Lincoln Lunch: sushi
Never thought I'd be able to get a sushi Lincoln Lunch, what I call a $5 lunch because Lincoln is on the fiver. Then I went to the new Fresh & Easy grocery store in Van Nuys.
I went to compare their prices to Trader Joe's, Vons, Costco and Food 4 Less, which I will blog about soon. While there I was enticed by an open fridge near the check out area that offered prepared meals.
Medium sized pre-made salads were $3.29 to $4.29. Tuna, ham and egg salad sandwiches were $2.49 to $2.99. Trays of California rolls and other sushi items were $2.99 to $4.99. They also had a baked potato and couscous with raisins.
I opted for the sushi. Adventurous, perhaps, but the pay off could be big. I snagged a tray from the back that had six spicy California rolls and two pieces of tuna sushi for $5. The rolls were decent. Certainly I've had much better but for the price I felt it was entirely acceptable and a good solution for those who crave sushi more often than they can afford it.
The tuna sushi was very edible. I prefer sashimi, fish without the rice underneath, so I peeled off the bright red flesh, dipped it in soy sauce, and plopped it into my mouth. The fish had a very soft texture, bordering on mushy. Not the brightest flavor, but tasty enough that I ate the second piece.
My sushi tray came with ample soy sauce, pickled ginger and wasabi. I enjoyed eating with the collapsible chop sticks so much that I considered saving them. All in all, not a bad option if you are in the neighborhood.
Visit them at 15230 Vanowen Street in Van Nuys. (818) 902-0635. Remember to check back later to see how Fresh & Easy prices compare to other grocers!
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About The Bargain Hunter
Daily News staff writer Julia Scott loves to find bargains on everything from groceries to Gucci. Her tips will help keep your hard earned cash where it belongs - in your pocket.
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I thought your Lincoln Lunch standards would be higher than a "grab-and-go" from a refrigerated case at a grocery store.
Your previous columns were from restaurants where you were being served, and if memory serves me correctly, one was over the counter, but prepared in front of you.
I haven't posted the grab-and-go deals as I thought they were a "no-no" as to your rule of no fast food such as Carl's Jr. 99c Big Burger and the various Hot Dog and soda combos at Costco, etc.
Many markets offer grab and go under $5.00. Vons and Pavilions will from time to time offer $4.99 made to order sandwich specials from their deli on Fridays.
Great tasting salads at Aldi-owned Trader Joe's for under $5.00 that in my opinion taste better than the likes of Mc Donald's and Jack-In-The-Box. Wendy's also puts out a very good tasting salad for under $5.00.
As far as Fresh and Easy and your upcoming review, hopefully you'll revisit the store in a month or so to discover the great prices on clearance items as they near the sell by date, 50 percent off! As this was your first visit, they probably did not have much in the way of clearance items.
Don't forget to ask for the $5.00 coupon on orders over $20.00 when you check-out if didn't already receive one in the mail.
When I'm out in the Inland Empire visiting my rentals, I like to stop at F&E and nosh on the stuff from the front cooler. Not a sushi person, but enjoy the sandwiches.
Have you noticed that since F&E first announced stores, only one San Fernando Valley location and not one in the Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys? I can't understand the void, unless it's simply a matter of economics when F&E scouted their first sites, better deals on the locations they selected vs. locations in the three valleys.
Too bad many in the media are quick to compare F&E to Trader Joe's, which to me it's not. It actually reminds me more of Trader Joe's parent company, Aldi (who operates no Aldi-named stores in California, mostly Midwest, East and headed toward Florida and Texas) and their very no frill boxes that Aldi is famous for, but adding some of Trader Joe's features, with the quickness of an old neighborhood market in New York, but missing the butcher counter.
Tesco's concept is sure different than what they offer from the various formats in the United Kingdom, but Aldi does not offer Trader Joe's in Europe.
I like the size of the store and on dairy and items in the canned goods and frozen foods aisles, prices are better than the large market chains.
Meat prices to me are way overpriced, especially since F&E does not place a grade on their beef. Is it select, choice, prime or what? For the prices, it appears Prime but it sure doesn't look like it. Costco and Sam's have the better deal and at least its choice.
Produce is so-so. Some items are reasonably priced, others have me scratching my head as to where are they coming from for an item that is not organic. I guess I'm used to the lower prices at the Hispanic-format markets, as we don't purchase produce from the large chain markets, except for Sam's, Costco and Wal-Mart.
I'm mixed on the bakery. The bread and rolls are reasonably priced, but the specialty bakery items in the refrigerated case seem to be overpriced, although the chocolate flourless cake is so tasty, but expensive!
So, is Lincoln Lunch continuing at $5.00, or should it be Lincoln Lunch...plus a few Washington’s?
SO_CAL_RETAIL_SLUT
Normally I do have a higher standard for Lincoln Lunches. As you note, most of my $5 lunch finds have been at places that offer seating. When it comes to sushi, however, I have found the only way to get a $5 sushi meal is with pre-made rolls such as the one at Fresh & Easy. Many other grocers offer similar options. ~Julia
Just in case your readers don't know that Fresh & Easy is in the old Ralphs location, the store actually fronts on Sepulveda, on the SE corner. I went the day of the grand opening madness, and haven't returned yet. Biding my time 'til they get a fresh supply of canvas bags!
There is a Fresh & Easy in Simi Valley (NE corner of Tapo and Alamo). I checked it out last week and was generally pleased with the selections. I got some wonderful big scallops, 9 in the package, for about $4.50 because they were near the Sell By date. I ate three that night and froze the others. Very tasty.