Schwan's food delivery

[taximomfor4]

I have been buying from the same driver for 10 yrs now. Some of their ice creams are wonderful (the regular ice cream sandwiches, YUM!)

Also, I Love vegetables. Schwans broccoli is the best! All florets, no empty stems.

I feel terrible that we've been really economizing lately so I've bought nothing the past 2 times our driver came. I really need more vegetables though.

Also, we buy their frozen pizzas for those hectic weeknights. They are like 3 for $10.

Also, a regular purchase is the tater rounds. Quick, inexpensive side dish for when we need one!

Beth

 

[angelmav]

They do have the best frozen pizza's I have ever had and their ice cream is amazing ( I love the rasberry rumble!) but they are on the pricey side, and even some of the things that are really high quality its tough to justify because the portions sizes can be small on some things. We havent bought from them in awhile though I see the trucks in our neighborhood on a regular basis.

 

[kangareaux]

Budget tip:

Most of their *novelty ice cream* (including their ice cream sandwiches and push-ups) are made by Blue Bunny. MUCH cheaper to buy it in the grocery store.

Oh....if it doesn't taste as good from the grocery store it's because grocery stores aren't as *vigilent* about maintaining constant steady temps for their frozen food. The least bit of thaw can have an effect on the taste and consistancy of their novelty ice creams. (That's why Schwann's ice cream sandwiches have that *snap* when you bite into them and most times blue bunny ones do not. The temp hasn't been maintained properly and the outside gets soft.)


ETA: Their frozen pizzas are made by Red baron.

 

[angelmav]

Budget tip:

Most of their *novelty ice cream* (including their ice cream sandwiches and push-ups) are made by Blue Bunny. MUCH cheaper to buy it in the grocery store.

Oh....if it doesn't taste as good from the grocery store it's because grocery stores aren't as *vigilent* about maintaining constant steady temps for their frozen food. The least bit of thaw can have an effect on the taste and consistancy of their novelty ice creams. (That's why Schwann's ice cream sandwiches have that *snap* when you bite into them and most times blue bunny ones do not. The temp hasn't been maintained properly and the outside gets soft.)


ETA: Their frozen pizzas are made by Red baron.

Actually, you have that backwards, as Red Baron is made by Schwans, not the other way around. Generally speaking, they are pretty comparable in price, but I like the schwans version better. Have to compare the packaging to see if their is any difference in ingrediants between the two or if it comes down to freshness/handling of getting it delivered vs the frozen food aisle which makes for a better end product.

 

[undertheradar]

We just ended service with them due to the fuel surcharge added to orders here in SOCAL. That dollar added for the cost of fuel is taxed here in California. After paying roughly $8.00 per pound for chicken(delicious), there was no justification for the surcharge. Many store brands are owned by Schwans, not just Red Baron.

 

[Todd&Copper]

A quick peek at their prices for meats leads me to believe they are quite a bit more expensive than just buying at the grocery store and stocking up during a good sale.
The prepared foods too - their version of "Hot Pockets" is more than 33% more expensive than the store, and the TV dinners too.
The "special recipe" pizzas are $5 each - pizzas that size go on sale for $3 at MOST at the local store [and usually 4/$10].
The frozen veggies seems pricey, too, but I haven't bought frozen veggies in months.
I personally wouldn't do this Schwann's thing b/c I can get better deals for healthier foods at my local store, and having a pressure cooker has saved me tons of time when it comes to making dinner. I like fresh food better than frozen in general, so a lot of the food on the Schwann's site doesn't interest me. I can also stick to a list [i.e., buy no junk food] and have no problem with doing prep work on the weekend so dinners go more smoothly during the week.

 

[pixiedustforever]

we've never used them - but - have seen the Schwan's driver
running stop signs in our neighborhood.

Maybe he's trying to save on gas?

Pixiedustforever

 

[gilby]

I use to buy from them until I found out they charge a fuel surcharge on delivering to our house.

 

[musicmama]

Started buying from them because of my sister - she uses them! We have become "addicted" to the pre-cooked frozen Angus steakburgers. While a bit pricey, they are better than the Angus steakburgers that used to be at Burger King. Microwaveable, but they taste like grilled ones!

I only buy certain things - the burgers and individually wrapped chicken breasts are my staples, as well as some of the veggies. Also, the fudgsicles are great buy compared to the stores in our area. I order online, and while there's a $1.00 surcharge for delivery, the 5% discount for online ordering more than cancels that out!

Unfortunately, I haven't seen our guy in the last 3 trips - he's been there during the day while I'm at work. Otherwise, I'd probably be buying a couple more impulse things, as he frequently has good truck specials.

 

[Fire14]

I personally find the quaiity of the food has gone down and the prices have gone up and with the way our drivers have been so inconsistant in coming I couldn't count on them for meals.
I love red baron pizza but I hate Schwan pizzas now as last few I had were gross tasting.

When my DH worked for Schwan they made 11% comm. and worked 16 hr days quite frequently.

 

[EvanMaddieMouse]

We used to order regularly, but like most people, are trying to cut corners. Also, we got a new delivery guy. Our previous guy just filled our order, was nice but not too chatty, and went on his way. This new guy is pushy, pushy, pushy, always trying to upsell every item. I'll say something like, "This isn't something the kids would like," and he'll say, "Well try it, I bet they'll eat it." No, I'm not going to pay $13.99 for something that I know my kids won't eat. They're not very picky, but what they don't like, they don't like.

Anyway, search the site and see what you think: www.schwans.com. I think you get something as a bonus for your first order. I have found that : we don't like the pizzas, we just had the chicken/broccoli/fettucine alfredo for dinner and nobody liked it; we love the ice cream, esp the fudge marble one; DD loves the popcorn chicken. Also, DH said the steak pockets are so good, they're the best frozen sandwich he's ever had.

Give it a try for one order, see what you think.

 

[CindyKansas]

We really like the Shrimp and Broccoli Alfredo Meal Kit. I try to have a bag on hand at all times since it's a quick and easy meal. I do feel that some of their things are pricey.

 

[bonybroad]

We have Schwan's every other week, and they added a $5 fuel charge last year. Verypricey stuff, but my kids like their chicken and ice cream

 

[Cup Cake]

I used to buy a few things, but I realized I could get basically the same stuff at the grocery store or Sam's Club for way less.

The delivery charge is what pushed me over the edge.

Getting them to stop coming was quite the ordeal. It was like trying to get out of the mob.

 

[moneysaver79]

Just wanted to share a coupon i just got- $10 off order of $50 or more at Schwans. Yummy great food-especially for kids. Expires at end of december

 

[mombare]

We haven't had Schwan's for a while, but this is what I found. It was exciting to start with because it was convenient...but that wore off when we realized how much money we were spending. I think everyone knows it is more expensive, but you are paying for the convenience. That being said...I always felt guilty about not buying anything because these guys work their tails off!!
My parents have always been regulars of Schwans until lately, but that is because they went on a huge health kick. Over the summer they would just show up at our house (2 blocks away) and say they saw the Schwan's man pull into town and needed to leave before he showed up! It's the "Minnesota nice" thing...

 

[jax677]

They can be expensive, but their boneless skinless chicken breast are amazing. They are 100% more tender than any store bought breast. I have tried others hoping to find the same quality with less price. Nope. I don't buy anything besides the chicken and on occasion their french fries.

 

[HeatherC]

Do you have a grocery store that delivers? Here in Massachusetts we have Peapod from Stop and Shop. Prices are not too bad and you can order what you want online and then tell them when you want it delivered.

I don't use it a lot, but have found that it definitely cuts down on impulse buying since it is all done on the computer. It's easy to see what you have in your cart and add or subtract items to stay within budget.

 

[JamesMom]

We use Schwaans. My husband's dinners are Schwaan about 1/2 the week! (I cook for the kids and they eat different stuff). It is a little pricey but is better that fast food for about the same price. I buy the frozen veggies and the TV dinner like meals. The kids like the ice cream sundae cups. Only $1 fuel charge here in TX.

 

[rangermom]

We buy from them every two weeks. It has been a great since we live 1.5 hours from the grocery store. They are pricey, so we do pick and chose. I love the little pretzles with cheese. They make great snacks for the kids. We get the ice cream and items that do not travel well in an ice chest. I just got the seasonal flavor peppermint ice cream yesterday. It is very good. As stated before Blue Bell is the best, just can't make the trip.

We do not normally get the meals. To us they are not worth the money. We only eat out once or twice a month when we go to town, since there really are no resturants around here. So we do not have a eating out budget.