Fresh and Easy Does It Every Time!

The following post has been brought to you by the lovely and talented Kikita (who is still practicing her cooking skills).

There are perks to being Mami's "driver/photographer." I get to see and do a lot of cool things.
I'm sure Mami has every intention of sharing with you the fantastic experience that came from being invited to a fresh & easy event at Sur la Table in the Los Angeles Farmer's Market.

 

So I'd just like to tell you about my "after-adventures." I like the sound of it, don't you?

Well, so we had an awesome time during the event and I realized that I have not one, not two, but THREE (YES! THREE!) fresh & easy stores near my house! I had been operating under a common misconception that this fresh & easy market was super "chi chi" and on the expensive side so I had never bothered to go and check it out, but after meeting some of their people I decided to check the place out for myself.

 

What I found when I walked inside was a smallish grocery store that was well-lit and already pleasant to be in. I got the feeling that I was going to enjoy this shopping trip.

I admit, I had it in for them. I was looking for them to fail me. I went in with a list of stuff I needed to make a big Cuban dinner (you know, rice, beans, & maybe boliche). Boy was I in for a surprise!

 

Not only did they have everything I was looking for, they also had . . . *drum roll, please* . . . CAFE BUSTELO!! That was the moment when I decided I would be shopping there from now on!
 As if them having Bustelo was not enough of a reason already, I found the ultimate reason for continuing to shop there . . .

 When I saw that they carried their own brand of Dulce De Leche Ice Cream I swear I heard a choir of angels singing. And then there was one more extra fun thing that this wonderful  fresh & easy place offered me . . . a childhood dream.

WHAT?!?!

Ok, so I have a bit of a confession. As a kid, I totally thought it would be fun to work in a grocery store and scan people's groceries. Once I realized that I was destined to become a golden goddess I put aside my childhood dream, but the fresh & easy people made it happen for me via "Self-Checkout."

Yes, I AM aware that other major chains offer this luxury, but if I am given the option for a bit of social interaction, I'll take it (translation: I'm kind of freaked out about doing the self-check-out when there are perfectly able bodied checkers right there).

The deal with the fresh & easy is that there is no option. You are on your own.

What is even MORE fun is that while you're busy focused on living a childhood dream (oh, come on, admit it, you always wanted to do it too!) a person will magically appear and bag your groceries for you!

 

And these same magic people help you to buy the alcohol that they sell there (sorry kids! no sneaking through!) . . . just beer and wine, so you won't be making mojitos without a stop at the liquor store, but I think it's a small price to pay for the fresh & easy shopping experience.

Go! Find a store near you and just check it out. I promise you'll like it! =D

 

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UPDATE: I realize that many of you East Coasters probably do not have  a local fresh & easy anywhere near you. What's cool is that you can send them a suggestion for where to open a store. Do it. Be the change you want to see!

IMAGINE: A fresh & easy HIALEAH! ;-)