I’m always excited when a new grocery store comes to town and Fresh & Easy was no exception.  Their Manhattan Beach location opened last July and I’ve been a fan ever since. 

The store is much smaller than your typical grocery store but has everything you’d need if you’re just running in to grab something or shopping for a week’s worth of meals.  The prices are great too, often less than the big guys or just as comparable.   All check out lanes are self check out which is great for breezing in, getting what you need, and getting out quickly.  I’ve seen the lines back up on the weekends but they also have a “just a few items or less” line.

I usually head in at lunch time to peruse the pre-made selections in the front cooler.  They have sandwhiches, salads, and deserts priced from $1 to $4.  The next cooler over has beverages with juices, teas, and soft drinks.  I picked up lunch there today and was very pleased with my turkey club wrap, carrot cake, and Moroccan style mint tea.  Total bill was around $6.

Grill Pack and Tarurino 18 can case

The store has great deals all around but two in particular always catch my eye, the grill pack and the Taurino beer.  The grill pack is a nice touch for cook outs or parties which is why its usually specially priced around grilling holidays and the Super Bowl.  Its has everything you need to get your grill satisfaction on with hamburgers, sausages, and chicken.  The Taurino is a nice touch too since you can pick up a tasty, resonably priced beer at the same time as your proteins.  Taurino is comparable to Corona but slightly lighter in my opinion. 

If you’re planning to do some shopping at Fresh & Easy, be sure to take along this coupon!  Its good for a free canvas bag with purchase of $10 or more.  Sure the value of the bag is only 10% of the minimum purchase price but hey, its free and if you actually use it you might help the planet a bit.

Get a free Fresh & Easy Canvas Bag...groceries not included!

Two South Bay locations, both open daily from 8 AM to 10 PM:

ROSECRANS & AVIATION
1700-C Rosecrans Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 536-9807

PALOS VERDES & WESTERN
26640 Western Avenue, Suite E
Harbor City, CA 90710
(310) 325-1546

Exterior of La Espanola Meats grocery store.

When we first pulled up, it looked so industrial/wholesale that I thought we wouldn’t be able to get in.  While we were parking, I downplayed it just in case we couldn’t.  You know how in Willy Wonka right when they step into that Candyland room with the chocolate waterfall?  We opened the metal screen door and it was exactly like that…but with Spanish food!  We were in awe!  

Different Spanish wines, canned foods, dried goods, deli cases of cured meats, paella pans, cookies, fridges full of different Spanish cheeses, beer at very reasonable prices…Increible! (add an accent over the ‘i’, please)  They even had a table of mad samples–Spanish chorizos, different cheeses, membrillo, olives, pate, and different pralines–you know how I love the free shit.  You can purchase cafe ($1.25) and bocadillos ($5.50).  They even have paella ($9-13) on Saturdays, if you call on Friday to order.  

The staff was friendly and fast.  The owner was on hand and was so friendly and knowledgeable.  He said that they’ve been around for 25 years doing wholesale business with stores and restaurants, but have always had the retail shop open to the public.  And to think, people spend crazy money on trendy tapas places!  Psssh.  

I came in hoping to just check it out and buy some anchovy stuffed olives and jamon.  We left with a basket full of goods, giggling like schoolgirls, joking about prepping all the food and eating tapas in the backyard with the hot weather reminiscent of a Sevilla summer.  Rebujitos and bocadillos on the hottest day yet?  Mmmmmm!

Originally Featured on Yelp.