MeatNews.com: In-Store Eateries Better Than Before

August 3 , 2006 -- UNITED STATES: Shopping Diva’s blog to dish on foods served at in-store eateries.

In-store dining was once considered a wasteland of corn dogs and day-glow cheese with only 39 percent of Americans saying they would eat it only if starving, but it has come a long way, according to ShopLocal.com’s Eva Yusa, known as “Eva the Shopping Diva.” Yusa, ShopLocal’s shopping efficiency expert, has launched a new blog with the first topic being a rating of the food offered in chain stores such as Kmart, The Home Depot, and Costco.

“You’d be surprised at the breadth of offerings in stores nowadays, and the quality is better than you'd expect,” said Yusa.

Although a July 2006 survey commissioned by ShopLocal.com found that 39 percent of respondents said they would eat at an in-store restaurant only if they were starving, Yusa has discovered through her sampling that there is no need to forego a proper meal just because you are out and about.

“No one expects a gourmet meal at a discount retailer or specialty chain store,” Yusa said, “but it’s not unreasonable to expect quality and flavorful food and a little hint of atmosphere.”

Yusa used a rating scale of one to four, awarding heat lamps for freshness, saltshakers for flavor, and mechanical horses for fun and atmosphere.

“A number of food and beverage offerings at most establishments are decent and tasty,” Yusa said. “In nearly every place I reviewed, there are options for differing palates.”

IKEA ranked highest among the five retailers whose in-store eateries were samples. Yusa's rankings and full reviews are available at www.shoplocal.com.