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Fox & Obel--Rant and Heads Up

Fox & Obel--Rant and Heads Up
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  • Post #31 - October 22nd, 2010, 6:31 pm
    Post #31 - October 22nd, 2010, 6:31 pm Post #31 - October 22nd, 2010, 6:31 pm
    They've got lots of problems and fall short in many ways, but to me, they're the only game in town for one stop "Dean & Deluca" type (notice..type, not equivalent) stuff, so I want to support them. We "need" a store like that in Chicago and I'd hate to see them succumb to the bad economy. Therefore, I gladly support them 'cause, as I say, they're the only game in town for one stop shopping.
  • Post #32 - October 22nd, 2010, 6:47 pm
    Post #32 - October 22nd, 2010, 6:47 pm Post #32 - October 22nd, 2010, 6:47 pm
    Kennyz wrote:More good news: the morons in charge of labeling and other such things have programmed it so that the high quality, hand-picked saffron that's supposed to be $12.99 and is labeled as such on the shelf rings up as $4.49 instead. After discovereing this my first time through the register, I went right back to the shelf and bought all 5 packages that remained. Perhaps they'll order more and some of you can take advantage of the ineptitude too. Or you can buy a package from me for $11.99.

    I assume you used your Groupon(s) for the purchase. :twisted:
  • Post #33 - October 22nd, 2010, 7:06 pm
    Post #33 - October 22nd, 2010, 7:06 pm Post #33 - October 22nd, 2010, 7:06 pm
    I'm trying to think of a place that sells sadder looking produce at higher prices and coming up short. Maybe Crazy Jim's House O' Wilted Lettuce? But they have sales sometimes.
  • Post #34 - October 22nd, 2010, 7:54 pm
    Post #34 - October 22nd, 2010, 7:54 pm Post #34 - October 22nd, 2010, 7:54 pm
    mhill95149 wrote:and maybe some day we will see a WWKzD? tee-shirt


    Some day? My two year-old is already wearing one.
  • Post #35 - October 22nd, 2010, 8:05 pm
    Post #35 - October 22nd, 2010, 8:05 pm Post #35 - October 22nd, 2010, 8:05 pm
    BR wrote:
    Kennyz wrote:More good news: the morons in charge of labeling and other such things have programmed it so that the high quality, hand-picked saffron that's supposed to be $12.99 and is labeled as such on the shelf rings up as $4.49 instead. After discovereing this my first time through the register, I went right back to the shelf and bought all 5 packages that remained. Perhaps they'll order more and some of you can take advantage of the ineptitude too. Or you can buy a package from me for $11.99.

    I assume you used your Groupon(s) for the purchase. :twisted:


    Believe it or not, yes. It's the only groupon I've ever purchased and it was about to expire. I was perplexed when, after I had carefully selected items - including one saffron packet - to get as close as possible to $40 on the nose, I heard the cashier tell me I was 8 bucks short. OK, I said - I'll throw in another saffron and pay the difference. Still a few bucks short, she said, grabbing a couple of bags of toffee to throw into my order to get me to $40. I then realized what had happened and returned to the shelf for more. This time I found a different cashier and paid cash.
    ...defended from strong temptations to social ambition by a still stronger taste for tripe and onions." Screwtape in The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis

    Fuckerberg on Food
  • Post #36 - October 23rd, 2010, 1:01 pm
    Post #36 - October 23rd, 2010, 1:01 pm Post #36 - October 23rd, 2010, 1:01 pm
    Dmnkly wrote:As somebody who was once an avid F&O shopper, I'm of the opinion that the place was once great, but recent visits have soured me.

    How much is attributable to the sale...I can't say.

    Although it's been some years since I've shopped at F&O, I used to like them for some things, like the cheese department. Not for the pre-wrapped cheeses (which might have been dated wrong) but for the cheese monger girl (is cheese monger the right term?) who was particularly good in helping me narrow in on good choices. I'm sorry to hear of the decline and fall, and didn't know the place had changed hands. When did that take place, and who are the new owners?
  • Post #37 - October 23rd, 2010, 5:54 pm
    Post #37 - October 23rd, 2010, 5:54 pm Post #37 - October 23rd, 2010, 5:54 pm
    When did that take place, and who are the new owners?


    2008, to ". . . Vulpes LLC, a group of Chicago-based investors with experience in the food retail industry."

    They announced plans for a new store on Kinzie in River North back in July, but I haven't heard a peep about it since.
  • Post #38 - October 23rd, 2010, 6:45 pm
    Post #38 - October 23rd, 2010, 6:45 pm Post #38 - October 23rd, 2010, 6:45 pm
    Vulpes is headed up by Bill Bolton, who was president/COO of retail food companies at Supervalu (owner of Jewel, Albertson's, Shop & Save).

    It explains a lot about the direction F&O has gone.

    Back when they were acquired, Vulpes/Bolton were talking about plans for several more outposts in the loop and south loop. Those never happened, either.
    Ed Fisher
    my chicago food photos

    RIP LTH.
  • Post #39 - October 23rd, 2010, 9:47 pm
    Post #39 - October 23rd, 2010, 9:47 pm Post #39 - October 23rd, 2010, 9:47 pm
    riddlemay wrote:but for the cheese monger girl (is cheese monger the right term?)


    Cheesemongrix.
  • Post #40 - October 24th, 2010, 6:33 am
    Post #40 - October 24th, 2010, 6:33 am Post #40 - October 24th, 2010, 6:33 am
    Santander wrote:
    riddlemay wrote:but for the cheese monger girl (is cheese monger the right term?)


    Cheesemongrix.


    My wife and I joke that she's going to give up her current job and become a fromager.
  • Post #41 - October 25th, 2010, 1:35 pm
    Post #41 - October 25th, 2010, 1:35 pm Post #41 - October 25th, 2010, 1:35 pm
    gleam wrote:Vulpes is headed up by Bill Bolton, who was president/COO of retail food companies at Supervalu (owner of Jewel, Albertson's, Shop & Save).

    It explains a lot about the direction F&O has gone.


    Perhaps that explains why as of today, F&O is stocking Jenny-O pre-brined turkeys for the holidays. Though I also noticed today that they have white truffles from Alba in stock. What a strange store.
    ...defended from strong temptations to social ambition by a still stronger taste for tripe and onions." Screwtape in The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis

    Fuckerberg on Food
  • Post #42 - October 25th, 2010, 2:18 pm
    Post #42 - October 25th, 2010, 2:18 pm Post #42 - October 25th, 2010, 2:18 pm
    Kennyz wrote: Though I also noticed today that they have white truffles from Alba in stock. What a strange store.

    I'd let it slide if the white truffles were mismarked... :oops:
  • Post #43 - October 25th, 2010, 2:27 pm
    Post #43 - October 25th, 2010, 2:27 pm Post #43 - October 25th, 2010, 2:27 pm
    Kennyz wrote:
    gleam wrote:Vulpes is headed up by Bill Bolton, who was president/COO of retail food companies at Supervalu (owner of Jewel, Albertson's, Shop & Save).

    It explains a lot about the direction F&O has gone.


    Perhaps that explains why as of today, F&O is stocking Jenny-O pre-brined turkeys for the holidays. Though I also noticed today that they have white truffles from Alba in stock. What a strange store.

    I had the same thought when I saw the display of Affy Tapple-brand caramel-apples there yesterday.
  • Post #44 - October 25th, 2010, 7:09 pm
    Post #44 - October 25th, 2010, 7:09 pm Post #44 - October 25th, 2010, 7:09 pm
    I spent my Groupon on Sunday. On a whole, I would still call the place overpriced. There is a lot of mediocre stuff for high end prices. The produce is a joke. There was still enough reasonable stuff that it was easy to spend more than the $40.
  • Post #45 - October 25th, 2010, 9:14 pm
    Post #45 - October 25th, 2010, 9:14 pm Post #45 - October 25th, 2010, 9:14 pm
    Kennyz wrote:More good news: the morons in charge of labeling and other such things have programmed it so that the high quality, hand-picked saffron that's supposed to be $12.99 and is labeled as such on the shelf rings up as $4.49 instead. After discovereing this my first time through the register, I went right back to the shelf and bought all 5 packages that remained. Perhaps they'll order more and some of you can take advantage of the ineptitude too. Or you can buy a package from me for $11.99.

    It rings up at $10 now, which is really confusing for trying to figure out who won the war. This is like the ending of Seven Samurai.
  • Post #46 - May 27th, 2011, 11:30 am
    Post #46 - May 27th, 2011, 11:30 am Post #46 - May 27th, 2011, 11:30 am
    Look at the label's "Packed On" date, then look at the date stamp on my post and join me in saying a big, fat "F You" to the lying, cheating managers who will soon be out of a job when this lame excuse for a gourmet store finally closes down.

    Image
    ...defended from strong temptations to social ambition by a still stronger taste for tripe and onions." Screwtape in The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis

    Fuckerberg on Food
  • Post #47 - May 27th, 2011, 11:38 am
    Post #47 - May 27th, 2011, 11:38 am Post #47 - May 27th, 2011, 11:38 am
    They are also finally putting dates on some of the bakery items (day of the week). Don't assume that the stuff in the counter is fresh. I've bought things recently that are more than a few days old.
  • Post #48 - May 27th, 2011, 12:08 pm
    Post #48 - May 27th, 2011, 12:08 pm Post #48 - May 27th, 2011, 12:08 pm
    Kennyz wrote:Look at the label's "Packed On" date, then look at the date stamp on my post and join me in saying a big, fat "F You" to the lying, cheating managers who will soon be out of a job when this lame excuse for a gourmet store finally closes down.

    Image

    Possible mitigating factor: June 14 might be the "sell-by" date, and they mistakenly called it a "packed-on" date.

    Doesn't excuse it, but, if true, changes the offense from intentional deception to mere incompetence.
  • Post #49 - May 27th, 2011, 12:10 pm
    Post #49 - May 27th, 2011, 12:10 pm Post #49 - May 27th, 2011, 12:10 pm
    riddlemay wrote:Possible mitigating factor: June 14 might be the "sell-by" date, and they mistakenly called it a "packed-on" date.


    Nah, that's not it. The whole department is labeled with a Packed On date, and most of the stuff is actually a date in the past. Plus, you can read upthread to see that this is at a minimum willful negligence rather than any sort of excusable error.
    ...defended from strong temptations to social ambition by a still stronger taste for tripe and onions." Screwtape in The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis

    Fuckerberg on Food
  • Post #50 - May 27th, 2011, 2:12 pm
    Post #50 - May 27th, 2011, 2:12 pm Post #50 - May 27th, 2011, 2:12 pm
    Should I be concerned that the cheese seems to be wrapped in tin foil? I know it's shipped that way, but I would think you would remove the foil if you repackage it.

    And, yes, the date is probably a 'sell by' date. F&O have been having trouble with their labelling system for years.
  • Post #51 - May 27th, 2011, 2:18 pm
    Post #51 - May 27th, 2011, 2:18 pm Post #51 - May 27th, 2011, 2:18 pm
    bean wrote:Should I be concerned that the cheese seems to be wrapped in tin foil? I know it's shipped that way, but I would think you would remove the foil if you repackage it.

    And, yes, the date is probably a 'sell by' date. F&O have been having trouble with their labelling system for years.


    It's plastic wrap. Just a dark blueish-gray (and fantatic) cheese combining with sunlight to look like foil. It's not a Packed On date or a Sell By Date. It's a meaningless, useless, lying date.
    ...defended from strong temptations to social ambition by a still stronger taste for tripe and onions." Screwtape in The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis

    Fuckerberg on Food
  • Post #52 - May 27th, 2011, 7:36 pm
    Post #52 - May 27th, 2011, 7:36 pm Post #52 - May 27th, 2011, 7:36 pm
    Here's the problem. As many problems as the store has, if it closed, wouldn't we all be worse off? I don't see a Dean & Deluca opening here anytime soon.
  • Post #53 - May 28th, 2011, 10:05 am
    Post #53 - May 28th, 2011, 10:05 am Post #53 - May 28th, 2011, 10:05 am
    Here's the problem. As many problems as the store has, if it closed, wouldn't we all be worse off? I don't see a Dean & Deluca opening here anytime soon.


    Not in the slightest. F&O hasn't been destination shopping in a very long time, particularly for those of us who don't live downtown.
  • Post #54 - May 28th, 2011, 10:15 am
    Post #54 - May 28th, 2011, 10:15 am Post #54 - May 28th, 2011, 10:15 am
    sundevilpeg wrote:
    Here's the problem. As many problems as the store has, if it closed, wouldn't we all be worse off? I don't see a Dean & Deluca opening here anytime soon.


    Not in the slightest. F&O hasn't been destination shopping in a very long time, particularly for those of us who don't live downtown.


    For some of us, it is our local grocer. Quality matters to us. It is F&O, Dominick's or drive to Whole Foods. Fox and Obel is not what it once was, but still is a great place to get quality meat/fish.
  • Post #55 - May 29th, 2011, 9:11 am
    Post #55 - May 29th, 2011, 9:11 am Post #55 - May 29th, 2011, 9:11 am
    There are certain specialty items to which I go to Fox & Obel to obtain. 00 flour for pasta. Dried pasta from Italy (not the mass market items readily found in grocery stores). Bellota iberico (even though they don't have the whole leg and don't know how to slice it). These are just a few examples. What F&O offers is the opportunity to get all these ingredients in one place. Otherwise, I'm driving all over. To me, THAT'S what F&O offers and would be a huge loss if it closed.
  • Post #56 - October 2nd, 2011, 11:13 am
    Post #56 - October 2nd, 2011, 11:13 am Post #56 - October 2nd, 2011, 11:13 am
    Interesting experience at F&O on Thursday.

    I needed King Arthur All Purpose flour.

    Good News: they carry it (along with whole wheat, white whole wheat, pastry, swan's down, and 3 other type of flours).
    Bad News: All Purpose (of any brand) is the only flour of the above-mentioned which is not on the shelf.

    I seek out help. A man offers to find the Grocer Buyer to see what's going on. He comes back and says they are out until the following day. He offers to go next door to the bakery to get what I need for that night. This seems like good customer service. I send him off for a pound.

    He comes back with a pint sized container (later weighted at 1lb 1 oz), with $2 written on it. This is twice the per pound price of the 5 lb KA all purpose flour that they are out of. I don't argue, because its a dollar. But it kind of sticks in my craw. They were rounding the bases during a customer service home run and then they turned around and ran back to second.
  • Post #57 - October 2nd, 2011, 11:44 am
    Post #57 - October 2nd, 2011, 11:44 am Post #57 - October 2nd, 2011, 11:44 am
    It is just me, or does it seem like a lot of times the shelves seem empty?
  • Post #58 - October 2nd, 2011, 2:20 pm
    Post #58 - October 2nd, 2011, 2:20 pm Post #58 - October 2nd, 2011, 2:20 pm
    DML wrote:It is just me, or does it seem like a lot of times the shelves seem empty?


    It seemed that way to me the last couple of times I was there; I put it off to remodeling.

    I no longer buy that excuse.
  • Post #59 - October 3rd, 2011, 2:47 pm
    Post #59 - October 3rd, 2011, 2:47 pm Post #59 - October 3rd, 2011, 2:47 pm
    I went there today for lunch and was shocked to see empty shelves everywhere.

    There was no:
    - Dairy
    -Cheese (!?!?!?)
    - Meat
    - Prepared foods
    - Refrigerated foods
    - Fish

    There were signs up everywhere saying they had a power failure yesterday, but I wonder about such a huge loss of inventory. Wouldn't/couldn't they rent refrigerated trucks? I am really hoping it was just a power failure, and not something worse (i.e. closing).

    All that glorious cheese.
  • Post #60 - October 3rd, 2011, 2:56 pm
    Post #60 - October 3rd, 2011, 2:56 pm Post #60 - October 3rd, 2011, 2:56 pm
    I was there on Saturday. Meat and fish seemed about normal (low on fish?). Cheese seemed low. Packaged stuff is where they seemed to be really low, with some nearly empty shelves between the bakery counter and Illinois Street. The packaged stuff is what stood out and what caused me to comment.

    I sure hope nothing is up. I whine about the place but it is very nice to have in the neighborhood. I wish they would do better but still it is better than Dominicks.

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