Here's the thing. This market is very white and privileged. I mean the people who shop here. I mean that's what it is. And I say that without critique. It's not overtly racist or anything. It's just the culture that comes here.
I suppose that's why a lot of people refer to their tri-tip as "Cardiff Crack" - because the "joke" is that nobody in Cardiff is a crackhead with crack cocaine so they have to be addicted to expensive marinated meat instead? Because rich people don't do crack? They do meat?
I don't understand it. That said, I think the market consciously does not promote the term (though maybe acquiescence to its prevalence (have seen it on the news referred to as such) perhaps indicates some allowance of its spread).
It's disgusting actually, the term. I've seen people addicted to crack, covered in scabs, itching, crying, mad, pants and clothes soaked in their own body waste, punching each other, doing whatever it takes for one more hit.
Nobody at Seaside Market looks like this.
I urge people to stop calling it "crack". Call it amazing privileged people food marinated tri-tip or something. Rich Meat?
Their tri-tip is delicious. Fantastically delicious, if you like red meat. Nothing, thankfully, like crack cocaine. They grill it outside and sell sandwiches during the day it seems. You can also buy a big raw marinated chunk of it inside at the meat counter. Amazing stuff. I'm drooling right now.
And it's nothing like coming down from a drug experience.
All that said, this is one of my favorite places to buy food.
Not only the tri-tip but their seafood, their poke is amazing and fresh, you can try anything you like, the guys behind the meat counter are super super friendly and are way into their jobs and will tell you how to cook whatever, advise you on the number of people coming, give you samples of things you haven't tried, everything.
They have a fancy wine selection, craft beers galore, tons of different sodas, an amazing produce section, spices, breads, an incredible cheese section with cheese chefs, etc.
And their prices are ok! I mean even compared to big chain supermarkets! And their things are way better!
I'm getting off topic here.
I like it. Though I feel weird when I shop there. Like I'm a poseur. A clandestine undercover low class snooper. That's on me, of course. Anyway, I know low class (my roots) and middle class and high class.
And part of me wants to start messing up their shelves, like pushing things around and stuff. But I don't. I don't think they have Velveeta here either. If you know what I mean. I looked for it but was too ashamed to ask for it.
There's something privileged people do and you can come here and watch for yourself, it happens all the time. Just watch people moving their carts around the store, and how they stand in line. They push. They grimace. They get upset when it's not their turn. They stare at your cart parked next to the oranges like it's a giant roadblock of burning tires (instead of just going around it). They push past you while you contemplate what organic greens to get. They push past you and grab those carrots. Get them! I might steal them from you! I might get them first! Maybe I'm deliberately just standing in your way, it's always been my life's goal, instead of shopping myself!
The push behinds in the lines to checkout are the worst. You roll your eyes when I don't jump up and grab the little plastic bar to separate our groceries and you decide you have to do it in this big show (my God! your life is so hard!!!). You push, ever so slightly, microaggressively, hover, watch me punch my ATM code in, can't wait for the clerk to give me my receipt so you can push forward, caring only about yourself. God forbid if you sign up for Seaside rewards while checking out there would be a riot of "oh jeez come on now"s. God forbid if you treat the clerk like a human being and wait for them to tell you about their day and how they are. People get violences!
They need to get home and show their rich friends all the rich goods they were about to get, out there in the harsh unforgiving world where some guy forgot his rewards card and filled out an application for a new one! Your raw shrimp could be getting warm waiting for this idiot!! This idiot didn't even bring his own bags! I clearly have 7 of them, canvas, they cost me $40 each, that say cool things like "Thailand" or "The Four Seasons grocery bag saving the environment"!!! Privilege!!
The unprivileged are used to standing around, not getting anything. They/we have more patience.
Anyway.
Seaside Market does not sell crack, let me get that straight.
It does foster and attract a culture of selfish richy-shouldn't-be-wearing-those-see-all-yoga-pants-please-for-the-love-of-my-eyes-privilegenessishness that you can and should go and study for yourself. It's really fascinating.
And you can also buy some high quality good tasting food and drink while you do. read more