Hyper/Supermarket Chains in Chicago
Supermarkets
Dominicks http://www.dominicks.com/IFL/Grocery/Home
The Dominicks supermarkets are located all around the city of Chicago. The price level is average, as well as the quality of the products.
Fox and Obel Food Market http://www.fox-obel.com/market
401 E. Illinois, Chicago IL, 60611
This supermarket is located in downtown Chicago. The prices are rather expensive, but you will find international food. It might be a good address if you live downtown and are looking for a very specific product or wine. But this might not be the perfect place to do your daily or weekly food shopping.
Jewel Osco http://www.jewelosco.com
This is a big chain of supermarket that you will find almost everywhere in the US. In Chicago, Jewel-Osco is located in all parts of the city. The prices are rather good and the produces are of good quality but you can find better… for higher prices elsewhere.
Potash Bros. http://www.potashbros.com/
This is a local supermarket with three different stores located in the near north side community area. The produce stands are always extremely fresh and of high quality. Prices are rather high, which is due, in part, to the shops’ locations (Gold Coast).
Trader Joe’s http://www.traderjoes.com/
At Trader Joe, you will find good products at very reasonable prices. Moreover if you are interested only in organic food and products, this is the place for you. They have an Italian food section.
Treasure Island Foods http://www.tifoods.com/
There are seven stores located around the city of Chicago and in Wilmette (North suburbs). They claim to be the America’s most European supermarket. There you will find fresh French breads and pastries, Greek pastries and cheeses. They have real butchers who answer your questions and take your orders. They sell prime meats every day. Catering, delivery and personal shopper services are available.
Whole Food Markets http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/
The Whole Food supermarkets are a very nice place to do your food shopping. You will find only good-quality natural and organic products. The meat and vegetables are always fresh and they have an impressive section of cheese. Real butchers and fish merchants are staffed to answer your questions and take your orders. A brand new and huge store opened in the Lincoln Park area in 2009 (1550 N. Kingsbury Street, Chicago, IL 60642). The drawback is that the price level is very high.
Hypermarkets
Target http://www.target.com/
At Target, you will find everything you are looking for, from food to clothes and shoes as well as furniture and decoration. Prices are reasonable. Nevertheless, the food section is not the most interesting part: you will find mainly frozen food, few vegetables and fruits and no fresh meat, but lots of snacks, American breads, water and sodas, as well as cleaning products.
Walmart http://www.walmart.com/
The Walmart supermarkets are located in the suburbs of Chicago. The closest is located at 4650 West North Ave. Chicago, IL 60639 (8 miles from downtown). The Walmart supermarkets are huge and you can find everything from groceries to electronics and outdoor living products and toys among others. Prices are lower than in other supermarkets.
Online Supermarket
Peapod http://www.peapod.com
This is an online supermarket that delivers right into your kitchen, which is very convenient. They charge $6,95 the delivery, but it worth it when you calculate how much time you spend in a supermarket and the exhaustion it costs you (especially when you have small kids). You will find exactly the same products than in a traditional supermarket. The vegetables, fruits and meat are always fresh. If something (but it is rare) is missing or broken, you call the customer service and they will put your money back directly on your credit card. The prices are the same as in a local supermarket and sometimes cheaper. You can get special discounts at least once a month, which reduces the delivery fee. They have a section specialized in international food that is rather large and interesting.
