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Stuart Melling

Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you!  I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC - Utah's biggest and oldest online food magazine; I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune.  I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV shows. I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have covered the Utah dining scene for the better part of fifteen years.   I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand.   I started Shop Smart to catalogue my adventures in the grocery store and kitchen.  Follow along on Instagram too!  

Nicoise-ish Salad

July 29, 2022 by Stuart Melling
Nicoise-ish Salad

This one’s for those look to de-carb their life a little. Ordinarily a Niçoise salad would come with potatoes, but here, I’ve subbed that for a small piece of sliced …

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Categories 30 Minute Meals, Dinner Ideas, Healthy, Salad Tags King Oscar, Tonnino Leave a comment

Boar’s Head Chorizo Chicken Sausage review

July 29, 2022 by Stuart Melling
Boar's Head Chorizo Chicken Sausage

Four chicken sausages come shrink-wrapped in this product from Boar’s Head. Once opened you can’t reseal it, so keep that in mind. The refrigerated sausages are also pre-cooked so these …

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Categories Grocery, Refrigerated Tags Boar's Head Leave a comment

Impossible Foods Bratwurst Sausage – the best money can buy

July 18, 2022July 18, 2022 by Stuart Melling
Impossible Bratwurst Sausage

I don’t recall an Impossible Foods product I have been disappointed with. Ever since my first taste of the Impossible Burger years ago, and the “wow” moment, I’ve enjoyed every …

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Categories Grocery, Vegan, Vegetarian Tags Impossible Foods Leave a comment

Yves Veggie Pepperoni

July 18, 2022 by Stuart Melling
Yves Veggie Pepperoni

Quick review: Frankly I went into this one expected disappointment. After all, pepperoni, surely this of all dishes is hard to emulate?! Consider me pleasantly surprised then this meat-free replacement …

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Categories Grocery, Refrigerated, Vegan, Vegetarian Tags Yves Leave a comment

Bachan’s Original Japanese Barbecue Sauce

July 18, 2022 by Stuart Melling
Bachan's Japanese Barbecue Sauce

Quick review: Ever since I snagged a bottle of this Japanese BBQ sauce, I’ve been using it on anything and everything. Think of it as a thin teriyaki-style sauce, but …

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Categories Condiment, Grocery, Refrigerated Tags Bachan's Leave a comment

Murray’s Muffuletta Olive Salad

July 17, 2022 by Stuart Melling
Murray’s Muffuletta Olive Salad

Quick review: This is one of several products from Murray’s you might see at the Deli counter. This particular roughly chopped mix, takes direct inspiration from the famous New Orlean’s …

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Categories Condiment, Grocery, Refrigerated, Vegetarian Tags Murray's Leave a comment

Arby’s Seasoned Curly Fries

July 17, 2022 by Stuart Melling
Arby's Seasoned Curly Fries

Stuart MellingHi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you!  I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC – Utah’s biggest and oldest online food magazine; I’m also a former restaurant …

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Categories Frozen, Grocery Tags Arby's Leave a comment

Starfish Crispy Battered Halibut review

July 17, 2022 by Stuart Melling
Starfish Crispy Battered Halibut

Roughly seven pieces of battered fish come inside this cardboard packet from Starfish. Once you pop the box open you will see they come packaged in a non resealable plastic …

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Categories Frozen, Grocery Tags Starfish Leave a comment

Lightlife Plant-Based Chicken Fillets reviewed

July 17, 2022 by Stuart Melling
Lightlife Plant-Based Chicken Fillets

Lets get the headline item out there right away – these things are absolutely huge. I can only think of Gardein’s Ultimate Chick’N Filets that come close in terms of …

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Categories Frozen, Grocery, Vegan Tags Lightlife Leave a comment

Wicked 12 Little Brats review

July 17, 2022 by Stuart Melling
Wicked 12 Little Brats

I believe this is my first encounter with the Wicked brand. Always on the hunt for great meat-free meal options, I had to give these a chance. As the name …

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Categories Vegan, Vegetarian Tags Wicked Leave a comment
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Latest grocery store reviews

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  • Impossible Bratwurst SausageImpossible Foods Bratwurst Sausage – the best money can buy
  • Yves Veggie PepperoniYves Veggie Pepperoni
  • Bachan's Japanese Barbecue SauceBachan’s Original Japanese Barbecue Sauce
  • Murray’s Muffuletta Olive SaladMurray’s Muffuletta Olive Salad

Random dinner ideas

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  • Garden fresh Caprese saladGarden fresh Caprese salad
  • Nicoise-ish SaladNicoise-ish Salad
  • Fried eggs over matchstick potatoesFried Egg over Matchstick Potatoes
  1. Jeri on Tai Pei Chicken Egg Rolls reviewJanuary 5, 2023

    These egg rolls we're NASTY, doughy, there were pieces of clear rubber looking stuff inside...complete waste of money & I'll…

  2. R Michael on Trader Joe’s Kibbeh reviewJanuary 4, 2023

    Trader Joe’s Kibbeh are fully cooked.

  3. Sean on Banquet Original Crispy Fried Chicken reviewJanuary 4, 2023

    Horrible smell which results in horrible tasting white meat

  4. Linda Andersen on Royal Asia Vegetable Spring Rolls reviewJanuary 2, 2023

    Instacart in my area delivers food items from Costco.

  5. R. Dunn on Mission Hill Burnt Ends from Costco reviewedDecember 31, 2022

    $19/lb for ok. While these are not inedible they are not great. I love burnt ends and so bought a…

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  • R Michael on Trader Joe’s Kibbeh review
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