gleam wrote:

mchodera wrote:The dollar bunch of flat-leaf parsley

On the plus side, they almost always ring up my flat leaf parsley as cilantro (at 1/3 the price)

and when they ask what it(the parsley) is...you can always lie

You ought to really love Trotters to Go. If you select carefully, have more than a few blocks to go and are at least a little hungry, there's a good chance you could finish your vittles off before you get home, obviating the need for unpacking and putting away entirely.

I love Jewel's frozen orange juice and frozen whole leaf spinach and lima beans. I like that they carry El Milagro corn tortillas and Amy's soy mac & cheese. Kluski's egg noodles! I usually pick up whatever fruit is on sale, too, if it looks good. Right now, it's Bosc pears and Texas Rio Star grapefruit.

Food shopping has changed so much over the years. My family started shopping at Jewel when the corner grocery store was still around. I use to do almost all of my food shopping at Jewel and went to Treasure Island for items Jewel didn't carry. This was before Whole Foods.

Now, it's Jewel, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods supplemented by ethnic markets for pita bread, olives and sheep's milk cheese.

I virtually never go to Jewel since they phased out PC shepherd's pie.

I, personally, don't like Jewel because their store closest to me is always a mess. They've just remodeled the Dominick's that I usually shop in and I love it. It hasn't kept me from going to Whole Foods for fish or my local butcher for meat, but for a chain store, it's pretty darn nice. I also like the people who work there. They are consistently friendly and very helpful. As far as keeping my bill down, I've developed a system. First I'll make up my grocery list based on what I actually need, then I go to Dominick's web site and see what's on sale for card holders. Whatever is on sale that week and is an item that I regularly use, I write down on my list and then stock up on, plus I use newspaper coupons when I can. Given that we don't consume a lot of processed foods, I sometimes strike out in that department, but having sale items written down on my list before I go into the store has really helped me save some decent money.

I also like that Jewel hires handicapped people. My neighbor's learning impaired daughter has worked at the local Jewel for about 5 years. It's been a good experience for her.

tcdup wrote:I also like that Jewel hires handicapped people. My neighbor's learning impaired daughter has worked at the local Jewel for about 5 years. It's been a good experience for her.

I'm glad to hear it's been a good experience. Have they kept up hiring special needs people at the same level recently? This is one thing I like about them, and it worried me when they installed self-checkout because I was afraid it would reduce those jobs. So far, I don't guess enough customers are using that option to make a difference, partly because the things work so badly.

My mother always shopped at places like Sunset Foods and Dee Jays (and Grand or whatever that other place is related to Dee Jays), and I grew up thinking those were normal supermarkets. I cannot imagine using either one as a primary store today, but each still has some wonderful stuff I can't get elsewhere and the service is quite good. Has anyone heard any complaints about the way those little chains treat their employees?

I have been avoiding Dominick's for a few years but stopped by the one on Willow in Northfield and was pretty impressed. Sounds like there has been an overall improvement in that chain.

Here's a stark comparison...

Stumbled upon a box of Ranier cherries at Treasure Island (680 N. LSD) for $4.00 on Thursday. Saw the same box at Jewel today for $8.00. By the way, my Tresure Island cherries were perfect.

Also today at Jewel, hubby and I saw blood oranges. Hubby just bought some great ones at Marketplace on Diversey for $.79/pound. Hubby's 3 oranges were $1 and change. Jewel offered a box of 4 blood oranges for about $3.50.

Another (non-facetious) reason to like Jewel: They can't be a terrible place to work, because some my wife's favorite checkout clerks at "our" Jewel (Ashland and Wellington) have been there easily ten years or more.

Paradoxically, when I'm not there, my wife will sometimes use the accursed self checkout lanes, even though I've tried to point out that they exist so that Jewel can fire her favorite clerks.

(I say "when I'm not there" not because I have any power to prevent her from using the self checkout, obviously; it's simply that we have a deal: If she wants to use the self checkout, she's perfectly free to go to the Jewel by herself. If she wants me there with her, to help with the shopping or the transportation or the lugging, I'm delighted to do so on the condition that we don't use the self checkout lanes.)

Artie wrote:

kafein wrote:

seebeeonce once you figure out what the numbers mean on the coupons, you are in SERIOUS business. "

What does this mean?

It means that what the coupon claims to be good for doesn't necessarily mean that's all you can use it for. For example it may say " 1.00 off 3" when in actuality you may be able to use it on just 1 item or you might be able to use it on a completely different item from the same manufacturer.

I'm still not getting how the "numbers on the coupons" make coupons good on things other than what they claim to be good on. Are we talking code numbers? I can see where reading the fine print on the coupon may tell you something that the headline doesn't, but fine print doesn't fall into the category of "numbers," so I think we must be talking code numbers of some sort. Is that it, and is there a place on the internet that decodes these?

riddlemay wrote:Another (non-facetious) reason to like Jewel: They can't be a terrible place to work, because some my wife's favorite checkout clerks at "our" Jewel (Ashland and Wellington) have been there easily ten years or more.

Yep. I think this has been discussed up-thread, but Jewel and Dominick's are good employers of elderly and disabled people. I have two great-aunts (one of which is mentally impaired) who have worked for Dominick's for nearly two decades.

I avoid Jewel if at all possible... but it is not always possible.

I stop in at the Jewel on Southport and pick up some of their British options in the back corner that appeal to my husband who grew up in England. I stop by the Jewel on Ashland when I drop off my blockbuster movies next door..... specifically to pick up their bread.

I would love it if anyone can direct me to a place that can provide good and affordable bread in the uk village/humboldt/wicker park area, I will love you. Jewel sometimes does a decent job on their loaves of fresh wheat bread. Sometimes they have a funny aftertaste to them but I keep going back becuase the loaves are still warm and soft and wonderful smelling. I love my local Ukrainian village stores and the fact that they have bread from local bakeries... but.... most of it is rye and all of it is coarse and hard.

Any suggestions?

I love the Trader Joe's on Clybourn. My favorite bread is the seeded sourdough. They have all kinds, but I prefer this one as it is low sugar. The only time I go to Jewel it's to buy low sugar yogurt , cottage cheese, soda or beer. Otherwise, no need for me to stop there, and I live almost across the street from the Ashland Jewel.

LTH,

In need of various disposable Tupperware type don't mind if I don't bring them home containers I hit the Jewel about 8am this fine Saturday morning.

I planed on going to Carnicerias Guanajuanto after for fresh and dried peppers, pork, citrus fruit and other sundry items, but thought I might pick up a few oranges at Jewel if they looked particularly nice as I needed grated orange rind for a recipe.

Oranges were marked Large and priced $1.49, though no indication if piece or pound. I imagined it was pound, but, seeing as how it was Jewel, thought I'd ask. The totally disinterested, why are you bothering me at 8am produce stacker said, with the same look he probably gave the judge the last time he was given a nickel at Joliet, onefourtynine each.

$1.49 per orange, and they weren't all that large or good looking.

For the record, very nice looking, and juicy, oranges were .99c per pound at Carnicerias Guanajuanto. Not to mention the butcher was extremely helpful, going above and beyond in trimming my meat, even though communication was difficult as he spoke Spanish and I spoke English.

As a bonus Carnicerias Guanajuanto has a nice little in-house taqueria, nothing says breakfast like a lengua (tongue) taco, carne asada taco and diet coke with a squeeze of lime.

Enjoy,
Gary

Carnicerias Guanajuanto
3140 N California
Chicago, IL. 60618
773-267-7739

G Wiv wrote:nothing says breakfast like a lengua (tongue) taco,

Why am I laughing at this?

G Wiv wrote:Oranges were marked Large and priced $1.49, though no indication if piece or pound. I imagined it was pound, but, seeing as how it was Jewel, thought I'd ask.

I was hoping that with the move from Albertson's to Supervalu, that we might see a return to HONESTY in labeling. Are there prices so high that they have to vary pack size within categories? Well, yes.

jlawrence01 wrote: Are there prices so high that they have to vary pack size within categories? Well, yes.

Oh, this is my ABSOLUTE pet peeve with all chain grocery stores...how the deli meat is priced by the 1/2 lb but cheese is by the pound...the produce can be each, or lb. or oz....the off-brand dry goods on sale are priced each instead of by amount or number of servings...It takes a calculator and a degree in physics to compute the actual price differences. Plus, I've seen many, many things (e.g. bagged salad) where the oz. price is just plain WRONG!

HI,

When I am comparing apples-to-apples of Jewel and several national brands. I will look at the overall price and the calculated per unit price. For example bleach, these unit prices might be calculated in ounces, quarts or gallons - each different for the same apple from different vendors. Some are easily figured out in your head and some just give you a headache. Stuff like bleach and baking soda I will buy cheapest, which is not always Jewel brand.

Years ago in the Soviet Union, there was no competition in the grocery store because everything was state produced. All packaging was in simplest form. Flour came in paper bags with the word 'MYKA' for flour with the factory producer's address somewhere on the package and often a rubber ink stamp dating the production. It was definitely a moment of take-it or leave-it. When I would come home, I would be dazzled by the color and choices in the grocery store. My youngest sister would be very embarassed at my gawking in a food store. It just took me a few trips to adjust back.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:When I am comparing apples-to-apples of Jewel and several national brands. I will look at the overall price and the calculated per unit price. For example bleach, these unit prices might be calculated in ounces, quarts or gallons - each different for the same apple from different vendors. Some are easily figured out in your head and some just give you a headache. Stuff like bleach and baking soda I will buy cheapest, which is not always Jewel brand.

I hate when they do that too. But I don't take that. I whip out the cell phone which has a calculator function under "tools"!

What I like about Jewel is finding only baby spinach that is priced at $7 per clamshell. I also like bunched spinach, priced at $1.79, that has been drowned by the produce sprayers.

I also like spending $5.33 on .89 lb of boneless chicken.

papua2001mk wrote:I avoid Jewel if at all possible... but it is not always possible.

I stop in at the Jewel on Southport and pick up some of their British options in the back corner that appeal to my husband who grew up in England. I stop by the Jewel on Ashland when I drop off my blockbuster movies next door..... specifically to pick up their bread.

I would love it if anyone can direct me to a place that can provide good and affordable bread in the uk village/humboldt/wicker park area, I will love you. Jewel sometimes does a decent job on their loaves of fresh wheat bread. Sometimes they have a funny aftertaste to them but I keep going back becuase the loaves are still warm and soft and wonderful smelling. I love my local Ukrainian village stores and the fact that they have bread from local bakeries... but.... most of it is rye and all of it is coarse and hard.

Any suggestions?

Red Hen on Milwaukee just north of North. It is not cheap but the bread is exquisite.

AngrySarah wrote:Red Hen on Milwaukee just north of North. It is not cheap but the bread is exquisite.

Particularly the organic wheat baguette. MMMMM

I hate to admit it, but my wife and I love their seafood salad from the deli counter . But, like other posts have mentioned, there are so many other options out there--Sam's/Costco, Aldi, etc.--there's not much left to buy at Jewel. BTW, for produce and much more (especially Latino items), Pete's Market on the south side is great. It's actually not too far off of I55 so it might be worth the trip from the city from time to time.

Pete's Market
4343 S Pulaski Rd,
Chicago - (773) 927-4300
www.petesfresh.com

"what i like about jewel"...

you're 'funnin' us, right?

I think what I like about Jewel (and Dominick's, for that matter) is that they're so bad they foster an environment where places like H-Mart and Marketplace on Oakton (and many other independants - even Garden Fresh) can flourish.

I live near Caputo's and Super Low in Elmwood Park' where deli prices are half of Jewel prices for the same products. At Caputos You can also get imported Prosciutto, Salami, mortedella (with pistachios) and Capacolla on weekly sales for less Than $7 a lb.. Red peppers .99/lb.
Green peppers .49/lb. Melrose peppers etc. etc.

Super low has an in house butcher shop. Nothing pre-packaged or cryovac'd all fresh cut USDA Choice at less than Jewel prices for pre-packaged select grade.

And then there is Caputo's Cheese Market.

However
I need to make a Jewel run tomorrow, All Coke Products 5 12 packs for $10 and Canfields flavored Seltzer 3 for 9.99. Its also the only place I can find Clamato Bloody Ceasar Mix.

nr706 wrote:I think what I like about Jewel (and Dominick's, for that matter) is that they're so bad they foster an environment where places like H-Mart and Marketplace on Oakton (and many other independants - even Garden Fresh) can flourish.

Yes. The door that opened when Dominick's faltered and changed hands seems to have been a very significant one. The landscape of the local grocery scene has evolved into something far better for shoppers. Many of the newer arrivals and smaller chains have flourished in the post "Big 2" environment. I wonder how much market share Dominick's has given up since their peak days.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote: I wonder how much market share Dominick's has given up since their peak days.

=R=

I heard that the decline was from 34% to 18% of the Chicago market. The source was a Jewel manager (g).

Hi,

I usually shop at Jewel between 10:00 pm and midnight, when all other options are closed. Occasionally, I will be asked if I need someone to help load the car. It is a somewhat surprising question when I really don't have much to even haul.

I read this morning, Jewel has a new cart-to-car service. It is not just an option, it is mandatory for someone to follow you out to your car.

It's called the "cart-to-car" service, according to couponsinthenews.com, and whether you want the help or not, your bagger is expected to follow you and your cart out to your vehicle.

The service is mandatory, though Jewel-Osco denies it has anyting to do with keeping track of shopping carts, according to Coupons in the News.

"We understand that this is a very different service and it might take our customers some time to understand that we want this to be the norm," said a Jewel customer service representative in the article.

Has anyone enjoyed this new service?

This reminds me of the opening of the Odd Couple television show when Felix attempted to help a woman cross the street. She then belted him with her purse.



Regards,

wow--that's pretty creepy. Strack's is the most insistent I've encountered but even they will capitulate if you say you don't need assistance. What if you only have a few bags and carry them out sans cart? Would they still follow you?

Reminds me of the most awkward part of my job--when I have to "hang around" watching someone pack up an office when they've been let go. We pretend it's for a purpose ("helping them get things together, etc.") but everyone knows it's so that they can't take anything they're not supposed to. Fun stuff.

I go to Jewel about 1x /mo max so I'll be curious to see if they do it at my store on Ashland.

I too find the mandatory part creepy. Earlier this week Wife Number One and I did our shopping at the Highland Park Jewel and were told by the bagger that it was mandatory. We politely but firmly declined as we're quite happy to do things ourselves. Suddenly it became optional.

A downside to this policy is that the baggers move around. We deliberately got in the line with the best bagger, but by the time we were checked out the worst one was there instead.

If the purpose of this policy is to track carts I'm not sure how the calculation works. Supermarkets love to complain about the high cost of labor, especially union shops like Jewel. How much will it cost to save a few carts from going astray? Will the needed number of carts be reduced save significantly on capital? How many more baggers will be needed? How much will lines slow down if there aren't enough baggers? I doubt this policy can be justified by the numbers.

The only justification is to be competitive on customer service. But if that's the case, then mandatory is goofy. Customer service means giving customers what they want, not pushing something on to those who don't want it. As an optional service it does make sense.

By the way, Jewel was purchased recently by investment firm Cerberus Capital Management. Perhaps this policy was inspired by the new owners. In classical mythology Cerberus is the three-headed dog ("hell hound") which guarded the entrance to the Underworld. Not quite the image most retailers would want.