I don't think of myself as a food snob... but COME ON!

[jonnyGURU]

It's been 2 years since I've moved to Illinois (N. of Chicago) from Florida and I'm getting a little tired of the limited food source.

Baby artichokes, fresh lemongrass, andouille sausage... these are some of the items on my last shopping list that I could not find at Jewel (Albertsons), Dominicks (Safeway) or Wal-Mart, K-Mart or Target.

What's the deal? Anyone live in the Chicagoland area point me in the right direction, or maybe I should trust an online vendor to get me some food (never tried before)?

I did manage to get a think of dried lemongrass in a jar, but it was $7! WTF?!

Is the demand just low up here? Maybe folks up here just like their brats, mashed potatoes and corn on the cob too much to venture off into other ingredients?

 

[K1052]

Unfortunately you're up in the far far northern burbs where there isn't hardly shit.

You're going to have to drive closer to the city for some of the stuff you might want. Caputo's, Treasure Island, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, or any of the various ethnic grocery stores which are even further away in their respective neighborhoods downtown.

 

[Lorax]

exactly what town are you in? north of chicago is a very large area.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Yikes!

Trader Joe's is in Naperville... that's out.

Caputo's and Treasure Island are a bit far.

There's a Whole Foods in Palantine... that's not too bad (about 25 miles).

I always see Whole Foods on Top Chef. I wonder if that's a good sign that they actually have good ingredients... or just expensive advertising.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: Lorax
exactly what town are you in? north of chicago is a very large area.

Hainesville. It's between Grayslake and Round Lake in Lake County.

 

[K1052]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
Yikes!

Trader Joe's is in Naperville... that's out.

Caputo's and Treasure Island are a bit far.

There's a Whole Foods in Palantine... that's not too bad (about 25 miles).

I always see Whole Foods on Top Chef. I wonder if that's a good sign that they actually have good ingredients... or just expensive advertising.

There is a Trader Joe's in Lake Zurich

Caputo's and TI are a ways away.

Whole Foods is good and reliable however definitely pricier than the local supermarket. If you need a limited amount of fresh things not always carried by regular grocers and don't want to drive an hour+ each way it's probably your best bet.

 

[zerocool1]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
I always see Whole Foods on Top Chef. I wonder if that's a good sign that they actually have good ingredients... or just expensive advertising.

I think it's both. I can talk to some of my friends in McHenry.

 

[blinblue]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
Yikes!

Trader Joe's is in Naperville... that's out.

Caputo's and Treasure Island are a bit far.

There's a Whole Foods in Palantine... that's not too bad (about 25 miles).

I always see Whole Foods on Top Chef. I wonder if that's a good sign that they actually have good ingredients... or just expensive advertising.

There's a Trader Joe's in Lake Zurich that I've been to (can't comment on whether they have the items you need though), which isn't too far away (20 minute drive according to google)

edit: K1052 beat me to it

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: K1052

There is a Trader Joe's in Lake Zurich

DONE!

That's only 17 miles.

I is going shopping fer sure!

I'll let you know if I find everything I need.

 

[Platypus]

check wisconsin if you're all the way the fuck up there lol

 

[Redfraggle]

Trader Joe's will have some of that, but not lemongrass. They'll probably have it in a jar though. You're a victim of your location, they eat heavy, fatty foods in the north. Tons of starch and protein, and not always a lot of variety. I like Whole Foods for produce, which is better quality and cheaper than the grocery stores by me (NC). They are expensive for some things, but if you pick and choose carefully, it's not bad. Versus Trader Joe's: TJ's has a more limited selection, but it's cheap and quality.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: Platypus
check wisconsin if you're all the way the fuck up there lol

I have. Kenosha/Pleasant Prairie doesn't have much. Would have to go up to Milwaukee and then Chicago is actually quite a bit closer.

 

[Safeway]

Have you visited Four Winds in New Buffalo, Michigan? I also suggest stopping by the Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, Michigan.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: Safeway
Have you visited Four Winds in New Buffalo, Michigan? I also suggest stopping by the Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, Michigan.

Which one has the baby artichokes?

 

[Gothgar]

You cant find Jack??

Like Jack In The Box?

That sucks man

 

[Trianon]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
Yikes!

Trader Joe's is in Naperville... that's out.

Caputo's and Treasure Island are a bit far.

There's a Whole Foods in Palantine... that's not too bad (about 25 miles).

I always see Whole Foods on Top Chef. I wonder if that's a good sign that they actually have good ingredients... or just expensive advertising.

And Caputo's and Trader Joe's right next to it... about a mile down the road on Rand (Rt-12)
I live in Palatine

 

[BurnItDwn]

You aren't too far from me (in Wauconda.) I haven't had much luck when it comes to finding fresh lemongrass or andouille sausage anywhere around here.

World Market on Rt 12 in the Lake Zurich area has a good selection of spices, etc...
Also, Woodmans market has a lot of stuff that you won't find at Jewel or Dominicks, but I don't know if they have lemongrass or andouille sausage.


You could try vising one or more of the stores on this list for the lemongrass: List of Asian Grocery Stores


As far as the baby artichokes, no idea at all, never had one to be honest.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: BurnItDwn
You aren't too far from me (in Wauconda.) I haven't had much luck when it comes to finding fresh lemongrass or andouille sausage anywhere around here.

World Market on Rt 12 in the Lake Zurich area has a good selection of spices, etc...
Also, Woodmans market has a lot of stuff that you won't find at Jewel or Dominicks, but I don't know if they have lemongrass or andouille sausage.


You could try vising one or more of the stores on this list for the lemongrass: List of Asian Grocery Stores


As far as the baby artichokes, no idea at all, never had one to be honest.

You know what's funny... in Florida, one of my favorite brands of Andouille was actually Johnsonville's "New Orleans Brand" Andouille. A taste of cajun coming from Wisconsin... imagine that. Yet the only Johnsonville sausages I can get only 100 miles South of their factory are Brats. Really???

Baby artichokes are a must try. When they're young, the "choke" part hasn't developed so you can basically clean 'em, saute 'em and eat them whole. They're awesome.