Shop Cheap

Before we start loading up the cart for the Memorial Weekend, Shop Cheap wanted to share a little find from a road trip to Bishop, CA.

The Erick Schat's Bakerry (they're Dutch and that's how they spell it) is a little slice of heaven along the 395 in the Eastern Sierra. Lots of SoCal folks are familiar with the place because it's on the way to Mammoth. It's definitely not a household name in these parts.

Schat's is an old-fashioned bakery with aisles and aisles of fresh breads, cookies, pies and all things that we're told not to eat. They make sandwiches and serve gelato, too. And, yes, it's filled with tourists. But that didn't bother Shop Cheap because she went directly to the "Day Old" aisle and scored big time.

A loaf of "day old" olive bread was 35-cents (take that, extreme coupon people). The best part -  there was nothing really "day old" about it. Rolls, cookies, churros and other stuff that didn't sell on Day 1 are either 50% off or 35-cents each. We stocked up on the sale stuff, but we also indulged in some regular priced items like blueberry pie - the best ever - and peach pull-apart cinnamon bread.

Don't think there is a bad item in the house. So if you ever plan a trip to the Eastern Sierra - Mt. Whitney, Mono Lake, Mammoth Mountain - stop at Schat's. Or just check out their website at www.erickschatsbakery.com. They also have 3 outlets in Ukiah.

Back to shopping and the upcoming 3-day weekend. The weather is still problematic so you'll need to plan accordingly. To BBQ or not to BBQ. Either way, it will be nice to spend time relaxing with family and friends.

Let's start the cart at Save Mart because they are still giving you gas money to shop - 5-cents off a gallon for every $50 you spend. If you do "Q," Save Mart has tri tip for $2.97lb and Kraft BBQ sauce for $1. Bush's Baked Beans are 3/$5. Ball Park franks are  BOGO.

In produce, a 2-pound container of strawberries is $2.47; tomatoes on the vine are $1.97lb and radishes/green onions/cilantro or parsley is 50-cents a bunch. Baby lemons or limes are 6/96-cents; large red cherries are $3.97lb. Asparagus is 97-cents a pound Friday-Monday.

S&W beans are 79-cents a can; Heinz ketchup is $2; French's mustard is $1.50 and Sunnyside Farms buns are 4/$5. A case of Crystal Geyser Spring water is $3.33; Minute Maid punch or lemonade is 99-cents and Pepsi 12-packs are buy 2, get 3 free.

Golden Grain pasta is $1; Mission tortillas are $1.99.

Over at Raley's, tri-tip is $2.97lb; pork spareribs are $1.97lb and ground beef patties are $2.47lb. Ball Park franks are $1.50; 16-piece fried chicken is $9.99 and a picnic pack with all the fixins' - chicken, salad, cookies, rolls, plates & forks - is only $19.99.

In produce,  corn on the cob is 4/$1; strawberries are BOGO; seedless watermelon is $3.77 each; cantaloupe is $2.50 and red onions are 77-cents a pound.

Crystal Geyser Spring water is $3.49 a case; Ocean Spray and V8 juices are $2; 2-liter Pepsi is 99-cents; and Gatorade is 78-cents with coupon.

Holiday treats include apple pie, buy 2 - get 1 free; decorated cakes and cupcakes from $4.99 to $12.99; and a Memorial Day bouquet for $10.99.

Tostitos are $1.69 with coupon; Cool Whip is 89-cents with coupon. Barilla pasts is $1 and Nabisco snack crackers are $2 a box.

From Wednesday through Monday, Safeway has a different combo deal-of-the-day. From chips ($1.67) and soda (69 cents) on Wednesday to Signature Cafe chicken ($8.99) and salad ($2.99) on Monday, there's something for everyone. Their 4-day (Friday-Monday) sale includes 12-packs of soda, buy 2 - get 3 free; corn on the cob 10/$2 and Nabisco crackers for $1.99.

Other stuff we like: boneless, skinless chicken for $2.29lb; ribeye steak for $5.99lb and BOGO sausage and dogs. Arrowhead water is $3.34 a case. Coupons are plentiful, so get clippin.' For example: 18-pack of eggs for $2.49; Powerade for 60-cents; refreshe water $2.99 a case; Lucerne sliced cheese for $2.49; Mission tortilla chips for $1.99; Oscar Mayer franks for 99-cents and Safeway buns for 99-cents.

Vlasic pickles are BOGO; and Jack Daniel's or Bull's Eye BBQ sauce is $1.

In produce seedless watermelon is $3.48; green onions or radishes are 50-cents a bunch and jumbo tomatoes are $1.99lb. For dessert, the All-American apple and cherry pie is $2.99; a 4-quart tub of ice cream is $4.99 and Lucerne whipped cream in the aerosol can is BOGO.

The $5 Friday only specials are Signature Cafe chicken wings; Sugar Bowl petite brownies or Madeleines and a 3-lb pack of Oscar Mayer franks.

Normally, this is the time when I would encourage you to come back on Thursday for recipes from the Shop Cheap Kitchen. But recipe researcher Sheila Kern has closed up the kitchen and is leaving The Bee along with eight other colleagues in the newsroom. We wish her well and know that she has the ingredients to succeed where ever her career takes her. Good luck, Sheila, and thanks for the recipes!.