Fry's Marketplace

The first time I walked into our local Fry’s Marketplace [out on Dove Valley in North Phoenix] to get some groceries, I saw something that my [four] eyes ha d trouble comprehending. I’m going to categorizing this post under “Wine with Wixy” I mean I guess all of my posts are technically “Wine with Wixy” material, but I am using that title as more of a "miscellaneous" category. You know... subjects that do not neatly fit into any of my other categories. [also because I want to and because I can!! LOL] As previously stated, I have never in my life laid eyes on anything like this... a wine bar [or any other kind of alcohol served in a bar setting] inside of a grocery store!!

This is kind of genius if you ask me... I mean Shawn says he needs to go to NAPA auto parts and do I want to go with? [NAPA is in the same parking lot as Fry’s]. Shawn has just corrected me, it is an AutoZone. [and I have no problem getting into the zone.. haha] Yes dear, I will gladly ride along with you!! What... you want to stope to get gas before we go in for groceries [again across the parking lot from Fry’s… I mean it is a Fry's gas station] drop me off at the grocery store door, go and fill up... I’ll meet you at the bar!! Haha!!

You can sit at the actual bar, or snatch up one of the multiple tables in the bar area. [I always opted to sit at the bar since it was so novel to me, I was usually there by myself, and because it just made me feel special!!] There is even a place to park your cart if you happen to be here for actual grocery shopping. Once you’re seated, you can see the current wines available for a flight written on the chalk board for you to choose from.

They have plenty of beer on tap too, that is if you’d rather do a beer flight. [though I can’t imagine why anyone would do this!? Haha] The bartender gives you a paper and pencil to fill out your top four picks. You do this by putting the number that coincides with the name of the wine you want to taste on the paper. The chalk board also gives you a nice description of the wine and where it is from to help you decide. Then they serve your selections in the cutest little glasses, as seen above [and below and every other photo!! HA!!] Do not be fooled.. these are easily 2 oz pours!! 

Coolest thing is that they are continually changing the wine list, like maybe once a week. I don't know about any of you, but it seems like I need to go grocery shopping like maybe once a week or so... you can do the math!! Haha!! You can buy lunch from the deli, or grab a cheese/charcuterie board to take into the bar with you. You pay for your flight and any food you want [right at the bar register] when you order, then you can sit in the bar area to enjoy it with your wine or beer flight. If there is something from the list that you really like, the bottles are sitting around the bar area so you can just pick up your favorite[s] without having to walk around and search for it!!

You can also earn fuel points... if you have your Fry's card or a registered phone number, they will enter it at the bar register and tada... you've just earned fuel points for drinking wine!! As I said before... this is kinda genius if you ask me!! I used to frequent the Fry’s wine bar pretty regularly... but once they [after what seemed like a painfully long time to wait] re-opened again after being closed for covid, they weren’t changing their wine selections nearly as often... [prolly like only once a month ] so I didn't stop by quite as often.

I always loved going during special occasions and holidays. [and by "special occasions" I really just mean any day that I'm not working... hahaha] They do a great job at having holiday themed charcuterie available, and cute little boards you could get for any day of the week!! It almost reminds me of the penny candy store when I was a kid... you go carefully pick out your charcuterie and then choose your wines!!

Next week you are in for another masterful painting treat!! Why don't we go ahead and call it “Art Therapy for Me!?” [cause honestly, I think doing anything while drinking wine is therapeutic!! HA!!]

Cheers to you my wine loving friends, and TTFN!!