Fruitful Yield Natural Food & Vitamin Stores the

2159 W 75th Street
Dairen Towne Center
Darien, IL 60516

Evelyn B. writes: This natural food store has been open for a while now, and in my opinion, has slowly but steadily shown signs of improvement over the years. I learned about this place when I discovered that I was allergic to most deodorants - they have a reverse…

Km Oriental Supermart Inc

1602 75th St
Downers Grove, IL 60516

Evelyn B. writes: To my knowledge, the second largest Asian foodstore in the western suburbs with a nice bakery adjacent to it. If I understand correctly, one can also purchase airline tickets to the far east at good prices.

Starbucks Coffee
Neighborhood: The Loop

Northwest corner of State Street and Adams Street
Chicago, IL 60603

Bill M. writes: This fairly new Starbucks is located in the fairly new office building with the address of 131 South Dearborn. That must be confusing, because the outlet itself is located at the northwest corner of State and Adams. Once you find this place, you will…

Viet Hoa Plaza Inc
Neighborhood: Uptown

1051 W Argyle St.
Chicago, IL 60640

Yin L. writes: This is the place on Argyle that I go to for the best and freshest selection.  I have very fond memories of Saturday mornings with my parents when I was a toddler rushing around on Argyle Saturday mornings with the flood of Chinese/Vietnamese…

Brankas

Chicago, IL 60625

brent k. writes: Great sandwich shop near Lincoln Park/DePaul - now that Demon Dogs is gone and Dominicks control the market for blocks - Brankas is the only alternative.  The manager is very nice, Eastern Euro as is all her female staff and she gets the food quick…

Cold Stone Creamery

76 S. La Grange Road
La Grange, IL 60525

Kristin L. writes: This is probably some of the most delicious ice cream I've ever tasted. They start with a generous portion of your choice of ice cream flavor, then add in toppings (like candy, crushed up cookies, nuts, and whatever else you want!) and mix it up on,…

Dairy Queen of Evanston

999 Howard St
Evanston, IL 60202

Joe F. writes: This DQ is really good! Probably not the healthiest place to go, but when you got the munchies for a fast food burger or a frosty blizzard this location can't be beat.  I like when you order a burger they put the bun on the grill to soak up some of…

CosmiCafe
Neighborhood: Ravenswood

1944 W Montrose
Chicago, IL 60686

Kristin L. writes: easily accessable from the brownline, this is a super cute and casual cafe. they serve a variety of coffee and tea type drinks, baked goods, and delicious (let me stress that- DELICIOUS!!) sandwiches (on or off the panini grill), which you can enjoy…

Tea Leaf Cafe

1853 Tower Dr
Glenview, IL 60026

S R. writes: I really like their fresh mango bubble tea here. It's not as loud and crowded as the Chinatown location, but it's a convenient location for northern suburbanites to satisfy their tapioca ball craving.  They also sell some gelato here and they offer…

Song Do Market

286 E Golf Rd
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Jay K. writes: Sad run-down Korean market close to Mitsuwa located in a deteriorating strip mall with other Korean and one Japanese business - mostly hair salons, travel agency, karaoke bar and restaurant.  Interesting deli with prepared Korean foods - the…

Wonder Hostess Bakery Outlet

52 Countryside Plz
Countryside, IL 60525

Dave S. writes: Most of you know that I am all about a good value.  Shopping here shows that much.  I just bought a loaf of bread, a pack of English muffins, and two packages of Fig Newtons for $2.14.  How can you beat that??? They have a good variety of all of your…

Tastee Freez

9348 South Roberts Road
Hickory Hills, IL 60457

Vic K. writes: The soft serve here is excellent and the service is even better. The owner and her employees are enthusiastic, personable  and have a  good sense of humor.....some of the reasons I visit at least twice a week.

Food tastes better when it is delivered…

Cosi

1740 Sherman Ave
Evanston, IL 60201

Meredith F. writes: I like cosi... especially now that they have multigrain bread and I get a courtesy cup every time I go for their yummy lemonade.  I LOVE their blondies/brownies/cookies , too, but because I get them with my salad, I don't feel AS guilty...Sometimes…

Reuter's Bakery
Neighborhood: Montclare

7177 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60707

Christiana S. writes: It wouldn't be a birthday without a cake from Reuter's Bakery!  

This place happens to be right around the corner form my grandparents' house, so naturally it's a family tradition to buy all of our birthday cakes here.  My big day happens to be at the…

DOMINICK'S
Neighborhood: Norwood Park

6312 N. Nagle Ave
Chicago, IL 60646

Nancy K. writes: Just ok, not one of my favorites

Dicarlo's

6920 Kingery Hwy
Willowbrook, IL 60527

Dave S. writes: This is another liquor store that has a great selection.  When you are looking for a higher end wine or are very particular about your liquor than you can find a good variety of things here for any taste. The prices can be somewhat higher here than…

Bulldog Bakery
Neighborhood: Avondale

3207 N Elston
Chicago, IL 60657

Liz M. writes: LOW SUGAR...NO SUGAR...SUGAR-FREE!

These are the words that caught my attention while stopped at the stop light at Belmont and Elston...

Being of the mind set "girl...you have to lose some weight!"
I pulled over and took a peek.

The only thing no-sugar…

Cardinal Wine & Spirit
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square, Ravenswood

4905 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

Jenn H. writes: Ah, my neighborhood liquor store.  When I am in need of booze, and can't make it to TJ's for my two buck chuck cases, I hit this place up.  They have an eclectic array of wine.  I am not sure what else to call it.  It's all over the place.  Random…

Olympia Bakery

9220 S Roberts Rd
Hickory Hills, IL 60457

Michelle H. writes: This bakery produces everything from wedding cakes to tea cookies.  Many a graduation, communion, and birthday cakes have been purchased here by my family.  But their specialty is their polish pastries and deserts (you will have to give pardon to my…

Amici Italian Deli

1149 Fairview Ave
Westmont, IL 60559

Tony C. writes: You can't beat this place for Italian (imported) lunch meats and cheese's. They have a wide selection of canned tomato's too. I'm not particularly impressed with the baked goods, but I can get great Suppersotta here, mild or hot!! Oh, and check out…

Morrow's
Neighborhood: The Loop

39 S La Salle St
Chicago, IL 60603

Leigh K. writes: Morrow's primarily sells nuts and candy. They also have coffee, salads, and sandwiches. The real reason hat anyone goes here is for their chocolate. It's delicious and delivered fresh to the store. When Morrow's opened up one building down from my…

Leland Liquors
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square, Ravenswood

4662 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

Kristen B. writes: Fantastic beverage store!  The sign out front says it all: "For all your spiritual needs!"....great selection of wine, always lots of cold beer, and super friendly service!

Also, for  some reason I seem to recall eating potstickers from here.  Was it…

Dunkin' Donuts

1441 W Montrose Ave
Chicago, IL 60613

Lawrence J. writes: I stop at this Dunkin Donuts almost every morning for my coffee.  The staff is great -- friendly, and quick on the morning rush.  They know my order and are always pleasant.   Their coffees with the new flavor choices are fantastic...  

Need a late…

French Market

Nettelhorst Elementary School parking lot
3252 N Broadway Ave.
Chicago, IL 60657

Maria S. writes: Great baked goods, several farm stands, fresh flowers, and a changing assortment of other booths.  This is a small, neighborhood market, organized by a company that sets up farmers markets in Paris. I should be going here for the fresh fruits and…

Dairy Queen of Niles

7011 W Dempster St
Niles, IL 60714

Kathy R. writes: When I get a craving for ice cream, I usually head here.  Love their Blizzards - especially French Silk.  (I'd like any chocolate ice cream creation, really).  This place is always crowded in the summer.  

My one quibble is that the Blizzards aren't…

Kramer's Health Foods
Neighborhood: The Loop

230 S Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL 60604

Ross B. writes: The downstairs market is stocked buckwheat soda, whey protein toothpaste, and shampoo made from recycled wind-chimes.  

Upstairs is one of the nicest vegetable-oriented cafes in the loop.  Get the spinach pie lunch special, and free your mind.

Caribou Coffee
Neighborhood: The Loop

20 N. Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60602

Amy D. writes: The reason tourists avoid this place is because they have been brainwashed by starbucks. This is a much better place to get coffee. My favorite is the caramel highrise, but a close second is the campfire mocha. Yummy! The blackberry scones are yummy…

bLENd
Neighborhood: Wicker Park

1725 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622

Leigh K. writes: I was really looking forward to Blend opening up since each day I walked by, I'd see progress being made and that was pretty exciting. It has been under construction for ages. Within the past month, there were a couple days I was fooled into thinking…

Frannies Beef & Catering

4304 N. River Rd
Schiller Park, IL 60176

Mike O. writes: Being an expert on finding the good dives around town, this is another classic. On the outside, it's a modest-looking house with an outdoor patio and lots of signs in the windows. The place could use some renovating, but the argument against that is…

Starbucks
Neighborhood: Andersonville, Edgewater

5300 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640

Matthew S. writes: So this was "my" Starbucks.

I used to go to this one every Sunday morning, super early...like 6 am, and the staff was upbeat and friendly.  They must have been dipping into their espresso reserves to make themselves that perky at that hour of the day.…

Knitche

5150 Main Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515

Gail L. writes: I always said that all downtown Downers Grove needed to be perfect was a yarn store.    And then, one day, Knitche arrived!  And better yet, they came with intelligensia coffee.

Knitche is one of the prettiest yarn stores I've been in.   Their…

B.B.'s Bagels

2835 W. Touhy Ave
Chicago, IL 60689

Amanda P. writes: I've always loved bagels.  After a trip to New York, however, I realized how lacking Chicago's bagels are.  That is, of course, until I tried B&B Bagels.

These are without question the best bagels I've eaten outside of New York.  They're wonderfully…

Boba Bee

5868 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60659

Tracy I. writes: Delicious bubble teas and red velvety couches! What more could a girl want?

They've got about 45 flavors of bubble teas.  My favorite so far is the taro coconut.  They also offer coffee, regular tea, ice cream & baked goods.

They've got four large,…

Palm Court Lounge
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Streeterville

140 East Walton Place
Chicago, IL 60611

Katherine M. writes: Located within The Drake Hotel, The Palm Court Lounge is one of those places that possesses history and style.  A girlfriend and I enjoyed afternoon tea here during the holidays. The room is stately with a large fountain and floral display in the…

J P Graziano Grocery Co
Neighborhood: Near West Side

901 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60607

Aaron S. writes: Solid Italian sandwich spot, and you can pick up your olive oil, pasta, bulk spices, and huge cans of roasted red peppers here as well.

Is it possible to say I love the old school feel of this place without sounding like a knob?  Didn't think so.

Caribou Coffee Co Inc

34 N La Grange Rd
La Grange, IL 60525

Carol K. writes: I'm a simple girl.  I like my coffee black.  Yeah.  I know- in today's world of every kind of  coffee, but black, I am a bit of an anomaly.  So when I met a friend here the other morning to catch up and he said "let me order for you", I knew I…

Wine Styles

1517 Waukegan Road
Glenview, IL 60025

Nancy K. writes: Grand Opening Saturday 01.27.07 (soft opening 01.01.07) starting at 11am

Unique wine store that is fashioned after an old world wine cellar. Wines are arranged by color and taste rather than by region or varietal.  Whites are categorized as crisp,…

Foodstuffs

1456 Waukegan Rd
Glenview, IL 60025

Nancy K. writes: Love this place!  A mini gourmet store that is packed with wonderful goodies.  They have been in this location for 10 years!  Not inexpensive but, oh my goodness -- great stuff  ; )  I'm a new regular when in the area!  Thank you Jen for your help…