At least twice a month, I drive up to Skokie to go grocery shopping. This may seem a bit excessive since I have access to a wide variety of stores within a mile or two of my home (Trader Joe's, Treasure Island, Latino groceries, produce markets, Cub Foods, Dominick's, Jewel, etc.). Nevertheless, there is something different about Marketplace on Oakton. In fact, there are MANY things different about this place.

• Produce: The options are plentiful. In fact, you could say there is a plethora of produce. Beyond the HUGE selection of normal items, there is a wide vareity of things you may have never seen or even heard of. There are also sections for different ethnicities (an impressive array of Asian cabbages and eggplants, for example).
• Butcher/Meat: This is my favorite. In addition to the cuts of meat you'd come to expect, the Marketplace sells parts of animals that Jewel would probably throw away. Heads, hearts, kidneys, tails, backs, tripe, it never ends. It's like a slaughterhouse museum. I love watching people comparing different hearts, trying to choose the best one.
• Deli: I love the deli. They have a huge selection of meats, cheeses, salads, smoked fishes, and pickled things. I especially love the 6 different kinds of feta.
• Packaged goods: Marketplace is not just about perishables. There is a wide array of packaged groceries from all around the world (organized by region/country). Spices, sauces, pickles, canned fish, beans, etc. Especially noteworthy is the section with Chinese, Japanese and indian sauces.
• Frozen foods: You know all those dumplings you pay a dollar a piece for in Chinese restaurants? They've got all of them here, and plenty more. Frozen fish, duck, rabbit, squid, and more are also on the menu.
• Turnover:This place is always crowded. So, you know it's all fresh.
• Ambiance: Marketplace is truly the UN of shopping. Immigrants from across the Chicago area come here to shop. On any given Sunday you can hear Polish, Russian, Korean, Farsi, and Chinese spoken (to name a few).
• Prices: This place is cheap (a beneft of high turnover). I am always astounded about how much food I get for my money.

That's just a snapshot. You should check it out for yourself. It's worth the trip. And bring a quarter (the carts are hooked-up in a deposit system, you get your quarter back when you return the cart).

Marketplace on Oakton is at 4817 W. Oakton in Skokie, 847-677-9330.

I love that place, but if you're travelling up to Skokie for food also try Lincolnwood Produce on Touhy and Lincoln or Village Market Place in Skokie (4034 Dempster). Lincolnwood is the bigger of the two.

Both of these places have all of the features you mention, and the variety of weird/foriegn food stuffs is lots of fun to explore.

Posted by: Paul at April 27, 2004 3:48 PM