Super Irvine Market

NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
N

NoWowway_IHB

New member
Because of the tight economy, eating in more often is an option for many families. Super Irvine is located on the same strip mall location as the big restaurant, the "Caspian" at the corner of the 5 freeway and Culver. For cheap, fresh fruit and vegetables, you cannot find another store that is as consistent as Super Irvine. They also have halal meat for sale. The butchers, produce stockers and cashiers are all very friendly and accomodating. They have a small hot/cold deli with friendly service on the back left hand wall.



In the left corner of the market, you can find fresh flatbread being made throught the day. If you have never had a persian cucumber, you really need to buy them for salad, sushi or just a snack -small, fresh and crunchy ( and way cheaper than you can get at TJ's or even CostCo). There is an orange-colored marinaded chicken in the meat section that cooks up great on the bbq and is very mild to the taste.



Unfortunately they have an extremely lame <a href="http://www.superirvine.net/home.jsp">website</a>



Best time to get a decent parking place is on the weekends in the morning when the store opens. The absolute worst times for parking and crowds inside this little market are during evening hours any day of the week. Excellent turnover of produce, so things are usually fresh and well stocked. There are many persian items available. Clientele tends to be of all nationalities b/c of the price.



I love this market.
 
Super Irvine does have the best prices. Sometimes when I am lazy I go to Wholesome Choice for my Persian food needs because of Super Irvine's parking situation, but Super Irvine does have better pricing.



Check out the price of filet mignon- $6.99/lb and it is very very good. You are right- the jujeh kebab (marinated chicken) is excellent and better than the one at Wholesome.



My suggestion is that if you are going to need to go to the butcher counter, go when the market first opens (9 am) on the weekends. Go first to the meat counter. The butchers are very good- but the problem is that many people ask the butchers to debone/descale fish, cut meat in oh so many ways, etc, and it can take a long time.
 
Another market to consider is the fresh farmers market. I usually go Saturday morning. Big tip, do not go with the price they say. If it says 1.50 for tomatoes, offer them 1 and strike it at 1.25. This isn't a store, they are individual vendors, so negotiate away. I don't see anyone do that and in my country thats all people do. Open markets are big screaming matches until a deal is struck.



When we really want to load up on a lot of food, we drive 30 minutes north to Norco and shop at WinCo. I haven't found a place that can beat these guys. 10lb potatoes for 1-2 bucks. 5lb Onions for as low as 99 cents at times. When its orange season, they go as low as 10-15 cents a pound. Last year, I bought around 30 pounds, juiced it and froze it. During apple season they have these huge red delicious crisp apples that they sell 10lb for 99 cents. (limit one per customer) I go in 5 times..juice it as well. Garlic is around 20-30 cents for a cluster, celery around 50 cents. Every other time they have red bell peppers for around 40-50 cents each. I've seen them as low as 20 cents each. Bananas are around 20-25 cents a pound. THey also have a section where they sell bulk foods. ANything you can think of. Very cheap, feels like stealing. For example they have a spice section where they sell Bay leaves on the pound...I think its like 1.70 a pound. Well dry Bay Leaves aren't heavy...you can get a whole bag full (probably couple hundred leaves) for like 2 bucks. This goes with cinnamon sticks, cardimom pods, mustard seed, pepper, salt, paprika, cloves, bla bla bla. I honestly feel like I robbed the place when I leave. We spend 200 dollars usually, but my car also sinks 3 inches lower than it should when we leave.



When prices drop very low, its good to load up on the produce, wash it, slice it accordingly, and use the super food saver to air tight it and freeze it.



Around Irvine though, I usually shop at Sprouts, Farmers Market and Super Irvine Market after I had my indian food next door of course. Only thing I'm very sensitive to is meat, especially fish. For that I usually buy it at Costco or Whole Foods Market and pay up the rear for it.



I refuse to shop at Pavillions unless I need something quick. I cringe when my wife comes home with 3 bags of groceries and a 95 dollar bill. Makes me puke. But we all have our prefferences.



EDIT: One thing I forgot to add is buying flour. It's cheap as hell, and I use it to bake my own bread. Bread is anywhere between 3-5 bucks a loaf. Buy 10lbs flour for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or so for some yeast, and crank out 20 loafs of bread. Tastes better, you made it, and save.



If anybody else has any short cuts on saving on food, please feel free to let us know. Thank you for making this thread too.
 
^ You remind me of the new Ikea commercial where the lady is leaving the store with her arms full of bags and a look of disbelief, is running towards the car, shouting to her husband, "Start the car! Start the car!"
 
[quote author="blackvault_cm" date=1231548862]Another market to consider is the fresh farmers market. I usually go Saturday morning. Big tip, do not go with the price they say. If it says 1.50 for tomatoes, offer them 1 and strike it at 1.25. This isn't a store, they are individual vendors, so negotiate away. I don't see anyone do that and in my country thats all people do. Open markets are big screaming matches until a deal is struck.



When we really want to load up on a lot of food, we drive 30 minutes north to Norco and shop at WinCo. I haven't found a place that can beat these guys. 10lb potatoes for 1-2 bucks. 5lb Onions for as low as 99 cents at times. When its orange season, they go as low as 10-15 cents a pound. Last year, I bought around 30 pounds, juiced it and froze it. During apple season they have these huge red delicious crisp apples that they sell 10lb for 99 cents. (limit one per customer) I go in 5 times..juice it as well. Garlic is around 20-30 cents for a cluster, celery around 50 cents. Every other time they have red bell peppers for around 40-50 cents each. I've seen them as low as 20 cents each. Bananas are around 20-25 cents a pound. THey also have a section where they sell bulk foods. ANything you can think of. Very cheap, feels like stealing. For example they have a spice section where they sell Bay leaves on the pound...I think its like 1.70 a pound. Well dry Bay Leaves aren't heavy...you can get a whole bag full (probably couple hundred leaves) for like 2 bucks. This goes with cinnamon sticks, cardimom pods, mustard seed, pepper, salt, paprika, cloves, bla bla bla. I honestly feel like I robbed the place when I leave. We spend 200 dollars usually, but my car also sinks 3 inches lower than it should when we leave.



When prices drop very low, its good to load up on the produce, wash it, slice it accordingly, and use the super food saver to air tight it and freeze it.



Around Irvine though, I usually shop at Sprouts, Farmers Market and Super Irvine Market after I had my indian food next door of course. Only thing I'm very sensitive to is meat, especially fish. For that I usually buy it at Costco or Whole Foods Market and pay up the rear for it.



I refuse to shop at Pavillions unless I need something quick. I cringe when my wife comes home with 3 bags of groceries and a 95 dollar bill. Makes me puke. But we all have our prefferences.



EDIT: One thing I forgot to add is buying flour. It's cheap as hell, and I use it to bake my own bread. Bread is anywhere between 3-5 bucks a loaf. Buy 10lbs flour for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or so for some yeast, and crank out 20 loafs of bread. Tastes better, you made it, and save.



If anybody else has any short cuts on saving on food, please feel free to let us know. Thank you for making this thread too.</blockquote>


Can you give directions to this WinCo? I looked on their website and do not see a Norco location. I will be helping friends move this weekend to Bandini Mountain (Eastvale, Corona) and I will be driving past Norco to get there.
 
Ah! Found it!



<object width="325" height="250"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/youtube" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="325" height="250"></embed></object>
 
Hey, BV. If you like to save money and make your own food, you can do it with baby food too. You can get a food mill like this one and it will mash it and separate the pulp at the same time. Cheaper than buying jars of baby food.



<img src="http://trus.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pTRU1-3426157dt.jpg" alt="" />



They also come electric but that one is manual and only about $12. Then when the food is ready you can put it in an ice cube tray and freeze it. When you are ready to serve you just pop out one or two ice cube-sized chunks and reheat it to feed the baby. Hope this helps.
 
No membership required. Hmm. Maybe it isn't part of Norco. I don't know that area well. Let me look it up. I know there is one in Mo Val, right off the 60, day st exit I think.



Ok. <a href="http://www.wincofoods.com/locations.htm#california">Here is the website link</a>. I apologize its actually in Fontana now that I see the actual address.



Here is the address. There are many other locations, but I think this is the closest. If you live down by Oceanside, then maybe Temecula is your best bet. (It's a big place, and they have almost everything.)



WinCo Foods #33

14338 Foothill Blvd

Fontana, CA 92336
 
Thats great SoCal. So its only 12 bucks for the unit? I think thats worth it. For my little bro, we used to mash the food with a fork and feed him. But I think I can upgrade for 12 bucks. ;)
 
[quote author="blackvault_cm" date=1231553215]Thats great SoCal. So its only 12 bucks for the unit? I think thats worth it. For my little bro, we used to mash the food with a fork and feed him. But I think I can upgrade for 12 bucks. ;)</blockquote>


Actually, I have one you can have for free if you would like it. I was going to get rid of it anyway since we have outgrown it. I can bring it on Saturday.
 
[quote author="SoCal78" date=1231553818][quote author="blackvault_cm" date=1231553215]Thats great SoCal. So its only 12 bucks for the unit? I think thats worth it. For my little bro, we used to mash the food with a fork and feed him. But I think I can upgrade for 12 bucks. ;)</blockquote>


Actually, I have one you can have for free if you would like it. I was going to get rid of it anyway since we have outgrown it. I can bring it on Saturday.</blockquote>


Awesome! Thanks! Maybe I'll make myself some apple sauce ;)
 
If anybody else has any short cuts on saving on food, please feel free to let us know. Thank you for making this thread too.</blockquote>


Here is an article about Kitchen "reductions" - things that you can eliminate in the kitchen or in cooking. Some interesting ideas, worth <a href="http://meganmcardle.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/01/kitchen_reductions.php">a look </a>
 
[quote author="blackvault_cm" date=1231548862]Another market to consider is the fresh farmers market. I usually go Saturday morning. Big tip, do not go with the price they say. If it says 1.50 for tomatoes, offer them 1 and strike it at 1.25. This isn't a store, they are individual vendors, so negotiate away. I don't see anyone do that and in my country thats all people do. Open markets are big screaming matches until a deal is struck.



When we really want to load up on a lot of food, we drive 30 minutes north to Norco and shop at WinCo. I haven't found a place that can beat these guys. 10lb potatoes for 1-2 bucks. 5lb Onions for as low as 99 cents at times. When its orange season, they go as low as 10-15 cents a pound. Last year, I bought around 30 pounds, juiced it and froze it. During apple season they have these huge red delicious crisp apples that they sell 10lb for 99 cents. (limit one per customer) I go in 5 times..juice it as well. Garlic is around 20-30 cents for a cluster, celery around 50 cents. Every other time they have red bell peppers for around 40-50 cents each. I've seen them as low as 20 cents each. Bananas are around 20-25 cents a pound. THey also have a section where they sell bulk foods. ANything you can think of. Very cheap, feels like stealing. For example they have a spice section where they sell Bay leaves on the pound...I think its like 1.70 a pound. Well dry Bay Leaves aren't heavy...you can get a whole bag full (probably couple hundred leaves) for like 2 bucks. This goes with cinnamon sticks, cardimom pods, mustard seed, pepper, salt, paprika, cloves, bla bla bla. I honestly feel like I robbed the place when I leave. We spend 200 dollars usually, but my car also sinks 3 inches lower than it should when we leave.



When prices drop very low, its good to load up on the produce, wash it, slice it accordingly, and use the super food saver to air tight it and freeze it.



Around Irvine though, I usually shop at Sprouts, Farmers Market and Super Irvine Market after I had my indian food next door of course. Only thing I'm very sensitive to is meat, especially fish. For that I usually buy it at Costco or Whole Foods Market and pay up the rear for it.



I refuse to shop at Pavillions unless I need something quick. I cringe when my wife comes home with 3 bags of groceries and a 95 dollar bill. Makes me puke. But we all have our prefferences.



EDIT: One thing I forgot to add is buying flour. It's cheap as hell, and I use it to bake my own bread. Bread is anywhere between 3-5 bucks a loaf. Buy 10lbs flour for 5 bucks, 2 bucks or so for some yeast, and crank out 20 loafs of bread. Tastes better, you made it, and save.



If anybody else has any short cuts on saving on food, please feel free to let us know. Thank you for making this thread too.</blockquote>


LOL I think this would save me $1000/month.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top