2008.07.10
The RT lunch ladies (and one lunch guy)
We used to run a little wire piece in Inside Out every Thursday where several women who called themselves the "Lunch Ladies" would eat and rate convenience food products like frozen dinners.
I had to think of the Lunch Ladies recently when I received a huge box packed with four frozen dinners inside a styrofoam cooler. The brand was Claim Jumper, which owns a chain of restaurants out West. They have also staked a claim in the land of frozen foods, and although you can't find one of their restaurants in our area, you can now purchase their frozen dinners, pies and other goods at local grocery stores.
They looked pretty good in the boxes, which were huge. The flavors were Chicken Marsala, Cheese Ravioli, Beef Pot Pie and Shrimp Scampi. I believe they go for around $4 or $5.
Four co-workers agreed to eat and rate the frozen dinners. Check out our ratings (on a scale of 1-5) after the jump, then tell me whether you think you'll try Claim Jumper frozen foods sometime soon. If you have already tried them, feel free to add your own ratings!
Claim Jumper Cheese Ravioli Parmigiana
Reviewed by Stephanie Ogilvie, Inside Out/travel editor
Appearance: 3
Comments: The pasta and sauce looked hearty and delicious, but the water in the bottom of the dish after it was microwaved was a turn-off.
Texture: 4
Comments: The pasta --- both the ravioli and the spiral pasta included --- was a satisfying al dente.
Flavor: 3
Comments: I expected more Parmesan/Romano flavor (which is touted on the box) --- instead, I got that canned-Chef Boyardee tomato aftertaste.
Overall: 3
Comments: Pretty decent --- the ricotta-filled-ravioli saved the dish, and the serving size was generous. However, the sauce needs a more of a garlicky punch, and the spiral pasta is just cheap filler. The most important question: Would I actually buy it for future lunches? Eh --- probably not.
Claim Jumper Chicken Marsala
Reviewed by Kathy Lu, features editor
1. Appearance: 3
Comments: It's not the prettiest looking dish -- slices of chicken in light brown sauce -- but I guess Chicken Marsala is supposed to be that way.
2. Texture: 4
Comments: Large rigatoni pasta doesn't get over-mushy (but it doesn't keep its shape like the picture on the box). The chicken actually looks and tastes like sliced chicken breast and is also in large pieces. Mushrooms were there, but in small bits.
3. Flavor: 2.5
Comments: The sauce does taste like it has Marsala wine in it, but I think it's a bit too much. I appreciate the effort, but it just makes me think of how exactly did they do that and I don't want to know.
4. Overall: 2.5
Comments: The sodium content is high: 47 percent of your daily value. After a few bites, you can definitely taste this. Also, while the portion size is pretty large, I'm not sure it's worth the 700+ calories. (Box says 360 calories per serving, and there's about 2 servings in one).
I've seen that brand in the store but never purchased it. I agree with Wendy, if I'm going to indulge in a bunch of fat and calories it definitely won't be with a frozen entree! One look at the nutritional label on those things is enough to make you gag!
Comment by Kim — July 10, 2008 @ 11:37 am
I miss the Lunch Ladies, I enjoyed their reviews.
I'd never heard of this company before, and after reading the reviews, I believe I'll pass. For any soup fans out there, I highly recommend the Soup Man's frozen soups. Especially the Italian Wedding soup.
Comment by Debbie — July 10, 2008 @ 11:58 am
Ha ha! I don't like frozen microwave dinners. But great job reviewers! Very entertaining!
Comment by Michelle — July 10, 2008 @ 12:48 pm
Fat doesn't make you fat. Carbs make you fat. Fat makes your arteries fat.
Comment by Henry — July 10, 2008 @ 1:01 pm
Wow - you guys are braver than me.
I will be blogging about fresh peaches this week, much nicer to consume! lol
Comment by Amy Hanek — July 10, 2008 @ 2:04 pm
Actually, too many calories makes you fat.
Simple equation: calories consumed > calories burned = shopping for bigger clothes.
Foods that are high in fat are almost always high in calories. Same can usually be said for carbs. But you need both in your diet. So balance is the key.
Sign me: Dieting veteran still losing the battle.
Comment by Nona — July 10, 2008 @ 2:41 pm
I agree w/ Michelle! Good job, reviewers, it WAS entertaining! After reading what Wendy said about the texture of her test meal, I can tell you that that stuff is one of the LAST things you'll see this ole boy buy and eat!
Comment by Dennis — July 10, 2008 @ 5:20 pm
Oy vey! The fat and sodium content were outrageous! I can't stand meals that are marketed as a single when they're meant for TWO. People aren't going to share a microwavable meal. Sheesh! I'd rather make a few extra servings of my own meals and package them for myself.
Comment by Amy T — July 10, 2008 @ 6:53 pm
FYI: The Claim Jumper restaurant servings are like Cracker Barrel on steroids. The servings are HUGE; it is definitely NOT a "health food" restaurant. I suspect their frozen meals are not "health food" either.
Comment by Joel — July 11, 2008 @ 8:49 am
I agree with Joel.
And to add my two-cents I wouldn't consider very many frozen food items healthy choices.
Comment by Amy Hanek — July 11, 2008 @ 11:30 am