October Mantry Review – “Hecho en America II”

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October Mantry - "Hecho en America II"
October Mantry – “Hecho en America II”

Happily, B’s Mantry arrived yesterday! Much to B’s delight I it on auto-renew, so I will never ever forget to get it for him again. B LOVES Mantry and I like to keep him happy because of everything he does for us.

If you aren’t familiar, Mantry = the Modern Man’s Pantry. It’s a food of the month club that lets you discover the finest american artisan foods – and gives you ideas of what to do with them.

October Mantry - "Hecho en America II"
The Box

This month, for the first time ever I believe, Mantry shipped via UPS Smart Post. They usually ship via USPS Priority Mail, so I was quite surprised when I got the notification from UPS that Mantry was coming. And typically UPS Smart Post items are turned over to USPS for final delivery, but I got another notification that UPS would attempt delivery AND that it would be delivered a day early. Yes!!!!

October Mantry - "Hecho en America II"
First Look

The outer Mantry Box was a little bigger this month, but the inside crate was the same size. B is still planning on making a bar out of his Mantry boxes (or doing something bar related for them), but for now they sit in my office (grrr).

October Mantry - "Hecho en America II"
Second First Look

Mantry gave a little spoiler for October saying that it would be a “long awaited Mantry sequel that will put the follow up to mask of zorro to shame”. My guess was the it would be a sequel to the January Hecho en America crate and I was right!

October Mantry - "Hecho en America II"
The Information Card

B loves all of this crates, but when I saw that the October Mantry was “Hecho en America II” I know B would be extra excited.  If you’ve never read their information card, you totally should.  The guys have a great sense of humor and make the information cards informative, as well as fun.

~Aurelia’s Dry-Chorizo ($8.99):  This meat is dry cured for 3-weeks and Mantry likens this to food you’d find cooking at a roadside stall the morning after a long night of drinking.  And I kid you not, B is all over street foods like that.  He can smell it a mile away and no matter where we are or how long ago we ate he will sniff it out and declare he’s hungry.  He’s planning on putting this in chili and I can’t wait to try it!

October Mantry - "Hecho en America II"
Aurelia’s Dry-Chorizo

~Just Cook Ancho Rub ($8.50): Mantry shows this on some delicious looking tacos and I suspect that is just what B will do with it.  Just Cook was started by a former software salesman who found himself bored with the tech industry and looking for something else.  And they found it and started Just Cook!

October Mantry - "Hecho en America II"
Just Cook Ancho Rub

~Liber & Co. Texas Grapefruit Shrub ($13): I have never heard of the “Paloma”, but Mantry says it’s quite delicious and promises a recipe on it’s website soon.  It sounds like it’s combined with tequila and seltzer and served in a salt rimmed glass?  Sounds good to me.  I am waiting for the official recipe, but B and I will be trying it for sure.

October Mantry - "Hecho en America II"
Liber & Co. Texas Grapefruit Shrub

~Fiddyment Farms Chili Lime Pistachios ($10.35): I don’t love pistachios, but B was and said he was taking them to work.  B puts his Mantry things in a special section of the pantry and surprises me by packing them for road trip / vacation snacks.  He unpacked his bag at the hotel in Vegas and I swear he had a Mantry crate a there.

October Mantry - "Hecho en America II"
Fiddyment Farms Chili Lime Pistachios

~NW Elixirs Salsa Verde ($9):  Ohh, I don’t know if I will be able to try this one.  It’s HOT and I am way more of a mild salsa girl.  Like even medium is too much.  But if B sneaks some of a taco and pretends it’s mild, I suppose I won’t know till after I’ve eaten it and my  mouth is on fire?

October Mantry - "Hecho en America II"
NW Elixirs Salsa Verde

~Olive & Sinclair Cinnamon Chili Bar ($6.99):  Ohh, B spied this and declared that it was going to be another item for his chili.  I’m not usually a fan of chili, but I love when he makes his and I’ve actually been asking him when he was going to make it this year.

October Mantry - "Hecho en America II"
Olive & Sinclair Cinnamon Chili Bar

All totaled I came up with a value of $56.83 for the October Mantry “Hecho en America II”. I know, I know, it’s $75/month, but I never include shipping or tax or any of that in my calculations either. And what can I say?  B loves it!

Did you get Mantry this month?  What’d you think?  If you are interested in subscribing or just want to learn more, click here.  Your man will thank you!

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Jennifer

Jennifer is the author and founder of Subscription Box Ramblings. She first discovered subscription boxes in 2012 and has been addicted since. Current favorites include CAUSEBOX, Boxycharm and Beachly!

This Post Has 12 Comments

  1. Polly Hogsed

    Wow, I love love love all the things in this crate, but… I can’t swallow the $75 price tag if the value is only $58, even if it is excluding tax and shipping! What a shame, because I would love to subscribe to this. I hope they improve the value to cost ratio a little!

    1. Jennifer

      Ugh. I know. Some months are higher in value, but it’s generally between like $60-$75 in value. Never too much more than that. It makes my husband happy though.

  2. Alison

    I’m totally over pistachios – actually just yesterday I went on my graze account and made it so they won’t send me pistachios.
    The salsa verde looks so good. I don’t understand what the grapefruit thing is, you drink it?

    1. Jennifer

      You mix it in a drink.

    1. Jennifer

      Thank you! B will be excited to get mixing!

  3. Frances Tolley

    The box was a hit at our house! Great because we had company and I used the rub on chicken with the recipe included in the crate. It was delicious. The pistachios were too hot for me but everyone else munched on them and they’re almost all gone. The chorizo was also too hot for me but I put it in a cheese dip.

    Even with that said I don’t think the value is worth the $75 so I canceled.

    1. Jennifer

      My husband wants it no matter what, but I do wish it at least equaled the cost of the box!!!

  4. David Alvarez

    If you think the retail cost of the contents should be greater than or equal to the subscription price (plus shipping) you are missing the point. These items are unique products specifically curated for the modern man. Most, if not all, would not be on my radar at all were they not chosen for me. When you add in the *value* of the selection process, thematic attention, and unique packaging, the subscription is well worth it.

    1. Jennifer

      I totally see your point! My husband totally agrees with you as well! He loves mantry and we’ll subscribe forever!

  5. C.C.

    I am Canadian and pay an extra $25! My husband is difficult to buy for and I enjoy watching him open the box and ‘discover’ each new item. We truly enjoy the small batch artisan products and look forward to building a theme night around the products.
    David hit the nail right on the head in his post.

    1. Jennifer

      That’s great that he loves! My husband does as well!!!! He was so annoyed when we missed a few months!!

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