Value--A Tale of Two Extremes

This is the story of two very recent food experiences.  One, a great value, the other--well, let's just say G was not pleased.  You decide which was which...

Lunch @ Panera

Feeling "youthful" but not particularly hungry, I went to the neighborhood Panera for lunch.  As I said, my inner child was speaking to me, so I ordered a "Panera Kids" meal, a cookie and a coffee--okay, the coffee was for my outer adult.  Here's what I got:

Detail--
PB & J sandwich (more like 1/2 sandwich) & 2 oz. tube of yogurt = $3.99
Cookie = $1.79 (not the "advertised" $.99 w/order of lunch/dinner entree & beverage)
Coffee = $1.69
TOTAL (including tax) = $8.32

Maybe I expect too much, but this looks like a pretty "minimalist" meal for the money--not exactly haute cuisine either.



Groupon Deal of the Day

"$15 for $30 Worth of 

Barbecue and Beverages at 

Smokin' Hot Smokehouse in Crestwood"

This means the pleasure of a short drive to a new eatery (for Chef G, at least), not having to heat up the kitchen or do dishes, a chance to bring some friends, enjoy food and company...you get the picture.

This is why I love Groupon...they offer discounts that mostly hover at 50% for haunts both familiar and new--an adventure for about the same cost of doing it up homemade (with all the prep and cleanup) but they do all the work at the restaurant!  Groupon also gives a very relaxed window to redeem these offers--most are at least 5 - 6 months.  Most major urban centers have Groupon offers, so if you are reading this, chances are there are cool Groupon offers near you.  And, not all of them are for restaurants...they have deals for sports events, spas, local sight seeing, hotels, theatre tickets...and more.

If you haven't looked into Groupon, give them a try...here's a quick link:

http://www.groupon.com/r/uu11081831

Just highlight and right click it--go to "Open URL", or cut & paste it in your browser and give Groupon a try.  It will likely take you to the deal above that I purchased, but no bother, at the top of the screen where you see "Chicago", click the little arrow to the right and click your preferred city...Happy bargain shopping.  I have purchased about 2 dozen offers over the last 10 months and each has been a real bargain/treat (Oops!  Guess I just let you know which was the better value. ; ))

Fine Print:

Truth in disclosure--if you do purchase something, having clicked through the link above, Chef G will be rewarded w/Groupon $$, which can be applied to a future purchase and you have his most, sincere thanks!  But really, he's just as happy if you find a great deal sometime in the future and he doesn't get anything but your appreciation.

TOTALLY OFF THE WALL SUGGESTION:

For a laugh, check out Epic Meal Time on YouTube...I especially suggest the TurBaconEpic Thanksgiving.  Gluttony never made me laugh so hard.

Ciao,

Chef G