Join the fall-in-love-with-Anchorage challenge

Notes on: Walmart's immaculate vibes, perfect avocados, the People's Carrs, the smoothest hummus, Tang ice cream, ordering Top Bop, "Feeding Ghosts" and other people's shopping carts.

I’m a rabid Anchorage-ophile. Maybe you think you’re not, but I promise this place is irresistible if you get on its wavelength. You’re in luck, because this summer I’ll be writing weekly about ways to fall in love with this authentic, weird AF, dog-eared little ‘burg.

First assignment, especially for food people: go to Midtown Walmart.

I went there last week looking for chana dal, which is Indian hulled chickpeas, because I am way down a hummus recipe rabbit hole (more later). You can find specific international groceries in about every strip mall here, but if you are short on time and looking to quickly score a variety of stuff at once, like oxtails, chana dal, a great tahini in a quantity you can afford and organic sticky rice, Walmart is your move.*

(*Red Apple in Mountain View rivals it, but is less conveniently located.)

View from the Walmart produce section. (Julia O’Malley)

I used to avoid Walmart because it pays so poorly, but now I figure no massive grocery chain wins any prizes …