I Found A New Grocery Store

Look out Jewel, watch your back Dominick's - Mariano's Fresh Markets is about to put your lights out if you aren't careful! I was introduced to the store that was on Belmont and Western but now there is a location that is much closer and I can swing by on my way home.

Mariano's has opened a new store at Monroe and Halsted and I can't stay out of the place!!!

The store has fresh and organic fruit that's more affordable than Whole Foods, a juice bar with a fireplace where you can put your feet up and have a real smoothie, and  food sales that will keep you coming back for more.

I enjoy a store that has all of the national brands along with some local favorites.  I have been successful in finding Oberweis Dairy products in full supply, even the sour cream, which is the best I've ever tasted.

Mariano's is an offshoot of Roundy's Supermarkets, based in Minneapolis.  The chain is very well known there and Mariano's is named for Roundy's CEO, Robert Mariano.  The store was built to be the answer to Whole Foods, and in my opinion, they've  reached their goal.  I can spend $30-40 and have several bags of groceries - you can't do that everywhere.  The service is also amazing - the employees wear black and white uniforms.  They are familiar with the stock and know how to find the answer to a question rather than refer you to another employee.

I like a store that has wide aisles and is well -lit with ample parking.  Parking is not an issue, there is a full parking lot and attendants to help you find a space.  Parking at the Halsted location is free.

Here are my must have's:

• the fresh strawberries
• the oranges
• the grapes - they last for a week
• the plums - ready to eat as soon as you buy them
• the salmon - never had a bad experience
• the guacamole - mild the way I like it
• the fresh squeezed orange juice
• Donkey tortilla chips - my former brand has been usurped
• Breakstone's cottage cheese - Jewel doesn't sell the 4% milkfat anymore
• anything at the cheese bar
• the asparagus - reasonably priced and incredibly fresh
• the popcorn at the snack bar - if you can't get to Garrett's before you go to the movies - this is a good substitute

You may find me shopping anywhere - Costco (still my only warehouse shopping location), Meijer (my suburban shopping destination), or Fox and Obel (my gourmet shopping location). But it looks like I have a new destination for regular groceries - hope to see you there, soon!