Some nights, around midnight, when reasonable people are sleeping and the rest of us are spending our time doomscrolling on TikTok or Reels, I open up an app that’s very special to me. It gives me the most joy out of any other app I’ve downloaded on my phone – more than Reddit, more than Duolingo and definitely more than any of the random games I’ve tried over the years.
The app? “Jewel Osco,” a product of the Albertsons subsidiary that carries almost all of the groceries I could ever need. As stated in the App Store description, the Jewel Osco app lets you “shop, save and plan your meals with our all-in-one app.” As a weekly customer and devout user of the app, I can assure you that it fulfills that promise.
As you open the app, you’re presented with a dizzying array of ways to grocery shop. I have the local store (1128 Chicago Ave) pre-selected, so I normally just go straight to “for U Deals+.” It’s a weird name for a simple and exciting thing: the sales section.
Now, once you’re on the sales page, you have a choice. It’s like a road diverging in the woods. I have no idea which is less traveled by, but I do know that there’s no wrong way to go, because all roads lead to Rome. Wait, I mean all roads lead to SALES SALES SALES.
Sometimes I start by looking at the Weekly Ad, a very shrunk down version of the grocery ads I used to look over with my mom after getting the Sunday paper from the bottom of the driveway. It’ll give you the general run down and highlight the most exciting and seasonally important sales.
But other times, I go straight to the “for U Deals.” The list that appears has deals that you need to “clip,” which is a lot easier on the app than with scissors and flimsy ad paper. Just tap the button, and the app will tell their internal system that you want that deal. When you go to the store and check out the item, just enter your phone number and the savings are automatically applied to your purchase. It shows up on the screen in red, which usually has a bad meaning but in any scenario is very attention grabbing.
Anyway, on to the good stuff. Let’s talk about the best deals I’ve found, i.e. the reason I love this freaking app.
- One week, they had organic ground beef for $2 a pound as a clippable deal, limit one. I went with a friend and we each got one, then the next week the beef went on another sale, still $2 but no limit! And you didn’t even need to clip the digital coupon. I still have some in my freezer.
- A week before the quarter started, they had a bag of seven avocados on sale for $2, I believe. In case you don’t know, avocados are usually about a dollar or two each in Evanston. Unfortunately I thought it would be a good idea to get two bags, meaning I had to eat an avocado a day for almost two weeks (I also shared some with friends). In case you’re in the same scenario (since they have a similar sale this week), avocados are really good with a squeeze of lemon or lime juice and a sprinkle of salt.
- This week, they have limes on sale for 10 cents each and shallots on sale for 20 cents each. Needless to say, I bought ten of each.
-I’ve seen this same deal several times, but it’s a good one. It’s a clippable deal that gives you a 12-pack of classic elementary school snacks, like Oreos, Teddy Grahams or my personal choice, Fig Newtons, for $5. The best thing is that all of the options are 1 ounce packages except the Fig Newtons, which are 2 ounces each. I already get hyped for Fig Newtons, but knowing they give the most bang for my buck makes it even better.
- 99 cents a pound chicken breast never disappoints. Actually chicken breast does always disappoint because it’s absolutely disgusting to deal with before it’s cooked, but I think you know that if you’re buying it.
- Last but not least, 99 cents a pound produce always makes me happy. What’s even better is that they rotate the selection from week to week—you can usually find at least broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower in the deals, as well as some fruit, which varies more seasonally. I personally like yellow peaches, but pears are in right now and apples are a good stand-in for more fun fruit during the cold season.
This has been my love letter to the Jewel Osco app. I wish all readers luck in their clipping.