- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Alta Vista Foods
Rating Details »
- Nearest Transit:
-
Sheridan (Red)
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
14 reviews for Alta Vista Foods
I used to live just north on Sheridan from this store, and used to take the red line to/from work, so shopping here was a slam dunk for me.
The produce is cheap, abundant, and I could usually find most of what I needed (even plain yogurt.)
What I subtracted the star for is the meat. I used to get steak from Alta Vista Foods (cheap too!) to make tacos at home (when I was single, and continuing after I moved in with my wife at her apartment on Clarendon). What I found after a few trips was that some of the meat was frozen. I began to wonder if things were being re-frozen, or just frozen once and then marked down. Re-freezing ruins the quality of the meat and kills the flavor as well.
I've talked briefly with the owner and he's checked out my purchases many times. The workers can be a bit strange (blocking aisles at 5:30pm to restock - hello? It's rush hour?) but overall are very friendly and helpful if you need something.
If it's on your way home, give it a try. Otherwise, for produce, try Stanley's - it's better and cheaper, and try Paulina Market or Whole Foods or Jewel for your meat.
Alta Vista is the best corner store I've found in Chicago -- so good, actually, that it was a factor during my last move. I wanted a locally-owned grocer from which to pick up fresh foodstuffs on my way home from work, and this place shares a door with the L station. They have everything you could need, including really good, freshly-made pico and a great selection of produce that stays fresh longer (and costs less) than the garbage at Jewel. Alta Vista also has a great selection of odds and ends. Need a nail clipper? Deck of cards? Cat toy? AV can do that for ya. And, on top of all of that, the women who work the counter are all super-friendly and efficient.
I'm not quite as impressed as most of the other Yelpers who have reviewed Alta Vista, but it gets its 3 because..
1 star for a lot of fresh looking produce.
1 star for being right by the el.
1 star for thriftiness.
For one or two items, and if you're getting off at Sheridan, this is a good place to stop in.
But.. even though I like to support small businesses, if I need more than three items, I'm going to Whole Foods (which is only a slightly longer walk for me). I just get really grossed out when I feel like stuff on the shelves is ancient and dusty. Also, consistently buying most of your groceries here can't be good for you. Most of the packaged food is really processed and full of preservatives. For instance, I love the huuuge pack of tortillas for $1.69, but the ingredients list is way too long and full of words I can't pronounce.
Finally, this is not affecting my rating at all, but it weird-ed me out nonetheless.. While I was checking out, I noticed one of my items was partially opened already, so I said this to the cashier and went to put it back (just a couple of feet away). When I got back I told her I decided not to replace the item and was ready to check out. She then yelled, "your Spanish is messing me up, can you talk in English PLEASE!" Since I wasn't speaking in Spanish, I found this strange. I've come to the conclusion she must have had a bluetooth on.. but still weird, especially since those were the only words I heard her say, and she was looking right at me.
Great produce prices as noted, but also brand names are often significantly cheaper than La Jewel. And, the assortment of yuppies, punk rockers, ne'er do wells from the local SRO's, the occasional hipster, and the newly arrived from the plains make this a great people watching place. Plus they have much more than you see. There is even a tiny housewares selection, near the potato chip section!
Rapidly becoming my go-to destination for cheap groceries. The selection is pretty amazing for the small size of this store. The produce is surprisingly good - I discovered that I love Brussels Sprouts at this place (well, also 'cos of Ellen M's cooking suggestion - saute in garlic and lotsa butter).
Minus a star 'cos it gets a leeeeetle claustrophobic at times, it's a really tiny shop.
If you like coffee, and you are watching your coin because our economy sucks and inflation is rampant, you've noticed that coffee at the Jewels, Dominicks, Starbucks and elsewhere has been getting really expensive.
Alta Vista Foods peddles the best coffee deal I've seen anywhere:
if you like dark roast for espresso, cappuccino or just plain old strong coffee, try Cafe Bustelo. It's 3.79 for a 10 oz. can or vacuum packed brick. That's pennies over $6.00/lb., and this stuff is so strong it lasts a very long time.
And, if you love this Cafe Bustelo brand like I do, you can buy it for $4.95/lb online at http://www.javacabana.com
I love beating the big groceries and big brand coffee sellers at their own game.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
4/26/2008
Handy if you live nearby and don't mind looking around for parking. I had no mojo for the Jewel… Read more »
I have been going to this little store since I moved to lakeview 4 years ago. My ex gf and I always, and still do call it the "Sheridan Store". Neither of us actually knew the name of it till one day I finally noticed the sign above which I didn't remember being there before.
I like this place because they have a nice fruit and vegetable selection as well as other things to prevent me from actually going to jewel when I am too lazy to go, which will tide me over till I actually need to do real grocery shopping.
Plus whenever I take the train to work I stop in and grab some apricots or some other fruit for a protein shake that I mix while at work.
Actually I really like their Macaroni salad, as random as that is.
It's just a nice little store for odds and ends between major grocery shopping with friendly faces and anything else that you may need..pero no booze though..not that I wanted any, But I'm just saying....
Perfect little stop off for a thing or two on the way outta the Sheridan red line station.
I was in need of produce, and just couldn't face the crazy Jewel. I didn't want to fight anyone with a cart or be assaulted by wine vendors. I just wanted some veggies. Cheap.
Alta Vista for the win. Some seriously cheap (albiet short-lived) produce. Best to use it up within a few days.
Great little locally-owned shop with just about anything on earth you could possibly need in a pinch. Conveniently located and friendly family.
The fresh fruits and vegetables here are great! They are usually cheaper than Jewel/Dominic's as well.
The boxed food is expensive and the selection is lacking, but for a few simple things this place is great!
This place has EVERYTHING! Sure, the shelves are packed tightly with a variety of goods, but I can usually find what I'm looking for. The only exception is a limited meat selection. Also, the produce here is not very fresh. I have gotten some bad vegetables accidentally. The Alta Vista does carry a lot of Mexican products, so it's convenient when I decide it's Fajita night. Oh, and they have this macaroni salad that I'm addicted to.
They actually have a door that goes directly in the Sheridan red line station, so it's very convenient. I'm so glad that this place is open- it beats walking to Jewel for sure! And I feel better about supporting local business. The staff is very friendly.
So convienant! They just about have everything you could possibly need or want.
A pair of socks: check
Umbrella: check
Chorizo: check
The best piece of chocolate cake wrapped in celophane: check.
Also, I don't find their prices to be anymore unreasonable than the major grocery chains. I'd rather give my money to the local guy anyway.
Would I shop here if I was cooking for a party of 10? No, unless the menu consisted of mac & cheese and beans.
I can also find unusual foods there. The other day, they were carrying bags of plantain chips. Who knew?!?!
I always feel like they know me here, but that could be because I am constantly popping in to buy a pack of cigarettes and something else. I always find that when I step in there I always leave with a good deal more than cigarettes to my delight.
I don't know how I feel about this place. It's tiny! It is connected to the Sheridan el stop, which I have to say, is awesome for snowy/rainy days. Besides that I think people are giving it a little bit too much hype. It is basically a 7-11 with twice as many products (same prices), a little more produce in about a quarter of the size of a typical storefront. I'm just not a fan of tripping over uneven floors, while boxes are falling on my head. I'm not sure how often they are able to clean this space, which grosses me out. I give them credit for cramming all that stuff into a tiny space and the prime location but besides that I would rather trek over to Jewel for a decent sized grocery trip. This is the place to go if you just want convenient and cheap produce, too expensive for the boxed stuff though!
Nice little grocer right by the Sheridan Red Line. I frequented this place often when I lived in the area --- especially when I couldn't make it to Jewel or Trader Joe's. They always seemed to have what I wanted --- and the ladies at the register always seem very happy. Things are a little expensive, though...
