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The new Mariano's on Elston in Forest Glen opened today. I stopped in this afternoon to check it out. It's pretty much the same as the one on Roscoe & Western. Lot's of prepared foods, and middle of the road looking produce and meat. Today being the first day they are open, the parking lot was full and the place was packed with people wandering aimlessly exploring the store. It wasn't too much fun to be there, but I'm sure within a short time the novelty will wear off and it will be a much more civilized place to shop. Although I'll probably continue to do the bulk of my shopping at Fresh Farms, I'm very happy to have this store in my neighborhood. I'm sure I'll be there quite a bit to pick up staples and last minute items.

Mariano's
5353 N Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60630
(773) 481-6731

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Steve Z.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

"The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook." - Julia Child

I stopped by this evening and came away fairly pleased. I have not been to a Mariano's before.

Parking lot was hellish but expected on opening day.
Prices for many everyday items looked quite reasonable. An exception here was the deli lunchmeats which were highish.
Produce looks very nice. I hope they can keep this up. They have some great looking salad greens.
Meats were disappointing. I couldn't find non-cryovac'd or 'enhanced' pork tenderloins or ribs, spares or babybacks. Seafood selection is limited but what they had looked alright. The do offer to grill your meats or seafood free of charge. Perfect grab-and-go ribeye+tuna steak opportunity.
Cheese is probably between a Trader Joes and a Whole Foods which is to say very good.
Some of the sausages looked interesting.
The staff seems enthusiastic and engaged.

Overall, a nice addition to the neighborhood. I can't say Mariano's is outstanding in any particular way and there not much width or depth but the facility and shopping atmosphere is quite pleasant and the products are high quality with a bargain here and there.

I stopped by yesterday also. While the parking lot was filled near capacity, the shopping experience itself did not feel too crowded. Enjoyed the live piano and upright base and the many samples. And I can never pass up the $1 mini gelato.

Unless I overlooked it, here is what I noted different from the Roscoe Village store:

an olive antipasti bar
a sandwich making station
as BrendanR noted, a grill station, where they will grill what you buy from them for free. I'll do my own grilling, thank you, but I can see this being a huge plus for some. And maybe if I was in a rush ...

the liquor department is not open yet.

I had to tell the rookie at the register what banana peppers and shallots were. And the difference between yellow and white onions. The bagger needed the help of a veteran and gaped questionably at a bag of spaetzl. No bother on my part, just amusement.

Fresh Farms does have better produce, fish, prices, and other advantages, but lacks prepared foods all together. Mariano's fills this slot nicely. And I'll bet Fresh Farms never has a piano.

http://www.milwaukeemag.com/article/962012-FoodFight

An interesting article about groceries in the Milwaukee area and Marino's.
fairly constant with the belief that Marino's is losing money.

I have a Mariano's within striking distance (Vernon Hills) for lunch. Any prepared foods worth seeking out from them? I've never been.

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We cannot be friends if you do not know the difference between Mayo and Miracle Whip.

Went into Mariano's last night, 2 days after grand opening after 6pm. It was very busy, and overheard lots of "oh wow!"s around me.

Observations:
Produce looks fresh and displayed very much in the Whole Foods Style. Perfectly stacked apples, carrots, lots of pre cut fruit, healthy smoothie/green drinks with the produce etc. Purchases: cored fresh pineapple for $2.50. Large container of raspberries for 2.50 as well (IIRC). Best purchase--large container of freshly squeezed--and I mean they were squeezing the oranges right there OJ for $3.50

Once past the produce you are right into the bakery. Donuts with bacon, donuts with fruit loops, cookies as large as a salad plate, cupcakes, birthday cakes, breads etc. Purchase: a cinnamon coffee cake that is more than 1/2 gone less than 24 hrs later.

In the bakery area is a gelato stand with flavors like blood orange, vanilla, strawberry balasmic. Purchases: 2 small orders to go of tiamisu and strawberry balamic. Total was under $4.50. I would have expected $4.50 for 1.

The a sushi stand with 3 sushi chefs and to made order sushi complete with sushi bar. Purchase: 2 pre-made sushis, 1 california roll with real crab was $7. A combo of eel and salmon was $12.

Walked past soup station, deli and meat counter. I did ask the (very young) butcher if they have turkey breasts or thighs. He said no, just the ground. I asked him if they could order for me, and he said he wasn't sure. I chalked this up as being new, but at Fresh Farms as well as Whole Foods they have been able to order for me and either offered or confirmed when I asked.

Cheese area looks promising. Purchase: a small container of shaved parm as I was out.

And then it gets weird. Its like this bustle of energy, lots of people, lots of sampling the min you walk in the store, but once you turn the corner from the meat counter...its dead. Hardly anyone in the "normal" aisles of the grocery store, like the chip, snack, cookie, isle. No one was in the beauty products aisle. If they are losing money, this is exacly its pain point. The prices are reasonable if not cheaper than say Dominicks or Jewel for standard household items, but I didn't see a lot of activity in here.

I am going back tonight with my friend and neighbor to check it out again and expect to do the same. Pick up more veggies/fruits, an easy Friday night dinner like soup and a salad and then out.

Well they have finally started tearing down Hubble School in Wheaton (the original Wheaton Central) to make room for Marianos. It will probably take some time to build. I hate to see it on opening week. It will be busier than grand central station.

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Toria

"I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it" - As You Like It,
W. Shakespeare

You're right on both counts, but things seemed to calm down quickly on Elston (after all, except for a few items it's really not that big a deal, once you get a look at the store and its offerings). I've been there several times now because it's walking distance from my house. The meat department seems to always have fresh Bell & Evans ducks, Cornish hens (larger than the typical ones you see elsewhere) and pheasants in stock. I'm going to cook one of those ducks on my Weber kettle's rotisserie tomorrow for dinner.

_________________
Steve Z.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

"The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook." - Julia Child

Spotted at Mariano's yesterday:

_________________
Steve Z.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

"The only time to eat diet food is while you’re waiting for the steak to cook." - Julia Child