Richwell Market - Morton Grove

Was -Chinese style B.B.Q. comes to Morton Grove

A combination Chinese grocery store and B.B.Q. take out stand has recently opened in what I think used to be a Korean grocery (DiHo?). The take out area has several hanging ducks, a big hunk of roasted pork, and a bin of barbequed pork. I had some duck and barbequed pork, and while not as good as Sun Wah, they were very tasty.

What is also interesting is their menu. I’m not sure if they have all the stuff advertised available, because there is no kitchen, just a take out stand with a steam table and glass case for the ducks, etc. But, the menu lists a wide variety of very interesting of barbequed items: ducks, ribs, chicken livers, tripe, duck feet and pig ears. They’ll even do a whole roasted pig. They also list some basic appetizers, soups and main dishes, including salt toasted pork chop, pork stomach with black bean sauce, Singapore mai fun and steamed dumplings. Again, I’m not sure if this is always available, but this place will need further exploring.

As for the market, it seems to be a small but very tidy Chinese market. It had a limited by very fresh looking array of fresh greens, a fresh fish area and a butcher shop. There were about 3 isles of canned and packaged goods.

There is an Asian population in this area, as one can see from the two or three Korean restaurants nearby (I’ve not tried them). This place is no destination for you city dwellers, but for those of us in the burbs, it looks like a very good addition. It’s just about 5 minutes off the Edens going west on Dempster, which is a heck of a lot close than Argyle or Chinatown.

B.B.Q. King (inside Richwell Market)
6120 W. Dempster St.
Morton Grove, IL. 60042
847-966-0637

I stopped in there once recently (Di Ho was the only shop I could get wide flat rice noodles, I wanted to see if they currently stocked it, but no), and was rather disappointed.

There were four or five things on their menu I asked for and they were either just out of, or didn't make that day. This was at about 12:30 midweek, not a weird time to pick up carry-out food. They had no roast pork anything, no bao... I don't remember what else I'd asked for. They were heavily pushing what was pre-packaged on top of the counter, which didn't look all that good.

I walked.

Their black pepper short ribs are a regular item at my table. The duck is not as good as Sun Wah but it's convenient. The roast pig is really good with crunchy skin and unctuous fat. Wonderful on a plate of rice with some steamed greens.

I haven't visited this location but by reading these names, I deduce that the Richwell Market near Chinatown at 18th & Canal has opened a 2nd location and again partnered with BBQ King to provide Chinese deli products. BBQ King has 3 locations in Chicago: one location in the Chinatown Square, a second at Wentworth & 23rd St, and a third inside the Richwell Market at 18th & Canal. Now, I guess, they have a 4th.

BBQ King cooks consistent good Chinese BBQ and deli items. However, I find other Chinatown delis with better options on individual items. Wing Chan for Pei Pa Duck, soy sauce chicken, roast pork, and braised chicken feet. Great Wall sometimes for soy sauce chicken & seasoned soy (lu shui ya) duck. Goody market for seasoned soy duck.

However, for the north suburbs this is probably the only location where you'll find Chinese BBQ & Deli.

Though I'm not crazy about the bbq avaialble at great wall (and its about equally distant as argyle for me) I am happy to be able to get the pear river bridge gold label light soy in quantity and cheaply there

HI,

The phone number for BBQ King inside Richwell's is either wrong or disconnected. The Richwell number does work:

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

Regards,

The BBQ King folks moved out and a new franchise is moving into the takeout space located inside the Richwell Market (formerly Diho).

I really hope they will also have the black pepper short ribs, that was one of my favorite to go lunches in the area.

I think the OP said "take out"...but a quick question:

Are there any tables to enjoy lunch there?

Hi,

Richwell Market is an Asian grocery store. The Chinese BBQ is a concession inside for take-out food. There is no seating, though you could eat in your car.

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:you could eat in your car.

Ummm....do I catch a wiff of sarcasm?

kenji wrote:

Cathy2 wrote:you could eat in your car.

Ummm....do I catch a wiff of sarcasm?

Factual. I do it myself sometimes.

Really the thing I miss most about working for Home Depot were the impromptu LTH meals set up on the tailgate of my pickup truck:) Tacos never tasted so good...

But to answer the query re: sarcasm, the hood of the car is the LTH Approved eating area, especially for BBQ.

I grew up in Maywood from the late 60's thru the 70's so I fully understand the use of the two pieces of WonderBread on top of your small end or tips while eating in the car.

That and a fluffy steering wheel cover.

kenji says: "That and a fluffy steering wheel cover."

And I'll add, a speed knob on the steering wheel...



Geo

There's a new sign attached to the Richwell Market sign: "Barbeque Queen New Management"...

LuvstoEat wrote:There's a new sign attached to the Richwell Market sign: "Barbeque Queen New Management"...

BBQ at Richwell Market Morton Grove is no more, was there Easter Sunday and there were boxes and carts packed in the BBQ area. I was also at Richwell Market on 18th and Canal earlier in the week, I'm on the hunt for Sichuan chili bean paste from Pixian, and the BBQ kiosk was dark as well. Bakery was up and running on Canal though, a BBQ pork bun and milk tea (hot tea, sugar, milk) made for a tasty breakfast.

The main reason I am posting about Richwell Market is the Morton Grove outpost has become a very nice Asian market, smaller than the Canal Street grocery, which is a gem, from my previous visit to now there has been a dramatic uptick in number and quality of both produce and fresh meat.

Enjoy,
Gary

Richwell Market
6120 W. Dempster St.
Morton Grove, IL. 60042
847-966-0637

Richwell Market
1835 South Canal Street
Chicago, Il 60616
312-226-9611

G Wiv wrote:The main reason I am posting about Richwell Market is the Morton Grove outpost has become a very nice Asian market, smaller than the Canal Street grocery, which is a gem, from my previous visit to now there has been a dramatic uptick in number and quality of both produce and fresh meat.

But, I'm guessing, no Sichuan chili bean paste from Pixian.

JoelF wrote:But, I'm guessing, no Sichuan chili bean paste from Pixian.

I found Pixian Douban at Richwell Market on 18th and Canal, close but I don't think its one Dunlop would recommend using. For one it does not use broad (fava) bean, and contains sugar, spice and MSG which she labels "extra ingredients" in her blog post on the subject. I'll give it a try, and hope for the best, but the hunt continues.

G Wiv wrote:BBQ at Richwell Market Morton Grove is no more, was there Easter Sunday and there were boxes and carts packed in the BBQ area....

Richwell Market
6120 W. Dempster St.
Morton Grove, IL. 60042
847-966-0637

On the Richwell Market sign, "Mei Mei BBQ" has replaced the erstwhile BBQ King and BBQ Queen. Has anyone checked it out recently?

tarte tatin wrote:On the Richwell Market sign, "Mei Mei BBQ" has replaced the erstwhile BBQ King and BBQ Queen. Has anyone checked it out recently?

Picked up BBQ pork on rice for lunch at Mei Mei yesterday, $6.50 with a few green beans and small cup of soup. Mei Mei is not Sun Wah or Hong Kee but I enjoyed my lunch, plan on trying either roast pork or duck next and was happy to see they offered duck head/tongue/wing along and chicken feet along with Chinese BBQ standards.




I like Richwell Market as a Chinese grocery, not going to replace a visit to Viet Hoa or Park to Shop but its ten minutes from my house and well stocked, especially in the condiment, sauce, dry goods category.

Richwell Market/Mei Mei Chinese BBQ
6120 W. Dempster St.
Morton Grove, IL. 60042

Viet Hoa
1051 W Argyle St.
Chicago, IL 60640

Park to Shop Supermarket
2425 S Wallace St
Chicago, IL 60616

Passed Richwell Market in Morton Grove, did a U and stopped to buy assorted Chinese pantry ingredients, fermented tofu, oyster sauce, fresh noodles etc. Richwell Market has an in-house BBQ kiosk, BBQ duck and soy chicken leg for lunch. Made rice and a small batch of Ginger Scallion Sauce . . . off to the races.

click to expand


Ginger Scallion Sauce, count me a Fan!

Looks great, Gary.

One of the best things about being vaccinated and back at my office during the week is that I can once again conveniently shop at Richwell on Dempster, which is nearby. Small but mighty. For me, the main highlight is their really interesting selection of produce, which is typically in very good condition. Also, a solid selection of pantry items, including frozen and refrigerated goods. I've even purchased their coarsely-ground pork for specific dishes on a few occasions but haven't purchased any other fresh meats there, yet.

The in-house BBQ kiosk offers tasty items, too. Chicken, ribs and pork have all been quite nice. Gotta try the duck sometime soon. I get the feeling that it's cooked elsewhere and brought in for sale because some mornings there's nothing/no one at the kiosk and no aromatic evidence that anything's being cooked anywhere on site. But I could be wrong about that.

In any case, the place is great. A real resource, especially for Chinese-focused ingredients/items in the northern suburbs.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:because some mornings there's nothing/no one at the kiosk and no aromatic evidence that anything's being cooked anywhere on site.

Is this on a Wednesday? Mei Mei was closed on Wednesdays. The BBQ kiosk just changed names yet again, its now called Jason BBQ. I'd guess they are closed on Wednesdays as well, but don't know for sure. (BBQ King, Mei Mei, Jason. And maybe one or two I missed.)

ronnie_suburban wrote: purchased their coarsely-ground pork for specific dishes on a few occasions

Yep, Richwell's ground pork looks great, coarse ground, lots of fat, I bought some myself. FYI, for those who have not been. Richwell Market has a fresh meat counter as well as fresh produce, dry goods, frozen items, noodles etc.

Richwell Market, count me a Fan!

Had a funny experience in the produce aisle at Richwell yesterday. An older (than me) woman watched me cart a few items (shiitakes, garlic chives, Chinese celery, etc.) and pointedly asked me if I knew how to cook them all. I told her "yeah, I learned on the internet." She gave me a look and said "oh, internet," then went back to her shopping. I then complimented her on choosing a nice fioretto. "That's the good stuff," I told her, as I smiled and moved on. I'm sure she was thrilled that I approved of her choice!

=R=

I suspect this was a combination of you being white and a man. Double strike.

lougord99 wrote:I suspect this was a combination of you being white and a man. Double strike.

Not sure but I am something of a fish out of water in that store. The people who work there seem to know me, though and they're all super friendly and helpful. It's pretty much my favorite store these days.

=R=

I'm not so pessimistic, I thought it was an exchange of credentials and both sides won with honor.

Regards,
Cathy2

I wish this forum had a like button - I would have liked your post Cathy.

lougord99 wrote:I wish this forum had a like button - I would have liked your post Cathy.

Agreed!

=R=

Sign on the door ‘deep fry coming back’.