Big Ten Market/Morgan & York

In case you haven't noticed, I have been on a spree using my Newcomers Club coupons, and today I went to pick up my free 1/2 pound of coffee from Big Ten Market. The whole experience was heavenly. At first glance, it looks like an old gnarly party store - I drove by it and had to turn around and try again. Once you walk inside, however, you are basically transported to the chi-chi-est food shop you've ever seen. I don't think even Zingerman's can compare to Big Ten. For one thing, it wasn't crowded. I think there were three other customers while I was in there. They had a zillion kinds of wine and lots of liquor up at the front of the store, then it moved to breads and meats and cheeses, and finally coffee and chocolate... and it smelled divine. The staff was incredibly friendly - the nice lady at the cheese counter gave me a slice of Comte that was so good, I had to buy the special Comte cheese and tomato sandwich. And yes, it was delicious. Nothing but bread, cheese, 'maters, and a little salt and pepper, and it might have been the best sandwich I've ever had. But I'd really like to focus on the chocolate. Big Ten Market might be dangerous, because they have hand-made truffles, little bits of really dark chocolate (the favorite of this household), funny fruity things from Japan, and other assorted goodies. It's a very good thing that Big Ten is nowhere near my way home, because I would have to start going there all time, and then I would be even fatter and poorer than I already am. Big Ten, also known as Morgan and York (the official name when they went big time), you are the cat's meow.

Big Ten Market - A

UPDATE - the coffee was delicious!