Cereality

Sherman Plaza
1622 Sherman Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201

Bee B. writes: I had a bit of extra time before getting a haircut at art and science.  It was cold, and I had no scarf and a hankerin' for some oatmeal.  I walked into an italian coffee shop and asked them if they had oatmeal.  "No," said the man behind the…

Parallel 42 Wine Cafe

34 East Ave
IL 60546

Tara L. writes: Parallel 42 is located in the quaint neighborhood of downtown Riverside. Owned and operated by a young couple, the atmosphere is very comforting and casual. In addition to their extensive wine list, they offer specialty flights of wine from a…

M & A Bakery
Neighborhood: Ravenswood

1527 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60640

John Y. writes: If you want a great cup of coffee and a nice variety of fresh donuts, pass up your local Dunkin' Donuts and come over here!  The donuts are made fresh daily on location!  Very reasonably priced. You will be amazed how much you saved and how much…

Vintner's Cellar Winery of Chicago
Neighborhood: Roscoe Village

2048 W Belmont
Chicago, IL 60618

Ramki S. writes: Visited this place a week back.This place has a very unique concept going for it.On one hand it is very chic..neo modern with plasma TVs,stainless steel bars,very nice looking concept art on the walls.Again it also has the sort of subdued lighting…

Brasil Legal
Neighborhood: Bucktown

2153 N. Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Chris M. writes: GUARANA!  The only place in the city of Chicago that always has that exotic Brazilian softdrink, Guarana, in stock.    It's Antartica too -- the best.  For you Brazilians who need to matar as saudades do Brasil e da comida Brasileira, you can buy…

Hellas Pastry Shop
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square, Ravenswood

2627 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

deb s. writes: I came in here one day on a whim with my Greek boyfriend - good baklava  &  kourambiedes.  These cookies were very moist and sugary. yum!  I need to find time to go again to get some more yummy pastries.
- update, went back here again and the owner…

Calumet Fisheries Inc
Neighborhood: South Deering

3259 E 95th St
Chicago, IL 60617

Mark S. writes: Now some blanch at going to Andersonville or Pilsen for food, but this joint is way, way, way out of the way. We are talking about in the shadows of the skyway bridge.

That being said. Shut down your computer. Get in your car (if you don't drive,…

Shell Food Mart

210 E Ogden Ave
Hinsdale, IL 60521

Zach T. writes: This is the best-kept secret in Hinsdale and the surrounding 'burbs.  
They have a full-service deli with sandwiches, hot dogs, pizza and hot options every day of the week.  They even grill out in the summer!
Their Paninis are the best I have ever had.…

Great American Bagel

6641 Roosevelt Rd
Berwyn, IL 60402

Allison B. writes: This is a great breakfast/brunch place. They have three million types of bagels and other food as well. The bagels are cheap, made fresh, and the staff is really helpful. If you're getting a lot of bagels, this place is good too; cheap, and on…

Nea Agora Packing Co
Neighborhood: University Village

1056 W Taylor
Chicago, IL 60607

Bishop of B. writes: BOUN PASCHA!
I went to this place to buy a lamb for my family for easter, and seriously, it was like stepping into the movie Moonstruck. Cash only, a few chairs, a refrigerator, a saw, and a cutting board. That's it. When I was there a bunch of old…

Mickey's Hot Dogs

6800 W 111th St
Worth, IL 60482

Bishop of B. writes: THE BEST GYROS ON THE PLANET
As I testified in my review for Greektown Gyros, there are three keys to good Gyros, and Mickey's nails all 3
1) Kronos brand meat
2) Real Tzatziki
3) Grilled pitas
Their other items are tempting, but don't pass on the gyros.…

Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins
Neighborhood: Avondale

3310 W Addison St
Chicago, IL 60618

Meg K. writes: Thank you for consistently making delicious coffee.

Chicago and Western Fruit Market
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park

2401 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622

Chaviva E. writes: I know this market as the "Ukrainian Market," really, and I think it's called that by a lot of people. I'm simply in love with this market, and if it were feasible ... I'd do ALL my shopping here.

The Greek selection is great, and most of the time…

Cora Lee Candies Inc

1844 Waukegan Road
Glenview, IL 60025

Nancy K. writes: English Toffee and Barque are what they are known for and they are very good.  

They have a little bit of everything.  Mint squares, grumpies (turtles), non-pariels, truffles, sugar free assortment, fruits and nuts and an assortment of old time…

Akai Hana Market

3223 W Lake Ave
Wilmette, IL 60091

Keiko S. writes: Next to Akai Hana Restaurant is this small-scale Japanese grocery store. Given its limited size and non-discounted prices, it's not where I do my daily shopping. Rather, it's where I suddenly end up going because of an item or two that are…

The Brownie Lady

Chicago, IL 60622

Gina S. writes: You know what I'm talking about.

The Brownie lady is that cold, crusty lady that dips into our Wicker Park, Bucktown, Uk Village bars at night selling us her sweet, sweet "desserts".  I once had the opportunity to play pool with her. She's not much…

Evergreen Market
Neighborhood: Wicker Park

1339 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Laura R. writes: Basically your standard bodega. A few things worth noting:
-I like their coffee. I am their worst customer ever because I actually count out 86 cents for a cup of coffee and don't bring any other money with me so I won't be tempted to buy junk food…

La Baguette Bakery
Neighborhood: Pilsen

2109 S Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60608

molly c. writes: this place is INSANE. so many delicious sugary treats! cookies, cakes, cupcakes...anything you can imagine! such beautiful cakes!

they have this cupcake...that's LOOKS like a hostess chocolate cupcake...but is 10000 times better.

there's custard…

Tastee Freeze

11906 South Harlem Avenue
Palos Heights, IL 60463

Monica V. writes: MMMM... old-fashioned greasy-joint food! I've gotten their grilled cheese and fries and it was done just right! And they didn't sass me when I asked to have a slice of tomato put in the sandwich (which, unfortunatley, has happened to me before at…

Froots

900 Chicago Ave
Ste 101
Evanston, IL 60202

Keiko S. writes: I wish there were more Froots than Jamba Juice. They have some awesome healthy drinks, including fresh juices, shakes (all sorts of flavors), standard fruit smoothies, tropical smoothies, performance smoothies (energy, fat blaster, etc...), but my…

Foremost Liquor Store
Neighborhood: Uptown

1040 W Argyle St
Chicago, IL 60640

Jason L. writes: This is my new favorite liquor shop.  The staff is nice and not only do they have all the pop and juice I could want, they have at least ten different kinds of whisky for under $20 a bottle.   And I recently noticed they have almost as many kinds of…

La Villita Fruit Market

245 N Schmidt Rd
Bolingbrook, IL 60440

Michelle H. writes: I believe every neighborhood needs a little grocery store like this one.  A perfect little place for running out for the staples, but also a wonderful array of Mexican imports (Colombian coffee, fresh flour and corn tortillas, sweet bread, and of…

Starbucks
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

2475 N. Lincoln
Chicago, IL 60614

Tom M. writes: Super friendly staff, clean bathroom, great coffee, always an open table or seat!

Dunkin' Donuts

5843 Dempster St
Morton Grove, IL 60053

carolynne r. writes: Out of all the Dunkin Donuts I have ever been to (and believe me, I have tried almost all), this one is my favourite.  It is huge, has a ToGo's and a Baskin Robbins mixed in, and a drive thru.  Parking is ample and the grounds are always…

Gateway Newstand
Neighborhood: The Loop

114 S Dearborn Pl
Chicago, IL 60603

Lauren H. writes: This newstand/convenience shop is in the lobby of my building.  We occupy half of the building and have our own vending machines and cafeteria, so we don't give him much business, and they won't let this guy advertise, so this is my way to try and…

Istanbul Market

2324 S Elmhurst Rd.
Mount Prospect, IL 60056

Jacob J. writes: It was Thanksgiving Day and I needed something awesome to bring to family dinner.  Hurray! They were open!

Almond and Pistachio Baklava, freshly made.  It was a hit at dinner, must've been freshly made that day, very sweet, very soft, worth the price.…

Convito Italiano

1515 Sheridan Rd
Ste 24
Wilmette, IL 60091

Keiko S. writes: The place is called "Convito Cafe and Market" so naturally it's split into two sections - a grocery store and an Italian restaurant. Both have this upscale, European ambience. I've never eaten at the restaurant, so can't comment on the food...but…

Dunkin' Donuts
Neighborhood: Albany Park

4821 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

Tom M. writes: My "go to" coffee!

My favorite chain cup of joe!

My favorite beans to take home!

Only drag is this location does not have a drive thru (for drive thru I really like the Pulaski/Lawrence, Ravenswood/Lawrence, and Addison/Lincoln locations).

But they do…

Produce Center the
Neighborhood: Norwood Park

5820 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60646

Nicholle D. writes: Prices are fabulous - consistently $1-2 less than chain stores.  Produce is unbeatable & beautifully displayed.  Not a lot of prepared foods but that's probably healthy for you anyways

Starbucks Coffee
Neighborhood: Near North Side, River North

430 N Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60610

Ed to the M. writes: No more than 3 stars because the coffee is, well, the Wal-Mart of coffee.

Starbucks HAS inspired me to be poetic, though.

A Haiku:
WiFi is so cool
Because I can Yelp while in
The Starbucks Bathroom.

Villager Foods Inc the

1135 Chicago Ave
Oak Park, IL 60302

Lisa B. writes: This is one of those little friendly neighborhood grocery stores.  Somewhere between a 7-11 and Jewel in size, for when you just need a few things.  People say it has the best meat in town.  Friendly service and not a bad selection for its size.

Katherine Anne Confections

www.katherine-anne.com
Chicago, IL 60657

Mike g. writes: If you are looking for an amazing special gift or even just a nice treat for yourself, don't miss Katherine Anne's goodies.

Just featured in the Sun-Times, Katherine Anne's has some of my favorite gourmet truffles. The vanilla caramels are likely to…