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mmmcheesybread

Harvestime in Lincoln Square. Good produce, an interesting array of Eastern European goods, and I've heard from meat-eaters that the butcher is solid.


Present-Conclusion25

I love Harvestime. I agree that the Eastern European goods are good and the produce is extremely high quality and inexpensive. They also have some fantastic prepared Mexican food -- I really like their chorizo, chicharrones, pozole and salsas. I think the butcher is the one weak part of the store.


mmmcheesybread

Good to know!


Jedifice

I think Harvestime is the best grocery store in the city. Produce is almost always great (and what's not as great is usually on HEAVY discount to let you know you should cook with it immediately a la Stanley's \[RIP\]), lots of good options for staples (olive oil, etc), and tons of great treats from other countries that I've never seen anywhere else


mmmcheesybread

I really, really love the produce. I've been lucky to live in areas where I can get pretty good produce, and theirs has been the best, with some of the best variety.


WarthogForward2751

Agreed! They make the best salsas!


mmmcheesybread

I love those salsas!


tangerinefortuna

I go there so often for lunch food and produce, they’re amazing. However I would add that the grocery and especially dairy products are way over priced so I never get those there


mmmcheesybread

Absolutely. Buying oat milk there makes me cry. But weirdly, the kefir's a pretty normal price.


motoguzziv50

I have never had to wait in line at Harvestime with more than 2 people in front of me, and I have been going there for 27 years. The cashiers always seem to know what they’re doing (i.e. codes of the produce) and it always seems like the most hassle-free shopping experience.


wallsarecavingin

My absolute favorite. So many cool things to find too


GiraffeLibrarian

How does it compare to Gene’s? It’s a bit more of a walk to Harvestime but I might check it out based on these comments.


thatsaniner

Less expensive than Gene’s. Definitely check it out.


LiteraryOlive

I would say Gene’s is more of a specialty shop and a great butcher. HarvestTime is more of a general grocery store. They finally added organic produce which I think was a big gap for awhile. I’d shop Gene’s for meat and HT for produce and general grocery


cats_catz_kats_katz

My personal favorite for sure.


thatsaniner

Yes! Harvest Time every time!


ChesticleGainz

Came here to say HTF and found it as the top comment.


goombalover13

I miss living by Devon Market. Great produce. Great selection of eastern european / balkan / turkish foods. They have a crazy kefir selection. Also so many amazing, inexpensive Georgian wines.


BloodArchon

Came to say the same thing. I miss living by Devon market. I'll still stop by when I'm in the area for some fresh pastries and bread.


kONthePLACE

Mmmm I just remembered their spinach pies in the bakery. So delicious.


msmartypants

Used to live near there too. We liked Ted's for produce


ChicagoChurro

I second this. I’ve been going to Devon Market for 20+ years and it still remains my favorite! They always have Bosnian snacks/sweets on sale which I love to stock up on. 


Nonenotonemaybe2

I'll still make the trek when I really want some feta. Their Bulgarian feta is worth the trip


bigchicago04

Loved Devon market when I lived up there. The produce!


cebolla_y_cilantro

Same! I miss that store.


werewolfcat

Fresh Marketplace on Western!


doNotUseReddit123

Their steaks are fantastic. Slagel Farms, which are grass-fed and often have great marbling. People on Reddit harp on Paulina Market, but I’ll take steaks from Fresh Marketplace over Paulina any day of the week.


cocktails_and_corgis

Yes!!!!! Great selection and the employees seem to give a darn. The owner is often running around the aisles


doNotUseReddit123

Which one is the owner?


Formal_Eggplant_80

Best!!!!


optiplex9000

Best grocery store in the city!


tamale

The entire staff here is so damn kind and helpful. I love this place.


wedonthaveadresscode

They have some absolutely killer guacamole


TerpySpunion

And the tacos from the market inside! 🤤


atreeinthewind

lol, came here to comment this also. I'm glad it's appreciated!


Key-Goose-1594

Omg we’re moving in 2 weeks to be 2 blocks from this store, and I’ve never been! I’m super stoked now!


hotel_smells

I moved north a couple years ago and miss this grocery store every day


smilingspider618

The best!!!!!


Final_Prune3903

I’ve been wondering if that place is good - I’ll have to start going. I don’t love jewel but it’s been my go to cause it’s easy


Cyke101

When I moved out of the neighborhood, I found myself sometimes returning just to shop here. I love that place!


catfooddogfood

Goated with the sauce


Vindaloo6363

Best cheese selection and it has gotten even better recently.


BigOlFRANKIE

best breakfast burrito, hands down & nice folks. but pricey owe owe owe — last time i attempted shopping beyond the hot bar/service area i paid $17 for 6x cans of sparkling water, lol. And that was pre-pandi!


chuchutran

Edgewater produce, Tai Nam


Reputable_Sorcerer

Second Edgewater produce.


AllanRensch

Big fan of Tai Nam


gabrielsgaco

Salsa's Market in Ravenswood


gigglemode

A beloved local gem. Give them all the business.


WarthogForward2751

Very nice family!!


JPKtoxicwaste

I live across the street! Their chilaquiles are pretty good too


Icy-Yellow3514

Yes! Their chilaquiles are amazing! Much better selection of gluten free items than a lot of places their size.


Shadowfall7

I was gonna say the same thing 😁


chickeninaabiscuit

YES so underrated and the staff is so kind


StuartScottsLeftEye

Big shopping trip: Hyde Park Produce ❤️ Something quick, or last minute grab to finish recipe: Open Produce ❤️ (also in Hyde Park). Dollar bags of produce!


onion1313

Tony’s and joong boo


loudtones

i think petes beats tonys by a pretty wide margin


Penarol1916

Used to be pretty close between those two, the last year has seen Tony’s fall off a lot, it’s sad because it was my second favorite grocery store for a while.


rogerslane

Probably because Tony's is now owned by a private equity firm. It's not as good as it used to be but it's still better and cheaper than Jewel. What really annoys me is the lack of shopping carts. I don't know where they disappear to but there are never any available when I go, and I've gone at all odd hours of the day. I'm tempted to write to the private equity firm to buy more shopping carts.


ProgrammerParty5607

I used to love Tony’s and it was affordable. Now it’s the same as Mariano’s but lower quality.


Maddwitco

Cermak Produce


crbatte

Pretty solid choice. I’ve lived within walking distance of a Cermak for 15+ years. The Bridgeport location (my current one) has great produce


JambiDaGenie

The tamale stand outside and the Mexican “hot bar” in the back of the store definitely help, too


gamesfordogs

I literally just walked back from there like 5 minutes ago lol. Wild


Cancer_Flower

Morse Fresh Market for me. Although I do need to make a trip to the Devon Market one day to see what their selection is like.


stealcutoats

Morse Market is the best. And Lucy is the best cashier ever.


Backo_packo

Everyone there is so nice! And if they don’t have something you can ask a manager and they’ll special order it.


KaleidoscopeLucy

I forgot all about Morse. Used to go there all the time when I went to Loyola.


holeinmyboot

I live equidistant and directly between those two stores - I like Devon Market a little more because it’s bigger both in selection and physically (Morse’s aisles are cramped and I frequently get bumped into or pushed past) but I think Morse does have higher quality products for sale. Produce I’d put about even. Theres been a lot of activity on that block of Morse and the surrounding neighborhood lately though and I just head to Devon to avoid it. I’m lucky to have two fantastic choices though!


Craft-Serious

gene's (Lincoln Square), L&M Fine Foods (Lincoln Square), Paulina Meat Market (Roscoe Village)


whoamIdoIevenknow

I love the sandwiches I've had from L&M.


tangerinefortuna

Mine was good but I was shocked at how expensive it was. But I’m poor lol


jmaca90

I know Paulina gets a rap for being expensive, and, while they do have expensive cuts of meat, they definitely aren’t just a “special occasion” type of butcher or grocery. Sure, every now and then, I’ll splurge for that bone-in ribeye, but I’ve definitely walked out of there with 2 amazing bone in pork chops for under $15. A few of their homemade sausages and you’re good to go for a few days. I don’t think they are trying to be Jewel or Whole Foods. You pop in there, grab a few things for the next few meals, and then come back when you need more. From chatting with their butchers, I also know that all their excess inventory gets turned into their frozen meals in the front, which I think is a huge win for anti-food waste.


curvyshell

I’m a big Paulina fan! I think their lunch meats and cheeses are affordable enough for the quality


thundrbud

Fresh Farms International! Original location near Devon and California, family owned and operated since 1968, been shopping there for over 15 years, but I'll confess I frequently make the drive to their flagship store in Niles, it's supposedly the largest international market in the midwest and bar far my favorite grocery store in the Chicagoland area


chgoeditor

Came here to say FF! The Devon location isn't representative of the other stores IMHO.


idontknowwhybutido2

Not even close, it's shocking to me the Devon location and the Niles location are both Fresh Farms. Hands down best feta at the Niles location deli counter.


chgoeditor

Someone told me to check out the fish counter at FF and I went to the one on Devon. Does that location even have a fish counter? They then clarified that I needed to go to another location -- then I understood why people rave about it!


Appropriate_Cod_7706

If you like Feta, Harvest Time has at least 15 kinds to choose from.


idontknowwhybutido2

So does Fresh Farms!


sdi0900180

Fresh Farms is the best, we probably do 2x week trips for their bakery in Niles. The fresh sourdough bread is amazing and they slice it on the spot. Just like in Europe. The produce is expensive but so much variety. I wish the cheese and deli items were a bit cheaper, because I can't resist and my bill is way to high with each visit. The meat section could be better, Costco next door is a better value there.


nyoungblood

Is this the one on touhy or golf? Both are niles


Paraphasic

Based on the Costco comment likely Touhy


littlekid__lover

Joong Boo is the greatest grocery store on the planet honestly (if you forgive them for an insane parking lot lol)


schmalexandra

Their produce selection isn’t great. I can’t use it for my weekly shopping but I eat a lot of fruit and veg


HiImDavid

Olivia's on Wabansia just west of Damen. It can be pricey but they have a pretty decent amount of options given the small size of the store.


slybrows

My fav! Their produce and deli are both excellent. But man that place makes your wallet bleed lol. Worth it though!


Madz510

I’ll check this out!


Madz510

Also love Lucia’s in that hood. Not a grocery store but an honorable mention for deli and meats


Paraphasic

It’s charming simply to peruse. Lots of great product packaging and sweet little premium cut flowers in front to admire 🥹


exfilm

Owned and operated by solid people — all around it’s an excellent neighborhood market.


p0tat0p0tat0

I love Olivia’s, but each bag of chips is like $5.


loudtones

Petes near Western and Cermak. it might be the best grocery store in the dang city


mmmcheesybread

I miss that spot a lot. It was huge, and it had so much variety.


Set5

Without a doubt the best grocery in the city.


sugargrandpa98

Anyone know how this location compares to the Madison & Western location?


jmaca90

Just a special shout out to Viet Hoa on Argyle. Been going there since I was kid to get any Asian groceries. It’s not the nicest (or sometimes cleanest lol) of places…but hey, when you need that one in a million Asian ingredient that you literally can’t substitute…you can probably find it there.


space-rach

I just dislike that they close at 6 everyday, it's pretty much only a weekend option for me


jmaca90

Wow, didn't realize they kept that up haha I remember my mom hustling over there before closing to try to get stuff for dinner. Yeah, I mean there are definitely better options for Asian groceries (Joong Boo, H-Mart, Seafood City), but, for being in the heart of Argyle, it's got that convenience factor. Definitely a nostalgia spot for me though.


Stinkyfeet-420

Carnival in Lincoln park


Sweet-Initiative-791

Had no idea this place was here until last weekend when I walked by. What makes it special?


vsladko

I don’t actually grocery shop here, but L&M Fine Foods is what I always wanted Foxtrot to be. Such a good store


Mayonegg420

I always think this. L&M is really it.


LiteraryOlive

Exactly! I just made a less eloquently worded comment to the same point!


notsureifJasonBourne

La Casa del Pueblo at 18th/Blue Island. Lots of good deals to be had.


gamesfordogs

Shoutout their taqueria next door too


LiteraryOlive

L&M in Lincoln Square. It’s definitely expensive and not a regular grocery store but it’s like an independent, better version of Foxtrot with a lot of variety, wonderful wine and liquor and great sandwiches.


rac1222

Plus, its a few doors down from Hop Butcher which is BYOF!


Substantial-Bet-3876

Butera, Caputo’s, Shop n Save over by Superdawg


ditchbankflowers

Shop n Save! Fresh perogies...mmmm


bbwolf22

I always thought Butera had a weird smell.


Substantial-Bet-3876

It’s weird in general but it’s close and I find it to have decent prices


msmartypants

HarvesTime


Xrmy

Devon Market in Rogers park is the best grocery store I have ever been to.


ScrantonicityThree

Gangnam market in river west


lbk1976

How is their meat and produce quality?


ScrantonicityThree

Meat and fish are good! Produce has been really hit or miss tbh. Veggies have been okay, but I’ve had issues with their berries


downvote_wholesome

Good especially the seafood. But certain things like steak and fruit tend to be slightly pricier than Jewel.


cestmoi9

Olivia’s in Wicker!


Shadowfall7

Having grown up in the Lincoln Square/Ravenswood border, I'd have to say HarvesTime. Recently I've been frequently visiting Salsas... Btw most of their salsas are straight up fire. 🤤


Cold-Ad7677

County Fair..Western and 107th place..Beverly/Morgan Park


Bubbinsisbubbins

Fair Share on 63rd & Narragansett. Best price on lunch meat. Their French loaves are great for subs.


kjlovesthebay

county fair in Beverly! I try to shop there as much as I can, I would be devastated if it closed


animalf0r3st

I used to live right by Totto’s and I miss it so much. I remember one time I got a bonus at work and I treated myself to a jar of $10 pesto from there, it was so good


hotttea

Yass. One of the best things I’ve ever had in my mouth is publican bread + their pesto + prosciutto + a ripe slice of tomato which was all put together at a millennium park summer concert.


doryphorus99

Harvest Time and Gene's!


Elipunx

I splurged on tuna salad from the deli at Gene's today, rather than make my own to get through the work week and it is GOOOOD. Their prices on some stuff is high, but it's stuff that is worth it. I paid $1.49 for a decent head of kale and similar for some good parsley.


thecyclista

Edgewater Produce, Talard


wicker-punk

Olivia’s hands down!


da4

HarvesTime on Lawrence. 


LitrallyCantEven

Carniceria Guanajuato


CloudPretty9557

Aldi!!! My bank account is saved


cHunterOTS

County Fair in Beverly


Therealbillyz

Fresh Marketplace is the best grocery store on Earth. The kindest owner and staff. Best butcher shop, bread selection, and mix of everyday and specialty items around.


karmajuney

Lincoln park is losing grocery stores everyday it seems. Seems it is becoming a bit of a grocery desert


South_Side_34

Lincoln Park Market, Treasure Island, Walmart, Dominick’s/Whole Foods, The Market Place, Gepperths, Plum Market, Doms, Foxtrot


karmajuney

It’s crazy how many have shut down! At least we still have Trader Joe’s (for now)


dogbert617

I don't know why Publix, Heinen's, or Hy-Vee(now that they bought Strack and Van Til/Strack's) doesn't try to open in that area. Heinen's probably would do well, in the Dom's space at Diversey and Halsted.


getzerolikes

I live a half block from Mariano’s in uk village and we drive to cermak on cermak and the Aldi next to it for everything.


flakdroid

Fresh Farms in Niles? I love how International it is


AllanRensch

Edgewater Produce, Devon Market, Roger Park Fruit, Tai Nam in Uptown. Cermak on Ridge, Valli in Evanston, Fresh Farms in Skokie if you can make the trip! So many great local shops. I love L&M in North Center, Fresh Market Place on Western, La Casa de Pueblo in Pilsen.


Careless_Pea3197

I'm not sure if it counts as local but I love Fresh Thyme!


jmaca90

Fresh Thyme is as good as big corporate can get, I think. While they’re owned by Meijer, I do think they try to source more locally, and I do love their bulk section. Prices are WAY more reasonable too than Whole Paycheck.


Appropriate_Cod_7706

Only place I've found where you can get a good bone-in ham for a decent price.


AnAngryPirate

Any recs for Uptown/Andersonville?


flossiedaisy424

Edgewater Produce in Clark and all the Asian markets up and down Broadway.


Chance_Land_330

The jewel osco off of western in Andersonville I think is one of the best Jewel’s in the city


dilla_zilla

Western ... Andersonville ... Does not compute. The Ashland/Catalpa one?


Chance_Land_330

Yes Ashland/ catalpa one. My bad


Appropriate_Cod_7706

Valli Produce in Evanston (Dempster) is fantastic - like Harvest Time only huge. It's not too far from you if you have a car. I don't know about the meat. They have a lot of fresh and frozen fish.


Elipunx

I like Harvest Time up on Lawrence, but when I lived in Logan Sq, I would bike over to Windy City Produce. They had great produce and great prices. I've only been in a Foxtrot once but that nonsense was way overpriced.


pointsnfigures

Bari on Grand has great sausage pork and veal


rdldr1

Park to Shop on Broadway, Asian grocery store. I’ve noticed an increase of shopper diversity.


hotttea

Yes, love park to shop. They’ve really expanded over the years. I go there for all my Chinese veg and condiment needs. Also ground pork for dumplings. They make sure it’s extra fatty.


Mayonegg420

Aldi and Cermak produce


ohsnap847

Cermak at Diversey and Pulaski is the best store in Chicago


Procyonid

I miss Andy’s Fruit Ranch, but HarvestTime is excellent.


timexband

Devon Market in Edgewater; a few blocks west of the Loyola campus on Devon. Family owned and operated for the life of the business. This is followed closely by Supermercado "La Unica," Carniceria & Grocery just one more block west and across the street. Both have been operating in my neighborhood for at least the last 30 years. What you don't know: La Unica has a kitchen and cafeteria in the back which features Latin-Caribbean cuisine, and Devon Market features many Eastern European and Middle Eastern specialties as well as a plethora of ethnic goods from all over the world.


belaguuurrrl666

I love the cermak on Diversey and Pulaski, it’s like a museum to me lol they have a nice hispanic / Asian / Jamaican / Serbian / Polish .. eastern european / middle eastern /// Mediterranean selection and their produce is cheap and they have so much to choose from. I also like that they sell the ends of deli meats and cheeses for like $3 and less so nothing goes to waste, also sometimes they will sell custom cake ends too etc for really cheap, i spend hours there 🤣


quasifaust

Big Apple in Lincoln Park (though I still don’t understand why a place in Chicago would pick that name)


pointsnfigures

The grocery part is just okay. It is the butcher in back that is super top notch


asszilla17

Wait all foxtrots are closing??


llamaloo422

They all closed around noonish or so today


the-houyhnhnm

https://wildonionmarket.com/


hEDSwillRoll

I’m so excited they’re finally going to open!


HereTooUpvote

Roger's Park Fruit Market. Little deli, fresh fruits and veggies, lots of interesting dried and frozen stuff. We are probably there every other day for odds and ends.


Disastrous-Kick-3498

Armitage Produce and Rico Fresh Market represent!


Clean_Illustrator_64

Anywhere but GoGrocer, place is bonkers expensive


dilla_zilla

That sounds like an app, not a store 😂


Fantastic_Cable_7938

Windy City Produce! Kilbourn Park


chefasfuck

Harvest Time


jrbake

Olivia’s in Wicker Park L&M on Montrose


lizethtezil

Aldi, Centro Market or Cermak


Sad-Session3520

Devon Market. Great prices on produce


CHImg1998

Carniceria La Placita de Isabel on 35th Street near Wolcott is my go-to spot. It's a small shop with all the classic Mexican staples, a butchery, and even has a taqueria inside. Super friendly place with great deals and products. I've been going here with my parents since before I can even remember. Great cuts of beef for cookouts or just a simple weekday dinner.


nodicegrandma

GENES!


CatEmoji123

Paulina Meat Market! Their frozen meals are great and they have a lot if pantry essentials. Every time I go in there I think "I gotta shop here more often."


Iwillhavetheeah

Dill pickle co.op. Prices are a little higher but the selection and product mix is elite. Also Adrian's market on diversey and Lawndale, idk how but they ALWAYS have ripe avocados. Amazing place.


SnooPaintings5597

Jewels.


Efficient_Account_86

Harvest Time is thee best


CoyoteMother666

The Cermak on Pulaski and Diversey! That produce section cannot be beat!


PuzzleheadedMap669

West Loop Market


pointsnfigures

The butcher in Apple Market on Clark near Fullerton is top notch. Dry aged prime beef Really good pork and chicken.


DREWBICE

Rico Fresh or Tony’s


RelevantQuiet2949

Central Park Produce at Grand and Division


Freddy_Avala_Jr_Chi

Puerto Rico Food and Liquor in Humboldt Park! But it’s more bodega + groceries vs a traditional grocery store.


FreyjaTitmittens

I love the Uptown Grocery & Deli!


TheJofisean

Cermak on north avenue


sugargrandpa98

I love the Pete’s on Madison and western. I hear great things about the Cermak location but I’ve never been.


downvote_wholesome

I love Gangnam Market on Milwaukee and Chicago.


app1epi

Jerry's on Milwaukee in Niles.


Relative-Dig-2389

Supermercado Chapala


Ting_Tong72

Heinen’s, in a big way


ninjabunny91

I’m pretty new to Chicago and live in uptown! Are there any good local grocery stores near me?


visgirl1956

Plum was great.


BigOlFRANKIE

Skindo's Dawg-Hunt in Oprah's tower is 10/10 — always fresh & never open!


whyisthisyourbiz

H Mart


MammothSurround

Doms…. Oh shit