First, I’ll state up front that I’m a big fan of flash-frozen meat and seafood, or “blast frozen,” as Wild Fork calls it — more on that later. This is especially true for seafood, as I’m much more comfortable with the quality and freshness of fish that has been frozen immediately rather than making a multi-day journey to my local market.
Of course, that doesn’t apply to fish straight off a local boat, but I still freeze much of that. When eaten within a month or so, I can hardly tell the difference. So, when I heard about the new Wild Fork store in Encinitas, where everything is frozen, of very high quality and at the lowest prices around, I had to check it out.
They describe themselves as “a modern-day meat and seafood market on a mission to change the way people shop for and eat protein,” and after researching their business model and visiting their Encinitas location, I’m convinced they’re onto something.
Wild Fork claims to have the best variety of meat and seafood anywhere, and when I walked into the store and started browsing, I’d have to agree. You can choose from over 700 products, including 450 meat and seafood items, ranging from everyday grocery staples to rare finds like premium Wagyu, exotic meats, game and just about every type of seafood, including, to my delight, Great Lakes perch!
Some notable offerings included quail, pheasant, veal chop, leg of lamb, duck, ostrich, ribs and much more. Most of their offerings can also be purchased through their robust online store.
I filled my bag with baby back ribs, mahi-mahi bites, ground beef, pork, and veal mix perfect for meatballs or meatloaf, Great Lakes perch and a marinated skirt steak ready for the grill. Upon defrosting, everything I mentioned was in perfect condition and ready to cook.
Given the season and my love for anything German and Oktoberfest-related, one standout product was their uncured weisswurst. Made with parsley and mild spices, typically ground veal and bacon, it literally translates to “white sausage.” This was fully cooked, defrosted quickly and was perfect for an Oktoberfest meal—it was one of the best sausages I’ve had.
I put an overnight dry rub on the ribs, cooked them low and slow at 200 degrees in the oven and finished them on the grill with a sweet sauce that caramelized nicely. The mahi-mahi bites were perfectly sized for fish tacos, so I battered them with panko and fried them in peanut oil to a delightful crunch. The resulting tacos were amazing.
I should also mention that all these items, like almost everything in the store, were priced lower than at other grocery stores in the area. Given the state of regular grocery prices these days, that’s another strong reason to check out Wild Fork.
In addition to meat and seafood, Wild Fork offers a wide variety of frozen appetizers, sides, seasonings, fruits, veggies, breads and desserts that pair perfectly with their proteins. Pre-seasoned meats prepped with chef-inspired flavors and heat-and-eat dishes, from microwaveable single-serve meals to larger oven-ready options, are also available.
I’d never heard the term “blast freezing,” so I did a bit of research. Compared to longer freezing processes that create larger ice crystals, which can damage food and affect its flavor, blast freezing preserves food quality by keeping ice crystals small through faster freezing times, resulting in less damage.
Wild Fork controls every step of its supply chain, from farm to fork, allowing it to offer the lowest prices without compromising quality. No coupons or bulk buying are needed to get the best prices.
Their fully frozen supply chain reduces food waste by up to 50%, passing the savings along to customers — a business model that makes sense on many levels.
I realize the grocery options in North County can be overwhelming, but Wild Fork offers something new and different. In my opinion, it should become a must-stop for families, single shoppers or anyone who values having a freezer stocked with high-quality, low-cost food. Plus, it’s a fun store to browse with its extensive offerings.
Blast freezing is changing the frozen food game, and with the variety, low prices and freezer-ready longevity, I’ll be making Wild Fork a regular stop.
Find the Encinitas store or shop online at www.wildforkfoods.com.
