Using vigorous scientific research (our taste buds), we compared two of Evanston’s finest neighborhood grocers. To determine the price and quality of Whole Foods versus Jewel-Osco, we made the exact same meal (a roast beef sandwich with an apple, baguette and cinnamon twist). Here are our tasty findings.
Jewel-Osco
Cost: $13.23
Taste: Filling and rich, the sandwich didn’t disappoint. But the apples did; an apple a day keeps the doctor away, goes the old adage, but this particular apple made us a doubter. The cinnamon twist was OK as well, although it wasn’t quite fresh when we bought it. The sugar had hardened by the time it reached our teeth, but the sheer strength of cinnamon pulled us through.
Whole Foods
Cost: $28.87
Taste: The roast beef sandwich was a work of art, the flavors of the organic vegetables, whole grain bread and succulent roast beef danced on our taste buds like a ballerina. The apples were sensationally rich in flavor, the baguette was tasty and the cinnamon pastry was still warm.
Conclusion
After analyzing the data, the dichotomy between Jewel and Whole Foods was clear: Jewel was cheaper while Whole Foods had better ingredients.
Both, of course, are better choices than the meal plan.