Taking a recommendation from a co-worker, I headed over to a new food store this week on the East Side called Really Cool Foods. Ever the researcher, I googled the store before I actually stepped foot into it. Of course I read mixed reviews, but what drew me to the store was the fact that they sell pre-cooked, fresh, packaged meals. And, as a bonus, everything is organic.
Now, please realize that I absolutely love to cook, but being a 20-something who lives by herself makes cooking kind of depressing and more work than it’s worth. When I do buy ingredients to make a well-balanced meal, the food that I don’t use (you know, the half package of mushrooms, the extra tomatoes) sits in my fridge until I realize that they’re no longer edible. In the long run, my attempt to be healthy and cook well for myself results in a waste of money and time (how can I justify spending an hour cooking a meal when it takes me eight minutes to eat it?).
Even after doing my research, I walked into Really Cool Foods with no idea what to expect. It was a much smaller space (read: much less food) than I expected; I kept looking around for another room or stairs to an additional level with no such luck. That being said, you won’t be able to do all of your food shopping here – especially if you still enjoy a bowl of Frosted Flakes or the occasional Oreo.
On the right hand side of the store is a refrigerated section that holds the pre-cooked selections. I was extremely impressed with the variety. There’s a pasta section that offers vegetable or meat lasagna, stuffed shells, chicken parm and spaghetti, etc. There’s chicken and fish dishes, as well as vegetables and rice.
My first meal was vegetable lasagna. I heated half the portion (there’s definitely enough food in one package for two people or two meals for one) for about three and a half minutes – and dinner was served! It was delicious – it felt good to know I was eating such fresh food and that it had never seen the inside of my freezer. Next on my list to try: the chicken parm and spaghetti.
Really Cool Foods has a great cheese selection in the middle of the store. From goat to gouda, you’ll definitely find a cheese you like. They also have a little section set up that always has samples available. Out while I was there: tortilla chips and carrot salad.
Let’s talk money. I was given the heads up by my co-worker about prices, so I was not shocked when I checked out with a container of roasted vegetables, chicken parm and spaghetti, vegetable lasagna, five grain crackers, and smoked gouda and my total was $34. The pre-cooked foods will cost you anywhere between $6.99 and $9.99 per package. When you factor in how much it would cost to buy all the ingrediants to make just one of those meals, not to mention the preparation and cooking time, it really works out to be an efficient and easy deal.
Here’s a few of the reviews I came across:
http://nymag.com/restaurants/features/17242/
http://uppereastsidecommunity.blogspot.com/2006/08/its-really-hot-try-really-cool-foods.html
