Duped Again! T-48 Hours!

So, as the launch neared for Northern California, I went ahead and signed up for my free $.99 reusable bag. This was yesterday. When was the coupon expiration? Today!? So, I'm 0/2 to get my free bag coupon. "Buyer" beware ... just sign up the morning of the launch ... which I will do in a mere 48 hours from now.

Can you believe it? The Northern California fans of Fresh & Easy will finally have stores to call their own. In less than 48 hours, I'll be at the Danville store with everyone else perusing the Tesco goodies.

On that note, the store doesn't open at their normal time. It will be 10:00 AM, which is nice as some commute traffic can be avoided. Luck would have it that I am between jobs after today and will be able to leisurely attend the opening and take as much time as I want. Conversely, I'll probably be too busy with my new job to attend either the Walnut Creek or the Pleasanton openings. I'll have to see when I can swing by both, though.

Don't Forget your Weekly Coupon

Here is a direct link for a $10 off coupon for $50 purchases good through 3/7/2011 (just in time for our Northern California launch!)

Coupon Link - Acrobat

Also, be sure and sign up for your own coupons and emails directly at Fresh & Easy's website.

10 Days and Counting

So, today marks the 10 day countdown to the opening in Northern California. I'll actually be between jobs so I'll be able to saunter to Danville and take my leisurely time at the opening.

I know weather is chaotic at best but it seems to be "meh" on the forecast ... 56 degrees and a 30% chance of rain. Who cares ... it'll be great inside! See you there!

Northern California Countdown ... 3 Weeks! And a First Trial Review. Dry Roasted & Unsalted Pistachios

Fresh & Easy launch in Northern California is approaching! Danville is only three weeks away now.

I still have to come up with a format of how to review the products but I'll still adjust the categories based on store categories as well as a 1-10 ranking of the product.

Here is a possible format I'll use as it just has three basic pieces of data (rating, price, category) along with the basic review. I was going to sub-rank other items on a scale of 1-10 (texture, flavor, etc.), but thought it would be best just to keep it simple and touch on the points in my review. I'll try the moniker of Fresh vs. Stale to denote what I feel were the high and low points of the product.

Dry Roasted & Unsalted Pistachios

Overall Rating
7.5/10
Price
N/A (Didn't have original receipt)
Category
Snacks






Fresh: Roasted well, good appearance, nut yield

Stale: Average flavor

Review: Overall, a tasty product and would probably only buy them again for recipes that called for unsalted pistachios. I acknowledge some people prefer unsalted / low sodium snacks, but these do lack a little punch from their basic roasted nature. I still gave it an overall high rating as they roasting process seems to be well executed and most shells were open (i.e. very rarely, a few were unable to be opened. They had a great texture and were not under-roasted.

Tags: Nut, pistachio, snack, unsalted

Danville Fresh & Easy Drive By

I decided to take advantage of the wonderfully sunny day today and swing by the convenient Danville location. They are right off of 680 on Diablo Road (East side of 680). It's very handy for those people not local to swing by on their commute in either direction.

The location is set back from the road a bit, the sign a tad small near Diablo Road, but still a convenient location.

I can't wait to come back on opening day, March 2! Only a month away ...

There were only a handful of people doing outside prep work, cleanup, and some refrigeration people. The equipment, signage, painting, and generally all the TI work seemed complete. Minus the store stock and a trained crew, they seemed to be ready to open today!