Ever since hearing that we were getting a Publix here in the Cold Spring/Alexandria area, I harbored dreams of fresh veal, the propensity of fresh Sesame Seed Bagels and Shortbread cookies, all of which are extremebly popular in South Florida.  My highest hope was that our new Pubix would stock the shelves with the identical items available at the Publix located on Hallanale Beach Boulevard, just outside of Gulfstream Park, and maybe ship in a few older Jewish women to lend some of the South Florida flavor.  Unfortunately, instad of bringing South Florida to Northern Kentucky, they have just brought more Northern Kentucky, things already available here, and little similarity to the Publix and Winn-Dixie stores I frequented durng the winters prior to our broadcasting our basketball games, which has kept me close to home since the turn of the century.  I also discovered that the deli-server didn’t know Colby Cheese from Colby Jack, the meat department head had never heard of Shadow Steaks, and the bakery lady didn’t know what shortbread cookies were.   Good Grief!  

When exprssing my hopes to obtain some fresh Veal Scallopini, the meat attendent did promise to order some in for me.  This was last Sunday – Father’s Day.  I checked back in on Tuesday – No Veal.  Again they promised to order it in for me.  I left my name and number.  When I hadn’t heard from them by Saturday morning (yesterday) I called them, to be told that it had “just arrived on the truck.”  Sure enough they had created two packages of four cutlets each, sliced thin, at $25 a pound.  I’m OK with the price.  Veal is expensive.  I kept one package out, which I fixed for dinner (Pictured Above), and double wrapped the remaining package and froze it for a future dinner. 

My quest for Sesame Seed Bagels was somewhat successful.  They have a small display of them, whch I nearly wiped out when I purchasd six of them, and when I ordered a half-pound of Colby Cheese, I was handed a package of Colby Jack, which I don’t care for.  The young man at the deli didn’t know that there was a difference.  The deli specialty meats are Boar’s Head – the same Boar’s Head, featured at Krogers.  The Meat display attendant had never heard of Shadow Steaks.

Overall, the store is a very nice, clean, and well-staffed.  There seems to be plenty of parking, even for those of us with Handicapped tags.  However, the biggest difference between Publix and Kroger/Mejier/Wal-Mart is the pricing.  In only a week I have noticed that Publix’s pricing is much like Kohl’s, whch I hate, their full prices are higher than Kroger’s, etc., and they feature a lot of BOGO, or price off on these items.  There is also a short window on their specials.  The kicker is that just like Kohl’s, the cashier tells me how much I saved.  This is a real hot item with me at Kohl’s.  They are making money on me and I’m not saving a damned dime.  They simply juggle their pricing to give that impression.  I hate to see that Publix is trending in this direction. 

  Publix has some nice prepared items – Great fresh fruit, Yummy Banana Pudding, some outstanding Amish Macaroni salad, but I will stick with Wal-Mart for my evryday groceries, closer to home and consitent in their pricing, but Publix will remain an option for obtaining the Sesame Seed Bagels and Veal Scallopini.