The GP wrote:

gastro gnome wrote:If anyone needs to stock up on delicious (and fairly local) smoked meats and charcuterie, Smoking Goose in Indianapolis is having a sale.

Thanks to this tip, our Easter dinner yesterday was a wonderful ham from Smoking Goose. Appetizer was their pimento cheese. Potatoes Anna (recipe from Smitten Kitchen) and steamed asparagus rounded out the meal.

Glad you enjoyed. Credit should go to KennyZ on twitter. I think a lot of LTHers or former LTHer's got a shipment of Smoking Goose in the last week.

I enjoyed Smoking Goose's Kitchen Sink sausages over grits with carmelized onions and 2019 ramp oil last night.

gastro gnome wrote:I think a lot of LTHers or former LTHer's got a shipment of Smoking Goose in the last week.

*raises hand*

Just had the Kitchen Sink for lunch and it’s quite delightful. Really enjoying everything I’ve tried so far, more than my one visit to the physical store, to be honest. In particular, can also recommend the saucisson rouge if you’re a fan of strong flavors (made with livers, hearts, etc.). In the opposite direction, they also carry Trillium cheese, which is quite nice.

Great experience overall — took about a week to arrive, well-packaged with ice packs. Thanks to everyone for the heads up.

pairs4life wrote:Thanks to a friend I found out about Top Box Foods!

I ordered the Easter Garden Box a few moments ago.

You can also donate if you are outside of a region they service.

Additionally, they deliver to SNAP recipients.

I want to support anyone who makes it easier for those who are SNAP recipients during this period of social distancing to have good, nutritious food delivered to their home just like I am fortunate to have delivered.

This is super important so pass along through your networks.

Order your food today! And it will be delivered on Friday.

Top Box Foods

Thanks for the tip, Ava. We ordered a box to be delivered Friday. Looks good, but after we ordered, I was looking at the website and wondering, is this service designed mostly to help people such as those in food desert areas? And if I'm ordering for delivery to Oak Park, the very edge of the western delivery area, am I using a service intended for the less fortunate? And does that make me a bad person?

Donations to this not-for-profit will salve the conscience, I guess, if any salving is required.

David Hammond wrote:
Thanks for the tip, Ava. We ordered a box to be delivered Friday. Looks good, but after we ordered, I was looking at the website and wondering, is this service designed mostly to help people such as those in food desert areas? And if I'm ordering for delivery to Oak Park, the very edge of the western delivery area, am I using a service intended for the less fortunate? And does that make me a bad person?

Donations to this not-for-profit will salve the conscience, I guess, if any salving is required.

Their normal operations are pick up at sites. I think you are good. Additionally, OP is just west of some of the very communities that are deemed food deserts so I think you help.

They never limited who could use the service. I think support as a customer and/or donations are great.

My collard greens from the box (2 small bunches ) are delicious. Alas, I don't think I am sharing them with anyone.

Looks good, but after we ordered, I was looking at the website and wondering, is this service designed mostly to help people such as those in food desert areas? And if I'm ordering for delivery to Oak Park, the very edge of the western delivery area, am I using a service intended for the less fortunate? And does that make me a bad person?

David, I looked into this and Top Box encourages everyone to participate. From their website:

Who can order from Top Box Foods?
Anyone can order Top Box Foods and everyone should! Each person who buys a box helps expand the Top Box Foods community, which increases purchasing power and savings. By eating well and spending less on groceries, you are creating positive change for yourself, your family, and your community.

watson wrote:

Looks good, but after we ordered, I was looking at the website and wondering, is this service designed mostly to help people such as those in food desert areas? And if I'm ordering for delivery to Oak Park, the very edge of the western delivery area, am I using a service intended for the less fortunate? And does that make me a bad person?

David, I looked into this and Top Box encourages everyone to participate. From their website:

Who can order from Top Box Foods?
Anyone can order Top Box Foods and everyone should! Each person who buys a box helps expand the Top Box Foods community, which increases purchasing power and savings. By eating well and spending less on groceries, you are creating positive change for yourself, your family, and your community.

The statement that I was catching on:

"In Cook County/Chicago, all boxes are pre-ordered by individuals and delivered monthly to convenient locations, typically in communities with limited access to healthy and affordable food."

I, too, placed an order at Smoking Goose after receiving their email last week. I finally broke into my Columbus Fireball earlier today . . .


Smoking Goose Columbus Fireball

Super funky, with a very pronounced bit of heat that snuck up on me pretty quick. Really nice stuff. I'd never had this item before. My order was mostly things I've had in the past. I'll be 'working' through it all soon enough.

=R=

Just took delivery of our first shipment from Top Box. $15 for about 15 lbs of fruit, veg and (somewhat oddly) Rice Krispy Treats. Several pounds of both apples and potatoes, two big bunches of beautiful collards, two nice-looking zucchini, avocados, tomatoes, corn, delivered. Helluva deal.

Someone tweeted about this last week and so I ordered 100 oysters from island creek. They have different options all which include free overnight shipping.

Was gonna order 50 but and additional 50 was only $20 extra. First 3 I had were excellent, minus the puncture I have at the base of my thumbnail. (not the oysters fault... )

https://shop.islandcreekoysters.com/

WhyBeeSea wrote:Someone tweeted about this last week and so I ordered 100 oysters from island creek. They have different options all which include free overnight shipping.

Was gonna order 50 but and additional 50 was only $20 extra. First 3 I had were excellent, minus the puncture I have at the base of my thumbnail. (not the oysters fault... )

https://shop.islandcreekoysters.com/

I was so tempted. A few of the specific oysters looked great. But when I considered the amount of labor involved -- and how few digits I have -- I decided to pass. Glad someone took advantage of what was a very cool offering.

=R=

Nephew Michael chef/co-owner of Drumlin Supper Club stopped by with bread and pastry Drumlin offers pastries for $15 delivered, an incredibly good deal, and sourdough loaves for $8. So far I've had one of the chocolate donuts, tip-top.

http://www.drumlinsupperclub.com/



Drumlin Supper Club, count me a Fan!

went to the lincoln park whole foods today where they've taken some new safety steps since i was last there 10 days ago: a security guard is managing incoming customers in a line in the parking lot, with a 1 in 1 out policy, and the total number of shoppers in at any one time is MUCH lower than it has been. the meat counter has a banner saying don't walk through that area if you're not waiting for meat; the cashiers have clear plastic shields at their stands.

nb the hot bars are completely shut but there are more in-house packaged prepared foods in the nearby cases

the baking aisle was still bereft of flours or yeast, but there were 5 lb bags of all purpose flour on an endcap

annak wrote:the cashiers have clear plastic shields at their stands.

These seem a particularly good idea. Costco has had those shields installed, and they have a shield-like system in place at Carnivore. I consider this safety hardware just part of the new normal, and I would not mind seeing temperature checks before entering stores (and why not metal detectors?). Yes, it takes more time, but it's relatively unobtrusive and it seems best to use every advantage to stay safe.

I'm confused. Why do you want metal detectors? Where do I put my keys and phone when I am entering the store.

lougord99 wrote:I'm confused. Why do you want metal detectors? Where do I put my keys and phone when I am entering the store.

That's a side issue that I had second thoughts about including, but it seems if we're going to screen for temperatures (which I believe is in the cards) then screening for metal is an easy add-on. Walk-through metal detectors are standard equipment in many stores in some developing countries like India (though honestly I'm not sure they were always turned on).

Your keys and phone go in the plastic basket, just as they do at some outdoor food events, concerts, sporting events, etc.

David Hammond wrote:These seem a particularly good idea. Costco has had those shields installed, and they have a shield-like system in place at Carnivore. I consider this safety hardware just part of the new normal, and I would not mind seeing temperature checks before entering stores (and why not metal detectors?). Yes, it takes more time, but it's relatively unobtrusive and it seems best to use every advantage to stay safe.

Temperature checks may not be effective: you are contagious before showing symptoms -- studies show you may be most contagious just before you have symptoms.

JoelF wrote:

David Hammond wrote:These seem a particularly good idea. Costco has had those shields installed, and they have a shield-like system in place at Carnivore. I consider this safety hardware just part of the new normal, and I would not mind seeing temperature checks before entering stores (and why not metal detectors?). Yes, it takes more time, but it's relatively unobtrusive and it seems best to use every advantage to stay safe.

Temperature checks may not be effective: you are contagious before showing symptoms -- studies show you may be most contagious just before you have symptoms.

That may be true, but if you're at all contagious, wouldn't it be good to screen for that before you come into contact with others?

David Hammond wrote:

lougord99 wrote:I'm confused. Why do you want metal detectors? Where do I put my keys and phone when I am entering the store.

That's a side issue that I had second thoughts about including, but it seems if we're going to screen for temperatures (which I believe is in the cards) then screening for metal is an easy add-on. Walk-through metal detectors are standard equipment in many stores in some developing countries like India (though honestly I'm not sure they were always turned on).

Your keys and phone go in the plastic basket, just as they do at some outdoor food events, concerts, sporting events, etc.

So you want your most handled personal items to go in a basket that has been contaminated 1000 times that morning by everyone else’s most handled personal items???? No thanks.

David Hammond wrote:

JoelF wrote:

David Hammond wrote:These seem a particularly good idea. Costco has had those shields installed, and they have a shield-like system in place at Carnivore. I consider this safety hardware just part of the new normal, and I would not mind seeing temperature checks before entering stores (and why not metal detectors?). Yes, it takes more time, but it's relatively unobtrusive and it seems best to use every advantage to stay safe.

Temperature checks may not be effective: you are contagious before showing symptoms -- studies show you may be most contagious just before you have symptoms.

That may be true, but if you're at all contagious, wouldn't it be good to screen for that before you come into contact with others?

So you want to prohibit anyone with a fever from obtaining food, regardless of whether this tactic is medically sound?

And the temperature-taking staff in the line of fire due to MUCH closer proximity to people without any way to create a barrier, and who will have to single out people and bar them from entry? That’s not problematic at all.

Face facts. If you go outside your house, you are coming in contact with potentially infected people. You are going to have to take the necessary precautions personally and limit that exposure as much as possible by going out infrequently, maintaining distance, minimizing touching and WASHING frequently. Even requiring everyone to mask up before entry is hard, because it’s very difficult to find masks.

boudreaulicious wrote:Face facts. If you go outside your house, you are coming in contact with potentially infected people. You are going to have to take the necessary precautions personally and limit that exposure as much as possible by going out infrequently, maintaining distance, minimizing touching and WASHING frequently. Even requiring everyone to mask up before entry is hard, because it’s very difficult to find masks.

We faced those facts a long time ago.

If you can't find a mask (and they are becoming more available), use a bandanna. Last time we went to Costco, I wore gloves, a mask and a face shield -- I'm all for taking personal responsibility for one's health and the health of others...though I admit I felt a bit ridiculous.

And if there were temperature checks to enter the store, those who had the high temps would have to wear a mask...or a bandanna.

And, no, you may be surprised to hear I am not trying to starve those afflicted with C19.

David Hammond wrote:

boudreaulicious wrote:Face facts. If you go outside your house, you are coming in contact with potentially infected people. You are going to have to take the necessary precautions personally and limit that exposure as much as possible by going out infrequently, maintaining distance, minimizing touching and WASHING frequently. Even requiring everyone to mask up before entry is hard, because it’s very difficult to find masks.

We faced those facts a long time ago.

If you can't find a mask (and they are becoming more available), use a bandanna. Last time we went to Costco, I wore gloves, a mask and a face shield -- I'm all for taking personal responsibility for one's health and the health of others...though I admit I felt a bit ridiculous.

And if there were temperature checks to enter the store, those who had the high temps would have to wear a mask...or a bandanna.

And, no, you may be surprised to hear I am not trying to starve those afflicted with C19.

A bandana, or anything but an N95 mask, is there to “help” you from spreading germs—it is no protection against them. And if you’re going to all the trouble to don the mask, the shield and the gloves (which, btw, all medical experts say are pointless and potentially worse for spreading germs), how are you going to feel about some bandana-wearing store employee whose hygiene you know nothing about shoving a thermometer in your face...? And that bandana is ZERO protection for your temp taking store employee against whatever you’re shedding. Really surprised at your take on this...

boudreaulicious wrote:

David Hammond wrote:

boudreaulicious wrote:Face facts. If you go outside your house, you are coming in contact with potentially infected people. You are going to have to take the necessary precautions personally and limit that exposure as much as possible by going out infrequently, maintaining distance, minimizing touching and WASHING frequently. Even requiring everyone to mask up before entry is hard, because it’s very difficult to find masks.

We faced those facts a long time ago.

If you can't find a mask (and they are becoming more available), use a bandanna. Last time we went to Costco, I wore gloves, a mask and a face shield -- I'm all for taking personal responsibility for one's health and the health of others...though I admit I felt a bit ridiculous.

And if there were temperature checks to enter the store, those who had the high temps would have to wear a mask...or a bandanna.

And, no, you may be surprised to hear I am not trying to starve those afflicted with C19.

A bandana, or anything but an N95 mask, is there to “help” you from spreading germs—it is no protection against them. And if you’re going to all the trouble to don the mask, the shield and the gloves (which, btw, all medical experts say are pointless and potentially worse for spreading germs), how are you going to feel about some bandana-wearing store employee whose hygiene you know nothing about shoving a thermometer in your face...? And that bandana is ZERO protection for your temp taking store employee against whatever you’re shedding. Really surprised at your take on this...

Of course I know our N95 masks are mostly there to protect others. That's why I believe that, in enclosed spaces, everyone should have one on.

"All medical experts" say face shields and gloves "are pointless and potentially worse for spreading germs"? I don't believe that. Our gloves are used once and discarded, and they remind us not to touch our faces. I've seen many, many photos of medical personnel with face shields, so it's hard to square that with your contention that they're worse than nothing. They are, if anything, more than is actually needed for personal protection, but I'm erring on that side of the equation.

I hardly think a "no contact" thermometer is "shoved" in people's face, and they're used widely in areas where the curve has been flattened, so they have value. 100% effectiveness? Of course not, but still of value.

I'm pretty much done talking about this/defending myself regarding these issues.

Wow, this previously pleasant thread sure took a turn toward a big pile of shit. Without asking anyone to completely ignore the context of the discussion -- or their personal beliefs -- can we please try to get it back on the rails? Please, keep it friendly, informative and if possible, save the proselytizing for other venues.

Many thanks,

=R=
for LTH

ronnie_suburban wrote:Wow, this previously pleasant thread sure took a turn toward a big pile of shit. Without asking anyone to completely ignore the context of the discussion -- or their personal beliefs -- can we please try to get it back on the rails? Please, keep it friendly, informative and if possible, save the proselytizing for other venues.

Many thanks,

=R=
for LTH

Amen (and thanks).

Gypsy Boy wrote:
Amen (and thanks).

Amen, agreed.

David Hammond wrote:Just took delivery of our first shipment from Top Box. $15 for about 15 lbs of fruit, veg and (somewhat oddly) Rice Krispy Treats. Several pounds of both apples and potatoes, two big bunches of beautiful collards, two nice-looking zucchini, avocados, tomatoes, corn, delivered. Helluva deal.

The attachment Top Box.jpg is no longer available

Last night, Carolyn made pan-fried chicken with produce from Top Box; the collard greens were the best in memory, with just onion/garlic/hot sauce; slow cooked though not too long, they had a lot of texture and tooth. The collard leaves were probably a little thicker than I would have chosen at the grocery, but maybe those thicker leaves make it harder to overcook.

The corn, predictably (given the time of year and the fact that the stuff was likely transported from far away), was less than awesome: much too starchy, and with a strangely chemical taste (Carolyn, who has a much better palate than I do, did not detect any such taste in her cob).



Unlike some other services, with Top Box vegetable boxes (the “Produce Variety Combo”), you receive whatever is fresh and available; you do not order exactly what you want (I kind of like this; you get a surprise box of stuff and get to try things you may not have thought to buy for yourself). With proteins, you can specify that you want fish, seafood, pork chops, chicken breasts, or various beef cuts.

Top Box is doing home deliveries only during the lockdown period, so we intend to use it as much as we can in the near future. Unlike some other services, with Top Box you need only order food two days before you’d like to take delivery; with other food delivery services we’ve checked out, deliveries may arrive a week or more after ordering.

Hi,

I am outside their delivery zone, but through some cooperative friends, I am having a box delivered to Evanston.

I have been impressed with what Pairs4Life and Hammond have received.

Regards,
Cathy2

Mods please move if this should go in the dedicated Costco thread, but does anyone have any info on stock/availability at the Clybourn/Damen store? Are things like paper towels still scarce (some reports) or suddenly overabundant? I haven’t been in a store since the lockdown began, and trying to piece together an accurate picture of what to expect from news articles, overheard on social media, etc etc is like extrapolating kinetics from the shadows on the wall of Plato’s cave. Any recent intel appreciated.

Bok Choy Jr wrote:Mods please move if this should go in the dedicated Costco thread, but does anyone have any info on stock/availability at the Clybourn/Damen store? Are things like paper towels still scarce (some reports) or suddenly overabundant? I haven’t been in a store since the lockdown began, and trying to piece together an accurate picture of what to expect from news articles, overheard on social media, etc etc is like extrapolating kinetics from the shadows on the wall of Plato’s cave. Any recent intel appreciated.

We'll leave it here but you may also want to post it on the Costco thread, too.

Be well,

=R=
for the Moderators

Jewel at 8AM on a Monday was much less populated than any time I've seen it in the last six weeks, but still no disinfecting supplies. They're still limiting egg purchases, but most everything else seems to be stocked OK.

But seriously people, learn to read the one-way signs. As empty as the store was, I still had to yell or gesticulate wildly to three people going the wrong way. And two of the staffers I asked questions of took off their masks to answer.

I've been shopping Jewel pretty exclusively because they're close, and my favorite fun groceries such as Joong Boo, H-Mart, Patel Bros. etc. aren't going to have a lot of the things I'd ordinarily get, but Jewel Mount Prospect sucks for unusual produce. No fresno chiles, no lemon grass. I'll probably switch it up and hit Mariano's next time, likely in about 10 days.