ScottMc

Hi All,

I know this is a really banal thread to start but I'm going to anyway.

Anyone in the chicagoland area, where do you do your groceries. Went to Dominicks last night, seemed OK, much like Publix in Florida.

Anyone care to give me the rundown on the price vs quality scale?

Thanks,

Scott

Maz

I do all my grocery shopping at Target on Route 59 between Aurora and Naperville. They have a ton of nicer products, a good selection of organic stuff, and I've always found the staff to be very friendly and helpful. Pricewise it's maybe a teensy weensy bit more expensive than Jewel, but there's also a convenience factor. If I need any small car parts, any toys, any new pairs of knickers, or any party or kitchen supplies, I can get all that in the same store, too. And have a cup of earl grey from the onsite Starbucks while doing it, too. Their wine selection leaves something to be desired, but we just go to our local offy for that.

Whereabouts in Chicagoland are you, Scott?

If I could (ie. if it wouldn't bankrupt us within a few months), I'd shop exclusively at Trader Joe's.

I used to shop at Jewel, but since discovering all the organic stuff at Target, I only go there now. Things like organic yoghurts and milk, that kind of thing. I mean, there's not *tons* of it, by any means, but they always have it.

USBound

I'm interested in this too.. .moving to the Schaumburg (sp) area next month.

andy

BigDavyG

Just down the road from me....

Anyway, the staples round here are Dominicks and Jewel.
They are pretty much much of a muchness (nice grammar there ).
Some of the Jewels are much nicer than others, and some carry a limited range of Brit stuff - I can give more specific details once you know the area.
As per usual get the discount cards for all the specials - usually takes 30% off my bill.

Outside these there is a Meijers close by that I've never been to, a trader joe's which is pricier but sells a better quality of produce, especially some of their pre-prepared stuff.
We have a whole foods to too far away as well - very pricey but some nice stuff.

There are also a few Brit stores located in a nice olde-worlde village close by called Long Grove. Its actually a nice spot to go for a walk in and the shops are a nice bonus - they aren't cheap but have a pretty comprehensive range including monster munch, vimto, lucozade, sausages and bacon. Expect to pay up to 50% more than you would at home.

If you have any other questions give me a shout.

As suburbs go you could have ended up in far worse places, though I have to admit that moving to a job in the city has given me a new lease of life.

USBound

oh I'll be working in the city, right smack bang on Ohio Street (EA).

andy

Maz

Whenever I need something peculiarly British, I sometimes go to Meijer's international foods aisle, but they pretty much specialise in chocolates. There's also a store nearby called Michael's Fresh Market, at Ogden and Rte 59, which has a not-so-bad collection of Indian foods.

USBound

now THAT is good to know... here in LA we have a little store about 2 blocks away that supplies our naans & whatever.

Maz

Trader Joe's has frozen biryani rice, and frozen naans. I just pop them in the microwave or in the toaster oven for a few mins, they're delish!

BigDavyG

There is a massive indian population here so you'll have not problem picking up indian food.
There is a shop right beside me that sells fresh samosas, etc.

Also if you're working downtown you would be mad to drive - the metra trains are pretty good ($105 for a monthly pass), but that depends on how close you are going to be living/working to the stations at each end I suppose.

Hiro11

No one store has everything.

Jewel is great for the basics, it's better than Dominics in my town. Costco for a variety of other large things.

Whole Foods for good cheese, bread and unbelievably expensive but tasty meat and fruit.

Trader Joes for frozen stuff, snacks, some wine and various other small items.

Sam's Wine and Liquors on Roosevelt Rd. in Lombard for most wine and beer.

Panera's a pretty good chain bakery.

Hiro11

Me too. Those naans are extremely tasty.

Bob

The microwave lunches aren't bad either, not that hot though.

Maz

I could just about snorkel in their individual quiches, they're so wonderful! Luckily my closest one is about 10 miles away.

USBound

I'll be using the metra methinks... have no intention of driving if I can avoid it at all... those parking costs soon build up.

BigDavyG

Depending on which station you'll be using you may have to pay to park there too, that's if you can even get a spot - at some metra stations there is a waiting list for parking spots.

I don't know where in Schaumburg you'll be living, but certain stations are infinitely preferable to others - just fyi...