Herrinfesta Italiana 2013: An Overview of Food Prices

Sometimes it's good to know what kind of prices will be at an event before you arrive.  It's never fun to promise your kids cotton candy only to arrive and find that it costs an arm and a leg.  A few years ago,  we went to Six Flags and discovered that soft drinks were around fifteen dollars each.  Needless to say, that trip budget fell apart quickly.

Fortunately, most of the soft drinks and shake-ups at the festa seem to run between $2 and $4.  Corn dogs are running around $4 as well.  Not so fried options like chicken and pork chops start around $6 and $8.  Turkey legs are $8 while cheese sticks and ravioli are about $6 each.  I did see a sign for deep fried pickles and deep fried pb&j.  As this is an Italian festa, there are of course options like Italian beef, tiramisu, mostaccoli, risotto, and gelato.  

Probably some of the best values are the Paulette's refillable soft drink cup with lid and straw for $5.  Refills are $3, and they will allow refills in the same cup at the DuQuoin State Fair.  The make your own slushy stand also offers refillable options. The one that lights up is $10.  

Here are some prices from this evening:

Bottled water:  $2-$3

Corn dogs:  $4

Cotton Candy: $3-$5

Taffy:  $5-$8

Taco in a bag:  $4.50

Loaded potato: $4.50

Funnel Cakes:  start at $6

Turkey legs:  $8

Cheese sticks:  $6

Ravioli: $6

Dippin' Dots:  starting at $4

Snow cones:  starting at $3

Fried pickles:  $3

Italian sausage:  $7

Steakburger:  $5

French fries:  starting at $3

Gelato & Sorbetto:  starting at $3

Corn Dog Sale at Sonic 5/23/13

Sonic is selling their corn dogs for only 50 cents today to celebrate National End of School Day.  If you get a corn dog or two AND have saved one of the Sonic receipts (with your validation code) for a free Route 44 drink, you can spend less than $2!  

Budget Stretcher

When you are getting groceries, keep on mind that some things are often cheaper at Sam's Club.  Not all things are cheaper, but there are some good values.  It does require a membership or guest pass to shop there.  I've found that I do actually save enough throughout the year for the membership to be worthwhile.  

One of the best values I've found has been potatoes.  Today, I paid $2.45 for a 10 pound bag.  There are a lot of ways to use potatoes--regular mashed, cheddar smashed, garlic & Parmesan smashed, roasted with herbs, potato soup, stews, veggie soups, and on and on and on...

Some of the other groceries that often seem to be a good value at Sam's Club are limes, bags of garlic, milk, heavy whipping cream, some spices, and some meats.  I tend to look for the orange tags that say "reduced for quick sale."  

I don't have a Plus Membership, but I did notice that some packages of meat were an extra $3 off right now with that type of membership.  

Grape Tomatoes, Eggplant, and English Cucumbers...

Kroger has a 10 for $10 sale through this Saturday that makes many things only $1 each.  I was very happy to find the grape tomatoes included in the sale as they are normally at least twice that amount.  Since I am what I refer to as a "tomato snob," I prefer only to eat ones picked in season or full of flavor.  During winter and other non-producing months, I tend to get the grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, or Campari tomatoes.  These don't seem as tasteless and mealy to me as some of the hothouse ones out there. I'm debating getting another box to make  and freeze ahead some sofrito...

English cucumbers and eggplants are also includes in the sale.  My son loves cucumbers as much as my daughter loves tomatoes, so this made both kids happy--and healthy.  The eggplant is for me to experiment a bit...

Check for Produce Clearance

Our local Kroger stores have started a clearance rack in produce.  Granted, these are things that are near the end of their shelf life.  However, if you are using them quickly or freezing them, you can save quite a bit.  I routinely check for peppers as these can be quite pricey.  When I find a bag of three red or orange peppers for 99 cents, they often go into the shopping cart.  If I'm not using them in salsa fresca or something else, I freeze them to use later in fajitas, stir fry, or whatever the need may be.  Sometimes I can find a small bag of the little red potatoes for 99 cents or bananas for 39 cents.  Onions are a no brainer, and so are citrus fruits if the peel is still in good enough shape to zest.  

Besides produce on clearance, the Kroger stores in my area also have clearance carts for bakery goods and non-perishables.  If you are fortunate enough to have a coupon that matches something on clearance, you can save even more!  

Save BIG on Meat, Deli, and Italian Specialty Groceries!

Today only, while quantities last, you can purchase up to three $20 vouchers to spend at Louie's P & R in Herrin, Illinois, for only $10 each.  This is an awesome deal for purchasing meat, deli sandwiches and items, even Italian specialty foods that may not often otherwise be on sale.  If you use your voucher when they run a sale on hamburger or toward a meat bundle, your savings are even greater. 

Louie's P & R, a genuine Italian deli established in the 1890's is a treasured piece of Herrin's history.  The service and products are wonderful.  

Don't miss out!  

$3 Off Flowers at Kroger

Just in time for Mother's Day! Currently, there is a Catalina generating at Kroger stores for three dollars off of a floral department purchase when you buy two Freschetta frozen pizzas. The pizzas are still on sale (at least through today) for $3.99 a piece. If you have any coupons for that brand you might even get them cheaper. So, if you basically spend $8 on two pizzas (cheaper than carry out...) you get $3 back in the form of a floral department Catalina making each pizza only $2.50 a piece. You would need to buy the pizza in a separate transaction than the flowers in order to use the Catalina.