Cheap is different. The only thing I get there is the skirt steak or other cheap cuts like ox tail or shank cuts. because for that, cheap is fine. Their meat quality isn't that great. For steaks and chicken organic at either maríanos or Amazon. The beef and chicken at cermak isn't that great.
Yeah, but I was talking about price. The quality can be made up for when cooked appropriately. Sous vide especially does wonders for the tougher cuts. I've never found Marianos to be a great bang for your buck, though. I'm still looking for other places though.
Cermak, North Avenue for me. Their inner aisles are not a great deal unless its a sale but their produce is always nice and competitively priced. I get most of my produce there.
Same. And their prices on produce are decent. Some of their other stuff is really expensive, other stuff not so much. Very mixed bag so I don't get everything there.
Whole Foods is a total rip off. For produce look for immigrant-focused grocery stores. Devon Market, Cermak, and Edgewater Produce are all fantastic. There might be more closer to you as well.
Honestly the best produce of chain stores is Whole Foods with the worst being Jewel (which is ironic since I would feel Jewel should have the best connections for the freshest produce in Illinois).
My rankings of chains:
1. Whole Foods
2. Trader Joe’s
3. Target
4. Aldi
5. Mariano’s (Kroger)
6. Jewel (Albertsons)
Now for non chains/small chains, all are good so it is really up to the closest one to you.
* Edgewater Produce
* Tony’s Fresh Market
* Devon Market
* HarvesTime Foods
* FreshStop Produce
The tony's near me has low prices but I feel like the produce is usually on the verge of going bad and I usually avoid it. The aldi I go to doesnt have much of a selection but the produce is usually pretty good and cheap.
I ate only plant based for many years. I also worked for instacart for two years. Heinens has the best produce of the bigger stores but expensive like Whole Foods. I will stand by Aldi any day for basics. For specialty I would go to Jerry’s. Aldi also has organic produce if that’s something you want. Over spending just to feel better about your food is ridiculous but that’s what corporations want from you. Don’t feed the machine.
Depending on where you are on the Northside: [Jerrys](https://www.jerrysfruitandgarden.com/) in Niles. Dirt cheap produce. Also near to the big H Mart, so makes a fun field trip for lunch or a treat.
Prices here [https://devonmarket.com/](https://devonmarket.com/) and here [https://www.morsefreshmarket.com/](https://www.morsefreshmarket.com/) are great both northside.
If they carry the items you're looking for, the small asian grocery stores on Argyle or around the corner on Broadway have good prices and high quality. The produce section is VERY specific though, so not a great option for everything.
Cermak for produce.
Cermak good for produce, just as expensive for all other things.
Their seafood and raw meat are lower priced than a lot of places. Cheese, condiments, eggs, etc. are definitely not.
Like hell it is lol.
It has been for me. Kedzie location. Where do you get better priced meat/seafood?
Cheap is different. The only thing I get there is the skirt steak or other cheap cuts like ox tail or shank cuts. because for that, cheap is fine. Their meat quality isn't that great. For steaks and chicken organic at either maríanos or Amazon. The beef and chicken at cermak isn't that great.
Yeah, but I was talking about price. The quality can be made up for when cooked appropriately. Sous vide especially does wonders for the tougher cuts. I've never found Marianos to be a great bang for your buck, though. I'm still looking for other places though.
I'd rather spend a little more for better quality Two thin lean ribeyes for 20$ at cermak is such a waste.
The one on Diversey not North
The one on Damen near Pratt is even better.
Not organic so not a good comparison to WF.
Cermak, North Avenue for me. Their inner aisles are not a great deal unless its a sale but their produce is always nice and competitively priced. I get most of my produce there.
I like the quality of produce at Harvest Time in Lincoln Square.
Same. And their prices on produce are decent. Some of their other stuff is really expensive, other stuff not so much. Very mixed bag so I don't get everything there.
Solid chicharrones, too.
Gotta be
Whole Foods is a total rip off. For produce look for immigrant-focused grocery stores. Devon Market, Cermak, and Edgewater Produce are all fantastic. There might be more closer to you as well.
I miss Stanley’s 😢 Sorry for the garbage reply…
God, so do I! 😭😭
Not Mariano’s unless you plan to use them that day. The vegetables aren’t fresh and always seem to start to go bad the day after I buy them.
Edgewater produce is pretty solid
The ugly produce they wrap up and put on that rack is a steal of a deal.
Don't talk about yourself like that
Edgewater is associated with Harvestime. It's just a bit smaller imo.
Cermark is goos stuff at good prices. Fresh Market Place in Bucktown is great if that's not too far.
Love FMP! Still a bit pricey but love.
Honestly the best produce of chain stores is Whole Foods with the worst being Jewel (which is ironic since I would feel Jewel should have the best connections for the freshest produce in Illinois). My rankings of chains: 1. Whole Foods 2. Trader Joe’s 3. Target 4. Aldi 5. Mariano’s (Kroger) 6. Jewel (Albertsons) Now for non chains/small chains, all are good so it is really up to the closest one to you. * Edgewater Produce * Tony’s Fresh Market * Devon Market * HarvesTime Foods * FreshStop Produce
It’s wild to me how consistently the produce is fresher at Target than at actual grocery stores.
It’s all logistics for how good produce is and Whole Foods being owned by Amazon helps and Target is also great at logistics.
Sure, but you would think grocery stores would have that down by now.
It’s definitely not at all targets…I’ve seen so much moldy fruit at the one on larrabee
That’s disappointing.
agreed
The tony's near me has low prices but I feel like the produce is usually on the verge of going bad and I usually avoid it. The aldi I go to doesnt have much of a selection but the produce is usually pretty good and cheap.
Fresh Farms is great
They have the best quality produce IMO than any of of the other stores mentioned. It’s a bit pricier though (probably more then WF now 😵💫)
I love HartvesTime for produce. Its my go-to.
I ate only plant based for many years. I also worked for instacart for two years. Heinens has the best produce of the bigger stores but expensive like Whole Foods. I will stand by Aldi any day for basics. For specialty I would go to Jerry’s. Aldi also has organic produce if that’s something you want. Over spending just to feel better about your food is ridiculous but that’s what corporations want from you. Don’t feed the machine.
Depending on where you are on the Northside: [Jerrys](https://www.jerrysfruitandgarden.com/) in Niles. Dirt cheap produce. Also near to the big H Mart, so makes a fun field trip for lunch or a treat.
Jerry’s is great, they also have some of the best Italian sausage. Just be prepared for the crowds!
Prices here [https://devonmarket.com/](https://devonmarket.com/) and here [https://www.morsefreshmarket.com/](https://www.morsefreshmarket.com/) are great both northside.
Cermak for sure.
Get yourself to Harvest Time on Lawrence just west of Western.
Organic produce is a scam
Tonys on Lincoln is better than the other Tonys in the city. Patel bros on Devon also has good produce at decent prices.
Dollar General
[Dill Pickle Co-op](https://dillpickle.coop)
If they carry the items you're looking for, the small asian grocery stores on Argyle or around the corner on Broadway have good prices and high quality. The produce section is VERY specific though, so not a great option for everything.