Fine Wine Brokers
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square, Ravenswood

4621 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

Robert F. writes: Holy mackeral can these guys talk about wine!  Especially Gerhard (the owner).  His knowledge is so thorough, you'd think he invented the stuff.  He can ramble on a bit, but if you get past that, you'll walk out with a pretty thorough education on…

Canady Le Chocolatier
Neighborhood: South Loop

824 S Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL 60605

Lauren H. writes: Some say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, well, one of the ways to this woman's heart (amongst other of her places) is through fine chocolate.  I have not been in the store, but received a very thoughtful gift of a box of truffles.…

Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea
Neighborhood: The Loop

53 W. Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60604

JC D. writes: What can I say that hasn't already been said?

Fair-trade coffee baby!

The wait is unexpected, but worth the wait. The coffee is amazing.
I recently made a switch from Breve to Soy Latte, because I'm lactose intolerant. There, I said it!!  
The switch…

Panozzo's Italian Market
Neighborhood: Near Southside

1303 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60605

Liz X. writes: As with gentrification in all parts of major metropolitan areas come the good and the bad.  I won't dwell on the negative and instead, I will expound on the little treasures that gentrification can bring..especially early on in the process.  One…

Village Creamery

4558 Oakton St
Skokie, IL 60076

Ling L. writes: Slap a "homemade" mention in your sign, and I'm stopping in, no matter how seemingly rundown or old your place might be. That's just the case with Village Creamery.

Tucked in a corner with the faceplate of a sign gone, it is easy to dismiss it. But…

Evanston 1st Liquors

1019 Davis St
Evanston, IL 60201

Keiko S. writes: We were recently in desperate need of Thai Singha beer in a large quantity, and while most liquor stores and asian markets didn't carry the product, Evanston 1st Liquors readily saved our day! The price was slightly lower than the average, too. Their…

Quenchers Saloon
Neighborhood: Bucktown

2401 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Rosie V. writes: I've been going here for so long, I feel I'm defending it against gentrification. Free popcorn only goes so far when I have to start shoulder-checking yuppies who order water w/ a slice of lemon

Also, to the young 'uns who drive in for the shows: I'm…

Stanley's Fruit & Vegetables
Neighborhood: Noble Square

1558 N Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Caroline A. writes: I just picked up the best mangos from Stanley's this morning.
They also have Fage Greek Yogurt on some days.

There is nobody in the store on early weekday mornings.

Marketplace On Oakton

4817 Oakton St
Skokie, IL 60077

Erin H. writes: Being relatively new to the Chicago area, I've been making the rounds to the various markets near-ish to my E. Rogers Park home, searching for a produce selection that comes even remotely close to the fresh food nirvana so easily available in…

Sweet Mandy B's
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

1208 W Webster Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

George R. writes: My ode to Sweet Mandy B's after the Yelp Cupcake Crawl of November 2007. Red Velvet was one of their fabulous cupcakes.

"Red Velvet"
(To the tune of "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles)

Sweet Mandy B's in the middle of a Yelp crawl
Tempting cupcakes on the…

Cafe Selmarie
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square, Ravenswood

4729 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

Katarina X. writes: The clientele is certainly women of a certain age, but the service and  the food can't be beat!
Before we brought my boyfriend's mother in, I discreetly told the hostess that she was bordering on senile and can at times be very, very rude by no fault…

Kurowski's Sausage Shop
Neighborhood: Avondale

2976 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60618

jason t. writes: i think this place is owned by the same folks who run rich's deli on western, because they have a lot of the same stuff...especially the blueberry crumb cake which is just about the best thing ever and half the reason i've gained 15 pounds since i…

Produce World

8325 W Lawrence Ave
Norridge, IL 60706

Sharin F. writes: This is my favorite grocery store in Chicago!  Great specialty and foreign foods here.  

The only thing I don't like about them is that out of all those European candy bars there, NOT ONE OF THEM IS DARK CHOCOLATE MARZIPAN  =(

My Place For Tea
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3210 N Sheffield Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

Caroline A. writes: My two girlfriends and I decided to go out for tea (sans big hats) on a chilly and wet day.  So I Yelp searched "tea" in Chicago, and this gem of a spot popped up.  The new year calls for new spots, so we were on our way to My Place For Tea.

This is a…

A & G Fresh Market

5630 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60634

Nancy K. writes: Deli has large selection.  Produce is hit and miss.  Over all, it is clean and reasonably priced.  Parking is free in the back -- and as said it is tight.

Rossi's Liquors
Neighborhood: Near North Side

412 N State St
Chicago, IL 60610

Katie H. writes: Ladies, have you ever had an "emergency" in a bar or restaurant and checked in the restroom sink cabinet to see if there were any complimentary lady supplies?

Rossi's had the biggest maxi-pad I have ever seen in my life. It was either from 1970 or it…

Cafe Ballou
Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village

939 N Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Brandon B. writes: Excellent little cafe right around the corner from my house and I never knew it...one never thinks of going West I suppose.   Free wifi, cozy tables/chairs, nice ukranian themes pictures and mementos, very friendly lady service a good variety of…

Windy City Sweets
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3308 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60657

Ed U. writes: The following plethora of Baby Boomer references may alienate Gen X, Y, and Triple-Z progeny. Please be advised before proceeding...

I believe I just saw the Beaver and his fat friend Larry Mondello hanging out and getting stomach aches from all the…

Broadway Supermarket
Neighborhood: Uptown

4879 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60640

Nicoletta R. writes: To the tune of "Hallelujah":

Dry Spiced Tofu!
Plastic strainers!
Chunks of Gluten!
Preserved Jackfruits!
Nuoc Mam a-a-an chay!

Red Hen Bread Store
Neighborhood: Wicker Park

1623 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Becky S. writes: I am ashamed.

I went in here one morning on the way to pick up a friend at a way too early hour on a Saturday.  I was just planning on getting coffee..  but then I noticed the basket of assorted kwa-sonts on the counter near the register.  Chocolate,…

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

338 W Armitage Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614

Patricia B. writes: This is the first one and the best.  The shop quaint and charming, and of course filled with the classic ice cream.  And right across the street is the infamous Lincoln Park Zoo, so it's a perfect combo of zoo and cone.  Two things that make me very…

Original Rainbow Cone
Neighborhood: Beverly

9233 S Western Ave
Chicago, IL 60620

Joan S. writes: Holy crap, that photo of the original place is as old as I am!  Older!
Rainbow Cones are unique & delicious, as already described by other reviewers.
My memory goes like this:
Once upon a time, about 100 years ago, my BFF Peek & me used to volunteer to…

Trader Joe's

1407 Waukegan Road
Glenview, IL 60025

Nancy K. writes: Great store for organic and other specialty foods at good prices.  Nice sized parking lot.

Austrian Bakery
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park

2523 N Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60610

Caroline A. writes: It took me two years to finally try Austrian Bakery!  And it was everything I was anticipating!  My family business is down the street and I decided to grab a bite while I was in the area visiting the parents.  

This is a cute little bakery with about…

Pan Hellenic Pastry Shop
Neighborhood: Near West Side, Greektown

322 S Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60661

Ellen M. writes: I like this bakery because everything looks and tastes handmade.  Flawed borders are a good thing - there's nothing more suspicious than perfectly formed pastries and cookies, like you get at Dominick's.  That aint love.

Lunch of champions: salad at…

Gina's Ice Cream Shop

6737 Roosevelt Rd
Berwyn, IL 60402

Meredith R. writes: Best Italian ice. definitly try the other flavors, like watermelon. Get several flavors in one cup- perfect in the summer. And its homemade and NOT  a chain (always a plus in my book!)

Mitsuwa Corporation

100 E Algonquin Rd
Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Keiko S. writes: Mitsuwa never fails to make me happy. Going here is like warping back to Japan; they have everything I'll ever need.

Most prominently, there's a large Japanese grocery store with all sorts of imported goods...including not only edible items, but also…

Hagens Fish Market
Neighborhood: Portage Park

5635 W. Montrose Avenue
Chicago, IL 60634

Mark S. writes: I'd never known the joys of a Hush Puppy until I visited Hagen's...

Seriously, this place is a real gem.  From their counter they sell fresh fish,  and they have a grocery selection of everything one might need to go with fish (crackers, sauces, etc.)…

Golden Pacific Market
Neighborhood: Edgewater

5353 N Broadway Street
Chicago, IL 60640

Nancy K. writes: Great Asian market.  Very clean and organized,  the employees are very nice and helpful.  Small parking lot.

9:30am-9:00pm daily

Wine Discount Center

1826 N. Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Colleen C. writes: Dude, it's the TJ Maxx for wine-aholics.

Elston Avenue provides not only a spectactular back drop (joking, its an industrial wasteland over here)...but also ample parking! Better to cart out your 40 bottles 'o vino, and not have to walk 3 miles.…

Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor

7347 Madison St
Forest Park, IL 60130

Nancy K. writes: Great ice cream parlor with an old fashioned charm.  Friendly and sweet ; )  Great ambiance - walking into an era of yesteryear.  

Along with great ice cream they have organic coffee, baked goods, ice cream cakes and pies.  A must experience.  …

Edgewater Produce
Neighborhood: Andersonville, Edgewater

5509 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640

Colleen C. writes: Oh, it's a Jewel v. Indie Grocery showdown.

Edgewater wins by a mile. Smallish shop with great produce, ample Mexican flavor and a decent meat/deli counter. Certainly worth a trip to pick up veggies/fruits and some staples, and then shuffle over to…

Teuscher Chocolate of Switzerland
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Magnificent Mile, Streeterville

900 N Michigan Ave
5th Fl
Chicago, IL 60611

Caroline A. writes: This is a great place for any chocolate lover (such as myself).

The truffles are flown in once a week from Switzerland and are absolutely fantastic!  Beautiful presentation, wonderful staff and very cute gift items, this store is a great place to buy…

Trader Joe's

25 N La Grange Rd
La Grange, IL 60525

Dave S. writes: This was the first time I have ever stepped foot into Trader Joe's and it won't be the last.  It is an outstanding alternative to the Jewel's and Dominick's of the world.  I found stuff that I know I would not be able to find elsewhere.  The prices…

Dollop Coffee Co
Neighborhood: Uptown

4181 N Clarendon Ave
Chicago, IL 60613

Colleen C. writes: This morning I woke up and to my absolute HORROR realized I had no coffee to make...

For the love of all things holy, I cannot function in the morning without some type of caffeine, preferably drip coffee.

Luckily, very good whole bean coffee is sold…

Bobak Sausage Company
Neighborhood: Garfield Ridge

5275 S Archer Ave
Chicago, IL 60632

Patty V. writes: You have got to try Grandma's Cheesecake!! It is so light and delicious. I don't normally go out of my way for cheesecake, but this is different. It does not have a crust and is just heavenly!! Pirogi are wonderful as well.

Affy Tapple Inc

6300 W Gross Point Rd
Niles, IL 60714

nikki c. writes: OH OH OoooH! mouth salivating goodness.

healthy, soul satisfying and nothing, but smiles as the smell of the caramel and peanuts first hits your senses.

the perfect gift at any party. great for kids of all ages and perfect on a rainy day!

Savor the Flavor
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

2545 N. Sheffield Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614

Nicole K. writes: Love Savor the Flavor! It's a great local coffee shop with friendly staff and good coffee. But I don't get the coffee nearly as much as I do the ice cream and italian ice. They are the real deal!

Support local businesses! Go to Savor the Flavor and…

The Coffee & Tea Exchange
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3311 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60657

Alexis K. writes: I love the coffee here. It's very good and has a decent variety. The staff has been very good to eh whenever I've gone in; sometimes, I have to wait even if there's no other customers there. However, the prices are most excellent as is the coffee.

Penzeys Spices

1138 Lake St
Oak Park, IL 60301

Nancy K. writes: Ditto.  Very good store for spices.