Santa Ana Councilman Carlos Bustamante kept bragging during his recent campaign for re-election about three Fresh and Easy Stores that were coming – but none of them appear to be slated for Santa Ana. In fact, a recent O.C. Register article about Fresh and Easy’s continued expansion showed that they have not opened any stores in Santa Ana. Click here to see a map of their locations.
I checked their website and found that two locations are on the way here in Orange County – one in Fountain Valley and the other in Fullerton. No Santa Ana stores are on the way.
I visited the one in Orange a few days ago in order to use a $6 off coupon when you spend $30. I had a heck of a time getting to $30! However, their fresh meat is a good value, compared to Ralphs, in some instances. I bought a roast and some pork chops. Their water bottles were also a good value at $2.99 for a flat. They have a lot of Fresh and Easy brand products that are priced competitively.
Overall, they had some products priced cheaper than their competition, but this isn’t a store you can really shop at for a large family. Their produce section in particular is over-priced and sold in small bags. I suppose if you are a one or two person household this might be a good store, but most folks in Santa Ana would not be able to shop regularly at a Fresh and Easy.
In related news, a Farmer Boys restaurant has reopened in Santa Ana, over on 17th and Tustin, this time under corporate control. I visited one of their restaurants once – the burger patties are skimpy and the burgers themselves are not very good. You can get a much better burger at In N’Out, or even down the street from Farmer Boys at Knowlwood’s or at Fantastic Cafe. Even Wendy’s has better offerings. But I am told that Farmer Boys has a good breakfast menu – their chorizo burrito is supposed to be very tasty.
I still haven’t had a chance to visit the new Mother’s Market in Santa Ana. I will do so likely next week and report my findings here. I plan to do a price comparison between them and the Northgate Market over on 17th.
Busty’s gentrification plan must be shuddering at Fresh’s decision. I didnt even find their meat competitivly priced and the over-packaging everything has to increase their carbon footprint substantially. Besides all they have that local markets don’t have is fresh paint, and a plan to eliminate employees and pay substandard wages. Yeah, let me worry about not getting one of those in SanTana.
Fresh and Easy brought to mind an old saying I hadn’t even thought of in 30-40 years “Die Yuppie Scum!” Seems appropriate doesn’t it?
I went to the Mother’s grand opening. Lots of tables set up with food samples…most tasted disgusting! The food scientists have their work cut out for them. I did like the fresh veggies/fruit, and I like the bulk food bins.
The market does fill a niche, but those prices are steep. I’ve heard reports that the demand for organic/healthy food is dropping as the economic troubles pick up.
Art,
I was at Mother’s last night and on Saturday and I really liked the place. Some of the items were a little pricey but I was able to pick up my vegetarian turkey there for less than I can get it elsewhere.
Mother’s isn’t great for your average everyday shopping needs, but it is great for those of us that are vegetarian. I am thrilled to have them in our city.
Good Morning all!
As a employee of Mothers and former customer of Whole Foods I guess I am just used to paying a dollar or two more for the products these stores carry. Shopping
and getting used to non mainstream products does take time to get used to at first.
I like Santa Ana’s diverse choice of supermarkets now. I don’t buy meat so I could not tell you what competitive prices are on that, Mothers only sells refrigerated chickens and will move into red meats in the next few months. It’s all a personal choice when it comes down to what you want to out on the table for your family. I know mothers does try to be competitive and carry quality products.
Again I’m glad we have a lot of choices around us!
#4
Try Sprouts in neighboring Tustin. I’ve taken a liking to this store.
Thanks Anon!
Yeah I shopped at sprouts when they first landed in Irvine then when they opened in Tustin. I do like them as well!! They sell turkey legs in the meat section! and their free range rotisseri chicken is a great price. But I work at mothers now and live a few blocks away from it.
I agree with Anon; Sprouts in Tustin is a GREAT alternative to Mother’s. The pricing at Mother’s is a bit too steep bearing the economic conditions were facing. Sprouts has a pretty decent organic section.
I did try the burgers at Farmers Boys recenty; not much change. I prefer going either to Fantastic Cafe and if you can find parking….Pop’s Cafe in downtown Santa Ana for a burger…..