Midnight Smack BY FU

Because I’ll find something better.

I hope.

The other day I was doing a casual wander through Target—not even on the hunt, which is rare for me—when I saw two different people pick up jars, scan them, and snap photos. And honestly, it stopped me in my tracks, because the same thing happened in my shop just last week. I don’t know what those folks were looking for—maybe comparing prices, maybe saving for later, maybe just capturing some visual grocery inspiration. Not sure.

But it got me thinking: are we all just playing one big game of price match? Is that all that matters? 

The truth is, I get it. I love a deal. I love the chase. But I don’t play that game with the little guys—the ones who pour their hearts into their products and stores. I do it with the big box stores. Sorry, Target, Hy-Vee, Amazon. Even Trader Joe’s. Sorry but not sorry, you guys all have what I don’t… buying power.

When I bring something into Food Union, I usually buy it from real people. Small producers. Makers who obsess over quality and ingredients. Folks who take crazy risks to create something worth tasting. People like me.

That’s the magic for me. It’s so fun to learn about what makes their product unique, better—not ordinary. Like this new line of vinegars I just brought in: Northland Vinegars, made in Minnesota. Handmade, small-batch, and wildly good. The celery aquavit and dill one is my current favorite. It’s light, herbal, and totally unexpected—and I love it. Waldorf Bufala Mozzarella Salad? Yes, I made that. And loved it.

Same goes for J. Chang’s Kitchen—he makes a killer chili crisp (more on that below). They do everything by hand. Every jar is filled, bottled, and labeled in-house. You can feel the love in the process—and taste the fire in that Batch #20.

I’ve always had a soft spot for small stores like mine. The kind you stumble into while traveling—a little out of the way, always full of surprises. The places where someone says, “You have to try this,” and you actually listen. Because they’re not reading off a label—they know. They’ve invested time and money researching, curating, the best things they can find.

SIDE NOTE- That goes for any sort of store. I was in Zumbrota last week, at Wild Ginger and Luya. Such great customer service and such great collections. Nothing ordinary and all FUn! 

That’s what I’m going for here. A place where everything on the shelves has a story. Where nothing’s mediocre. And where, yeah, while I can’t always be the cheapest—I’ll never be the most boring.

Still, I’m practical. If I see something at Hy-Vee or Target for dollars less than I can sell it for, I’m out. I just can’t compete. So here’s what I’m phasing out—and what I’m loving instead:

First up: Watcharee’s Thai Sauces
I had them in store first, FWIW, but now they’re at Target for about $7.48, and close to that price at Hy-Vee South. I’ve had them marked at $11.95. So go get them there! I’ll be hoarding the leftovers and eating a lot of Thai food. Happily. They’ll hit the sale when I find something better.

My favorite? The Massaman Curry. I toss in whatever veggies I have. My go-to is sweet potato, onion, red pepper, green beans—and I add chicken or shrimp. Sometimes I even stretch the jar with extra coconut milk because I like it saucy and veggie-packed. Chopped cilantro is a must, and if I’ve got mint, I throw that in too.

Bonus: I’ve got a new rice in the shop from Chico Rice, Tom and Carter, a father-son team in California. A trusted distributor told me I’d love it, and I trust him. At Chico Rice, they grow, mill, and package their rice by hand on their farm in the Sacramento Valley. They’re passionate, meticulous, and absolutely my kind of Food Union find.

Next: Fly By Jing Chili Crisp
It’s $14.95 in my shop. Under $10 at Target. So that’s another one I’m letting go. Do I like it? Yes. Did I just get a new order in? Also yes. But here’s the thing: there are so many chili crisps out there. Let Target have them. Watch them to hit the sale rack soon. 

My new favorite? J. Chang Kitchen’s Batch #20:

From the website: “My spiciest chili oil yet, packed with a bold, fiery heat from a heavy dose of red Sichuan peppercorns. Handmade, hand-bottled, hand-labeled. Gluten-free, vegan, and no preservatives—just real flavor.”

And the jar? Designed by Rochester’s own Tiffany Alexandra—aka Choochoocachew. It’s bold, beautiful, and totally giftable. This isn’t a mass-produced, watered-down version. It’s the real deal of creative minds and creative flavor.

Still Carrying: Effie’s Oatcakes
Even though Hy-Vee carries them, I’m a dollar cheaper. Woot! Not sure how that happened, but I’ll take the win.

And: Gracious Gourmet Jams
At Hy-Vee too. Sure, I’m a tad higher in price—but I’m friends with Nancy, the creator, and I’ll carry them always. We’re kindred jam spirits, Nancy and I.

Rustic Bakery Crackers
Costco might have them sometimes, but I love them too much to quit. Plus, you can pop into my shop and be in and out in two minutes flat. That convenience? Worth at least a dollar more a box.

A Note on Grocery Store Duplicates
When a brand hits the big stores, I pivot. I carry the more interesting flavors—because let’s be honest, grocery chains play it safe. They choose “best sellers”. I gravitate toward the oddballs anyway, so it works.

And yes, some cheeses will show up at grocery stores around the holidays. I price those as competitively as I can, but I do pay more for custom cutting. Working on that.
Just got in three French cheeses today you won’t see anywhere else. One of them? A Camembert made from buffalo milk. 100% yes.

Little Saints Adaptogen Drinks (Price Drop Incoming!)
Love these, but after shipping, the price just didn’t sit right with me. So I did some digging and found a better source. My next order should be nearly a dollar cheaper per can. That makes me—and hopefully you—very happy.

So yeah, I like a deal just like you. I’ll do the legwork to save you a few bucks if I can.

Before You Price Compare…
If you see a better deal on Amazon or a brand’s website, remember to factor in shipping. It’s still high (thanks, economy), and that matters. Always check the full cost before you hit “buy now.”

The goal?
To find better.
To find weirder.
To find more thoughtful.
To find what no one else around here has.

Because mediocre? Nope. Not here.

Speaking of mediocre, lately, I’ve had a real streak of meh meals. You know the type: “fast casual” spots where you always get the same thing. We all do. Because it’s the same menu. Everywhere. Somehow I keep convincing myself this time will be different—and somehow I keep being wrong.

I can’t eat for free at my family’s restaurants every night—though the burgers and wings are solid, and yes, I’m biased but also it is 100% true.  But sometimes, I want something different. I want food that surprises me. That feels like someone gave a damn. And maybe I want it at 10pm. Or I’ll settle for 8:30pm

There was a time when restaurants stayed open late. Not just bars with a fryer and a prayer—but real spots, with real food. You’d split fries at midnight, order one more beer, and actually talk to your friends instead of checking what episode you fell asleep to last night. Nobody rushed you out. You stayed up. You laughed. You lived a little.

Remember those places? I’ve got a few stories—and maybe a late-night menu to reminisce about —still to come. Stay tuned. And if you have some gems, don’t hold back. Shoot me an email!