I think it was DR Jane who asked if I couldn’t order the Cincinnati chili supplies online instead of only buying them when I’m there.
Yes, that’s totally possible. It’s just that for me the “real deal” kind of fun is stopping at a Kroger where I can get all the local stuff in “bulk”, and loading the car with it. The price is probably the best available, there’s no tax and shipping, and I simply enjoy the once or twice per year stocking up ritual.
What I never seem to think of doing is purchasing them at the restaurants themselves. I’ll check that out next time, but really, I enjoy the advantages of the large supermarkets.