It’s not every day people talk about going out to dinner at the grocery store. But with layoffs as common as pigeons in Boston and the economy in the tanker, people are looking for a few ways to trim back on spending. And yes, this includes the typical date night, or dinner out with the girls. We’ve noticed a trend of people going to the grocery store, and not with the intention of walking out with bags full of toilet paper and boxed mac and cheese. Of course, this trend could only be so popular at a store such as Whole Foods, the high-quality, organically inspired grocery store that will find you wondering why your grocery bill got so high. But ignore the grocery shopping, and focus on the dining in.
Whole Foods provides significant seating areas in its Boston locations, so it’s not rare to see individuals on their lunch break or even couples sitting down with a meal. Besides an extensive salad bar that includes everything from seaweed salad to edamame, a wall of prepared salads and sandwiches offers everyone something to dine on. We’re particularly partial to Whole Foods’ burritos, which take the slop and grease of many Mexican joints and replace it with fresh veggies. This weekend we counted about five varieties of tofu available, as well as random pasta dishes and potstickers alongside potato latkes and chicken strips. Besides a soup bar, one of the most lurked-over locations is the dessert bar, where fresh berry parfaits sit next to everything from apple crisp to blueberry pie. For around $10, you can fill up your biodegradable container with anything you choose. Obviously, heading to Whole Foods for a meal isn’t all that strange anymore. And if you’re focused on pinching pennies while dining out, remember this one vital aspect of eating at Whole Foods: You’ll never have to leave a tip, because essentially, you’re waiting on yourself.
Whole Foods Market [Official Site]
[Photo: Leber PR]
