Whole Foods Market understands that people will pay more for prepared foods. (Witness all those little brown carry-out containers at the checkout stand.) We’re a hurried society, after all, noshing on fast food more often than eating home-prepared meals, Ozzie and Harriet style.
So it was only a matter of time before the national grocer expanded its dine-in seating, as have other retailers around the country. The National Restaurant Association says such dine-in areas will take in $25.1 billion in 2007.
The Whole Foods store at 7400 E. Hampden Ave., for instance, has scattered more café tables and bar seating around its food bar to accommodate all of the diners who want to eat first and shop later.
Many of the diners are girlfriends on Saturday afternoon shopping trips, or moms with children who want to satisfy the hunger monster before wandering the aisles. There are a few singles here and there, and even a business person or two.
Remember, ambience is not on the menu here; it’s all about convenience.
You can pile on the salad ingredients from one of the most extensive salad bars I’ve visited, sample the curried potato salad, chicken wings or artichoke fritters. Numerous items, including new offerings every so often, are priced at $7.99 per pound.
Tasting a little bit of everything is just one of the benefits of eating in. You’re also paying for the retailer’s reputation for providing healthy, fresh food. While meat and fish are plentiful, vegetable selections also are numerous.
The teriyaki chicken was tender and flavorful. A huge slice of pizza is $2.50 for everything from pepperoni to bacon/blue cheese. And those artichoke fritters? Just lemony enough for added zest and so good I bought two more to bring home. One of my favorite items is the curried potato and pea pockets. The spicy filling is held together by a light dough, wrapped burrito-style.
Bistro meals – meat and two sides of your choice – are $8.99 for chicken or $9.99 for beef or seafood. The roast chicken was bathed in a light, peppery coating and was fall- off-the-bones perfect. Vegetable side choices are numerous: the roasted, sesame asparagus was excellent, though the grilled squash and peppers were a bit lackluster.
Much of the food is offered cold, including the chicken wings and curried potato salad. The warming tables could be kept at a higher temperature, since by the time you make your selections, pay and find a table, the plated food has cooled considerably. Fast food or not, most people still like “hot” food to be just that.
Staff writer Cynthia Pasquale can be reached at 303-954-1722 or at cpasquale@denverpost.com.
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Whole Foods Market
Buffet|7400 E. Hampden Ave., Denver, 303-448-2000|Up to 9.99|8 a.m.-10 p.m., every day; food bar open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; major credit cards
Front burner: Take only as little as you want and sample a variety of items or eat a whole meal; above-average salad bar; everything is fresh.
Back burner: Forget the ambience as shoppers and carts navigate around you, the tables and the food bar. Be prepared to watch people watching you eat. Warming tables don’t keep food hot enough.
