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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!  

Boston Market Chicken Pot Pie

September 12, 2021 by Stuart Melling
Boston Market Chicken Pot Pie

Quick review: Lets be honest, Marie Callendars dominates when it comes to frozen pot pies. Their instantly recognizable green and white boxes pack most freezer aisles. This pie from Boston …

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Categories Frozen, Grocery Tags Boston Market Leave a comment

Aidells Cajun style Andouille

September 12, 2021 by Stuart Melling
Aidells Cajun style Andouille

Quick review: This is a reasonable smoked sausage that can add a little fun to dishes. It has a gentle heat, restrained garlic and a not too overpowering amount of …

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Categories Grocery, Refrigerated Tags Aidells Leave a comment

Me’s Way Chili Sauce – a blast of funk and flavor

September 7, 2021September 7, 2021 by Stuart Melling
Me's Way Chili Sauce

It’s not often that a condiment whizzes across my kitchen counter and really makes me stop and pause. But that’s what happened with this delightful jar from Me’s Way. This …

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Categories Condiment, Grocery, Hot Sauce, Pantry, Sauce Tags Me's Way Leave a comment

Mr Fowler’s Breaded Chicken Nibblers – one to skip

September 6, 2021 by Stuart Melling
Mr Fowler's Breaded Chicken Nibblers

Mr Fowler? Who is he? I have no idea. I’m assuming he knows a thing or two about chicken given his name is emblazoned on this eye catching packet. Inside …

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Categories Frozen, Grocery Tags Kroger, Mr Fowler's Leave a comment

MorningStar Farms Veggie Corn Dogs

September 6, 2021 by Stuart Melling
MorningStar Farms Veggie Corn Dogs

As far as I can tell this is one of the few MorningStar Farms products that has survived the last few years of recipe-revamping and new releases; some products have …

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Categories Frozen, Grocery Tags MorningStar Farms Leave a comment

Ore-Ida Golden Tater Tots

September 6, 2021 by Stuart Melling

Quick review: If you’re looking for the quintessential tater tot, stop what you’re doing and buy these. You won’t find better Indeed, Ore-Ida is actually the holder of the Tater …

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Categories Uncategorized Leave a comment

Gorton’s Fish Sandwich reviewed

September 6, 2021 by Stuart Melling
Gorton's Fish Sandwich

Eight frozen squares of panko breaded and frozen pollock come to this package. The right yellow bag is also resealable which is always appreciated. Cooking: The packaging instructs you to …

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Categories Frozen, Grocery Tags Gorton's Leave a comment

Hot N Saucy – deeply flavored hot sauces

September 4, 2021 by Stuart Melling
Hot N Saucy sauce line up

All too often hot sauces become obsessed with scovilles, flame and fire; they can be the muscle cars of the condiment world, all brawn and brash style. That’s not the …

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Categories Grocery, Hot Sauce, Pantry, Sauce Tags Hot N Saucy Leave a comment

Kiolbassa Beef Smoked Sausage

September 4, 2021 by Stuart Melling

Quick review: a very good smoked sausage, unusually using beef rather than pork. Keep an eye on the saturated fat of these, but hey, they deliver a ton of flavor …

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Categories Grocery, Refrigerated Tags Kiolbassa Leave a comment

Trader Joe’s Chickenless Crispy Tenders

September 4, 2021 by Stuart Melling
Trader Joe's Chickenless Crispy Tenders

. 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 …

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Categories Frozen, Grocery, Vegan, Vegetarian Tags Trader Joe's Leave a comment
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  1. Joe on Review: Kroger Pork CarnitasMarch 10, 2024

    I'll never buy again! The package contained fully 12 (out of 16) ounces of pure pork fat. Totally unacceptable. Major…

  2. K B on Review: Van de Kamp’s Crispy Fish FilletsFebruary 28, 2024

    I complained to them and they sent me a measly $4 coupon to buy them again.’they won’t be in my…

  3. Melissa on Kroger Private Selection Angus Beef Burgers reviewFebruary 27, 2024

    I like them if you add water to the hamburger. When it's cooking it won't be so much grace

  4. Pamela D. on Tai Pei Chicken Egg Rolls reviewJanuary 18, 2024

    I had some for dinner last night . The first bite was so spicy, I had trouble getting back into…

  5. Robert Whitney on Simple Truth Natural Beef Burgers reviewJanuary 6, 2024

    YES!!! I both them a little bit ago and made them but they taste like they have permanent freezer burn…

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  • K B on Review: Van de Kamp’s Crispy Fish Fillets
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