So you think you know someone — like, know them pretty darn well — and then you discover that they, too, hate coleslaw.
Then it just reaffirms that, yes, you were totally meant to be friends.
Such was the case for Bag Lady and Shopping Siren, who bonded all over again over their mutual slaw disdain, even if there was a split on potato salad (SS loves; BL says “yurk!”) and hamburgers (BL loves; SS says “yurk!”)
Which is all to say we’re not the easiest of summertime guests, but we’re probably pretty representative of your summertime crew when it comes to finicky taste buds and culinary quirks.
Fortunately, in your local deli case, the pre-made world awaits.
We found something for everyone at your next barbecue/graduation party/weekend anything. The best part: no need to slave over a stove for hours just so a guest can say, “Thanks, but I’d love (whatever you don’t have).”
Yurk to cooking, love to grabbing and going!
Bourque’s Market
* ALL THE POTATO SALAD, various prices
It’s all here. All of it. Every potato salad you’ve ever dreamed of — or had nightmares about. (Traditional, $2.99/pound. Red bliss, red dill or German, $3.99/pound. Canadian, $4.29/pound.) We are uncertain what makes Canadian potato salad unique and/or worth an extra 30 cents per pound, but one of us would be happy to check it out. The other will be sitting over there, checking out the watermelon, thanks.
* Sour cream and cheddar macaroni salad, $3.99/pound
Sour cream, cheddar cheese and macaroni — there’s no bad here. There’s also no green here, so we’re playing a bit fast and loose with the term “salad.” Still. Sour cream, cheddar cheese and macaroni. Dude.
While you’re there, grab: Cookies and creme mousse, $3.99/pound
Right next to the salads, in little takeout containers, what looks like mashed Oreo bits mixed in fluffy white cream. Your hosts will not see this coming — we didn’t see it coming — but in only the best way.
Save-A-Lot
* Reser’s mustard potato salad, 32 oz., $2.99
We didn’t notice a deli counter as such, but tucked away in the corner of one cooler was this mustardy offering. Intriguing enough to make us intrigued. That’s hard to do after the potato salad cornucopia that was Bourque’s Market.
* Homehill ham salad, 12 oz., $2.99
A classic. BFFs with tuna salad and egg salad. We understand they picnic together regularly.
While you’re there, grab: Cracker Jacks, 1 oz. three-pack, $0.99
With a prize! Which *spoiler alert* is probably a holographic sticker. Maybe of a mouse, or a clown, or a baseball player. We’re just guessing.
Shaw’s
* Grilled chicken Caesar salad, $4.99/pound
Complete with croutons and grated cheese, this said, “Hello, and what are you having for lunch?”
* Prosciutto and peas pasta, $7.99/pound
This said, “You’ll have to jog to and from your barbecue, but I’ll make it worth it.”
Ride-on turtles, dolphins and sharks ($9.99 to $12.99), rocket ship pool cruiser ($3.99) and basic water wings ($0.85). We favored a pair of $1.59 water wings that puts a happy orange octopus on each arm. Safety first, always. Adorable octopuses a close second.
Hannaford
* Kale super salad with nuts, $6.99/pound
Man, kale has an amazing publicist. Right now, arugula is on the phone trying to get kale to take its call, and kale is like, “Sorry, I’m in a super salad. Get your own awesome.”
So kale is maybe uppity, but deservedly so.
* Firecracker coleslaw, $5.99/pound
Dressing-based instead of mayo-based, and here’s the thing: After trying a sample, we both really liked it. Crisp, clean, not especially cabbage-y with just a little kick. The person at the counter recommended using it as a garnish on burgers and hot dogs. And we could totally see that.
So then we bonded all over again over our mutual surprise. Maybe we like coleslaw. There are crazier things.*
* See talking kale.
While you’re there, grab: Capt’n Eli’s soda, four-pack, $3.99
Portland-made in either blueberry, orange, strawberry, root beer, ginger beer or grandparent, er, cream soda. It’s Maine-made! It’s nautical!
It’s a party.
Bag Lady and Shopping Siren’s true identities are protected by a pair of stylish, sweater-wearing Doberman pinschers (who disagree with Shopping Siren because hamburgers are awesome) and the Customer Service counter at the Sun Journal. You can reach them at baglady@sunjournal.com and shoppingsiren@sunjournal.com.
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