My wife called me at the office today and asked that we go out for dinner tonight. Wanting to try someplace new, I asked a co-worker if he had any recommendations. He suggested an Italian restaurant that was about 2 miles from my house. The place was called Vinny's Italian Grill.
As my wife, three kids, and I walked across the cold parking lot the smell of pizza filled the air. When we walked into the restaurant we were greeted by rows of 6# cans of every imaginable Stanislaus and Escalon product!

A large placard next to the counter proudly proclaimed the use of Grande cheeses.

Bags of All-Trumps flour abound!

I was in heaven!!

Calmly, I asked the manager if any of these goods were for sale. He immediately snapped back "absulutely" and said that I could not only buy what was on display, but I could order
any Stanislaus or Escalon product that he didn't stock. I began to feel a little weak at the knees. Dare I ask about the cheese? I cleared my throat and asked the price of Grande whole milk mozzarella. He said that it's sold by the pound for two dollars and change. The 6# cans of tomatoes (all varieties) were $6.00 each. And, he said that he would check into the Ezzo pepperoni for me (they don't carry it.) Then, after a delicious meal (excellent pizza, I might add) and several great ales, the waitress said "oh, and did you know that Kroger sells the 6-in-1 tomatoes?" I swallowed deeply. Uh, "no," I said. I told her that I shop Kroger all of the time and have never seen them there. Well, after a run to Costco, we stopped by Kroger. I checked out the canned tomatoes in the vegetable isle and no luck. Then, on a hunch, I went across the store to the sauces. Way down low on the bottom shelf was one row of.... drum roll... 6-in-1 tomatoes ($1.99/can)
So, my world has just turned upside down. Not only did I find an excellent NYC style pizzeria to order take out (for those times when I don't want to cook), but I can now drive two miles down the road and buy virtually any specialized ingredients for my pizza making!!
