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Whole Foods Market

3 star rating
based on 64 reviews

Categories: Grocery, Health Markets  [Edit]

Neighborhood: Lakeview
3300 N Ashland Ave
(between Henderson St & School St)
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 244-4200
  • Nearest Transit:

    Paulina (Brown)

  • Price Range: $$$
  • Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
  • Parking: Street, Private Lot
  • Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
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64 Reviews for Whole Foods Market

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Photo of Hollie S.

Elite '08

85

123

Hollie S.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
06/08/2008

Honestly, if this Whole Foods wasn't right next to my gym, I wouldn't go so much, but I'm pretty glad I have the excuse to go. It should also be known that the best pizza I've ever had came from the deli here, and that that pizza was vegan. I usually go with the tofu springrolls, though. The peanut sauce is great, but it's not great when it spills in my passenger seat.

Be careful if you go on a Saturday morning, though, because you may not escape with your life after being battered and torn by baby strollers and Trixies looking for carb-free such-and-such.

Whole Foods also has a good variety of beers. Right now they have Three Floyds Behemeth, so get to it.

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Photo of Luan N.

Elite '08

70

157

Luan N.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
08/19/2008

I think the produce prices are ridiculous.  Sometimes I buy produce here if I can't be bothered to go anywhere else or if I'm having a dinner party.  But, I don't know if the price tag on these organic veggies are worth adding a few years to my life.  I  think I'll just take in more antioxidants and eat less processed foods.  

I usually come here to stock up on Quorn products and flax seeds.  Quorn is a mycoprotein, but not vegan because it has some egg products.  It is prob the best tasting veggie meat I have ever bought.  I don't even touch Morning Star products anymore.  I love Quorn meat because it's easy to defrost.  Quorn fillet has half the calories of a chicken fillet.  It's something I wouldn't mind eating regularly.  

So the Quorn fillets are very versatile, but can easily make a healthy Grilled Quorn salad.  I use the mince quorn to make tacos, actually tastes better than the turkey tacos I make.  You can even buy Quorn meatballs for your spaghetti.  And the the Chik burgers topped w/ some chives and melted cheese, sooo goood!  If you're vegetarian and have never tried Quorn products, I highly recommend you try some.  Just make sure you leave me some.  
The only thing I'm waiting for is the quorn deli slices which I had in England.  It's something ridiculous like 10 calories/ slice.

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Photo of Sarah A.

Elite '08

39

126

Sarah A.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
08/15/2008

I used to frequent this Whole Foods weekly when I worked out at the gym across the street. They do have awesome produce, just wish the apples weren't $5 a pound! Seriously who can spend that much on produce. I just pick up bananas or I treat myself to $12 cubed pineapple and berries. Now that I think I used to spend *that* much on pre-cut produce is absurd. I haven't been back since the price jumps in food but I can only imagine how much "whole paycheck" prices have gone up.

I can always find my whole wheat couscous, whole wheat pasta or quinoa here. They have an awesome deli section. I mean, their tuna salad is to die for! I'm trying to figure out if I can make the stuff on my own because $10 a pound for some tuna salad is a bit much. The staff here is pretty friendly and they have a vast variety of SIGG bottles. Parking on the weekends can be a chore because of the gym goers and the grocery store is a mob scene!

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Photo of Kurt S.

 

0

20

Kurt S.

Chicago, IL

1 star rating
08/04/2008

See my two-star review of my usual Whole Foods on Cicero for the full scoop.

To the usual Whole Foods issues, one can add the following with this location:
*Tiny, tiny, tiny store. Don't even think of using the regular-sized shopping cart.
*Wretched neighborhood. I expect pedestrians to dart in front of my car in the Loop, but at least they have a brain... not these neighborhood meat bags
*Horrible parking: It's free and I still hate that garage. Nevermind that I am a space case and always forget to validate. If I have to honk at one more testosterone monkey walking right down the middle of the lane arms-dragging, oblivious to the world, with a sweaty back from the next door gym... well, I'm not going to honk next time.

Enough vitriol spew.... If you have to drive to this location, drive to a different one. If can walk to it, please stay in your neighborhood and don't come to mine!

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Photo of Joe T.

 

10

65

Joe T.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
08/05/2008

I acknowledge all the complaints, and I know this doesn't serve as a full rebuttable . . . but . . . 1/2 Price Pizza Wednesdays!!!!  And the pizza is good!!!

Look, you can espouse buying locally and you can denigrate free market capitalism all you like.  I won't disagree (entirely).  I do, however, enjoy WHOLE FOODS for their (wildly expensive) cheeses (particularly the Humboldt Fog) and I like that the beer guy is forever recommending new arrivals (want a free sample of the new Creme Brulee brew?).  

There are occasionally some great deals to be found at WF.  Besides the mainstay 1/2 Price Pizza Wednesdays, there were also Wild Alaskan Coho Salmon steaks recently on sale for $5.99 a pound.  That's half regular price!

With so many food shopping options in the area, I don't think you need to spend your "whole paycheck" at any one grocery.  Of course I've never minded shopping around for deals, hitting up the Jewel on Ashland, Trader Joe's, heading down to Stanley's Produce, and occasionally seasoning my pantry with a few choice items from the megalithic Whole Foods.

If you need a shopping cart at WF, yes, you are probably going to spend too much, and besides that, you are probably getting in my way.

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Photo of danielle C.

Elite '08

156

199

danielle C.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
07/25/2008

*Clears Throat*
*Adjusts Skirt*
*Steps onto soap box*
*Grabs microphone away from Whole Foods Clerk*
*Begins speaking in best professional voice*
"Attention Shoppers, this Public Service Announcement is brought to you courtesy of one IRRITATED and FED UP BLOND!
It is time you heard the TRUTH!  
YOU,  YES, YOU- yuppie momma,
You -underfed hipster,
and You- Mr. slightly pudgy but darling balding male.  
Purchasing groceries at WHOLE FOODS does not necessarily mean that you are purchasing HEALTHY food.  Purchasing FOOD here does NOT increase your sexual potential (**maybe some of the vitamin supplements, but we are not getting into that** slips out and is muttered under my breath) and FURTHERMORE spending your hard earned dough in these corporate confines, no matter how green they purport to be, is not guaranteed to make you live longer.  
As the WOMAN SAYS- YOU WORK HARD FOR YOUR MONEY!  THINK about how you are spending it.
Thank you for your time.  Have a nice day."
*Hands microphone back to clerk*
*Steps off soapbox*
*Scampers over to the booze section, grabs a bottle of the de la Costa Sangria (red) and starts chugging happily*

OK, so whole foods is not all bad, but know what you are getting into!  The prepared foods section is tasty, but DAMN!  WHO EATS 1/2 LB BURGERS?  Even if they are Salmon burgers?  Portion is size is out of control!

Their gluten free section has drastically improved in the past few years.  I give them extra stars for this, but- you can find some of the same products at TJs for cheaper (just off brand).

I must say-- the best value that I have found here is in the booze section!  The Our Daily RED wine is awesome, and often on sale (makes a good house red wine) and I LOVE the de la Costa sangria- it is cheaper here than many places.

I don't know, maybe one of the more irritating things about this place is how people blow money- and assume that because it is- gasp- organic- that it is 100% better all the time.  Yup, gullible is more than just a word!

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Photo of Liz S.

Elite '08

138

216

Liz S.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
06/07/2008

I'm so glad that there are so many Whole Foods around, cause this makes my addiction to their deli/prepared foods counter easier to feed.  And, like I've said, I could care less that something doesn't have chemicals....actually could you take the chemicals from someone that doesn't want them and just add them to mine.  Really, I've grown up on chemically fed animals and I'm used to the taste.  

I've also said in other reviews of Whole Foods, that I wish they would make a single layout for all the stores.  I feel like hamster in a wheel when I'm here cause I'm always going in circles trying to find something and forgetting which store I'm at.

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Photo of min. r.

Elite '08

8

67

min. r.

IL

1 star rating
06/16/2008

Hate this Whole Foods. Understocked, understaffed, overcrowded and overpriced. I only go there in a necessity situation, otherwise I'll go out of my way to go to the Halsted store, which has the best staff I've ever seen in any supermarket.

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Photo of Chris R.

 

0

5

Chris R.

Chicago, IL

1 star rating
04/21/2008

Whole foods is a fortune 500 company that is exploiting the market.  By pushing out local competitors, they are free to continue to raise their own prices and reduce quality.

The problem is this- buying local is more important than buying organic.  So while Whole Foods spends money importing produce, they are not helping the environment.

The food bar looked good, but is so rediculously overpriced, so have to be careful not to fill it up with cheap items.  I don't think I've ever paid about $15 for just one meal from a salad bar at a grocery store until now.

Seems like they have only a few things I would buy, they don't carry a lot of "normal" food brands.  You will not walk out of there without spending a ton.  

I didn't notice any employee rudness.  However, another bad point is that Whole foods does not have a union, they're one of the largest chains to not have a union, besides Walmart.

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Photo of Michelle O.

Elite '08

26

147

Michelle O.

Chicago, IL

2 star rating
05/18/2008

I've been to at least 15 different Whole Foods stores in Illinois, Colorado, and Texas.  This one in particular is a piece of crap.  This one and the Lincoln Park one are way too small, at this one the check out people are rude, and the selection is nill.   I like Whole Foods in general but agree that the prices are redic.  This store in particular blows.  Go to Halsted, Evanston, or Downtown if you are dying to overspend on eats.

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Photo of Timothy M.

Elite '08

71

375

Timothy M.

Chicago, IL

2 star rating
04/20/2008

Waaaaaaaay overpriced for what you get.  For a lot of the things that I like Whole Foods for (conversion to Fair Trade certification, organic pioneers, well-paid employees), there are a lot of things that I dislike Whole Foods for (overpriced goods, its deceptive marketing machine, it's douchebag CEO).

Take this little example.  Cafe du Monde coffee comes from New Orleans, LA.  Now I've never been down south but I drink their coffee every day at work.  We used to order it online ($5 a can, but $10 shipping) but recently we found an Vietnamese friend at work who supplies us with it.  Here's how it works - $5 online with costly shipping, $4.25 at a small Vietnamese grocer here in Chicago, or $8.50 at Whole Foods??  One word why these prices are so ridiculous: profits.  I guess it's OK to skim off a 50% markup on goods because overpaid yuppies don't know any better anyway.  Right... way to respect your customers.

Their prices on fish are also outrageous.  I compared their "fresh" fish to a local fishmonger (Dirk's on Clybourn - known for their great quality).  Dirk's beat them on all accounts, with much fresher fish.  The problem is, if you're a large company like WF, you should have your prices low enough because of the relationship with the supplier that large companies can have - buying in bulk.  So someone explain to me why their food is so expensive, when small shops can sell the same or better product at almost half the price.

I don't like feeling cheated, which I do when I shop here, and I feel that the real reason of the popularity of Whole Foods is because someone slaps an "organic" label on something.  It doesn't make it good, it doesn't make it fair trade, and it doesn't make it the best place to shop.  Long live Trader Joe's.

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Photo of Amy T.

 

0

4

Amy T.

Chicago, IL

1 star rating
06/13/2008

I used to shop here religiously every wednesday and sunday evening until I had such a upsetting personal experience with an employee that I can never return. I even turn my head and won't look at this Whole Foods on Ashland as I drive by. It was a bleak and bitterly cold February day. My friend had died earlier that day after a long and courageous battle with AIDS. After I left the hospice, I realized that I had absolutely nothing to eat at home and I felt cold, empty, and alone. I decided to stop at this Whole Foods and get some food; As I passed the Soup Bar, I decided nothing could make me feel better than a hot bowl of clam chowder to bring home with me. The pint and quart containers sat side by side in front of the soup pots and ladles with a sign giving the prices for each size bowl. I filled my quart container with clam chowder, put a lid on it, and grabbed a plastic soup spoon and started to make my way towards the register in the front. A man shouted behind me to stop. I turned around curiously to see what the commotion was all about. He was yelling at me. The Assistant Manager demanded to know what "kind" of soup I had in my carryout bowl. I meekly answered "clam chowder' and with that he grabbed it abruptly out of my hands, tore off the lid, and pored it out into the garbage. He reprimanded me that the quart containers were only for the cream of broccoli, the chicken wild rice soup, and the bacon bisque. NOT FOR THE CLAM CHOWDER! I felt sick inside and totally humiliated in front of the throngs of busy customers who stopped shopping to take a gander at the "shoplifter". I tried to explain that there was no sign explaining you couldn't purchase a larger container of chowder because I would have bought it at the higher price anyways. I make clam chowder at home and it never was expensive to make. What was the big deal? He arrogantly dismissed me with his hand and turned his back on me. I left the store empty handed and didn't eat dinner that night. I no longer shop for groceries at Whole Paycheck and you can always find me on wednesday and sunday nights at Trader Joes where you don't leave the store with 1 bag of groceries after spending $65.00 of your hard earned money just because you want to eat healthy.

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Photo of Shauna H.

 

1

14

Shauna H.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
05/14/2008

I would really like to be rich enough one day to do a majority of my shopping at Whole Foods but for now I just go there for the prepared foods section and the strawberries.

I never liked Guacamole until I got it here and now I love it.

Also, the staff at this store is so nice! It's good to see people in customer service actually care about the customer! I was in there today (don't go there when you're hungry, you'll come out with some random shit) and the man who checked me out even asked me how my day was.

All in all I don't shop here much but I do enjoy it once in a while.

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Photo of Suzanne S.

 

8

43

Suzanne S.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
04/26/2008

They have really good pizza by the slice here.

update 5/4/08
Holy crap I just paid $22 for some cherries. Not even organic. I knew cherries were expensive, but wow.

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Photo of Courtney I.

 

3

11

Courtney I.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
05/15/2008

Generous samples throughout the store at any given time. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. If you have any questions chances are they know the answer or if they do not you can always ask them to google it for you while you continue shopping.

After the lunch rush is the best time to shop here if you aren't a big fan of crowds.

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Photo of michael b.

 

1

31

michael b.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
05/02/2008

Oh how I long to be able to motivate myself to finish college and get a better job and shop at Whole Foods all day long. My girlfriend bought me two steaks from this joint and they both look like steaks from The Flintstones. Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Photo of Paul C.

 

5

241

Paul C.

Chicago, IL

1 star rating
06/06/2008

If you like hanging out with 40-somethings that have too much money to spend, shop here.

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Photo of Dan E.

 

29

121

Dan E.

Chicago, IL

2 star rating
12/04/2007

I just came back from this store. Here are my observations:

* employees were courteous and helpful (contrary to other reviewers' observations)
* parking is a hassle (all hours of day)
* fellow customers are rude

The customer rudeness factor is probably due the clausterphobic layout of the store. Everyone is in a hurry and after dealing with the parking, the personal space of your fellow shoppers is an afterthought.

I never buy a shopping cart full of items but stop in to pick up favorites. Normally I would rave about the meat but I was surprised to see a couple of complaints about the meat at this location.

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Elite '08

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186

Phillie P.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
01/29/2008

The location of this Whole Foods is perfect. It's 3 miles from my place. When I go running, I make sure to make a stop here. I can take advantage of its clean bathroom, grab a drink of H2O and purchase an energy bar as well.

I'm the guy who usually goes in all sweaty and looks like I just ran 3 miles. Kudos for the easily accessible bathroom!

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Photo of Tom M.

Elite '08

273

958

Tom M.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
01/01/2008

Not the biggest Whole Foods fan (hard to embrace a "green" grocer that sells bottled water from New Zealand - yeah, that's green shipping all those friggin' bottles over here!)

But - WF does have an amazing salad bar, hot foods bar, and deli.

And great cheese, organic produce, and other yummy (though wallet-busting) goodies!

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18

149

jose g.

Chicago, IL

1 star rating
11/04/2007

I'm no fan of Whole (Paycheck) Foods, but this one deserves special enmity. The selection is weak, the samples are fewer, a Trader Joe's (also not perfect, but preferable) is just up the street, and some (though not all) of the staff have been rude to me and friends on a number of occasions. I mean, I don't like to criticize workers, but this is what you get for having an anti-union, cultish workforce.

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Elite '08

164

129

Jerry M.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
10/30/2007

I know everyone whines about Whole Foods being so much more expensive than Trader Joe's.

Well they can just come here and get some cheese to go with their whine. Okay, cheese is probably more expensive here, but there are some items that are HOT DAY-NUM cheap - like their beans!

Trader Joe's Garbanzo Beans: 99 cents
Whole Foods Garbanzo Beans: 69 cents

Take that, TJ! You'll always be my steady, but when it comes to beans, I'm cheating on you with Whole Foods.

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0

11

Katie C.

Chicago, IL

4 star rating
03/11/2008

Whole Paycheck, how I love thee.  

I can never get out of this place under $100.  That's only one bag full of stuff too!  Trader Joe's is cheaper for practically the same stuff.

However, I have to say I love the salad bar, and the guys at the deli are so great!  Try the Roman Tuna Salad!  I wish they would start doing samples again.  I haven't seen any samples in the last 6 times I have been in.  Great produce and cheeses as well!   It's next door to the gym so I usually stop by on my after a work out.

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Photo of Kara A.

 

10

48

Kara A.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
01/17/2008

i like this store because I have to. my office is on ashland and while all my coworkers are out getting lunch from mcdonalds or burger king, Im the asshole that spends 15 dollars on her lunches at whole foods (i have a healthy appetite). The salad bar is great and the prepared foods is always good. I love sample time too. I should bring zip lock containers over there sometime.... i agree with what everyone else says that the staff is very over the top friendly (i think they may be stoned, which is fine with me, I enjoy their laid back approach to bagging my groceries) but some of the people that shop here act like its their personal country club and they appear shocked when riff raff off the street enter their territory. Its actually funny. I enjoy it. Maybe I will go over there now.

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4

22

Ellen H.

Chicago, IL

2 star rating
12/29/2007

I want to give them more stars, I really do. The employees are great. But, that's about it. The food selection is lacking, AND I've ended up buying several bad veggies that looked perfect on the outside and were moldy on the inside.

But worse than any of that is the super cramped space, which tends to make your fellow shoppers angry and rude. no matter what day i go, i always have trouble getting around and i never use a cart! (if you use a cart at that store, you're asking for trouble and lots of angry glares from fellow customers).

but...you're right down the street so i'll continue going. i'll never enjoy it though. it's always frustrating. unless i'm interacting with an awesome employee.

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Elite '08

32

112

Vanessa R.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
11/05/2007

Dear Ashland Whole Foods,

I regret to tell you our relationship is over. I just can't take the abuse anymore.

First, let's talk about the parking situation. Well there is no situation really it just SUCKS! When it takes you 15 mins to even GET TO the parking garage and off of Ashland why do idiots like me even bother?! Am I a moron? Yes.

Second, lets talk about the million dollar meat counter (as I like to call it.) I have bought some of the best meat I have ever cooked here. We are foodies, we remember these things...like the Roasting Whole Chicken we had, or the yummy chicken cutlets, or the beef roasts.

I bought a Turkey Breast Roast about a month ago that was just awesome. We wanted to relive it's goodness so  I went back a few days ago, bought a 4LB turkey roast again (very $$$) from behind the meat counter. I get it home take a closer look at it guess what it is? Two slabs of two Turkey breast CUTLETS that had been tied together to look like a whole breast AND one of the slabs had about 3 inches of just skin/ grizzle on its edge. WHAT THE HELL?! Are you kidding me?!

So basically, when it was all said and done a 4lb Turkey breast turned into a cutlet and a half. An expensive one at that.  Same thing happened to me when I bought the gargantuan size prawns, I bought 6 for a couple of guests we were having over, then I got nervous about having enough so I sent hubby back to buy 4 more and the 4 more were OLD and very very smelly. Just no consistency. For the money that you pay to purchase these things behind the counter, you would think overall FRESHNESS would be a main priority there.

There are many things I love about Whole Foods in general so it will not stop me from shopping there. But this location is very close to me, I REALLY want to shop here, but just can't anymore.

Some of the great things about it are the wine, olive bar, salad bar, the deli area, the cheese, good coffee and tea selections.

I guess I will just have to find another location to call home. One that has got it's shit together!! Enough is enough.

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Photo of Carl S.

 

9

20

Carl S.

Chicago, IL

2 star rating
11/23/2007

There is nothing much too this place.  The selection is less than other Whole Foods and all the aisles are considerably smaller.  I can't tell you how many times I've been in shopping cart accidents.

Aside from the specific location, Whole Foods in general is just too expensive.  If you must go, stick to the prepared foods, its sort of cheap if you lived in New York for a while.

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94

116

D'Elited D.

Chicago, IL

1 star rating
09/03/2007

The only thing good I have to say about this location is that the staff is very helpful and friendly.  But I have a problem with this Whole Foods like I do all Whole Foods - their products are so overpriced and it is all marketing bullshit.  Why are Clif Bars $1.89 at WF but only .99 cents at Trader Joe's?  Why is WF "organic" twice as expensive as anyone else's "organic?"   Why is WF brown rice pasta $3.79 and it is only $1.79 everywhere else?  Why does WF sell "carbon credit" cards (to help reduce your carbon footprint on the earth) made out of fucking plastic......heeeellllloooooo?  You freaking hipocrites!

Whole Foods gets an "A" for marketing in convincing the yuppie, tree-hugging masses that they are an earth-friendly company.

They get a freakin' "F" for reality - they're not trying to save you or the world - the only "green" they are trying to save is those Bennies you have to drop every time you step foot in the place.

WF sucks!

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Photo of Katie F.

 

4

19

Katie F.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
01/17/2008

Aka Whole Paycheck.  I know, you've heard that one before.  

Whole Foods is great for specialty items that you can't get anywhere else.  They also have a great prepared food section/salad bar/hot bar.  

If you want natural items for half the price, I suggest going to Trader Joe's.

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Elite '08

3

150

Elizabeth H.

San Diego, CA

1 star rating
09/03/2007

By far the worst of the worst as far as Whole Foods in the city go. I officially hate this location with a passion!

First of all, I am not an idiot. I know how the world works... did I go on a weekend? yes. Did I know before going in that was a dumb idea? I sure did. But sometimes (MOST of the time actually) people have to shop on weekends! So, yes, I expected more of a crowd, but I also expected a store that sees this weekend after weekend to make some effort to adapt!

The people that frequent this store suck. period. They will run you over with a cart to get to their organically grown granola in an environmentally friendly container before you even know what's coming... and then look at you like it's your fault.  But Whole Foods can't be held accountable for that behavior. They can however be held accountable for the following:

- Limited selection (at least comparably to other WF's in the city)

- Parking that makes me want to drive over a cliff

- Cramped space all around

- Two employees who rolled their eyes and/or sighed when I asked them to direct me to a product

- The man making pizza, who when my sister asked him when the cheese would be ready, shot her a shitty look and replied, "Well, as you can see I'm making it right now, so whenever it's ready I guess." (insert image of my jaw dropping here.)

yeah... it was around the time of the final incident mentioned that I set down my basket, decided I had suffered through my last visit to this location and walked out.

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34

Little Miss Sunshine B.

Chicago, IL

2 star rating
11/01/2007

This Whole Foods AKA Olde Foods made me and my husband sick on more than one occasion.  The culprit was bad sour nasty meat... both times.  Damn you salmon burgers.  Yes, it was stupid of us to purchase meet a second time but it was close to the house and we were hungry, ok?  Whoever designed the store layout got off the short bus.  Who puts automatic doors 1 inch away from dozens of moving bodies on the sidewalk?  All the heat, or air condition escapes from the store making it very costly to run.  Use doors that open manually and update your meats!

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1

23

hey a t.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
01/03/2008

I love this place. The employees are so down to earth and helpful. It is nice to have choices on what products you can buy. I know not everything is organic, but you do have a great selection. In addition this can be your one stop place to buy your green cleaning products. One last thing its nice that they provide parking for free.

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Elite '08

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148

Kelly A.

Los Angeles, CA

3 star rating
07/26/2007

This store is very cramped and I don't really like the set up.  Too many angles and WAY too many people but I suppose that part is good for them.  The staff here is pretty nice but the clientele not so much.  My friend and I were simply walking down an aisle and this woman looked at us, rolled her eyes and audibly scoffed at us.  For... walking down the aisle I guess??  I mean, we weren't even in her way.  F-off bitch.

As for the food, it's overpriced as every Whole Foods is, but I really like the salad bar here.  Also the baked goods - their chocolate chip pecan cookies ridiculously good.  Leave it to me to find the junk food in a (mostly) health food store.

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6

Triana O.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
04/10/2008

Whole Foods is such a guilty pleasure for me. When Sherwyn's was around (and where the fuck did they disappear to anyway??) I tried to give them some love too, you know, supporting the local organic shops instead of the chain stores-- but now that they are gone I am always trekkin' to Whole Foods. I can't help it, I love it there... the selection of goodies, the luscious section of soaps and body products, the helpful hipsters at the registers... I spend way too much time and money here. I like all the WF's in the city, but I reviewed this one specifically since this is the one I go to the most. If I had to make a complaint it would be the pushy-shovey yuppies who shop here and mow you down with their cart because they are Busy Important People who don't have time to say 'excuse me' to anyone that is standing between them and their Kashi cereal. But that isn't the store's fault necessarily, so I still give it 5 stars. I loves me some WFM, baby!

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17

Singe S.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
09/11/2007

Yes, parking is bad. Yes, it's cramped inside and you can run into people. Yes, it was funny the first time the first person ever first called it Whole Paycheck. But not really the second time, though.

But you know what? I was there last Saturday afternoon, hungry, looking for some wine and cheeses to feed the Bennett sisters, and I left no longer hungry. You know why? Because I ate all the samples! I had:

- sirloin
- potato salad
- pasta salad
- chips and salsa dip
- 4 or 5 different cheese cubes
- mango and kiwi

Then I went to the water fountain and had some water. I mean, I'm well aware that eating a free lunch here isn't breaking news to anyone, but why pay expensive organic prices? If I lived/worked next to one I'd be eating free meals here all the time.

If you have the money to shop here, then do it. If you don't, or if you disagree with the entire Whole Foods way of doing the grocery business, then go someplace else. You're in the 3rd largest city - I'm sure you can find a grocer that appeals/caters to your checkbook/ethical demands.

In the meantime, when I'm out for groceries and I've a little extra cash, I'm hitting my nearest Whole Foods.

Do it ; )

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Elite '08

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149

Therron R.

Chicago, IL

5 star rating
07/20/2007

A bit packed with people sometimes, but I guess I am starting to get used to this being that I am living in Chicago, and realize that there are people everywhere. Waiting is just a reality while living in a big city.

I love this location because I can get my 5 gallon water jugs filled up. The machine handles two different  jugs at the same time so it takes less time than normal machines.

I really feel like I am treating my body well when I eat well, and who can beat a free parking garage with validation. What's especially nice is the fact that all the sweaty guys from the gym stop here after working out, so there always something to look at. Make sure to stop in on the weekend for free wine sampling. Gotta get that afternoon buzz before cooking up a storm.

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69

Emma S.

Chicago, IL

3 star rating
07/19/2007

Well, if you MUST go here in a pinch, then at least you will get the same quality food.  However, the store is tiny, disorganized, and the parking is a nightmare.  I felt like a bull in a china shop throughout the entire experience, from parking to checkout.  Also, they seem to send their A-quality staff to the North Ave. location, and what you are left with at Ashland are sweet, but sort of clueless kids who can't tell you anything about a piece of cheese.

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3

Michael H.

Chicago, IL

2 star rating
12/28/2006

Aggravating.  Over priced.  Poor selection.  

That sums up my most recent trip to Whole Foods.  I was looking for some cheese for a night of "romancing" the wife.  Selection looked great, but on closer inspection, many products were dated and wrapped poorly.  The prices are 15 to 25% higher than the specialty shop at Binny's.

From now on, the only thing I buy at Whole Foods are their organic fruits and veggies.

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Elite '08

154

367

Erin B.

Chicago, IL

1 star rating
10/05/2006

Is it just me, or is everyone here clueless to my existence when I walk in here.  I swear, I've never seen a group like this before!  People just walking, not looking where they're going, running into me, etc!  Ugh!  The staff here is way unprofessional, as the woman that checked me out slammed my basket over, and then told me "PUT THAT OVER THERE."  Ironically, she had some sort of excellent customer service button on her apron.  Also, the people in the cheese/meat counter were rowdy and yelling at each other, and no, not in the fun playing way.  Everything was so over priced, and mediocre.  I will not be back here, ever.

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90

Jenna D.

IL

3 star rating
01/18/2007

I do love Whole Foods....I just have to say that this particular location is almost always packed (try between 3 and 4pm if you prefer not to be mauled by fellow shoppers) and the employees are usually a little too emo for me.....I think they might just be hungry.

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