Grocery Stores (Chicago, Naperville, Arlington Heights: live, prices, groceries)

[vanity01]

What are some grocery stores in the suburbs. I particular the Arlington Heights area. I am use to chains like Harris Teeter and Wegmans. Where is the best place for produce ( no Whole Foods). Are there any farmer's market open year round.

Thanks for your input.

[Vlajos]

Jewel and Dominicks are the main grocers in the Chicago area. Whole Foods is around as well as Aldi and Trader Joes. In the city, there are lots of independent grocers that have the best quality produce and at the best prices.

[chet everett]

There has been an explosion of independent groceries in the suburbs as well. Places like Ca_P_U_T_O_s, Sunset and the The Fresh Market blow away the prices and selection of the chains managed by MBAs and the scale of the suburban independents means they offer much more than old style produce stores. Most suburbs also have MUCH stricter health and sanitation requirements than Chicago so you don't have the scary stench that some of little mom & pop type shops reek of...

TFM - Our Stores: Committed to Our Customers

Sunset Foods Gourmet Grocery Stores | Highland Park, Lake Forest, Libertyville and Northbrook, Illinois

http://goo.gl/Rrw3p

[gramirez2012]

Mariano's Fresh Market recently opened in Arlington Heights within the last year, it's supposed to be really good. There's also Eurofresh Market in Palatine. You won't find decent foods at good prices at places like Jewel or Dominick's.

[vanity01]

Thank you all for your help. The TFM grocer looks great.

[cubssoxfan]

In AH, you also have independent, produce oriented grocers like Valli Produce. Garden Fresh is a good alternate to Dominick's and Jewel's, $ is cheaper and they have much broader selection of ethnic food. In downtown AH, you can walk to Jewel and depending on where you live walk to Mariano's.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by vanity01

What are some grocery stores in the suburbs. I particular the Arlington Heights area. I am use to chains like Harris Teeter and Wegmans. Where is the best place for produce ( no Whole Foods). Are there any farmer's market open year round.

In the Chicagoland market, I would NEVER shop at the Fresh Market or Whole Foods. The local independents blow them away in terms of quality at a small fraction of the cost.

Mariano's has a great selection and is a recent addition to the Chicago Market.

Other local independents:

Joe Cap-uto's Fresh Market - six locations
Angelo Cap-utos - four locations
Eurofresh - Palatine
Joseph's Marketplace - Crystal Lake
Valli Produce - Palatine
Garden Fresh Markets - eight locations

Asian Markets:

Super H-Mart (Korean) - Naperville and Niles
Mitsuwa Marketplace - Arlington Heights


There are dozens of other markets available that do a great job and carry nearly any food known to mankind.

[linicx]

Generally speaking I personally never had any trouble with the quality or freshness of Kroger vegetables (or fresh deli) in 60-years. I never had any problem with Aldi's fresh foods since it opened in Illinois. Walmart quality has improved remarkably in several areas in the last 10 years. Fresh foods is one of the better areas now

I could always find Kosher, plus the "something different" at Kroger branded stores.. Given a choice I prefer Kroger dairy products. Aldi is considently lower priced in most products. I find nothing wrong with the Aldi store brand and many times it is healthier than its name brand counterpart. Fresh Market was new in my area last year. My cousin reports that it is pricey for the quantity but generally a nice product. It is a NC store that is sllowly expanding with stores in Chicago and downstate. Jewel and Kroger have been in competition in Chicago for at least 40 years that I can remember.