Someone wrote: > I'll be visiting Chicago soon and would like to know if anyone would > recommend any good Mexican or Italian food markets/grocers, or other > points of interest for "foodies". Here's a list of my favorite food streets. I've tried to include areas that have a high concentration of food-related businesses. A lot of these places have been mentioned by others. Hope it's not too late for your visit. Devon -- 6400 North -- Jewish/Russian/Indian Easy to spend a lot of time here, there are dozens of interesting groceries, bakeries and restaurants. Mostly Jewish and Russian shops at about 3000 W merging into a large Indian section from 2600W-2200W. I love the bread at Georgian Bakery (2812) and it's fun to watch them bake it. Two Sisters and Kashtan (2740) are two interesting Russian delis. Patel Brothers (2542) and Kamdar Plaza are two of the better Indian groceries but there are many more. Tiffin is one of the better all around Indian restaurants. I like Dasaprakash (2511), Udupi Palace (2543), or Arya Bhavan (2508) for south Indian vegetarian food. There are many lunchtime buffets that are usually a very good deal. The jewelry stores and sari shops are interesting too. Argyle -- 5000 North -- Vietnamese/Asian Several dense blocks of mostly Vietnamese businesses are between Sheridan and Broadway. Viet Hoa (1051 W Argyle) and Hoa Nam (1101) are my favorite groceries. Broadway Market (around the corner at 4879 N Broadway) is a very large Asian supermarket with a wide selection. Right next door is Dong Ky for Vietnamese food in very basic surroundings. Slightly more upscale is Nhu Hoa (mostly Vietnamese but with some Laotian dishes). If you prefer a fancier restaurant, Pasteur (5525 N Broadway) may fit the bill. Kedzie -- 3200 West -- Middle Eastern There are quite a few interesting shops and restaurants on Kedzie within a couple blocks of Lawrence (4800 N). Many are middle eastern but there's an interesting variety. On Kedzie north of Lawrence you have Clark Market (an excellent Korean grocery, 4853 N Kedzie), a very good Korean restaurant (Kang Nam, 4849) next door, and a middle eastern bakery (Jaafer, 4825) just south of that. Across Kedzie there is Holy Land Grocery (4806) and Farm Meats (halal) next door. South of Lawrence there is an okay Mexican bakery (La Baguette?). Little Home Thai Cafe is there, a decent restaurant (I'd avoid the buffet). Andy's Fruit Ranch is a pretty good green grocer with some interesting ethnic foods. Just south is Noon-O-Kabab (4661) a small Persian restaurant that I like very much. Across the street is Salam Sweets (4638) for infinite variations on the baklava theme. Within these 2 blocks are several other middle eastern markets, cafes, and restaurants. A block east of Kedzie on Lawrence is a large Mexican supermarket. Lawrence -- 4800 North -- Korean A major Korean neighborhood is between Kimball (3400 W) and Pulaski (4000 W). Lots of little shops and restaurants with some Mexican and other places interspersed. Seo Hae (3534 W Lawrence) is a decent Korean restaurant. Arirang (4017 W Lawrence) is a good-sized market. But by far the best Korean market is Chicago Food at 3333 N Kimball Av, a huge and really outstanding store. Not too much around there but I'd consider it worth a trip. Milwaukee -- diagonal street -- Polish There is a strong Polish presence between about 2900 N and 3200 N. Andy's Sausage (3055) is pretty good (but Central Homemade Sausage at 3246 N Central is better, though in another neighborhood). Red Apple (3123) is a well-known cheap Polish buffet (eat 'til you burst for five bucks). There are a number of Polish delis in the area. Staropolska (3028) is one that comes to mind. Harlem -- 7200 West -- Italian Several Italian markets, including Caputo's at 2558, extend north from Fullerton (2400 N). Some good places but rather spread out. All in all, Joseph's on Irving Park is the best Italian market I've seen in Chicago. For things like pricey olive oils, Conte di Savoia at 1438 W Taylor (1000 S) is probably better. West 18th Street -- (1800 South) -- Mexican La Casa del Pueblo (1810 S Blue Island) is a large supermarket with a Mexican slant. The nearby Delray Farms (1701 W Cermak) isn't bad at all (there are several Delrays around the city but this one has the most Mexican food). Restaurants in the neighborhood include the old standby Nuevo Leon (1515 W 18th). The "Maxwell Street" Market (now relocated to Canal St, Sunday mornings) is well worth a visit, at least in summer. I've never been in winter months. Does anyone know what's happening there when it's cold? North and Sheffield -- (1600 N, 1000 W) -- Yuppie Food There are a few notable places in this suburban-like stretch of strip malls. Sam's Wines and Liquors is a great store. Huge selection in all price ranges, and the prices are generally good. The selection of wines in upper price ranges is especially impressive. Excellent selection of Scotch (many great ones available for sampling). Some cheeses, olive oils, etc but that's not their strong point. Goose Island is the city's oldest (not best) brewpub. Looks like nearly every other brewpub in nearly every other city but they do crank out some decent brews now and then. Whole Foods is a local outpost of the "natural foods" chain. The cheese and bulk food departments are particularly good. The prepared foods are overpriced and many aren't all that good. Peet's Coffee and Tea has an branch in this same shopping center.
Chicago, IL