Fresh & Easy stores offer students fresh food at low prices. Photo by Jed Strahm

Fresh alternative to the fast food joints

By Lea Soto
Special to West Times

Spending a lot of time eating at fast food restaurants is a quick and easy way to get in a meal when you’re a college student. But if you’re looking to eat something that’s a little closer to home cooking, consider stopping in at Fresh & Easy.

The new Fresh & Easy stores that are appearing on corners all over the Valley make for a worthwhile place to pick up a meal. With lots of pre-made items available, it’s easy to find something appetizing.

A lot of locations opened very quickly, so now I run into different stores often. Nearest to the campus are stores on 59th Ave. and Olive, and to the north at 35th Ave and Greenway.

The stores feature lots of ready-to-go items such as pre-made pasta dishes, sandwiches, and other foods that require just a few minutes in the microwave.

On one occasion while stopping in, I picked out a Mushroom Risotto for just $3, and a tomato, mozzerella and basil sandwich on a ciabatta roll for just $3. The risotto is more than enough for two, and the sandwich is a meal in itself.

Probably the most interesting thing about these stores is how items are significantly discounted when the expiration date nears. On my first visit, a pre-made tiramisu dessert that usually sells for around $3 was only $1.50. On another occasion, a slice of zucchini bread was just seventy cents!

Don’t skip the sampling table at Fresh & Easy, either. I’ve always seen a few different items displayed at a time. A quick bite of peanut butter pretzels, chocolate cake, or even pizza and gelato are great ways to keep up the energy while still making your way through the aisles.

Fresh & Easy really does offer a way to eat meals that aren’t from a dollar menu and yet are still easy to make. With just like home-made meals already prepared and just waiting for a microwave, Fresh & Easy stores make for a great place to stop in.