A Shot of Hennessy
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| Sure it looks harmless… |
Moving in freshman year, my parents were relieved to find that there was a grocery store of apparently high quality nearby. Little did they know that the fancy facade was merely a cover-up.
Sure, there’s the fact that it’s close to campus. I’ll admit, when I need mixers at the last minute, it’s nice to know Fro-Gro will probably be out of Sprite Zero, but they will have cranberry juice. And it’ll only take 25 minutes to purchase said juice, as you wait in line for the cashier to decide to stop having a conversation and start ringing up your items.
I’ve had better service at the DMV.
The love affair is over. After two years of grossly long lines, poorly stocked shelves, terrible produce and tiny aisles, I’m sorry Fro-Gro, but you are out of my life. What little hope I had left vanished with my last trip, as I walked out with two measly bags of groceries that set me back 40 bucks.
If you’re as fed up as I am with Fro-No, let’s force them out of business by giving our cash to other, worthier establishments - none further than a quick SEPTA bus ride away.
Trader Joe’s, located at 2121 Market Street, is a favorite among those who love cheap, yummy and healthy food. With a wide selection of delicious prepared food as well as great quick frozen dinner options, TJ’s is perfect for the college student on a budget (and a diet). I’m hooked on their Trader Jose’s Salsa ($1.99!).
How to get there? Just take the 42 bus from 40th and Spruce and hop off at 22nd and Walnut. If you’re feeling adventurous - or just cheap - walk (duh).
Supreme Foodmarket, located at 43rd and Walnut, might seem too far west for some, but with what Philadelphia Weekly calls a “staggering array of international foods,” Supreme may soon win over the foreign students here at Penn who prefer their homeland cuisine. A sweet deal - they’ll also deliver groceries to your door for free.
Whole Foods also has a location downtown, at 929 South Street. A bit more upscale and with many more organic choices than The Fresh Grocer, Whole Foods has something for even the pickiest college student.
Offering cheaper items like the “365 Everyday Value” products which provide an inexpensive way to buy organic, Whole Foods also carries many higher-end products you won’t find many other places, like grass-fed meats and high quality cheeses.
The 40 bus will take you right there from 40th and Market streets,
or University City Station.
So don’t lose hope, fellow Quakers. Leave the Penn bubble and you’ll be pleasantly surprised–grocery shopping doesn’t have to be this painfully mediocre. I promise.
A Shot of Hennessy appears every Monday and Wednesday.
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September 12th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
HA! Screw all that. We’ve got Wegmans in Jersey.
September 12th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
So why did the blog all of a sudden become the home of all the rejected columnists? They each have their own days? Their own pointless column nickname? It’s just basically shittier versions of the shitty columns that run in the paper. What’s the deal?
September 12th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
I agree with many of your points, but overall I’m glad the FG is there. It’s good for canned goods, cookies, etc. I don’t have a car, so I wouldn’t want to haul those things back to campus from other places. You really have to pay attention to expiration dates though. I’ve seen milk and bread on the shelves there that had already expired! So overall, I’d rather the store be there than not, but you have to be a careful consumer.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
I think “Penn student” has a great understanding of what makes frogro appealing to most penn students: convenience. While I agree the lines can be quite unbearable, especially in the evening, most students have no concern for costs and a walk or a bus ride is quite a stretch. I would also like to add to Ms. Hennessy’s list: the Clark Park farmers’ market (Thurs. evenings and Saturdays). They have a great selection of produce that is hard to top in quality, even if a bit on the pricey side. It’s also grown locally, much of it is organic and it gives you a real opportunity to interact with friendly people. If you want cheaper (and usually fresh) produce without any guarantees regarding its production, try the truck on 44th and Walnut, across the street from Supreme’s parking lot. Also, if you’re going to leave the bubble and want a bit more of an adventrue, there’s always the Italian market and China town, offering various levels of quality, freshness and affordability.
November 15th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
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