Schwann's frozen foods

[disneymagicgirl]

Does anyone order from the Schwann delivery man?
Wondering if it is good. What to buy, what to avoid?

 

[tvguy]

Been a customer for 18 years. Had their products for another 10 before that at my FIL's house. Almost everything is great. I can't remember specifics, but there have been a few things that were not to my taste. Quality was fine, just wasn't my favoarite.

The negatives.
1) They tend to discontinue popular items. How they could discontinue Black Jack Cherry ice Cream is beyond me, it's a flavor Schwans is known for. The creamed spinach was to die for as was the Tempura Battered Shrimp. Our driver would sell out of those items on a daily basis.

2) At least locally, they seem to want to re-do the routes and delivery days and times every few years. Then they end up back to the original schedule after a few months because whatever new manager back at the depot who wanted to redo do everything, discovered, THERE WAS A REASON for things being setup the way they were.

3) They are pushing hard to get people to pre-order on the internet. They offer discounts for that. The idea being, most of the inventory on the truck are items that are pre-sold. No cost of carrying inventory. The issue with that is, Schwans items are an impulse buy. The driver is at your door, and you suddenly have to have those ice cream bars, etc. Not as a big an issue out here in California, but I was back 3 weeks ago to my in laws in rural Texas and their driver says that is killing him. First, 65% of his highest spending customers....DON'T HAVE THE INTERNET! And most of them don't think about what they want until the driver is on their door step.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Interesting! I didn't even know you could buy off the truck. I assumed you have to preorder and they deliver it. Good to know! I will probably preorder but I could see myself with some add ons last minute.
My mom used to buy a lot of the ice cream items when I was a kid. I want some frozen meal stock ups for post baby and thought this may be a good way to get some variety.

 

[LJSquishy]

My in-laws have been huge Schwan's customers for years. Most of the items are incredibly unhealthy. By that, I mean chicken breast injected with liquid "stuff" and other high sodium foods. Personally, I think the quality is on par with other frozen food. My husband likes the boneless teriyaki chicken wing things (they're like chicken nuggets) but they're terrible for you and now he's gluten free so can't steal them from his parents chest freezer anymore. My in-laws buy the frozen chicken breast fillets because they're "perfectly portioned and individually wrapped"...well, they're full of sodium liquid and when you cook them a ton of liquid leaks out. They're not just regular chicken breasts like from the grocery store.

Everyone seems to like their ice cream (we prefer Ben & Jerry's pints ourselves), their pizzas, and I think their rice bowls (??) are popular maybe. I know my in-laws frequently buy the teriyaki chicken wing things, chicken breasts (full of liquid), salmon fillets (which are low quality salmon, Keta I think? Which is considered chum salmon!), and I remember just seeing some turkey w/gravy box in their freezer the other day. They buy tons of other stuff also, but I don't eat any of it so I'm not sure what's good. About 4 years ago they had an offer for new customers to try $20 of free stuff so I ordered a couple of things and it was just gross...no different than other frozen meals/tv dinners at the grocery store. Now, they do offer a few healthy items like frozen veggies, but it's cheaper to buy those at the store.

Yes, you can order directly off of the truck when they show up at your door -- they don't carry all of the items on the truck, though. Sometimes they're also out of certain items so depending on what you want, you might be better off preordering. I do know that it's incredibly hard to get rid of them!!! They will NOT leave you alone if you decide to not buy from them anymore. My parents tried them a few times many years ago and they kept knocking at the door for years. When I tried the new customer promotion I had to stop answering the door because they wouldn't go away (after I told them I didn't like the quality and wouldn't be ordering more). It's also very expensive...obviously you're paying for convenience which is certainly worth something, but it adds up quick!

 

[usnuzuloose]

Been a customer for 18 years. Had their products for another 10 before that at my FIL's house. Almost everything is great. I can't remember specifics, but there have been a few things that were not to my taste. Quality was fine, just wasn't my favoarite.

The negatives.
1) They tend to discontinue popular items. How they could discontinue Black Jack Cherry ice Cream is beyond me, it's a flavor Schwans is known for. The creamed spinach was to die for as was the Tempura Battered Shrimp. Our driver would sell out of those items on a daily basis.

2) At least locally, they seem to want to re-do the routes and delivery days and times every few years. Then they end up back to the original schedule after a few months because whatever new manager back at the depot who wanted to redo do everything, discovered, THERE WAS A REASON for things being setup the way they were.

3) They are pushing hard to get people to pre-order on the internet. They offer discounts for that. The idea being, most of the inventory on the truck are items that are pre-sold. No cost of carrying inventory. The issue with that is, Schwans items are an impulse buy. The driver is at your door, and you suddenly have to have those ice cream bars, etc. Not as a big an issue out here in California, but I was back 3 weeks ago to my in laws in rural Texas and their driver says that is killing him. First, 65% of his highest spending customers....DON'T HAVE THE INTERNET! And most of them don't think about what they want until the driver is on their door step.

I love schwans. You are fortunate, they don't deliver in our area. I really like the shrimp and their ice cream.

 

[tvguy]

My in-laws have been huge Schwan's customers for years. Most of the items are incredibly unhealthy. By that, I mean chicken breast injected with liquid "stuff" and other high sodium foods. Personally, I think the quality is on par with other frozen food. My husband likes the boneless teriyaki chicken wing things (they're like chicken nuggets) but they're terrible for you and now he's gluten free so can't steal them from his parents chest freezer anymore. My in-laws buy the frozen chicken breast fillets because they're "perfectly portioned and individually wrapped"...well, they're full of sodium liquid and when you cook them a ton of liquid leaks out. They're not just regular chicken breasts like from the grocery store.

Everyone seems to like their ice cream (we prefer Ben & Jerry's pints ourselves), their pizzas, and I think their rice bowls (??) are popular maybe. I know my in-laws frequently buy the teriyaki chicken wing things, chicken breasts (full of liquid), salmon fillets (which are low quality salmon, Keta I think? Which is considered chum salmon!), and I remember just seeing some turkey w/gravy box in their freezer the other day. They buy tons of other stuff also, but I don't eat any of it so I'm not sure what's good. About 4 years ago they had an offer for new customers to try $20 of free stuff so I ordered a couple of things and it was just gross...no different than other frozen meals/tv dinners at the grocery store. Now, they do offer a few healthy items like frozen veggies, but it's cheaper to buy those at the store.

Yes, you can order directly off of the truck when they show up at your door -- they don't carry all of the items on the truck, though. Sometimes they're also out of certain items so depending on what you want, you might be better off preordering. I do know that it's incredibly hard to get rid of them!!! They will NOT leave you alone if you decide to not buy from them anymore. My parents tried them a few times many years ago and they kept knocking at the door for years. When I tried the new customer promotion I had to stop answering the door because they wouldn't go away (after I told them I didn't like the quality and wouldn't be ordering more). It's also very expensive...obviously you're paying for convenience which is certainly worth something, but it adds up quick!

Check your chicken at the store....most (not all, but most) fresh chicken is injected with the same sodium solution. It's on the label. After all the bacteria outbreaks they almost had to go with the sodium solution to stop bacteria growth.
No doubt, some of their stuff is not health food. Their items marked 'Live Smart" are much better.
Oh, those boneless teriyaki chicken wings are the BOMB!

i have had several of my neighbors sign up for...... and drop, and then sign up for Schwans. My driver cried when Schwans dropped the Black Jack Cherry ice cream......he had 4 sales of that every 2 weeks on my street.

 

[tvguy]

I love schwans. You are fortunate, they don't deliver in our area. I really like the shrimp and their ice cream.

My wife's Grandfather lived in southeastern Illinois in a very small town. They don't deliver there either, the truck parks at a gas station for several hours and people come to the truck. There were signs up "Schwans Truck will be here this Wednesday from 2 to 4 pm". Went through Fairfield, there must have been 20 people lined up at the Schwans truck.

 

[dbrn]

I order from them. I like their Live Smart line and their ice cream. My husband is the one who tends to place the in-person impulse orders. I like to pre-order online and use the points I earn for savings on future orders. I've liked most things I've gotten. They do have a guarantee, and if there's something you don't like, you can return what's left and they'll refund your money. I did that only once - I had purchased some pre-cooked bratwurst, and the one I tried was so salty I knew we wouldn't eat the rest. They took the rest back, no problem. I think they have a new version of those, now.

I like a lot of their seasonal items, and like someone upthread said, they do tend to discontinue things I really like. I don't understand it, but it does happen.

 

[usnuzuloose]

My wife's Grandfather lived in southeastern Illinois in a very small town. They don't deliver there either, the truck parks at a gas station for several hours and people come to the truck. There were signs up "Schwans Truck will be here this Wednesday from 2 to 4 pm". Went through Fairfield, there must have been 20 people lined up at the Schwans truck.

I may have to get in line….

 

[LJSquishy]

Check your chicken at the store....most (not all, but most) fresh chicken is injected with the same sodium solution. It's on the label. After all the bacteria outbreaks they almost had to go with the sodium solution to stop bacteria growth.
No doubt, some of their stuff is not health food. Their items marked 'Live Smart" are much better.
Oh, those boneless teriyaki chicken wings are the BOMB!

i have had several of my neighbors sign up for...... and drop, and then sign up for Schwans. My driver cried when Schwans dropped the Black Jack Cherry ice cream......he had 4 sales of that every 2 weeks on my street.

Yes, you are so right! A lot of chicken at the store is also injected with the sodium solution. Mine is not...I buy organic pastured local chicken. But it might make others think twice about the quality of their chicken so thank you for bringing that up.

 

[dalmatian7]

I love the ice cream, but agree that they discontinue popular stuff. They had a cinnamon flavor at christmas a few years ago that was so much better with pie than straight vanilla. never carried it again. I am lucky, the woman I work with has her order delivered here so if I want anything, I just add on to her order. I sometimes keep something in the freezer from them for an emergency but the high salt in a lot of items is concerning. The ice cream is great though.

 

[Lori74]

Been a customer for 18 years. Had their products for another 10 before that at my FIL's house. Almost everything is great. I can't remember specifics, but there have been a few things that were not to my taste. Quality was fine, just wasn't my favoarite.

The negatives.
1) They tend to discontinue popular items. How they could discontinue Black Jack Cherry ice Cream is beyond me, it's a flavor Schwans is known for. The creamed spinach was to die for as was the Tempura Battered Shrimp. Our driver would sell out of those items on a daily basis.

2) At least locally, they seem to want to re-do the routes and delivery days and times every few years. Then they end up back to the original schedule after a few months because whatever new manager back at the depot who wanted to redo do everything, discovered, THERE WAS A REASON for things being setup the way they were.

3) They are pushing hard to get people to pre-order on the internet. They offer discounts for that. The idea being, most of the inventory on the truck are items that are pre-sold. No cost of carrying inventory. The issue with that is, Schwans items are an impulse buy. The driver is at your door, and you suddenly have to have those ice cream bars, etc. Not as a big an issue out here in California, but I was back 3 weeks ago to my in laws in rural Texas and their driver says that is killing him. First, 65% of his highest spending customers....DON'T HAVE THE INTERNET! And most of them don't think about what they want until the driver is on their door step.

my parents used to get them when i was a kid. i thought it was pretty good, sad to hear no more black cherry ice cream! do they still come every 2 weeks whether you order online or not?

 

[tvguy]

my parents used to get them when i was a kid. i thought it was pretty good, sad to hear no more black cherry ice cream! do they still come every 2 weeks whether you order online or not?

Yes, they come every 2 weeks even without an order.

 

[Manda_Lizabeth]

Golden Nugget bars have been my favorite! I have had those over 15 years now!

 

[usnuzuloose]

Yes, they come every 2 weeks even without an order.

Can you pick up an order from the company? I never asked them that.

 

[yoopermom]

Schwann's Bagel Dogs--my DH and DS would walk over hot coals for those puppies!

 

[tvguy]

Can you pick up an order from the company? I never asked them that.

They don't a public retail location. You have to buy off the truck or order in advance and have the truck deliver it. However, I do think they will UPS or FedEx you an order , packed in dry ice.

 

[usnuzuloose]

They don't a public retail location. You have to buy off the truck or order in advance and have the truck deliver it. However, I do think they will UPS or FedEx you an order , packed in dry ice.

Thanks for the reply, probably cost me more to ship than the food.

 

[Lori74]

Yes, they come every 2 weeks even without an order.

thank you

 

[PsychoCelloChica]

I hate to admit it... but their pizza rolls (which it sadly looks as though they've been discontinued), mini pizzas, and quesadillas got me through college.

I haven't had Schwans in over a decade, but now you're making me nostalgic.