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Reaching for the frozen pizza aisle more often these days to save a buck in tough times?

I hear you.

My question is whether the costliest frozen pizza is really the best tasting. Inquiring minds want to know.

We hope to answer that question soon by holding a frozen pizza taste test.

We’ll sample a dozen or so frozen pizzas found at Triad area grocery stores and see what the real deal is.

We’re also looking for some frozen pizza taste- test guinea pigs — er, “volunteers” — so let me know if you’re interested.

Details are still being worked out, but we’ll probably do it at the News & Record office off East Market Street in downtown Greensboro. Should be fun.

My hunch, if Consumer Reports’ recent coffee brand comparison is any indication, is the best tasting frozen pizza isn’t necessarily the most expensive.

In that study, Consumer Reports picked Eight O’Clock Coffee as the best coffee, although at least one other brand costs twice as much.

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Speaking of which, Harris Teeter is having a buy one 12-ounce package of Eight O’Clock Coffee, get one free deal until Tuesday.

Here’s a sampling of other grocery store deals (expire Tuesday unless otherwise noted):

* Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are $1.78 a pound at Compare Foods.

* Boneless beef top round London broil is $2.49 a pound at Lowes Foods.

Lowes Foods and Harris Teeter, by the way, also double manufacturers’ coupons up to 99 cents (limit 20).

* Five bottles of 8-ounce Wishbone salad dressings for $5 at Compare Foods.

* Twelve rolls of Charmin bath tissue or 8 rolls of Charmin paper towels for $5.99 at Compare Foods.

* By one Breyers ice cream, get one free at Food Lion and Lowes Foods.

* Cases of Miller Lite and Coors Light are $12.44 at Food Lion (limit 2).

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So maybe you’ve had enough of frozen pizza. But you can’t stomach the restaurant tab in these days of belt-tightening.

If that’s the case, you might want to check out some pretty appealing bargains on the menu at www.restaurant.com.

The Web site sells discounted gift certificates you can redeem at restaurants, including some in the Triad. Most require a minimum purchase and may have other restrictions.

Amy Buchanan, who began the Savvy Shopper column as a business reporter for the News & Record, swears by it.

At her blog www.googoobuybuy.com, Buchanan pointed out she only paid $9 for a $25 gift certificate to Sweet Basil’s restaurant in Greensboro. (She recommends their caramelized onion and smoked gouda pimiento cheese sandwich.)

They also have special sales each month. Check it out and let me know what you think.

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Become Web savvy! Check out more deals and retail news at the Bargain Blog at news-record.com. You can also subscribe to the Bargain Bytes e-newsletter at news-record.com/bargains.

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