McKinnon’s Market and Super Butcher Shop officially opened on September 2, 2011 at the Southgate Plaza shopping center in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. But it was not until sometime in May 2012 that I ventured in for the first time. I work on Lafayette Road (Route 1), a few doors down from McKinnon’s, and often get lunch at Subway or Shio Restaurant, which flank either side of the market. I rarely use my lunch break to shop for groceries, particularly those that need to be refrigerated for the remainder of the workday. So I didn’t visit McKinnon’s until many months after it opened. Finally my curiosity got the better of me and I went in. I am glad I did, because they have a wonderful salad bar which I’ve been enjoying at least once or twice a week since.
My first impression of McKinnon’s was sheer amazement. I walked into a large area full of what looked like enough fresh meat to feed the entire city. Two long rows of open freezers are stuffed with a wide variety of packaged meat. To the right, there is the fish counter and sushi area. Toward the back of the market, there is the deli and hot, prepared foods. McKinnon’s also has a lot of refrigerated, prepared meals available to take home and heat. They include salmon, turkey, and roast beef meals, pasta dishes, and prepared salads. I rounded the corner, thinking that if they have prepared foods, they must have a salad bar! And I was right. Before me was a beautiful salad bar. It had a large variety of veggies on one side, and meat, fruit, and seeds/nuts on the other.
I’ve been buying salads at McKinnon’s regularly since my first visit. The price is $5.49 per pound, as of today. I haven’t noticed the price fluctuate at all. I appreciate that the salad bar has big chunks of grilled chicken plus turkey and ham. The salad bar also includes peas, corn, two kinds of sprouts, guacamole, sundried tomatoes, fresh berries, fresh pineapple, fresh watermelon, stemmed black cherries, flaxseed, sunflower seeds, and seaweed salad, among other items. The offerings change slightly from day to day, but for the most part, they stay the same. This salad bar is better than Philbrick’s (a fresh food market on Lafayette Road in Portsmouth), because the Philbrick’s salad bar usually only offers one type of meat that is not tossed with mayonnaise – turkey meat. And more often than not, they are out of turkey meat! Also, Philbrick’s salad bar is smaller and does not offer fresh fruit. I would guess that when people choose to eat salad, they do not want fattening, mayo-laced chicken salad or pasta salad. They want lean meat. I have often been disappointed by Philbrick’s salad bar because they are so often out of lean meat.
After creating a salad on my first visit, I perused the rest of the store. The market has a soup station, which offers three or four different types of hot soup. The grocery area is smaller than a regular supermarket, but it still has all the essentials – bread, dairy, produce, canned goods, cereal, and so on. The produce looks fresh, and the prices are reasonable, though most of it is packaged. There is a large beer and wine section. I was amused to find a display of cheese cubes and toothpicks near the wine section. I’ve seen different types of cheese samples since then. Near the wine section there is also an olive bar, which has a beautiful selection, including blue cheese stuffed olives and stuffed cherry peppers.
The store is set up as a large U. The checkout area is not visible when you walk in. You must walk through the store and back up to the front of the building to get to the checkout area. This exit area is a little crowded, but fully functioning. I have never had to wait to check out. The checkout area is always generously staffed (unlike some other stores), and there are always at least three checkouts open. The Customer Service desk attendant sometimes calls out to any waiting customers, inviting them to checkout at the desk if they only have a few items. I often see the store manager in the checkout area, making sure everything is running smoothly.
One wonderful feature of this store is the seating area in front of the checkout area, which is separated from the store by a low partition. This area offers a microwave, plastic utensils, and napkins to customers who want to heat up their meals, sit and eat. There are tables flanking the outer wall, under the windows, and a bar area with a few stools facing the store area. Often there are stacks of free local publications to read. I am impressed that McKinnon’s offers this dining area to its customers.
Overall, I have found McKinnon’s to be a happy place to visit. I look forward to grabbing a salad there, or picking up bread, fruit, or soda to take home with me after work. Everything I have bought from McKinnon’s has been fresh and of high quality. I am so glad to have discovered this store!
