City Area Butchers, Specialty Food Shops, Great supermarkets, Gourmet Delis (Chicago: price, grocer)

[saint_jack]

Hi There. Can anyone tell me about great Butchers, Specialty Food Shops, Great supermarkets, Gourmet Delis in the city area?

Thanks,

Saint Jack

[Drover]

I'd say the snootiest, upscale-ist would be Fox & Obel (http://www.fox-obel.com/index.asp - broken link).

[saint_jack]

Thanks Drover. As far as butchers or specialty meat shops, Italian delis and normal good quality day-to-day shops, who do you recommend?

Cheers,

Saint jack

[Drover]

I guess for most day-to-day stuff I'd recommend one of the recently built or renovated Dominick's grocery stores. I don't really have recommendations for the more specific stuff. I know a few folks that swear by a place in the near north side called Treasure Island. Then of course there's always good ol' fashioned Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Wild Oats.

[carfreechicago]

Go for the good local places. Romanian Kosher Sausage (butcher) in Rogers Park has my favorite hot dogs and pastrami -- Romanian Kosher Sausage Co Chicago, Rogers Park | Yelp (remember they'll be closed on saturdays -- i'm embarrased to admit i've trekked all the way up there twice before learning my lesson that a kosher butcher is closed saturday, not sunday). Other good butchers though are Paulina Market (Lakeview), Gepperth's (Lincoln Park), and Bornhofen (Edgewater). My favorite bakeries are Sweet Thang (Wicker Park), Bleeding Heart (moving to Lakeview), and Bittersweet (Lakeview). Red Hen (Lakeview) is great for breads. There's a great cheese and wine shop that also sells bread called Pastoral in Lakeview. I noticed a couple small specialty grocers opened up in Wicker Park, and there's one call Southport Grocer and Cafe in Lakeview. Not sure if that's what you're looking for. Yelp.com is good for this kind of stuff.

[saint_jack]

Thanks, Carfree- all duly noted!! My List is growing!!

Cheers,

SJ

[via chicago]

If you want Italian Subs or deli meat, there is absolutely no better you can do than Bari Foods on the west side. Its a hole in the wall Mom and Pop place, and they make the most amazing Italian subs in the city. period. (not to mention they're ridiculously cheap)
Bari Foods on Centerstage Chicago
Bari Foods Chicago, Near West Side | Yelp

[j33]

Paulina meat market is amazing.

Paulina Meat Market · Chicago, Illinois

Although I'm sad to hear that Bleeding Heart is moving to Lakeview, I want 'em to stay around the corner from my place.

If you like Polish food, Cesar's and Kasia's are both good delis.

[TeacherMan]

And I KNOW my experience is limited...but...we have been VERY IMPRESSED with Cermark Produce (as a butcher shop) and Pete's Supermarket for produce (both for quality and price). Hope my naivete is not shining through this post !

HOWEVER, I am thankful for the other suggestions to add to our list!

-TM

[mcgoof23]

I'd second the nomination for Bari on W. Grand Ave. Other good Italian deli's are Fontano's on Polk/Carpenter or Conte Di Savoia on Taylor St. a block or two west of Loomis on the north side of the street.