Text 21541, 83 rader
Skriven 2007-10-19 11:13:02 av Carol Shenkenberger (1:261/1466.0)
Ärende: Kroger store, good place
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A Kroger store is next to the Home Depot now.  I went in after getting
the chimney cap while the chimney repairs were being done.

I really like that store!  I was looking at the asian area (they have
pocky but 1.78$ and Charlotte doesnt like them THAT much).  A lady near
me was looking at some things and the stock fellow was right near and
heard us starting to chat and came over.  I was commenting on the price
difference in some of the roducts in Japan (BTW, overall favorable on
Kroger's cost for the imported items).

The lady was looking for 'patis' and yet another place to get my
Tiparos!  Yes, they have it too.  She was looking at the fancy smaller
higher priced bottles but once I pointed out the sodium levels, she got
one.  The stock fellow joined in and said he was always being asked
about such things.  I showed him the backs of several bottles (he knows
about such very well) but that the 'portion size' also kicks in major on
telling how strong the 'brew' is.  One of the brands for example, used
1/2 TB portions and was basically 'soy sauce' but 'engrished' from 'fish
sauce - generic name in asia, can be almost anything' to 'patis' and was
not actually patis at all.  The soy sauce choices were decent except
they do not have Datu Puti.

Get this, the store clerk drew me a map on how to find where the Asian
Grocery moved to!  He also called the manager and they wrote down the
name of the product (and how it's so much lower sodium than anything
else they had on the shelves) and are going to send up the chain to get
some.  It wasnt clear to me if just that store can vary, or if the chain
has to add it to a product line, or if it's there already but that store
didnt carry it.  If they can though, they are going to add it.

The stock fellow has a handout from his home computer, available on
request which we got.  It lists the names of lower sodium products to
help shoppers.  Brand name and all, for things they carry.  Like, it
lists Contadina and Rotel as good choices for tomato canned products.

On to the fish section, we found the first place here with good looking
fish at a decent price.  We were *not* amused at the commisary fish.
Harris Teeter is not looking very good either and Food Lion didnt have
many choices nr did they look all that good.  BJs (a local SAMS like
place) had some that was so old, it scared us.

Wild caught tuna, 7.99 lb.  Not bad for here at this season.  Harris
Teeter wanted 14.99 lb and it didnt look as fresh.

Catfish- farm raised (doesnt bother us any) 2.99 lb.  Was close to 5$ at
Harris Teeters.  Salmon- 3.99 lb (didnt price this at Harris Teeter) and
the honesty to have a label right out front 'color added' (doesnt bother
us either).

Shrimp were quite reasonable with prices ranging on size.  The customers
here do not like them with the heads, so I asked the 'fishmonger' (who
is also the butcher) if i can get the heads for a soup pot and he
laughed and said yes.  That normally he has to throw them out due to not
enough people asking for them.  He didnt have any just then but he gave
me the number to back there and i can call ahead and have him put some
aside.  50cents a lb.  (he'd be happy to give them free but it's not his
option).

He's also the butcher.  I asked and it comes mostly cut and he just
resizes the beef and pork.  Most of it is already wrapped for sale, but
the special items in the front display case are cut down at the store.
Prime Rib looked really good and sorry but all I recall of the price was
a happy smile after Japan prices.

Olive bar!  Not as nice as the one at woolworths in Townsville, but not
bad at all for here.  Equal to Harris Teeter but only 6.99lb.

Overall, a very happy experience with the people, prices, and proximity
to my home.  Big trips will be to Little Creek (about 15 mile round
trip) but smaller ones or runs for seafood, will be Krogers I think.

Oh and the chimney? Looks *wonderful* and the fellows did several extra
small things like replaced the missing front brick the idiot we bought
the house from had removed so he could put in a blower unit.  He just
grabbed and old brick, cut it, and mortored it in for free <g>.  I feel
very good with the service of 'A Sweep In Time'.
           xxcarol

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