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...the scales have fallen from my eyes, and I have the LTH Forum to thank. Let me 'splain. I like to cook, and I am told I'm a good cook, but I have been very frustrated at the lack of shopping options in lovely Park Ridge. Little did I know, until I started reading the topics in this subforum, that an array of food shopping delights awaited me in nearby Niles!

Yesterday, I made the short trek over to Fresh Farms on Touhy Avenue based on what I read here, and I thought I might keel over and faint just from walking in the door. "Exotic" ingredients that never darken the door of my local Jewel and Dominick's surrounded me! No longer would I have to make substitutions for great recipes I found in CI or on epicurious.com! I was literally astounded by the choices before me. Before I went over there, I thought to myself, "how much better than the local grocery stores can Fresh Farms really be?" Hah! Take =that= Dominick's! A pox on your scant offerings, Jewel!

I have to say that I actually didn't buy very much out of the ordinary yesterday, not having any recipes in mind that would take advantage of what they have on offer, but I will be back. I will have to take the DH with me, too, as I want him to select from the incredible array of encased meats available.

Now, I have been to H Mart and Mitsuwa, so have been able to scratch my Asian itch when necessary, but I have to say that this little one-stop excursion makes me wonder what else I have been missing.

Thanks, LTH!

--Sharon Bond

Fresh Farms International Market
5740 W Touhy Ave
(between Austin Ave & Central Ave)
Niles, IL 60714
(847) 779-7343
http://www.myfreshfarms.com

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"When I'm born I'm a Tar Heel bred, and when I die I'm a Tar Heel dead."

Hi,

If you are H-Mart, then you may as well stop by Jerry's at Oakton and Milwaukee for fruits and vegetables. It is sometimes a bit chaotic in the parking lot and store, though worth the time to get through there.

There are Asian foodstuffs I made special trips into Chicago for, now I tend to go to Niles.

There is another store in Niles I have yet to visit: Assi (or something like that) closer to Dempster on Milwaukee.

Regards,

_________________
Cathy2

"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways, Road Food 2012: Podcast

And since you are so close, check out the new Tony's Market on Greenwood, just north of Dempster.

http://www.tonysfinerfood.com/aboutus.jsp

Ditto on the Tony's. That is a very nice Tony's, too. The stores on Elston and Central Aves (closer to me) are much more challenging.
And ditto on Assi. Cool store.

While it is worth a visit to check out since you're in Park Ridge, I never, ever go into Jerry's anymore. I don't think I've been since Fresh Farms and HMart have opened. The chaos in the lot and store is a real headache and I can't think of anything I used to get there that I can 't find elsewhere. I even cringe when I have to drive North on Milwaukee at Oakton on a weekend afternoon.

I hope the planned Mariano's here in Jeff Park does go through.

I'll add Joe Caputo & Sons Fruit Market. Keeping the Chicagoland Caputo's straight isn't easy but this one is sort of small. It is close to Park Ridge, tho.


Joe Caputo & Sons Fruit Market‎
959 East Oakton Street
Des Plaines, IL 60018-2040
(847) 827-6700
http://www.joecaputoandsons.com/DesPlaines.aspx

Me too, but according to our new Alderman, who I spoke to on this very subject, no one from Mariano's has been in contact with his office yet to discuss planning, permits or possible use of TIF funding, so it doesn't sound too hopeful yet. Hopefully it will eventually happen, though.

_________________
Steve Z.
Photographer/Pseudojournalist

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

Mod Note: We've merged a few great new posts into this already existing thread about the food-shopping scene in Niles.

Carry on!

=R=
for the moderators

_________________
I just wanna live until I gotta die. I know I ain't perfect but God knows I try. --Todd Snider

Twitter: ronniesuburban

Assi Plaza
8901 N Milwaukee Ave
Niles, IL 60714
(847) 470-9450
http://www.lotteplaza.com/branch/branch ... 57&lan=ENG

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"A fruit is a vegetable with looks and money. Plus, if you let fruit rot, it turns into wine, something Brussels sprouts never do."
-- P. J. O’Rourke"

The only thing I haven't been able to buy in Niles is chow fun.
If somebody's knows where I can get that without going into the city, my life will be complete.

_________________
What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
-- Lin Yutang

Thanks for the suggestions, Cathy; I see lots of fun shopping in my culinary future!

Sharon

_________________
"When I'm born I'm a Tar Heel bred, and when I die I'm a Tar Heel dead."

Thanks, PK; I pass by there all the time, and used to go by twice a day when I worked in Glenview, but I didn't know if it was worth stopping in or not.

Sharon

_________________
"When I'm born I'm a Tar Heel bred, and when I die I'm a Tar Heel dead."

The suggestions are much appreciated Brandon; will be checking out those emporia when I return from vacation to my beloved North Carolina.

_________________
"When I'm born I'm a Tar Heel bred, and when I die I'm a Tar Heel dead."

Not sure if this is what you mean, but, I purchased fresh rice noodles at Richwell Market on Dempster last week. They didn't have the pre-sliced only the large sheets.

Richwell Market
6120 Dempster Street
Morton Grove, IL 60053-2951
(847) 929-2228

eric2

Y'know, I've bought them there years ago (under a different business name). Last time I was in there a couple years ago, they didn't have any -- it may be a small daily supply.

_________________
What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
-- Lin Yutang

Hi,

At Jerry's (Oakton and Milwaukee) this evening, I saw two-pound bags of baby arugula for $2.50. The bag was the size of a 2.5-pound bulk spinach.

My refrigerator is already full, but argula at this price was very attractive. I bought it anyway.

Regards,

_________________
Cathy2

"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways, Road Food 2012: Podcast

I went to Schmeisser's yesterday for some duck breasts. Apparently they have slices of smoked goose breast, ready-to-eat, like prosciutto. It looked fantastic...but it was $9 for a quarter pound. Looks like next year, when I'm a millionaire as planned, this will go on our spread.

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I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert. ~ Jason Love
There is no pie in Nighthawks, which is why it's such a desolate image. ~ Happy Stomach
I can't go to Hollywood. I got biscuits to make. ~ Dwight Henry

Late-Nite Eats Database

It is fabulous and worth every penny. Put it on your splurge list, next to the caviar and real Champagne.

_________________
LAZ
Dining Chicago
Index to LTHForum Recipes, 2004-2008

I think I'll save up for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

_________________
I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert. ~ Jason Love
There is no pie in Nighthawks, which is why it's such a desolate image. ~ Happy Stomach
I can't go to Hollywood. I got biscuits to make. ~ Dwight Henry

Late-Nite Eats Database