Isabel's Pantry and Wine

Prices are extremely high! Selection is horrible! Produce is often wilted and moldy! All this on top of a rude “owner” who seems to take pride in harassing customers who offer constructive criticism on a neighborhood grocery store. On behalf of the entire neighborhood please just be better!!! Our small slice of the city deserves better.

Almost everything that you can find here at the Green Grocer Chicago is entirely local, organic, and sustainable. They have a wide variety of beers and wines to choose from, which you do not usually find in any other stores. They also have vegetarian products, and they also offer gluten-free products. The ambiance is clean, and the items are all organized. They have a lot of stock for each of their products. They also have great customer service, and I am so glad I found this store. The prices of the products are almost the same as in other stores, so you should definitely consider visiting here because you would not have to worry whether an item is available or out of stock. They also have chocolates, meats, and fresh baked goods. This store is almost like a small supermarket; I highly recommend it.

A Disheartening Experience at Green Grocer: Poor Treatment and Harassment I recently had the unfortunate experience of visiting Green Grocer, and it was nothing short of disappointing. From the moment I stepped into the store, I sensed an unfriendly atmosphere that left me feeling unwelcome and uncomfortable. The poor treatment began at the checkout counter, where the cashier was rudely interrupted by seemingly a manager or owner? It seemed like I was just another inconvenience rather than a valued customer. I attempted to engage in polite conversation, but my efforts were met with curt responses and an overall lack of interest in providing any semblance of customer service. Later I found that this individual went by the name of Dileep something. I thought this was a woman-owned business? Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) provides certification for women-owned businesses. Does Green Grocer certify for this or not? Why is it labeled women-owned? As I left the store, I couldn't shake off the feeling of dissatisfaction, so I decided to voice my concerns to the store management. I believed that sharing my experience might help them improve their customer service and create a more welcoming environment for others. However, little did I know that my attempt to provide constructive feedback would lead to an even worse situation. Upon raising my concerns, I was met with hostility and defensiveness from the store management. Instead of acknowledging the issue, they tried to shift the blame onto me, making me feel as though my concerns were unwarranted and irrelevant. The harassment continued as they attempted to discredit my experience and even insinuated that I was trying to cause trouble for the store. It was clear that Green Grocer had no intention of addressing their shortcomings or making amends with disgruntled customers. Instead, they chose to sweep their poor treatment under the rug and target me for daring to speak up. This kind of behavior is not only unprofessional but deeply troubling for any establishment that claims to value its customers. In my opinion, a business like Green Grocer, which disregards customer feedback and engages in harassment, does not deserve the patronage of the community. Customers should feel respected and appreciated when they choose to spend their hard-earned money at any store, but my experience at Green Grocer was far from that. I sincerely hope that my review serves as a cautionary tale for potential customers considering shopping at Green Grocer. Until the store management demonstrates a genuine commitment to improving their customer service and addressing concerns with sincerity and respect, I cannot recommend this establishment to anyone. EDIT: tldr owner is a strange abusive man child riding on the good graces of the previous owners good reviews when in reality he has driven this business down the toilet

This small grocery store is nice and full of interesting stuff. The store is clean and bright and they have a friendly and helpful staff. It has a small space inside but everything is perfectly organized and fully stocked. They have a variety of local, gluten-free, organic and other specialty products. Some of the items they have can be found in other grocery stores but the prices in here is way better. Most of the products in here actually have fair and reasonable prices. If you are a fun of wines, then I highly recommend you this store because they have variety of good wines. Overall, this store is really great and of course, convenient.

I just want to share my good experience on this store. It was my first time visiting the store and I really like specialty products and all and my good friend recommended this store. I was expecting like a wide grocery store but it is the opposite, this is a cute grocery store and it is just literally a small spot but it has a lot of wonderful products inside including the specialty products my friend is talking about and surprisingly, they have a small liquor selections and they even have organic wines and few liquors that is hard to find and some are those that cannot be found in any other grocery stores i know. This is a really nice store. It is also clean and well-organized and the staff inside is accommodating. The only thing is that the prices of their products are expensive, I noticed it on their prices but they do really have a wonderful selection of essentials and specialty products and the likes.

Owner is very kind and knowledgeable in the wines he sells

Dileep is the absolute best! He never fails to make my day and has the yummiest food to offer. Definitely a store you MUST stop in frequently ❤️ Papa Green will treat you the best!

I want to share a very negative experience I recently had here. After coming here many times for quick grabs, wines (always with the understanding that it was on the pricier side for convenience), I had an extremely unpleasant experience here with the employee. I relalized I needed a few limes so decided to go here as I live in the immediate vicinity. They were having a wine tasting night and the employee seemed intoxicated. I grabbed 3 limes and the employee says 5 dollars. Seemed like an outrageous price when most other places are 2 for 1. When I asked him how much each was, he said to me quite rudely, “if you want to go to Walmart, you can”. I was appalled. I was simply asking, how much. Not sure if this was racial profiling or not. But I will never again run in for anything to this place. I will for sure forfeit all my frequent customer points.

You find almost everything you need here at Green Grocer. They have variety of Asian sauces, groceries and even fresh produce. Very good variety of products, good place for vegan grocery. Also, they have so many products you don't normally find in other supermarkets in Chicago. They're definitely one of the best Asian supermarkets in Chicago. If you're looking for Asian groceries in Chicago definitely need to check this place out. Really nice, clean, neat, and organized place.

Store is disgusting and prices are super high, so many better options in the area I have no idea how this place is still in business

Fall 2022 - please support them during construction! I still park on Grand right outside the store. Green Grocer is an amazing market with lots of LOCAL options for specialty items. Vegan, fresh baked goods, healthy options, meats & items without preservatives, food coloring etc. Their wine, beer and spirits selection is awesome. Want to bring something special to a party or find a nice wine to celebrate, this is the spot. Just bought Bramble berry hibiscus vodka. Most of their products are from local ish suppliers. Liz has been the manager for years and knows how to run the show there.

Great products, friendly owner, spent my summer and Chicago and made it part of my routine to come and visit Dileep. He adopted the name "papa green" he was a friendly face I looked forward to seeing once a week! There are wine tastings on Fridays which allows you to try the different assorts of wine he has to offer!

I had driven by this cute little market many times. I decided to stop in the other night. I'm so glad I did! I wanted to find a few specialty items and thought this might be the place. I wasn't sure if this was just a small supermarket or a specialty store. It was both and more! In addition to basic staples, they carry wine, local beer, liquor, chocolates, gluten free and keto options, organic choices etc. There is a ton of stuff packed into this small spot. Everything is organized nicely. I was able to walk around and explore easily. The shelves and cases were well stocked and organized. I was able to find a few fun things for gifts. The girl working the evening I was there was super nice. She was so friendly and helpful. She made suggestions and described an apple cider liquor I was looking at. She made suggestions on various cocktails I could make and different ways it could be used. Overall, I think this is a well rounded market in the West Town neighborhood. Neighbors can pick up basics or anyone can find specialty items. I think their price point is very reasonable too. Street parking is pretty easy, which makes this a great stop! So check it out!

Came in today to grab a bottle of wine. The owner is so pleasant and friendly. Really great service. Great selection of wines and food. Fruit looked delicious. Great neighborhood spot.

Very snooty and pretentious store that doesn't hit the mark of what it's trying to be. Overpriced products, poor selection, and staff that treats you like you're an annoyance. The store is trying to pretend to be progressive, convenient, and cute -- but it's actually just a greedy storeowner who is trying to take advantage of the fact there is no competition in the area. I would hardly consider this an independent grocer as that requires actual food inventory to sell. This guy clearly doesn't want your business as you'll be welcomed to the store by a list of rules on the door, one of which is a requirement that everyone must wear a mask despite vaccination status. Don't have a mask? No worries, the greedy shopowner is willing to SELL you a mask if you're in a bind. I can't tell if he's concerned about the virus or concerned about his bottom line? Don't be fooled by the overpriced hand-pick herb garden outside -- this store is a fraud and you'd be better off finding alternatives.

I had an extremely negative experience at this store recently. I have been a regular shopper at Green Grocer, something the manager (perhaps owner?) noted when we came in. I will first say that he seemed like he had been drinking, and it isn't the first time I've noticed that. However, today was especially upsetting as there was an issue with the card reader system and the woman up front was struggling to ring up a guest. It was clearly an issue with the system, and the woman working the register was trying to correct it. The manager/owner/drunk man screamed at the woman, saying how embarrassing the situation was and continued to yell at her in a degrading way in front of customers. When it was my turn to get rung up, the machine was still experiencing issues, and he blamed it on the woman still. I asked her if she was alright and she said no. I have noticed great workers come and go at this store and now I completely understand why. No one deserves to be berated and spoken to like that when they're doing their job - it was extremely unprofessional, disrespectful, and upsetting to witness. I will no longer be shopping at this store and I encourage others to do the same.

They do a great job of curating the best 1-2 brands for each type of food category. Staff is friendly and always in a good mood. Also appreciate their collection of local brands and bread from Aya. Kinda nice to skip the madness at the local farmers market and/or the weekend line at Aya.

I LOVE THIS PLACE! I shop here at least once a week. Almost entirely local, organic, & sustainable products. Awesome selection of beers, wines, and spirits that you don't really find anywhere else. Great selection of gluten free products, everyday staples, dairy, meat, and produce, great snacks and charcuterie all tended by a wonderfully helpful and friendly staff. The perfect place to hit before a party or a picnic or if you just wanna find some new yummies. I could go on and on. Definitely try the Jalepeno "Cheeze" dip. IT'S AMAZING. A true Chicago gem.

Not worth another dime! Snobby service and staff are clueless owner sitting in Michigan not involved! No thank you.

I went back to see if the high volume of plastic waste has lessened and it has not. The staff is generally decent but the owner is very defensive and has a hard time understanding sometimes. I really wish this independent grocer in Chicago was leading the no-single-use-plastic movement but sadly, it's not. That combined with the sourness of ownership is why I can't recommend them.

The place is small but it's clean. It's like a mini convenience store. The price is a little expensive but it is a quality product. They have accessible parking. The best thing here is even though it's too small the food shelves are super organized and well stocked. They have different kinds of alcohol, gluten free products, veggies , local products, snacks etc. I like the shelves of their alcohol. It is so cool for me. The staff here is so friendly and helpful. He helped me to find the food that I'm looking for. But some of the food that I need is not available to this store. I bought many snacks and some wine. The box of wine was too heavy and the staff helped me put it in my car. Kudos to the staff of this mini store. I recommend this mini store if you don't want to wait for a long line in a big grocery store.

The absolute best customer service I've ever received. I got a jar of Mc.Clurres pickles that were mush. They weren't expired so it must have been a bad batch. Not Green Grocers fault but they took care of me immediately by refunding me and giving my a new jar of pickles! I love to support small business for a MILLION reasons and this just adds to the list. Thank you Green Grocer!

Cute small little grocery/convenience store located near our Airbnb. The cashier recommended some great beer and liquor to us and it was awesome recommendations!! The set up is very nice and cozy inside!

This store recently shared how they wanted to "be part of a conversation and process that pushes us forward" in regards to alternative solutions to plastic use/sustainable practices. Both myself, and another (now former) customer commented on alternative solutions... respectfully, I might add. Their response? They deleted our comments and blocked us - we can no longer comment on their facebook feed nor leave a review for them. For a store that's named "Green Grocer" and claiming sustainable practices, they sure do like to shut people up that try to bring to their attention that their practices could be greener. Shame on your Green Grocer! I hope others start to call you out on your hypocrisy and treatment of customers that just are trying to bring things to your attention. The new owners should have taken the time to learn from the previous ones before officially taking over the store.

Green Grocer Chicago is such a nice and convenient store around the area. I hate waiting in a long line in other big grocery stores for a few items and was glad that I found this store. The store is clean, fully stocked and well organized. Staffs in here are all friendly and helpful. They have an accessible street parking and that is a great thing. Even though it is just a small store every basic item I needed is here. They also got few unique items which I like to if I have a chance. They have a nice section for organic products, always fresh and fully stocked. Gluten-free products are also in here but it has only a few items but it is still nice. Last is their wide selection of liquors with different items like wine and beers with good brands too! The prices are almost the same with other grocery stores. I would go in here and I am able to leave and got everything I wanted in minutes. Thank you for a wonderful service!

I just want to share my good experience on this store. It was my first time visiting the store and I really like specialty products and all and my good friend recommended this store. I was expecting like a wide grocery store but it is the opposite, this is a cute grocery store and it is just literally a small spot but it has a lot of wonderful products inside including the specialty products my friend is talking about and surprisingly, they have a small liquor selections and they even have organic wines and few liquors that is hard to find and some are those that cannot be found in any other grocery stores i know. This is a really nice store. It is also clean and well-organized and the staff inside is accommodating. The only thing is that the prices of their products are expensive, I noticed it on their prices but they do really have a wonderful selection of essentials and specialty products and the likes.

We have a visitor later so I decided to cook food for dinner. I planned to cook carbonara, grilled fish and meat and vegetables salad. I bought some ingredients for carbonara. I chose 300 g spaghetti, 12 strips bacon, 15 g butter, 10 g garlic, 65 g button mushrooms, 35 g all-purpose flour, 68 g (1 pack) Knorr Cream of Mushroom, 30 g spinach leaves picked, 240 ml all purpose cream, Parmesan Cheese. Next I bought fish and meat. Fish was fresh from the aquarium. Next I bought the ingredients for the salad. I bought lettuce, English Cucumbers (grocery-packed), Cherry Tomatoes, Mayonnaise, Olive Oil, Apples (red/green) Croutons or Oishi's Breadpan. I found and bought all of the ingredients that I needed. Thanks to this grocery store.

This small grocery store is nice and full of interesting stuff. The store is clean and bright and they have a friendly and helpful staff. It has a small space inside but everything is perfectly organized and fully stocked. They have a variety of local, gluten-free, organic and other specialty products. Some of the items they have can be found in other grocery stores but the prices in here is way better. Most of the products in here actually have fair and reasonable prices. If you are a fun of wines, then I highly recommend you this store because they have variety of good wines. Overall, this store is really great and of course, convenient.

I always passed by to this particular store near my workplace named Green Grocer Chicago and I decided to visit this place once and for all. The store is like a mini market and they have a bunch of different products like fruits, veggies, wine, local beer, liquor, chocolates and some organic products and the shelves are all properly arranged and well stocked that you can easily differentiate each product when choosing. They have a very friendly and accommodating girl staff who has a lot of recommendations for you specially if you are just their new customer with a smile on her face. Even though it is just a mini market, it is pretty spacious and you are able to walk freely and comfortably. The fruits and vegetables and some of the produce are all fresh. A lot of good stuff are available in here. I bought a few items and I am happy with it. If you are looking for a nice basic and specialty items they might be available here cause they have at least one or two brands of everything.

Went here for the first time after hearing my friends story about her experience in the store and based on her this store is pretty great and I agree on her. The store is a mini grocery store and it is basically small but there are lots of good products and items inside. They have variety of organic, gluten free and other specialty products. I don't pay much on organic products but after seeing their selection I suddenly became interested. I seriously picked a handful of organic products that I'd love to try. They also have a nice selection of wines and craft beers. This is just literally a nice store, I walked in, roam inside, checkout the things I bought easily and then I am done. Nice, easy and convenient mini grocery store with great products!

This is a great little store. I am from The Pittsburgh area and needed some gluten free vegan snacks while here in Chicago. I had a groupon and was pleased by the beverage selection also. It is clean, and easy to get to via the CTA.

The neighborhood is lucky to have a spot like this! It's incredibly well curated. My friend & I stopped in to get some bits & bites for a small group and Max was on it! He knows his stuff. Max went out of his way to help us pick out some unique & yummy items. He knows ingredients, company info, pairing and more. He made our visit so fun and was really hands on but in a friendly & collaborative way, not pushy at all. Thank you Max for taking good care of us today and making our get together extra special!

I've subscribed to the produce share here for three years. It is a very good organic / local produce selection, and each week they send out an e-flier with what items to expect and recipes for preparing the occasional challenging vegetable (kohlrabi - yeah fine, call Robby or call a rabbi, because ... I don't know how to eat this thing). In the winter they supplement with non-local organic fruits and veg so we aren't all stuck eating only potato and mushroom all winter long. When I was a kid, the word "Natural" was widely used for anything, no matter how many pesticides were soaked through it, or if it was a Laboratory combination of molecules that naturally occur on Earth. "Organic" came around, and some of us said, "Of course they are organic. Do they expect us to assume regular produce is inorganic? Like, are they fruit shaped rocks and cement?" But that's what happens when PR and Marketing firms spend several decades neutralizing the meaning of the appropriate word, "natural." What was I talking about again? Oh yeah! Green Grocer! They are great, the staff is friendly and they support boutique foody enterprises including Pleasant House pot pies, donuts and AMAZING sourdough bread, Hoosier Mama pies, Bot Bakery, City Pickle, Dark Matter, Intelligentsia and Bow Truss Coffees, Terry's Toffee and more . There's a ton of ready to eat foods too. I forget who makes it, but there is a vegan jalepeno cheese dip or dressing that is so good, I have to visit in the middle of the week to replenish my supply. Maybe they followed me around, but only to suggest new and interesting condiments. Everything is marked up, but no more than a convenience store, but its convenient location makes it worth it to me.

Just your average little corner store...If your average little corner store was run by tree hugging hippies. Green Grocer is what you'd get if you cross bred an NYC bodega with an exaggerated specialty store from the show Portlandia. They've got an amazing amount of organic and locally sourced goods. Especially considering how small the space is. There's always a product that you've never seen before and often times they're even being sampled by the local vendor who's trying to pimp it the old fashioned way. The beer cooler is a nice touch too with more local stuff filling the shelves and some hard to find flavors as well. On most visits you'll be greeted with a smile by the owner and in addition to the awesome stuff they sell that's worth the premium you'll pay.

I see the negative reviews of staff and I am surprised. I have had wonderful experiences with the people that work here. I love the wine deals. They have great products, it is a little expensive, but they have quality products and the cost is worth it for me, for the convenience and supporting local small businesses.

I am just starting to pay attention to what goes into my food, and the more I learn, the more important it is to eat organic and or fresh ingredients (unprocessed food). I know this concept seems really obvious to a lot of people, but I am apparently slow when it comes to food. So now that it matters where my food comes from, it is much harder to buy food. Green Grocer makes it easy to buy fresh, organic, locally grown/made food. Yes it is on the expensive side, however I think it is worth it. We buy a produce box that arrives here every Monday, and the boxes have been really good so far. I'm glad I found Green Grocer because I have been doing much better about eating well since I found the place! Oh, and the staff at Green Grocer are so nice and friendly!

Great selection of organic and high quality goods. They have great daily specials as well, which are very helpful if you're a local. I did their CSA for years, it was one of my favorites and I loved the flexibility & ease of the pickup times. Of course it's a little more expensive than a normal grocer but that's usually the case for tiny shops (try buying Oreos or a 12pk at 7/11) Staff is always so helpful too, this is such a little gem of healthy convenience in West Town!

Really great beer, wine, and liquor selection. A bit pricey for everything, but you are definitely paying for the convenience. Extremely friendly staff that are always there to help if need be. Wine special on Wednesday's are key.

Super friendly staff with enough local and organic options. The to-go section has perfectly healthy food for on the run!

I was in the area and had some time to kill before babysitting..why not check out a local shop that sells local products? The Green Grocer is cozy and quaint. with 2 aisles, it was easy to navigate and they offer a wide variety of products for specialty diets and healthy eaters alike. I ended up buying a lentil salad (with tomatoes, feta cheese, and a lemon olive oil vinaigrette) and a jar of local wildflower honey for under $12. I really enjoy the lentil salad; it was light and flavorful, a nice addition to a summer dinner! The honey has a smooth, clean taste and I was able to recognize the floral flavors more than I expected to which was a pleasant surprise. $5.49 for a 1 lb. jar was a pretty good deal in my book! The staff was friendly and happy to help, the cashier I spoke with offered some suggestions based on what I purchased which I really appreciated! I will definitely stop by Green Grocer again in the near future.

I haven't written a review in ages, but I'm coming out of Yelp hibernation for this one. Green Grocer is awesome. I moved about a block away from the place last month, and it's been my savior on several occasions. It's the only viable grocery option in the area, and while the prices are higher than you'll find at a Mariano's or Jewel, the organic products are wonderfully curated and everything I've bought has been top notch. I'll be coming back on the regular for the pork jowl bacon ($7.99 for a package), which my friends and I confirmed is some of the best bacon we've ever had. Don't forget to check the "free" section, either, as GG gives away day-old bread and just-ripe produce. Don't let the slightly higher price tags drive you away--this place is a real gem in West Town!

I love this place! Local and fresh produce, a great drink selection, and available healthy meals on the go. It's a great benefit to the neighborhood. Complaining about the higher price point is dumb, because this is a small and local business, so of course some things will cost more than at Jewel or Mariano's. Its the price you pay for convenience, quality, and supporting a local business. They have options for vegans, veggies, and carnivores alike. Thanks, Green Grocer, for always holding it down with my lox, local breads, kombucha, fancy cheese, and my favorite of all, the butter log!!!

It's basically a super super expensive little corner store that only sells super premium/organic/local foods. I do wish that they would expand their selection a bit because a lot of times I have run in to grab something and they did not have what I was looking for. Definitely not a place to do your regular shopping, but if you were looking for something in a short time crunch it will work in a pinch.

I just realized I never wrote the review I meant to write. Honestly this place is the BEST. I rarely write reviews but this place DESERVES the shoutout. The owner is the friendliest and most helpful, along with all the staff! I came here every other day in the heart of quarantine and each experience was so great. The owner always recommends the best wine. Such a nice and genuine experience you can't get at a large chain grocery store. But really you get such a great sense of community here. I wanted to purchase some cilantro I needed for tacos. The owner asked what the cilantro was for and I told him. He went outside and picked me a fresh set from his garden in the front of the store so I did not need to purchase a large quantity of it. It was so sweet of him to do, especially in the heart of quarantine when small businesses were really hurting. We NEED more of this in the world. People helping one another. Always support your local grocery stores

Admission: I go to GREAT lengths to avoid grocery shopping. Takeout, delivery, Peapod, Foodler, leftovers, quick trips to 7-11 for eggs and creamer, random meals composed of things in the pantry. I could go months without a real, honest-to-God grocery excursion. I just hate it, the whole experience. Parking, fighting people with carts, standing in line. To get 10 items it could take an hour and I do not find this efficient. HATE IT! Especially in the winter when I must park 4 miles from my home, lug things up stairs, and for what!? To eat good food. Well, ok...you've got me there. /end rant. So, to sum things up...I'd been trapped. My significant other (who prefers real food) asked me to pick up items for dinner on my way home. Oy. I quickly scanned my options and when left with Dominick's or Jewel, I began to sulk and feel annoyed. Then, I remembered Green Grocer...right next to the Pinky Nails on Grand/Noble that I had walked by many times. Open til 9pm on a Sunday!? Let's do this! Quickly parked right out front (15 minute flasher zone), zipped in...picked up my lot of groceries, paid and was out within 10 minutes. No joke. Praise the lord, I can save face in front of my man (no delivery tonight!) get wonderful food, and get the hell out of here in record time! The bonus? They have a GREAT selection for being so small. Tons of wonderful organic (Gunthorp individual chicken breasts!) and local products (think local bakeries like Bennison's, Delightful Pastries, Fig Catering, etc). I picked up some great bread, cheese, tomato soup (this is as gourmet as it gets for me folks!), cookies, kombucha (tried a new brand that rocked my socks off made in WI), granola and yogurt.. Yes, a tad pricey...but WAY worth it for the quality and ease in getting in and out. The girls were pretty friendly, everything is well stocked and shelved and they have a great little local spirits/beer/wine section. If it's not enough there is a wine store just next door as well. Support local grocery AND save time. I'm in.

Moving in to a new area, you need a few things. You need to know where you live. You need to know where the keys are that open where you live. You need to know where the best place is to get Thai, pizza and other ethnic foods your taste buds might crave. You also need to know where you can get some quick staples when you run out. This is where the Green Grocer comes in. I needed a quick sandwich. Substance to help sustain myself for the next few hours. Where to go... oh look! With in a block of my new abode Green Grocer came a callin'. Yooo hooooo!!! Look at what I have here. A few sandwiches, smattering of goods. Oh look pasta. Cheese. Meat. Veggies. Fruit. Dairy. Gelato. Oh wait. Back that bus up. Gelato? Just a few dozen flavors. Behold my flavonoids! I have been known to partake in a few sweet treats every now and then. And then. And then. And then... so lucky me I scooped, (yes, that was a pun), some of these soft and rich desserts. The Ciao Bella Tahitian Vanilla certainly won out, but more than anything I really won out with living so close to this place. Super friendly staff, helpful, warm and made me feel at home. The sandwich I got? Wonderfully tasty and inhaled quickly. They have cards where you buy so many, you get a free one. Oh and you're worried about forgetting yours if you get one? No worries. They keep it on file for you. The prices are a little pricey, but you want to know why? Everything in the place is certified organic. They also try and keep everything locally sustainable and how can you not appreciate that? You have a small store, that has a friendly staff, a pretty small but cool selection of items that are organic. Plus they have tastings through out the month, (please check their website). Um yeah. Thanks Green Grocer. You not only make me feel at home, but you're making me never want to leave either. Thanks!!

Meh meh meh. I wanted to like this store. Love it even. Yes, there are local options and many organic options, which is lovely. However, 90% of what is sold in this store can be found at Mariano's. I was really looking for more, I guess. The only thing that made me happy is to see that they had 4-5 Upton's options. Oh...and Justin's Peanut Butter cups.

UPDATE: MARCH 2008 So, this is still the greatest corner store in the city, and they now have their liquor license, so it's even better. GG stocks a nice variety of beer (including Bell's!), wine (about $10 a bottle and up), and spirits. They've also got a cooler so you can walk in, get a six pack, walk home, and enjoy it immediately. Not much is better than that. _____________________________ Original Review: Yahoooo! I can barely contain the excitement I have about this brand new addition to my neighborhood. Our near west side 'hood has a convenience store (Candy's) and a great Italian food shop (Bari), but nothing that offers a big selection of fresh, natural, and organic food. Until now! GG is the center store in the ground-level retail portion of a new condo building on the corner of Grand and Noble. It's small but well stocked with fresh baked goods (pre-made sandwiches from Greg Christian catering down the street and sweets from the newly relocated Bleeding Heart Bakery) soaps and recycled paper products, rices, soups, organic milk and yogurt, fresh meats, frozen veggies and desserts, fresh veggies and fruits (including individually sold Clementine oranges!), cooking staples like flour and sugar, chips, cookies, juices, and of course more that I haven't mentioned. Cassie, one of the owners (and a lovely woman!) chatted with me for a few minutes, and she mentioned that they were working on getting their liquor license to add beer and wine to the shelves. It might be a wee bit more expensive than Trader Joe's (but their veggies are better quality), but it's on par (cheaper, probably) with Whole Foods, and better because it's just around the corner! They discount your groceries if you bring in your own bags, but the "plastic" bags they use are actually made from corn and biodegradable. They also, according to my husband, sell coffee by the cup, which is nice. I'm looking forward to being a repeat offender here, and supporting another local joint!

Updating because this is even better than when we first moved in. They've rearranged a couple times and I'm amazed at how many different things they manage to stock in a relatively small space. Their produce is in-season and fresh, and there's more of it then ever before. Bonus that it's local and/or organic. We did their produce box program for a while which was excellent (we stopped because we got so stupid busy for a while that we were never home to use the food :( -- but it's good to know it's there when life lets up a little). This was also a frequent stop during the time I was unemployed -- I knew on bad days I could always get a snack and a smile. And I often still go in just for that (seriously, though, if they kept my purchase history, I'd probably be mortified to see how often I walk out with chips & salsa and blood orange soda ... ).

I like this place... but am surprised to see how high the average rating is. It's basically your typical hipster boutique grocery. Most things are overpriced, yes. And there are not a lot of options for each item. That said, each time I've gone there, they've had some version of what I needed. So, kudos for that. You just have to know going in that you're going to pay far too much. For example, I got a bottle of wine (which was probably a $6.99 bottle), plus a small bag of mushrooms, brie cheese, and basil. How much did it cost? Over 40 bucks. I was alarmed, but at the same time, it's my fault for not being prepared ahead of time, because I ended up shopping conveniently. Basically, I paid the convenience (or idiot) tax. To be honest though, they have what you need. So, if you're in a pinch, head on in. But if you can avoid it, don't spend the money.

As background, I went to the Green Grocer about a year ago and wasn't impressed--by the size, prices, selection, etc. They did have some unique items, and some of the best peaches I've eaten, but I went on and forgot about the little store on Grand. About six months ago, I starting paying more attention to my health-- watched Food, Inc, read Jillian Michael's book, Master your Metabolism--and then I was convinced I needed to change. I started buying more organic, local products the past six months or so. I've shopped Dominick's, Trader Joe's and Whole Paycheck (and still shop at each sometimes for certain things), but now I am doing more shopping at the Green Grocer. What brought me back is their seasonal produce box. I researched quite a few CSA's trying to find one that would work for me. What I like about the Green Grocer's box is they offer a selection of fruits and vegetables. Most places I found only offered vegetables, or you could buy a separate all-fruit box. I was also able to score a 10% discount by paying in full by an early deadline. As other reviews have stated, the staff is super friendly. When I picked up my produce box this week, I let them know I was going to pass on the rhubarb, but they could donate if they want, and they let me choose some extra spinach instead. My understanding is most CSA's do not allow substitutions. Yes, it can be more expensive (probably not more than Whole Foods tho), but I swear every single thing I pick up there is fresh and tasty. I like supporting the "little guy", so I am willing to pay a bit more for that--and to know that I am getting fresh, wholesome food.

Green Grocer is fab! I did a lot of research on CSAs and Green Grocer's produce share program is (from what I can tell) the best deal in town. Superb quality produce, huge amount for the price and no risks since you can pay month to month and cancel at any time. That was the biggest factor for me. On a social work salary, CSAs can been a daunting commitment. Thanks GG!

Fantastic store! I love that they have so much in this space - local, organically grown food! The staff is friendly, and I get coupons in the mail almost monthly (maybe bi-monthly - regardless it is a great deal). We have discovered new local brands we adore - Kilgus, Castle Rock Farm, Localfolks, CouplaGuys, Chicago Flats, Red Hen... the list goes on! Parking is on the street and surprisingly easy. They have a *ton* of gluten free items that I cannot find even at Whole Foods. I love it here. I do not have to even go to Whole Foods anymore - and I am saving money! And I am shopping local!!!

I first went to Green Grocer for a raw foods demonstration (and tasting!) and have been back for more. The store hosts little workshops and demos every week. (Sign up for their email list or check the website for info.) Cassie, the owner, it super-friendly and helpful; she even takes requests for what people want. Now that's service! Since it's limited in size (and thus selection), I don't think I could consider it my primary grocery store. However, they have bulk bins of several dry staples, such as beans and spices, which would be great for stocking up the pantry. The produce section seems fresher than what I see at most chain stores. It also offers many specialty (vegan, raw, etc.) items that I might not find elsewhere, for example, "Teese" vegan cheese. Some things are kind of pricey, but it's no different from what you'd pay at Whole Foods. Supporting a locally owned small business that offers locally produced and organic items seems like the right thing to do. I wish it was closer to where I live though; it seems like a convenient place to drop in.

Unless you live on the same block as this place and are in some kind of emergency food situation, skip it. Went in Saturday for the first time, as I'd been very curious about it as I know they carry a lot of locally made brands, a definite plus in my book. Not well stocked, and what is there is outrageously expensive. Their pricing makes Whole Foods look like a budget grocery store.

Calling all locavores! I'm not one, but I'm proud to have this place in my neighborhood. They're just the friendliest folks selling food you feel good about. It's been a while since I did the big bank-busting trip to Whole Foods. Why bother? Now I can drop by any night of the week to see what sounds good. Delicious pork, wonderful tilapia, lovely produce and so on. And oh joy, they've got the only packaged meals I'll eat anymore -- Annie Chun's soup bowls. Yum. Plus, how cute is the table with food "free to a good home"? My only wish? That it could be just a bit roomier. But oh, for the love of food, don't move in order to make it happen!

We just moved to Chicago from North Carolina, and I was bummed about missing out on our year round farmer's market. I am so happy I found Green Grocer, because they saved the day! I immediately joined the winter CSA and we are greatly enjoying the delicious organic fruit and vegetables. Everything is so yummy and I love that they source as locally as possible. I also LOVE the 50% off and free bins for overripe produce. I have found amazing deals here (like 2 bunches of bananas- perfect for smoothies and a bunch of kale that was good enough to be our Valentine's Day salad). Everyone is super nice and friendly! The music is always great, and it is a nice shop to just stop in and visit a few times a week to see what new treats they have. We are vegan and they have great options for us. I HIGHLY recommend! I LOVE Green Grocer!

Can I do a little happy dance for locally grown produce? -- happy dance -- happy dance -- wiggle wiggle -- happy dance Thumbs up for the super fresh local arugula and mushrooms. Also three cheers for the refillable glass yogurt containers. REFILLABLE I tell you. Yieehah. And yum yum to all the other delicious organic-y stuff. This place could have more in stock though... more variety might be nice. And I've gotta admit, going here too often hurts the bank balance. The staff are very friendly, I want to hug some of them. But hugging never seems to get me a discount.