Eating in the store before shopping in the store: Zion, Carnival, Bristol Farms and Whole Foods

mmm-yoso!!! is a blog about food.  Kirk is still on vacation and Ed (from Yuma) is still retired.  Cathy is still blogging about a few meals.

I've written quite a few posts about eating in a grocery store before going shopping.  It gives The Mister and I a chance to (perhaps) not go crazy when shopping and stick more to our list, while providing a chance to take a break before our usually hectic days.   This is a post about meals consumed in various stores before the shopping trip begins.

In 2015, I wrote about eating at Zion Market, the former space occupied by a K-Mart/Sears which has half of the store dedicated to groceries and the other half to a food court.  There is a piano in mid court, sometimes automatically being 'played' by a stuffed bear and sometimes there are musicians and singers entertaining the lunchtime crowd.  
I've been known to go into the store and grab a mixed sashimi salad ($7) and california roll ($4) along with a can of tea (conveniently placed near the cash registers)($1.10). 
  There's also a hot foods section and a pickled/preserved food section along the back wall inside the grocery part of the store.  'Krab' pancake ($5.99/lb), fried mixed vegetable ($3.49/package of three) and seasoned pickled cucumber ($8.99/lb) was another meal with leftovers. 
 The generically named "Korean Food" storefront has a good choice of meals for around $9.  There is enough to be shared (or taken home as leftovers). This is the fried pork meal and it comes with everything you see plus a complimentary cup of hot tea.  The spicy sauce at the bottom of the photo is quite addictive. 

Zion Market 7655 Clairemont Mesa Blvd San Diego, California 92111 open 7 days 9 to 9 website

There was a fried fish filet special ($5.99) when I was shopping on a Friday and so I decided to try it (instead of the whole fish that I usually opt for). This was excellent and, again, more than enough food.   I also decided to take home the empanadas ($1.50 each) beef picadillo and chicken for The Mister's dinner and he said the crust was excellent and the fillings plentiful and had just enough vegetable mixed in.  These have since become a regular 'snack' whenever I'm near the store. 

There is always a reason to be in the La Jolla area of town and since I signed up for the Bristol Farms  newsletter, the weekly specials are attractive.  The wonderful Cafe at the store entrance is not busy on weekday mornings and we've stopped here many times.   The 'Sweet and Savory' plate ($7.99, tabletop ad) is quite hearty and tasty.  The breakfast sausages have a nice 'snap' and excellent flavor. Sold in the meat counter, the sausages are a good way to 'sample' before purchase.  The eggs are always perfectly over easy and the pancakes are just wonderful; sweet without needing syrup.     The 'Sunrise Sandwich' ($8.99, includes a side of potato or fruit) on sourdough toast, light and fluffy eggs scrambled with sautéed mushrooms, topped with pickled onion, thick, smoky bacon (also sold in the meat counter) and cheese combine for a very filling breakfast sandwich.

Bristol Farms 8510 Genessee Avenue San Diego 92122 (858) 558-4180 Website

Also when in the La Jolla/UTC area of town, (just down the street from Bristol Farms), is Whole Foods, where many 'by the pound' breakfasts have been consumed.  

 The breakfast pizza is also available ($3.50 for one slice, $6 for two slices) and this is also a temptation.  The cheese slice is wonderful as a lunch, especially if you get your own toppings from the salad bar ($8.99/lb)   The turkey breakfast sausages are excellent and there are fried chicken pieces next to quartered waffles if you want to make yourself a special breakfast.  I just like the mushroom gravy.  
Whole Foods 8825 Villa La Jolla Drive La Jolla 92037 (858)642-6700 open daily 7a.m.-10p.m. website

Almost every grocery store has an in store restaurant.  Such a nice reason to go shopping. I hope everyone is having a good week!