe's about?
Okay, I lied a little. The REAL first place the Ho goes for produce is the Farmers' Market. As we all know, we should all try to buy locally as much as possible. And just like with the grocery stores, you have plenty of choices!
For a full list, check out Farmernet.com, CAFarmersMarkets.org, or the LA Times listing.
No time to hit the stores? Shop online with Vons/Pavilions or Albertsons and have it delivered. Need it in 30 minutes? Try Yummy.com.
All set? Great. Now get in the kitchen and make some dinner! I'll be over in 15.