This too is Yonkers—by Eric Schoen
What has been missing in the conversation about tariffs being imposed on goods coming into the country is that the Trump Administration is in the process of increasing tariffs on Chicken Nuggets entering our shores.
As the world responds to increased tariffs imposed on cars, steel, metal and numerous other items, there has been little mention of the increased tariff on Chicken nuggets. This is a tariff that is going to affect most American families. Shortages will be felt by consumers, and the government may have to limit the number of chicken nuggets American families will be able to purchase and consume.
The President likes meatloaf, so at this point there is little talk of increasing tariffs on meatloaf coming into the United States. Now that I have upset at least 50% of you, I hope you realize. that I am kidding. But before we explore summer bargains for you to enjoy, I have to discuss America’s obsession with chicken nuggets.
I see it every time I go out for dinner with friends. The first thing they do is scan the menu to make sure that chicken nuggets Or strips are on it so the kids are happy. If I am out for dinner at a family friendly restaurant 9 out of 10 times the kids at the next table are eating chicken nuggets and fries.
I hadn’t had chicken nuggets from the place where most Americans get their nuggets in a child friendly box with a toy in ages. I tried them twice over the last month and, fresh out of the fryer they were cold and far from appetizing. So tell me, what is America’s obsession with chicken nuggets?
If you must do McDonald’s, the Signature Sandwiches and the Quarter Pounders are now made with fresh beef, cooked to order. Basically the beef is not sitting in grease on the grill for hours. You can taste the difference.
If you are on the go you must download the McDonald’s app on your phone. This week’s deals Include any size Iced Coffee for $1 (the sugar free French vanilla is my fave), fresh beef quarter pound hamburgers for $1, and coupons for $2 or $3 off $10 purchase (salads included).
Another thing I can’t understand is how parents can buy their kids $5 frappe type drinks at the store famous for them every time a new, bizarre flavor is introduced and becomes a fad. Do you realize the sugar content of these drinks? Many contain caffeine. Wonder why the kids are jumping up and down and won’t fall asleep?
If your child must have a Frap, order it with made with skim milk, sugar free syrup and hold the whipped cream. And the store famous for fraps has a happy hour on Thursday or Friday where Fraps and other drinks are half price.
Bargain time! Many restaurants in our area are on Groupon offering discounts up to 50% off your dining. Louie and Johnnies (Try the chicken scarpiello), Tombolino on Kimball Avenue (a Yonkers institution), DeCostas on Yonkers Avenue, Yonkers Brewery, San Martino (another Yonkers institution) And Rancho Grande (great fajitas) are just a few of them. It sells out quickly but what better time of the year to enjoy X20 on the Yonkers Waterfront overlooking the Hudson River than during the summer. Various Groupon options include $83 for 2 for a multi course dinner, and they still have a great prix fixe lunch For a little over $25. Best bargain in Yonkers!
Movies have gotten so expensive when you add soda and popcorn that at least for the movie portion you can save by going the right day of the week. Cross County and Ridge Hill and White Plains movie theaters are $8.50 all day Tuesday. Tuesday is also the discount night for Bowtie Cinemas in Bronxville and Greenburgh. $7 buys you a ticket on Tuesday.
Alamo in Yonkers has a $9 Tuesday ticket deal. Make sure you are getting points in the respective theaters rewards card programs entitling you to free movie tickets or free popcorn.
Check out Bargain matinees and senior pricing if Tuesday’s don’t work for you.
Some excellent documentaries are out there if you are tired of things flying and exploding on the screen. A documentary about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, RBG gives you an interesting perspective on her life. Three Identical Strangers about 3 boys separated at birth was at times riveting and at times disturbing. Won’t You Be My Neighbor about everyone’s favorite cardigan wearing gentleman and gentle man is the ‘feel good’ movie of the summer. With all that’s going on in the world, sometimes we need a feel good movie. The latest Jurassic Park Fallen Kingdom, Ant-Man and the Wasp and Incredibles 2 all are worthy of the price of admission, particularly on bargain days.
When was the last time you visited your local Library? Did you know that for certain categories of books during the summer they give you extra time to enjoy them. Have you downloaded a book onto your iPad of Kindle from the vast library selection. These downloads are free and many new and popular titles are available.
Lingerie Depot, part of the Romantic Depot chain of stores recently opened a superstore on Central Avenue. This store just has lingerie vs. their Bronx location for which there is, yes a Groupon. The Groupon for the Bronx location is good for Lingerie and ‘adult toys.’ The Yonkers location just has Lingerie. Could it be the owners think Yonkersites are not so adventurous? We wish them well.
CVS for some strange reason this week is very generous with their extra bucks. Every time I go into make a purchase I am rewarded with $5, $6, $9 of extra bucks I was not expecting. I guess competition in the health and beauty aid field is intensifying. Always make sure to scan your card when making a purchase.
Discount gift cards offered by companies including Gift Card Granny and Gift Card Zen offer discounts in the 10-15% range for stores you shop in and many restaurants, mostly chains that you eat in.
An interesting article in the papers recently compared many Power or energy bars to snickers bars because of high sugar content. Look for bars with low sugar and in particular low added sugar content, and low calories and high protein. The protein gives you the energy you want which is why you are eating the bar in the first place.
I’ve gotten this far without discussion of the best Happy Hours to give you a push to lose weight this summer. Just remember you can eat healthy at most Happy Hours by staying away from complex sugar laden drinks and removing bread from sandwiches. Gotta look good in that bikini! And lingerie!
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericyonkers. Listen to Eric Schoen and Dan Murphy on the Westchester Rising Radio Show Thursday’s from 10-11 a.m. On WVOX 1460 AM or download the SIMPLE RADIO app for free from the APP STORE
