BARGAINS : REAL LOW-PRICE LEADER.

Byline: Trisha King & Deborah Newmark

It took three years of begging to get a friend - who wanted to keep this place to herself - to give us the name of Gefer Farms Produce, Meat & Deli. When you see the high quality and low prices, you'll definitely understand the reasoning.

For example, prepackaged filet mignon (select quality) at the supermarket usually runs about $10 a pound. Gefer Farms' cut-to-order price (nothing is prepackaged except whole roasting chickens) is $3.99 a pound. In addition, eye of round roast was $2.98 a pound, Atlantic salmon was $3.99 a pound, and tiger prawns were $13.99 a pound.

When you see some of the prices at Gefer Farms, you may start to wonder about the ``discount'' prices at some supermarket chains. If you're used to paying 50 cents a bunch for scallions, you'll be blown away by the price of six bunches for a $1 here, white rose potatoes at 3 pounds for 99 cents (79 cents a pound at the supermarket), and celery for 39 cents instead of over $1.

In order to offer such low prices, whenever possible, Gefer Farms cuts out the middleman and buys direct. In fact, some of the more unusual herbs in the produce department are grown with seeds provided by Gefer Farms.

If you prefer not cooking on hot summer nights, Gefer Farms has the deli of your dreams, with a luscious variety of cheeses, meats, smoked fish, caviar and more. Rolled deli sandwiches on lavash bread are 75 cents a slice ($2 at supermarket delis), blue cheese is $3.99 a pound ($7.99 to $8.49 retail), and Black Forest ham runs $4.99 a pound ($6.99 to $9.99 retail). Some items are made on the premises, such as the best tabouli we've ever tasted at $3.99 a pound (over $7 elsewhere).

You'll also find a large variety of olive oils (at least 30 imported brands), recently harvested nuts and dried fruits, spices packaged just for Gefer Farms and much more. Shop early for the best selection of produce and wear your walking shoes because the parking lot is usually full.

Gefer Farms Produce, Meat & Deli is at 822 S. San Fernando Blvd. (just above Alameda Avenue), Burbank; [phone]. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday. Cash or checks only.

Inside info

Get your creative juices flowing and learn how to play the piano at Piano Play Music School. For one day only, the school is offering 50 percent off its 10-week adult piano classes. This special is available during registration at its open house, noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 30. The price for the class is $98.50 (normally $197). During the 10-week course, you will learn keyboard playing, ear training and music terminology; classes are limited to seven students. You'll discover that learning to play the piano in a group is less stressful and more fun. The school offers classes for children age 19 months and up. Piano Play Music School is at 14237 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Call [phone] to make a reservation for the open house.

Keep cool with a ceiling fan from Lighting Liquidators, which sells overruns and closeouts of first-quality ceiling fans starting at $39.90 and going up to $399 (most are at least 50 percent off retail prices). All fans come with the manufacturer's warranty. Lighting Liquidators is at 561 W. Colorado St., Glendale; [phone]. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

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Photo

Photo: George Gouloonian offers a bounty of melons at Gefer Farms Produce, Meat & Deli in Burbank.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Dily News