Okay foodstuff's is the best. I could stuff myself with this food for a month straight, it's so good ;). I usually get the tuna melt and add avocado; they don't charge extra for avo, here. Their tuna is the best tuna I've ever had. I've gone here many times for their tuna melts. Another plus is the free samples. At this location, there are usually 2-4 samples like a couple dips. My favorite dip is the roasted red pepper dip, especially with the ficelle bread they have. They usually have a desert to sample too. God bless, foodstuffs!
(5)
Johnnie W.
I LOVE this place. The staff is super friendly; they all know you by name. The soup selection never disappoints, and...Courtney's tuna. Whoever Courtney is, please give that woman a medal. I would serve this tuna salad to the Pope. No joke, it's that good. If you've never gotten a tuna sandwich here, PLEASE do yourself a favor. They also have great little gifts, and the prices are more reasonable than one might think from a little boutique food store like this. They are passionate about what they do and it shows.
(5)
Lorelei C.
I must admit that I traveled out to Evanston yesterday to visit Foodstuffs because of my great love for bananas.. Make that my love for banana bread.. Yes, this is true, I was told that Foodstuffs makes one hell of a banana bread, so I had to go check this place out. So, as I entered this place the first thing I see is this case filled with the most delectable looking sweet treats, hey, wait a minute Foodstuffs, I came specifically for banana bread not for that totally calling my name mini chocolate cream pie! So, okay, I stood there for a minute trying to decide which was stronger, my love for chocolate or my love for bananas. Okay, I passed on that chocolate cream pie, and..boy, did I want that.. But, I decided to go with the healthier option, and I'm giving myself props for that decision cause I deserve it! For the record, Foodstuffs does indeed have delectable looking treats, but they are so much more than that.. A whole area filled with fresh baked breads, and I would recommend getting there early for best selection. A deli case filled with lunch meats as well as prepared foods, and boy, did some of those prepared foods look good, I even found a turkey corn dog, because sometimes you just gotta have a turkey corn dog, however, at $2.99 a pop I only purchased 2.. They have a few tables in the back where you can take a load off and read your paper or shoot the breeze, or eat one of Foodstuffs hand made sandwiches which they will prepare especially for you.. Ahh, the personal touch.. can't beat it! They have a great selection of pre-made soups, in flavors/ varieties I've never seen before,and lots of that Hummus Stuff that all you people seem to enjoy, Not me, but everyone else go at it.. A great looking Meat and Seafood Case too! Now, Foodstuffs is listed as a Gourmet Food Shop, and I can see why. They have so much to love here but, it's pretty pricey! And, I met a lovely young woman named Hailey yesterday who works at Foodstuffs and she was great, so Courteous and Helpful. So, in ending I am giving Foodstuffs a 4 Star Review, and the only reason I am deducting a star is because honestly, as good as everything here looked I still found Foodstuffs prices to be way above what I expected, Even for trendy Evanston. But, since I couldn't wait I did break into that banana bread last night and gotta say, it was pretty incredible! So, would I travel out to Foodstuffs again for that great tasting banana bread? In a Heartbeat, and that says alot....
(4)
Teal R.
Wow. An artisanal shop at its finest. I have an appreciation for these type of stores and Foodstuffs did not disappoint. Stopped in to grab a sandwich for lunch. Was amazed by the variety and decided to get the 'Chicken Little' which is their chicken salad sandwich. You could tell it was fresh and made in store. Price was a little steep for just a sandwich at $8.99. I meandered though the shop as well and everything looked great. Decided to grab one of their Monster Bars and Oreo Cheesecake bars that are $7.99/lb. That is a little steep for me and I won't return for that again. All in all, this is a great addition to the Evanston community and I wish I would have tried it sooner!
(4)
Caitlin B.
I love Foodstuffs! Amazing gourmet food shop, filled to the brim with delicious pastries, cheeses, prepared foods, and lined with darling baskets to bring it all on a picnic. I used to frequent the Lake Forest location when I was an undergrad, but I had forgotten all about this one until this weekend. I originally intended to go to Great Harvest, but after poking my head in at 9:30 on Sunday, seeing a completely empty place and all plastic wrapped pastries, we elected to come here instead. Great choice! My croissant was delicious, and my fiance's raspberry muffin was so good I kept stealing bits of the crumble topping. The small downside is that they do not have an espresso machine, but I was able to get a latte at the Starbucks two doors down and they did not mind me drinking it in here. We were able to pick up a few things for dinner and some treats while we were here, and will definitely come back to get Ravinia supplies once the season starts!
(5)
Andrew L.
If you're searching for unique and healthful foods, this is definitely a place to try. Many products sold here, I don't find elsewhere; so in some ways it's a bit of an adventure, but you will pay for the privilege. While I don't begrudge a retail establishment for charging what traffic will bear, in some cases it seems excessive. (Specials, discounts? Haven't seen any.) If you want a special treat, and of good to excellent quality, then by all means try it. If you're shopping on a budget, this is definitely not the place for you. I agree with one writer about the help; not so very customer friendly (even a smile would help); except the cashier, she's friendly. I didn't know about the 10% discount for those who work on Central Street ... so how does one prove that? 10% would definitely help.
(3)
Steve A.
I'm not sure whether to call this a grocery story, a gourmet shop or a bakery, because it's all three and more. The meats are particularly good here, with good steaks; fish is pretty good, too. Oh, and the hot dogs from the deli case are the best I've had anywhere, perfect for a 4th of July BBQ. I also always get some bread. They have a great variety, and the employees are a hundred times nicer than they are at the bakery down the street.
(4)
Brooke Y.
Awesome fresh made food with great options!! The people behind the counter are a little standoffish and intimidating. It seems to be an imposition to ask them to make something, but once you get past that it is totally worth it. And the cashier was over the top nice and deserves a shout out.
(4)
Zee X.
A bit pricy---Comparable to Whole Foods Normally, I would purchase one of those premade salads (which range from $6-11) rather than those "build-your-own" salads (which range from $8-15) Soup is also $6 for a small cup. There is also a 10% discount given to those who "work on Central St."
(3)
Chris P.
To me, a lot of the stuff at Foodstuffs is pretty special, and that's why I come here--just to get a little of something special from time to time. For everyday items, or a relatively modest-sized sandwich, the prices seem very high to me, and I've had no particular difficulty in turning away and letting them go. However, the desserts and pastries section is another matter entirely, and after checking out the 'day old bread basket', or buying one of their marvelous muffins for breakfast, I've made the mistake of 'looking left' on the way out, and getting caught up in a whole web of sin before I make it to the door. I most recently 'looked left' while lacking the usual excuse of a birthday or anniversary of some sort--this being merely an occasion provoked by self indulgence in the form of a 'Mini Croissant Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce.' Utterly & trance-inducingly lovely, it was. It came in a nice china ramekin with a side pot of caramel sauce--I heated both up separately, and my wife & I shared. It was perfect, and I highly recommend for a beautiful, sweet and lovely dessert. Foodstuffs cakes & desserts vary according to a schedule, so it's worth asking if you don't see something you've had before. On another note, their fresh Thanksgiving turkeys are great, and although expensive, the bread is really very good (though I wish their large rustic white didn't come pre-sliced--I much prefer to cut big hunks off it myself!). So if you have something special to celebrate--other than life itself, of course--and you can spare a few dollars on something special to share or eat secretly on your own, I can strongly recommend you stop by the cake counter at Foodstuffs. I really like the folks who work there (I mostly know the folks at the bread counter)--I've not yet encountered any standoffishness, but I guess everyone can have a bad day, and things can get hectic and tiring in a store where maintaining food freshness requires a lot of extra effort, early morning starts, and a lot of rushing around in a relatively small store before the doors open in the morning.
(4)
Elizabeth M.
Ridiculously overpriced and sometimes staff isn't excellent (cashier is good though!), however the sandwiches and party trays are good.
(2)
Rob W.
I frequent the Glenview store and really love many of their pastries and baked goods. In that sense, there is little difference between either as the items are centrally made. The staff here was good by me - polite and helpful. So why the 3 star rating? It seems like everytime I visit this Foodstuffs, the place "gets a little smaller". There were hardily any people in the place when I was there and it felt cramped and crowded. Plus, the appearance as you enter the front door isn't consistent with the prices that are charged. It is starting to look a little crummy. Kudos on the food, but time to consider a remodel or move - too chaotic and the appearance is declining quickly.
(3)
A C.
Pluses: free samples, a vast assortment of candies and gourmet chocolates, healthy food choices, and did I say free samples? :) Minuses: one word - EXPENSIVE I still go there for their gourmet food and chocolates. They're to die for!
(4)
Andrew B.
Update: today they had 3 people preparing salads to react to the influx of customers. Bravo! Keep it up!
(4)
Will B.
Great bread and prepared vegetables!
(3)
David R.
I went to this Foodstuffs specifically for Jeni's ice cream. Two reactions within two minutes of each other: "They have a whole case full of yummy flavors?" Hooray! "This stuff is $11.99 a pint?" Argh, my ass is bleeding! There were no prices on the containers, so I didn't find out until they had already rung me up, or I would have walked. No ice cream--NONE--is worth twelve bucks a pint. And the stuff was pedestrian anyway, not nearly the quality that I remember from that quaint walk-up window in the German Village neighborhood of Columbus. The Whiskey & Pecan just tasted like butter pecan; where's the whiskey? And the Boozy Eggnog was so boring that I poured maple syrup on it. Yeah. Booo. This Foodstuffs is more cramped than its Glenview counterpart, and on Monday December 5, they closed at least 15 minutes earlier than their posted time of 6:30pm. That's three strikes in my book. There's no enticement to come here when I can go to two different Whole Foods in downtown Evanston and a Foodstuffs (if absolutely necessary for some reason) in Glenview.
(2)
Marie M.
Amazing sandwiches and salads and everything in between. Every time I go here I want to buy everything. It is definitely expensive, but I'm willing to pay bc the quality and service are so consistently good. I love the grocery section, too, and appreciate all the fun free samples they always have out!
(5)
Carla G.
Specialty foods that come with heavy prices. sandwich/ bakery/ deli/ seafood/ sweets/ cheeses... and the list goes on.... How do they fit all of this in this little location? By cramming everything in and items on top of each other. There is very little room for people to even walk by each other. I am a fan of the sandwiches! -the VP panini is my favorite. I can't resist the splurge every once in awhile. yes, I consider $10 for a sandwich a splurge.
(4)
Sheryl B.
Food is generally good quality but EXTREMELY expensive...sandwiches are $9+ for the ones I've tried, candy, cookies are $$$$ too
(4)
Phill C.
Like a condensed version of your favorite high end grocer, you'll definitely find your essentials here. They have a nice selection of baked breads, a meat counter, a deli with tasty soups and sandwiches, and tons of sweets. Take a small lap around the store and don't forget to stop at the sweets & pastry counter in the front. On my last visit I found some French macarons, which I've been hooked on recently like crack. Service is always super friendly and there's plenty of parking up front or across the street.
(4)
Natalie B.
Besides the food, which is delicious (especially the soups--my toddler can't get enough of their veggie soup so that should say something), the service is just fantastic. The employees are all super friendly and helpful and they remember me even though I am not there more than once a week. Whenever I want just one meatball or one bite of something from the prepared foods for my child, they always just give it to me, even though I would be happy to pay for it. I will continue to come here and recommend it to everyone.
(4)
Shauna K.
This place is like a rock orchestra of food! Deli, bakery, meat, seafood, sammys, salads, soups, salsas, wines, I must have spent over an hour just looking at all of the stuff - and they have a freezer section too with some amazing ice cream - goat milk ice cream with figs anyone? - yummy!. But one of the best parts is the daily menu - Alissa and her crew cook their buns off every day to make sure you can choose from several entrees, veggies, salads, appetizers, soups, etc to build a great meal to take home for you and your buds/family. Tomorrow I am navigating back for chicken piccata, roasted veggies and I haven't decided what else to take home for dinner. The piccata is amazing! One of the other best parts is the salad and sandwich area - this place has HUGE sammies - I love the Napoleon, one usually lasts me for two lunches. They make the salads and sammies while you wait and to order - this ain't Jimmy John's folks - you can have it any way you want! Don't forget the beverage. the choices are eclectic. And make sure to grab some knock out pastries or cookies - I would seriously arm wrestle anyone's 95 year old granny for the last brownie in the store - they are that good! Moist, fudgy - and I just drooled on my keyboard. OK, gotta wash off the keyboard, get your butt to Foodstuffs and have fun, tell Alissa and everyone that Shauna said hi! - Oh, and everyone is super friendly there, have fun! Oh and Whole Foods? Trader Joes? No comparison! Foodstuffs is Deliciously Unique!
(5)
Daphne L.
Cute gourmet food shop that's like a cross between Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, but definitely with Whole Foods prices. They have a sandwich and salad bar where you can have food prepared for you or select from a menu. There's a great selection of ready-made dishes in the deli area, and I've found they're perfect for dinner when you don't feel like cooking, or if you're having a party. Great soups and dips are aplenty, and the bakery is fantastic. Fresh bread, delicious cookies, and a great selection of gateau. I couldn't see shopping here for regular grocery runs, but, it's a good alternative when you're looking for something with a little edge.
(4)
Vicky T.
A great place to get a decent salad/sandwich and specialty items. Wish it wasn't as pricey and that there was more room for them to display things better.
(4)
Jason P.
Think of a sandwich place/bakery mixed with the ready made stuff and deli from whole foods and this is what this place is trying to be. Trying is the key word. I walked in because I wanted to see what it was and I wanted a sandwich. I get to the counter and no one greets me for 5 minutes. When I finally get to make my order, they say they only have white bread left. I thought that was really weird as it was a sandwich place and it was not anywhere near closing time. I settled for the bread they had and waited. The lady said I could pay while I wait. As I walked around to the register, there was a plethora of different breads behind the register. I guess the lady making my sandwich was just too lazy to walk over and actually get the bread. I won't return despite the sandwich not being bad.
(2)
Chris W.
It's a tiny little gourmet market that has some pricey food, but there are little secrets to the place on certain days that you can make out with something free or something super discounted. Food you won't find anywhere else on the block. Like secret agent food! Sweets to flaunt in front of your friends and chew with your mouth open in front of them saying "OM NOM NOM" to make them jealous without telling them where it's from until you lick your fingers. If you're in the area, the key is to snoop around...possibly ask the sweetest looking worker on duty about the shops little secrets. And MY little secret, is look for the basket of day old cookies...they're not expensive at all, you get a bunch of them, and they're ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! It's okay to treat yourself! Who says you need to do ALL your shopping here?
(4)
Sarah K.
Ok, they seemed to have a TON of really cool stuff that I would love to try. And I love to spend money on food. But this place was just too expensive for me. The staff that we interacted with were very friendly and chatty when we were. I just can't fathom how we got two cokes, two small sides, and a bag of candy, and it was over $20. Crazy. But love the street seating and all the products inside.
(3)
Buttermilk P.
Roasted red pepper dip / Spinach dip...............bliss.
(5)
Ben H.
Let's start by saying that indeed this place is kinda crazy expensive. I wouldn't do any significant shopping here. That said, it's a fun place to walk around. They have very small pieces of cheese, for instance, of cheeses that are $10-$15 per pound, but you can get $1 or $2 blocks. Perfect for me, since that's about how much fancy cheese I usually eat before it goes bad. I see FoodStuffs as a great place to grab a snack with my kids before we walk across the street and play at the park.
(4)
Jaime P.
I love the quaint charm of this place...the employees are soo kind, wonderful smiles, makes you feel at home, especially Greg whom I adore. In terms of their food...and I notice everything....flies landing on food that is on top of the counter uncovered. Uncooked fish left out, uncovered with a knife laying on it. Bits of food in the main case surrounding the rest which makes it all seem dirty. Today there was a rag on the counter in the sandwhich area...and I watched some one use this rag to wipe off a knife before cutting a sandwhich in half. If they're going to charge cost prohibitive prices on the food they sell, then keep better standards of conduct when it comes to food handling practices. Lastly....14.99 a pound for pad Thai???? Seriously? Pinto doesn't even charge half that much, and they're the real deal.
(2)
Ba R.
This store sells various foodstuffs. They have a sammich-to-order counter, a meat counter, a cheese section, and tons of prepared foods, trending towards the upscale.I come here for the buttercream sandwich cookies. They have lots of other good stuff too, and some pretty good stuff. It's a bit pricey, but not brutal.
(4)
E. W.
Gourmet prices: gourmet quality. Yes, it's pricey, but oh my gosh is it tasty. Part deli, part grocery store, at Foodstuffs you can get a made-to-order salad or sandwich or buy salmon or gnocchi to cook at home. The staff are very friendly and helpful, and there are a few tables in the back if you want to sit and eat your lunch. In fact, they don't mind at all if you pull out your laptop and work for a while. There's no WiFi, though. No one's mentioned one of the bonuses -- Foodstuffs puts out tons of free samples, so even if you only buy a little jar of chestnut butter, you'll still get to sample the cherry-peach salsa and herbed goat cheese. They have specials, too. - The salad bar is discounted on Mondays. - You can get a free fresh-squeezed lemonade with $5 purchase on Fridays. - Day-old bread is always 1/2 off. This is a good place to go if you want to impress people with your potluck dinner party contribution or need a nice, edible hostess gift
(4)
Carolynne M.
Everything I have ever had from this place (and it isnt much, since things are terribly, terribly expensive) has been of excellent quality and just top notch. The cheeses are lovely as well as the pre-made food. But this is not an everyday shop. This should be used for gifts and parties primarily as almost everything offered here can be found in other shops (like Whole Foods) for less. They have a chocolate covered marshmallow that is the flippin bomb if you can get past the $1.25 price tag.
(4)
Marion P.
I bet their food is good. It sure LOOKED good. Sadly I'll never know, because I may very well never be in the income group they're aiming at (think wholefoods prices times two).
(2)
Andi F.
Delicious coffee and delicious sandwiches! This is definitely a great place for a foodie!
(5)
Emily R.
Mmm, Foodstuffs. Best grocery store in Evanston. Their deli counter and little ready-to-eat section are both wonderful - I have never been disappointed in anything I've gotten from there. The grocery section is also fantastic; I feel like everything there is a better, more inventive version of everything sold at "normal" grocery stores (the raspberry-white chocolate peanut butter will stick in my mind forever). It's not as expensive as people are making it out to be, and you're paying for deliciousness anyway, so I don't hold the higher prices against it. One star off for the service (some people are really nice in there, some are not) and the weird hours. They close earlier than a grocery store should.
(4)
wendy j.
so much tasty fun! I am a sucker for the black and white squares; the turtle cheesecake is really ,really good too. Fun specialty food items too; a nice little outing and everyone is really helpful.
(5)
Courtney S.
This should be five stars, but I docked it a little for the price. (why aren't there half-stars, yelp?) Foodstuffs is a little gourmet market. They have a lot of selection though: butchered meats and fish, a bakery,(homemade)frozen foods, cheeses, and prepared foods. They also cater. But the best thing is the lunch counter. They have an amazing salad bar with gourmet items, and they will even chop your salad for you, or you can have them make a sandwich with some freshly carved meat. You can expect to pay $8 to $10 dollars when you come in here, but it's worth it for the ingredients you get, and there are ways to save a little. Get the special sandwich or salad of the day, or get the meal deal...You get chips and a drink for $1 more. Use their punch card, and you can earn a free meal. This place is so addicting that you will get one in no time.
(4)
David B.
Really cool place! I love their selection and quality. Not a fan of their prices and they started skimping on sunday samples!
(3)
Karen S.
I usually have a sandwich (Californian) or a salad at Foodstuffs. Their ingredients are top-quality and very fresh. I also like how they have the ingredients and nutritional information listed on many of their prepared foods. The brownies and mini-cupcakes are delicious, too. I don't mind paying a bit more for quality ingredients and food that has no preservatives or trans-fats in it.
(4)
Paul H.
It's worth noting that the quality of the ingredients at Foodstuffs, whether it be the meats and cheeses, salad fixings, prepared foods, or baked goods, is always very high. So, you can rest assured that you'll find good products here. However, it is a gourmet market on the Northshore so the prices are high. I've never noticed the attitudes that a few other commenters spoke about. But, maybe I'm immune after years of expsure to it. Today, I stopped by for lunch - I was in the mood for one of their sandwiches. All of them are priced at $7.99. But, you'll get a huge sandwich made from fresh, high-quality ingredients. Unfortunately, any side is extra. So, no chips or coke for me today. I strayed from my usual favorite, the Turkey Cobbler (turkey with lettuce, tomatoes and cheddar cheese, mayo and cranberry chutney) and tried the Black Angus (roast beef with cream cheese and chives served with tomatoes and watercress on black bread). The sandwich was good, just not $7.99 good. I actually thought that it was a little bland, and could have used a spicier green or some salt. Next time, I'm going back to my favorite.
(3)
Casia J.
This place is dreadful through and through. The prices are out of control, and I am not one to moan about prices. I'm very much of the mindset of "if you don't like the prices, don't buy it," but since I'm reviewing it, I'll dock it for that. BECUZZZZ... People are snobby, not very knowledgeable about gourmet and imported items, and several items on the shelves (tapenades and the like) were expired. $16 for old carbonara. No way! In addition, I contacted them once about a corp. promo. I was going to put together 30+ gourmet baskets about $50-75 each. They made it clear they didn't want to be bothered, telling me they "do MUCH larger scale" projects than that, and all but ushered me out onto the street with my piddly $2k budget. Although I am a longtime Evanstonian, they have the Evanston attitude I hate of, "We're your small, local, tiny 'n happy neighborhood place! ..But we must remind you that you need $10k for pesto and water crackers or we're too busy." They had the tiniest, flimsiest wicker baskets that would be .50 at Michael's and were going to charge me $12 each! It was clear they didn't want to be bothered so they made up idiotic prices to get me out the door. Hate them. Baked items are good and priced ok. Everything else, take a pass.
(1)
Honor S.
I just moved to Evanston from California and was delighted to find that I had moved into a neighborhood with so many wonderful, independently owned businesses. I have become a "regular" at Foodstuffs, and have had to set a new ground rule for myself: I will only walk there!! No driving allowed!! Everything is so delicious, so tempting, so potentially fattening (at least at the rate at which I want to sample everything!!), that I have to do some calorie burning in order to justify eating all of their incredible wares!! Check 'em out!!
(5)
d a.
have not had all of their stuff, but what I have is generally excellent. their baked goods are the best on that strip of bakeries. Some of their stuff is very very pricey, but not all. People that work there are generally very pleasant and wonderful to deal with and the service is very very strong. They know what they are talking about. Easy to get to via the metro, there's a nice park across the street, street parking also pretty easy even during busy times. It's a nice experience. The Glencoe store is a lot bigger however and seems to have more stuff. Things are not always as fresh at the end of the day.
Sammy S.
Okay foodstuff's is the best. I could stuff myself with this food for a month straight, it's so good ;). I usually get the tuna melt and add avocado; they don't charge extra for avo, here. Their tuna is the best tuna I've ever had. I've gone here many times for their tuna melts. Another plus is the free samples. At this location, there are usually 2-4 samples like a couple dips. My favorite dip is the roasted red pepper dip, especially with the ficelle bread they have. They usually have a desert to sample too. God bless, foodstuffs!
(5)Johnnie W.
I LOVE this place. The staff is super friendly; they all know you by name. The soup selection never disappoints, and...Courtney's tuna. Whoever Courtney is, please give that woman a medal. I would serve this tuna salad to the Pope. No joke, it's that good. If you've never gotten a tuna sandwich here, PLEASE do yourself a favor. They also have great little gifts, and the prices are more reasonable than one might think from a little boutique food store like this. They are passionate about what they do and it shows.
(5)Lorelei C.
I must admit that I traveled out to Evanston yesterday to visit Foodstuffs because of my great love for bananas.. Make that my love for banana bread.. Yes, this is true, I was told that Foodstuffs makes one hell of a banana bread, so I had to go check this place out. So, as I entered this place the first thing I see is this case filled with the most delectable looking sweet treats, hey, wait a minute Foodstuffs, I came specifically for banana bread not for that totally calling my name mini chocolate cream pie! So, okay, I stood there for a minute trying to decide which was stronger, my love for chocolate or my love for bananas. Okay, I passed on that chocolate cream pie, and..boy, did I want that.. But, I decided to go with the healthier option, and I'm giving myself props for that decision cause I deserve it! For the record, Foodstuffs does indeed have delectable looking treats, but they are so much more than that.. A whole area filled with fresh baked breads, and I would recommend getting there early for best selection. A deli case filled with lunch meats as well as prepared foods, and boy, did some of those prepared foods look good, I even found a turkey corn dog, because sometimes you just gotta have a turkey corn dog, however, at $2.99 a pop I only purchased 2.. They have a few tables in the back where you can take a load off and read your paper or shoot the breeze, or eat one of Foodstuffs hand made sandwiches which they will prepare especially for you.. Ahh, the personal touch.. can't beat it! They have a great selection of pre-made soups, in flavors/ varieties I've never seen before,and lots of that Hummus Stuff that all you people seem to enjoy, Not me, but everyone else go at it.. A great looking Meat and Seafood Case too! Now, Foodstuffs is listed as a Gourmet Food Shop, and I can see why. They have so much to love here but, it's pretty pricey! And, I met a lovely young woman named Hailey yesterday who works at Foodstuffs and she was great, so Courteous and Helpful. So, in ending I am giving Foodstuffs a 4 Star Review, and the only reason I am deducting a star is because honestly, as good as everything here looked I still found Foodstuffs prices to be way above what I expected, Even for trendy Evanston. But, since I couldn't wait I did break into that banana bread last night and gotta say, it was pretty incredible! So, would I travel out to Foodstuffs again for that great tasting banana bread? In a Heartbeat, and that says alot....
(4)Teal R.
Wow. An artisanal shop at its finest. I have an appreciation for these type of stores and Foodstuffs did not disappoint. Stopped in to grab a sandwich for lunch. Was amazed by the variety and decided to get the 'Chicken Little' which is their chicken salad sandwich. You could tell it was fresh and made in store. Price was a little steep for just a sandwich at $8.99. I meandered though the shop as well and everything looked great. Decided to grab one of their Monster Bars and Oreo Cheesecake bars that are $7.99/lb. That is a little steep for me and I won't return for that again. All in all, this is a great addition to the Evanston community and I wish I would have tried it sooner!
(4)Caitlin B.
I love Foodstuffs! Amazing gourmet food shop, filled to the brim with delicious pastries, cheeses, prepared foods, and lined with darling baskets to bring it all on a picnic. I used to frequent the Lake Forest location when I was an undergrad, but I had forgotten all about this one until this weekend. I originally intended to go to Great Harvest, but after poking my head in at 9:30 on Sunday, seeing a completely empty place and all plastic wrapped pastries, we elected to come here instead. Great choice! My croissant was delicious, and my fiance's raspberry muffin was so good I kept stealing bits of the crumble topping. The small downside is that they do not have an espresso machine, but I was able to get a latte at the Starbucks two doors down and they did not mind me drinking it in here. We were able to pick up a few things for dinner and some treats while we were here, and will definitely come back to get Ravinia supplies once the season starts!
(5)Andrew L.
If you're searching for unique and healthful foods, this is definitely a place to try. Many products sold here, I don't find elsewhere; so in some ways it's a bit of an adventure, but you will pay for the privilege. While I don't begrudge a retail establishment for charging what traffic will bear, in some cases it seems excessive. (Specials, discounts? Haven't seen any.) If you want a special treat, and of good to excellent quality, then by all means try it. If you're shopping on a budget, this is definitely not the place for you. I agree with one writer about the help; not so very customer friendly (even a smile would help); except the cashier, she's friendly. I didn't know about the 10% discount for those who work on Central Street ... so how does one prove that? 10% would definitely help.
(3)Steve A.
I'm not sure whether to call this a grocery story, a gourmet shop or a bakery, because it's all three and more. The meats are particularly good here, with good steaks; fish is pretty good, too. Oh, and the hot dogs from the deli case are the best I've had anywhere, perfect for a 4th of July BBQ. I also always get some bread. They have a great variety, and the employees are a hundred times nicer than they are at the bakery down the street.
(4)Brooke Y.
Awesome fresh made food with great options!! The people behind the counter are a little standoffish and intimidating. It seems to be an imposition to ask them to make something, but once you get past that it is totally worth it. And the cashier was over the top nice and deserves a shout out.
(4)Zee X.
A bit pricy---Comparable to Whole Foods Normally, I would purchase one of those premade salads (which range from $6-11) rather than those "build-your-own" salads (which range from $8-15) Soup is also $6 for a small cup. There is also a 10% discount given to those who "work on Central St."
(3)Chris P.
To me, a lot of the stuff at Foodstuffs is pretty special, and that's why I come here--just to get a little of something special from time to time. For everyday items, or a relatively modest-sized sandwich, the prices seem very high to me, and I've had no particular difficulty in turning away and letting them go. However, the desserts and pastries section is another matter entirely, and after checking out the 'day old bread basket', or buying one of their marvelous muffins for breakfast, I've made the mistake of 'looking left' on the way out, and getting caught up in a whole web of sin before I make it to the door. I most recently 'looked left' while lacking the usual excuse of a birthday or anniversary of some sort--this being merely an occasion provoked by self indulgence in the form of a 'Mini Croissant Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce.' Utterly & trance-inducingly lovely, it was. It came in a nice china ramekin with a side pot of caramel sauce--I heated both up separately, and my wife & I shared. It was perfect, and I highly recommend for a beautiful, sweet and lovely dessert. Foodstuffs cakes & desserts vary according to a schedule, so it's worth asking if you don't see something you've had before. On another note, their fresh Thanksgiving turkeys are great, and although expensive, the bread is really very good (though I wish their large rustic white didn't come pre-sliced--I much prefer to cut big hunks off it myself!). So if you have something special to celebrate--other than life itself, of course--and you can spare a few dollars on something special to share or eat secretly on your own, I can strongly recommend you stop by the cake counter at Foodstuffs. I really like the folks who work there (I mostly know the folks at the bread counter)--I've not yet encountered any standoffishness, but I guess everyone can have a bad day, and things can get hectic and tiring in a store where maintaining food freshness requires a lot of extra effort, early morning starts, and a lot of rushing around in a relatively small store before the doors open in the morning.
(4)Elizabeth M.
Ridiculously overpriced and sometimes staff isn't excellent (cashier is good though!), however the sandwiches and party trays are good.
(2)Rob W.
I frequent the Glenview store and really love many of their pastries and baked goods. In that sense, there is little difference between either as the items are centrally made. The staff here was good by me - polite and helpful. So why the 3 star rating? It seems like everytime I visit this Foodstuffs, the place "gets a little smaller". There were hardily any people in the place when I was there and it felt cramped and crowded. Plus, the appearance as you enter the front door isn't consistent with the prices that are charged. It is starting to look a little crummy. Kudos on the food, but time to consider a remodel or move - too chaotic and the appearance is declining quickly.
(3)A C.
Pluses: free samples, a vast assortment of candies and gourmet chocolates, healthy food choices, and did I say free samples? :) Minuses: one word - EXPENSIVE I still go there for their gourmet food and chocolates. They're to die for!
(4)Andrew B.
Update: today they had 3 people preparing salads to react to the influx of customers. Bravo! Keep it up!
(4)Will B.
Great bread and prepared vegetables!
(3)David R.
I went to this Foodstuffs specifically for Jeni's ice cream. Two reactions within two minutes of each other: "They have a whole case full of yummy flavors?" Hooray! "This stuff is $11.99 a pint?" Argh, my ass is bleeding! There were no prices on the containers, so I didn't find out until they had already rung me up, or I would have walked. No ice cream--NONE--is worth twelve bucks a pint. And the stuff was pedestrian anyway, not nearly the quality that I remember from that quaint walk-up window in the German Village neighborhood of Columbus. The Whiskey & Pecan just tasted like butter pecan; where's the whiskey? And the Boozy Eggnog was so boring that I poured maple syrup on it. Yeah. Booo. This Foodstuffs is more cramped than its Glenview counterpart, and on Monday December 5, they closed at least 15 minutes earlier than their posted time of 6:30pm. That's three strikes in my book. There's no enticement to come here when I can go to two different Whole Foods in downtown Evanston and a Foodstuffs (if absolutely necessary for some reason) in Glenview.
(2)Marie M.
Amazing sandwiches and salads and everything in between. Every time I go here I want to buy everything. It is definitely expensive, but I'm willing to pay bc the quality and service are so consistently good. I love the grocery section, too, and appreciate all the fun free samples they always have out!
(5)Carla G.
Specialty foods that come with heavy prices. sandwich/ bakery/ deli/ seafood/ sweets/ cheeses... and the list goes on.... How do they fit all of this in this little location? By cramming everything in and items on top of each other. There is very little room for people to even walk by each other. I am a fan of the sandwiches! -the VP panini is my favorite. I can't resist the splurge every once in awhile. yes, I consider $10 for a sandwich a splurge.
(4)Sheryl B.
Food is generally good quality but EXTREMELY expensive...sandwiches are $9+ for the ones I've tried, candy, cookies are $$$$ too
(4)Phill C.
Like a condensed version of your favorite high end grocer, you'll definitely find your essentials here. They have a nice selection of baked breads, a meat counter, a deli with tasty soups and sandwiches, and tons of sweets. Take a small lap around the store and don't forget to stop at the sweets & pastry counter in the front. On my last visit I found some French macarons, which I've been hooked on recently like crack. Service is always super friendly and there's plenty of parking up front or across the street.
(4)Natalie B.
Besides the food, which is delicious (especially the soups--my toddler can't get enough of their veggie soup so that should say something), the service is just fantastic. The employees are all super friendly and helpful and they remember me even though I am not there more than once a week. Whenever I want just one meatball or one bite of something from the prepared foods for my child, they always just give it to me, even though I would be happy to pay for it. I will continue to come here and recommend it to everyone.
(4)Shauna K.
This place is like a rock orchestra of food! Deli, bakery, meat, seafood, sammys, salads, soups, salsas, wines, I must have spent over an hour just looking at all of the stuff - and they have a freezer section too with some amazing ice cream - goat milk ice cream with figs anyone? - yummy!. But one of the best parts is the daily menu - Alissa and her crew cook their buns off every day to make sure you can choose from several entrees, veggies, salads, appetizers, soups, etc to build a great meal to take home for you and your buds/family. Tomorrow I am navigating back for chicken piccata, roasted veggies and I haven't decided what else to take home for dinner. The piccata is amazing! One of the other best parts is the salad and sandwich area - this place has HUGE sammies - I love the Napoleon, one usually lasts me for two lunches. They make the salads and sammies while you wait and to order - this ain't Jimmy John's folks - you can have it any way you want! Don't forget the beverage. the choices are eclectic. And make sure to grab some knock out pastries or cookies - I would seriously arm wrestle anyone's 95 year old granny for the last brownie in the store - they are that good! Moist, fudgy - and I just drooled on my keyboard. OK, gotta wash off the keyboard, get your butt to Foodstuffs and have fun, tell Alissa and everyone that Shauna said hi! - Oh, and everyone is super friendly there, have fun! Oh and Whole Foods? Trader Joes? No comparison! Foodstuffs is Deliciously Unique!
(5)Daphne L.
Cute gourmet food shop that's like a cross between Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, but definitely with Whole Foods prices. They have a sandwich and salad bar where you can have food prepared for you or select from a menu. There's a great selection of ready-made dishes in the deli area, and I've found they're perfect for dinner when you don't feel like cooking, or if you're having a party. Great soups and dips are aplenty, and the bakery is fantastic. Fresh bread, delicious cookies, and a great selection of gateau. I couldn't see shopping here for regular grocery runs, but, it's a good alternative when you're looking for something with a little edge.
(4)Vicky T.
A great place to get a decent salad/sandwich and specialty items. Wish it wasn't as pricey and that there was more room for them to display things better.
(4)Jason P.
Think of a sandwich place/bakery mixed with the ready made stuff and deli from whole foods and this is what this place is trying to be. Trying is the key word. I walked in because I wanted to see what it was and I wanted a sandwich. I get to the counter and no one greets me for 5 minutes. When I finally get to make my order, they say they only have white bread left. I thought that was really weird as it was a sandwich place and it was not anywhere near closing time. I settled for the bread they had and waited. The lady said I could pay while I wait. As I walked around to the register, there was a plethora of different breads behind the register. I guess the lady making my sandwich was just too lazy to walk over and actually get the bread. I won't return despite the sandwich not being bad.
(2)Chris W.
It's a tiny little gourmet market that has some pricey food, but there are little secrets to the place on certain days that you can make out with something free or something super discounted. Food you won't find anywhere else on the block. Like secret agent food! Sweets to flaunt in front of your friends and chew with your mouth open in front of them saying "OM NOM NOM" to make them jealous without telling them where it's from until you lick your fingers. If you're in the area, the key is to snoop around...possibly ask the sweetest looking worker on duty about the shops little secrets. And MY little secret, is look for the basket of day old cookies...they're not expensive at all, you get a bunch of them, and they're ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! It's okay to treat yourself! Who says you need to do ALL your shopping here?
(4)Sarah K.
Ok, they seemed to have a TON of really cool stuff that I would love to try. And I love to spend money on food. But this place was just too expensive for me. The staff that we interacted with were very friendly and chatty when we were. I just can't fathom how we got two cokes, two small sides, and a bag of candy, and it was over $20. Crazy. But love the street seating and all the products inside.
(3)Buttermilk P.
Roasted red pepper dip / Spinach dip...............bliss.
(5)Ben H.
Let's start by saying that indeed this place is kinda crazy expensive. I wouldn't do any significant shopping here. That said, it's a fun place to walk around. They have very small pieces of cheese, for instance, of cheeses that are $10-$15 per pound, but you can get $1 or $2 blocks. Perfect for me, since that's about how much fancy cheese I usually eat before it goes bad. I see FoodStuffs as a great place to grab a snack with my kids before we walk across the street and play at the park.
(4)Jaime P.
I love the quaint charm of this place...the employees are soo kind, wonderful smiles, makes you feel at home, especially Greg whom I adore. In terms of their food...and I notice everything....flies landing on food that is on top of the counter uncovered. Uncooked fish left out, uncovered with a knife laying on it. Bits of food in the main case surrounding the rest which makes it all seem dirty. Today there was a rag on the counter in the sandwhich area...and I watched some one use this rag to wipe off a knife before cutting a sandwhich in half. If they're going to charge cost prohibitive prices on the food they sell, then keep better standards of conduct when it comes to food handling practices. Lastly....14.99 a pound for pad Thai???? Seriously? Pinto doesn't even charge half that much, and they're the real deal.
(2)Ba R.
This store sells various foodstuffs. They have a sammich-to-order counter, a meat counter, a cheese section, and tons of prepared foods, trending towards the upscale.I come here for the buttercream sandwich cookies. They have lots of other good stuff too, and some pretty good stuff. It's a bit pricey, but not brutal.
(4)E. W.
Gourmet prices: gourmet quality. Yes, it's pricey, but oh my gosh is it tasty. Part deli, part grocery store, at Foodstuffs you can get a made-to-order salad or sandwich or buy salmon or gnocchi to cook at home. The staff are very friendly and helpful, and there are a few tables in the back if you want to sit and eat your lunch. In fact, they don't mind at all if you pull out your laptop and work for a while. There's no WiFi, though. No one's mentioned one of the bonuses -- Foodstuffs puts out tons of free samples, so even if you only buy a little jar of chestnut butter, you'll still get to sample the cherry-peach salsa and herbed goat cheese. They have specials, too. - The salad bar is discounted on Mondays. - You can get a free fresh-squeezed lemonade with $5 purchase on Fridays. - Day-old bread is always 1/2 off. This is a good place to go if you want to impress people with your potluck dinner party contribution or need a nice, edible hostess gift
(4)Carolynne M.
Everything I have ever had from this place (and it isnt much, since things are terribly, terribly expensive) has been of excellent quality and just top notch. The cheeses are lovely as well as the pre-made food. But this is not an everyday shop. This should be used for gifts and parties primarily as almost everything offered here can be found in other shops (like Whole Foods) for less. They have a chocolate covered marshmallow that is the flippin bomb if you can get past the $1.25 price tag.
(4)Marion P.
I bet their food is good. It sure LOOKED good. Sadly I'll never know, because I may very well never be in the income group they're aiming at (think wholefoods prices times two).
(2)Andi F.
Delicious coffee and delicious sandwiches! This is definitely a great place for a foodie!
(5)Emily R.
Mmm, Foodstuffs. Best grocery store in Evanston. Their deli counter and little ready-to-eat section are both wonderful - I have never been disappointed in anything I've gotten from there. The grocery section is also fantastic; I feel like everything there is a better, more inventive version of everything sold at "normal" grocery stores (the raspberry-white chocolate peanut butter will stick in my mind forever). It's not as expensive as people are making it out to be, and you're paying for deliciousness anyway, so I don't hold the higher prices against it. One star off for the service (some people are really nice in there, some are not) and the weird hours. They close earlier than a grocery store should.
(4)wendy j.
so much tasty fun! I am a sucker for the black and white squares; the turtle cheesecake is really ,really good too. Fun specialty food items too; a nice little outing and everyone is really helpful.
(5)Courtney S.
This should be five stars, but I docked it a little for the price. (why aren't there half-stars, yelp?) Foodstuffs is a little gourmet market. They have a lot of selection though: butchered meats and fish, a bakery,(homemade)frozen foods, cheeses, and prepared foods. They also cater. But the best thing is the lunch counter. They have an amazing salad bar with gourmet items, and they will even chop your salad for you, or you can have them make a sandwich with some freshly carved meat. You can expect to pay $8 to $10 dollars when you come in here, but it's worth it for the ingredients you get, and there are ways to save a little. Get the special sandwich or salad of the day, or get the meal deal...You get chips and a drink for $1 more. Use their punch card, and you can earn a free meal. This place is so addicting that you will get one in no time.
(4)David B.
Really cool place! I love their selection and quality. Not a fan of their prices and they started skimping on sunday samples!
(3)Karen S.
I usually have a sandwich (Californian) or a salad at Foodstuffs. Their ingredients are top-quality and very fresh. I also like how they have the ingredients and nutritional information listed on many of their prepared foods. The brownies and mini-cupcakes are delicious, too. I don't mind paying a bit more for quality ingredients and food that has no preservatives or trans-fats in it.
(4)Paul H.
It's worth noting that the quality of the ingredients at Foodstuffs, whether it be the meats and cheeses, salad fixings, prepared foods, or baked goods, is always very high. So, you can rest assured that you'll find good products here. However, it is a gourmet market on the Northshore so the prices are high. I've never noticed the attitudes that a few other commenters spoke about. But, maybe I'm immune after years of expsure to it. Today, I stopped by for lunch - I was in the mood for one of their sandwiches. All of them are priced at $7.99. But, you'll get a huge sandwich made from fresh, high-quality ingredients. Unfortunately, any side is extra. So, no chips or coke for me today. I strayed from my usual favorite, the Turkey Cobbler (turkey with lettuce, tomatoes and cheddar cheese, mayo and cranberry chutney) and tried the Black Angus (roast beef with cream cheese and chives served with tomatoes and watercress on black bread). The sandwich was good, just not $7.99 good. I actually thought that it was a little bland, and could have used a spicier green or some salt. Next time, I'm going back to my favorite.
(3)Casia J.
This place is dreadful through and through. The prices are out of control, and I am not one to moan about prices. I'm very much of the mindset of "if you don't like the prices, don't buy it," but since I'm reviewing it, I'll dock it for that. BECUZZZZ... People are snobby, not very knowledgeable about gourmet and imported items, and several items on the shelves (tapenades and the like) were expired. $16 for old carbonara. No way! In addition, I contacted them once about a corp. promo. I was going to put together 30+ gourmet baskets about $50-75 each. They made it clear they didn't want to be bothered, telling me they "do MUCH larger scale" projects than that, and all but ushered me out onto the street with my piddly $2k budget. Although I am a longtime Evanstonian, they have the Evanston attitude I hate of, "We're your small, local, tiny 'n happy neighborhood place! ..But we must remind you that you need $10k for pesto and water crackers or we're too busy." They had the tiniest, flimsiest wicker baskets that would be .50 at Michael's and were going to charge me $12 each! It was clear they didn't want to be bothered so they made up idiotic prices to get me out the door. Hate them. Baked items are good and priced ok. Everything else, take a pass.
(1)Honor S.
I just moved to Evanston from California and was delighted to find that I had moved into a neighborhood with so many wonderful, independently owned businesses. I have become a "regular" at Foodstuffs, and have had to set a new ground rule for myself: I will only walk there!! No driving allowed!! Everything is so delicious, so tempting, so potentially fattening (at least at the rate at which I want to sample everything!!), that I have to do some calorie burning in order to justify eating all of their incredible wares!! Check 'em out!!
(5)d a.
have not had all of their stuff, but what I have is generally excellent. their baked goods are the best on that strip of bakeries. Some of their stuff is very very pricey, but not all. People that work there are generally very pleasant and wonderful to deal with and the service is very very strong. They know what they are talking about. Easy to get to via the metro, there's a nice park across the street, street parking also pretty easy even during busy times. It's a nice experience. The Glencoe store is a lot bigger however and seems to have more stuff. Things are not always as fresh at the end of the day.
(4)