When living downtown.... (Chicago, Northbrook, Lincoln: coupons, home, to buy)

[Mattchewie]

How does one grocery shop? Are there full service stores or should I expect to be going to a couple of places to get the things I need (meat/veggies/ canned and boxed goods)

[SloopyJ]

Don't know what you mean by "downtown", but there are several large full-service grocery stores in the South Loop, West Loop, and River North, but not in the Loop itself: Jewel stores at Roosevelt/Wabash and State/Grand, and Dominick's stores at Madison/Halsted, Columbus/Grand, and Roosevelt/Canal.

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

There's also a Trader Joe's on Ontario and Treasure Islands on Elm and... Chicago, maybe? Or Huron? Both the TI's are over by Lakeshore. There's also a Potash Bros on State north of Chicago.

None of those are in the loop. More River North-Mag Mile-Gold Coast. Still, they should do. Plus there's a Costco in the city (not the burbs) at Damen and Clybourn, so you can stock up with ease.

[NYrules]

I know people are going to hate me for suggesting this, but I have friends that live on Madison and Jefferson and what they do is get a bunch of people together and all drive out to the burbs in a pick up truck and hit up Sam's Club and Super-Wal Mart and STOCK up big time. That way they don't have to pay the exsorbenant Chicago prices and taxes to buy stuff in small quantities.

[Mattchewie]

Well you see, I might be getting a job in the Northbrook. I'm trying to decided if i wan't to try "downtown" living, or say in lincoln square, or the burbs. So I was wondering if I was living downtown, how long would it take me to hit a full service grocery store, or at least somewhere where I could get meat, veggies and canned goods from.

We are from Michigan in the burbs so we are used to only having about a 20 minute to a super-walmart or Meijer or Bushes (etc).

[via chicago]

i still think you need to specify what you mean by "downtown". most city dwellers interpret that as the Loop, which while gaining some residential options, is still primarily a central business district w/o many places to live (youd be looking at the south and west loop for the most part, which are both booming). now if you ask a suburbanite from shaumburg what downtown means, they'll prob just tell you "chicago". so i think thats why some people are pushing you for more of an explanation on what area youre specifically looking at.

[Mattchewie]

Hrm, you know good question via chicago! I was assuming there would be places to live in the loop (not to say I was aiming there, just using it as a frame of reference). I guess another good question would be "where are good places to live"?

We have seen stuff in the south loop that looks good, some a bit north (can't remember locale off the top of my head) and we also some stuff in the "art district" that look pretty cool. One fellow at work said his buddy lived in Lincoln Square and he really enjoyed it.

We are looking for somewhere that would offer up food, shops and entertainment and cta/metra station close by.

The art district sounded like it might be pretty rich with interesting things? anyone have input on that? and how "safe" it is?

[Chinolala]

Do what I do and buy all of your groceries and stuff online. I pay $5.95 for delivery and they bring it right into your kitchen. No contract, no membership fees, great organic selection, wonderful meat, poultry and fish. They accept store coupons and aside from food, sell liquor, toiletries, BBQ supplies, postage stamps, cleaning supplies, pet supplies, - basically everything. If I put their name on here I think it will be omitted due to the no advertising policy of this website. Send me a private message if you want to know the website.

[jessiegirl_98]

Originally Posted by Mattchewie

Well you see, I might be getting a job in the Northbrook. I'm trying to decided if i wan't to try "downtown" living, or say in lincoln square, or the burbs. So I was wondering if I was living downtown, how long would it take me to hit a full service grocery store, or at least somewhere where I could get meat, veggies and canned goods from.

We are from Michigan in the burbs so we are used to only having about a 20 minute to a super-walmart or Meijer or Bushes (etc).

Yes, there are grocery stores (Jewel, Dominics, Trader Joes, Whole Foods) everywhere in the city..... The bigger concern for me would be downtown to Northbrook commute!?!?!?

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by Mattchewie

Well you see, I might be getting a job in the Northbrook. I'm trying to decided if i wan't to try "downtown" living, or say in lincoln square, or the burbs. So I was wondering if I was living downtown, how long would it take me to hit a full service grocery store, or at least somewhere where I could get meat, veggies and canned goods from.

We are from Michigan in the burbs so we are used to only having about a 20 minute to a super-walmart or Meijer or Bushes (etc).

Here is the best advice for you. BUY YOUR STUFF WHEN YOU GO HOME FROM WORK! That way you can hit the suburban stores on your way home which have lower prices than in the city and you can save money. I think there are Wal-Marts and Sams Clubs around Northbrook, at least the last time I was up there there were. Just realize you will have to drive out to work about once a month. Another idea is to use Jewel/Osco's Peapod. Peapod Online Grocery Shopping and Delivery Service