Foodstuffs was my Yoda in learning to love gourmet food stores. It's been around almost as long as I can remember, started in 1979, with its narrow aisles filled floor to ceiling with delicious, exotic and carefully crafted foods. In high school, I would save my spending money to buy a little container of their scrumptious English Toffee. It came (and still comes in) a Chinese food box with the cheery green-and-white Foodstuffs sticker on top. It is so delicious - buttery and crunchy with fine quality chocolate and nuts - that one product turned me off of mass-marketed candies forever. Foodstuffs was also one of the first places to offer tastes of their various products. My mother and I still run the circuit when we are there - sampling a bite of cake, a chunk of cheese, or a new spread...and it's hard to walk out without something new and tasty in your bag, so they are definitely doing something right. From sweets, to fresh meats and seafood, to the sandwich bar, to the cheese bin, to bowls and bowls of prepared foods, Foodstuffs continues to thrive and is always a treat to visit. Excellent spot to pick up lunch, food for a pot-luck, a housewarming gift, or something new and exciting for the pantry. After many repeat visits, you may find yourself a Jedi-master of delicious food...or at least a fat and happy civilian.
(5)
Luke S.
Red Pepper Dip! Red Pepper Dip! California Sandwich! Red Pepper Dip! Red Pepper Dip! I blacked out; what happened? This place has some of the best cracker spreads around. Did I mention the red pepper dip? They also carry a wide array of upscale food. If you're willing to spend a little more this is the place to go to grab any meats, cheeses, or bread.
(5)
Ronni G.
Take a trip to France without leaving the North Shore. Try some of the bread(ooh-la-la) or specialty cheeses, and you'll be in heaven. I'm a baker, but their rich brownies blow me away-no way am I playing with caramel and marshmallows, they're too easy to burn. Chopped salads are also fantastic. Be aware that food here is pricey. Also, this is a favorite grazing spot of North Shore ladies so, although the service is excellent, you may wait in line for quite a while if you come at noon. I've suggested that they take carryout orders by email and phone to prepare in advance-maybe they'll listen.
(4)
Al D.
Great gourmet food but you pay for it! Their made to go sandwiches and salads are awesome, as are most of their soups. They also have unusually good tuna salad (Courtney's tuna salad) which I usually have a container of in the fridge. They have a buy $50 and get $10 free gift card offer so I just buy $100 of gift cards at a time (put onto one card) and receive a $120 credit. This helps offset their very high prices somewhat and is a nobrainer if you are a regular.
(5)
Daddy O.
Boutique/Gourmet Foods! I have two words for this place: ENGLISH TOFFEE. The best I've ever had. I always take it home with me in mass quantities because nothing else compares. Their deli and bakery are also excellent. You can find an assortment of all kinds of jellies, jams, olive oils, and other goodies that you will be hard pressed to find anyplace else. it's always a treat to be able to shop here. I'm sure when I drag my girlfriend out to the North Shore one of these years, Foodstuffs will definitely be on our list of stops.
(5)
Jessica K.
Again, childhood memories. This place had the feeling of an English corner shop with the black and white tiles, the wooden shelves and the old fashioned stick candy with the most curious objects for sale. As a child, I was brought up spoiled (only by food standards) and this is where I discovered there was more than just iodized salts in this world. I picked up blue tortilla chips, fresh artichoke dips, pasta salad, and sandwiches made with cheeses I couldn't pronounce. They always had a great selection of local chocolatiers and they'd wrap it up beautifully for you too. It was always a boasting point to show up anywhere with the Foodstuff ribbon neatly wrapped around it. It's an excellent place to learn about new foods, pick up fresh meats and cheeses and Orangina which is my all time favorite drink. I wish I could wear one of those aprons and be like the old-time shop keeper. This is definitely one place I frequent when back in the 'burbs.
(5)
Amy G.
You're a 5' 10" North Shore mom with enough collagen in your face to kill a horse and are on some sort of crash diet. It's lunchtime and you only have 20 minutes between your date with your personal trainer and your nail appointment at an upscale salon on Park Ave. So, where to go? Food Stuffs, obviously. I jest, of course. Food Stuffs isn't just for the northern suburbs' Ladies Who Lunch. With a fantastic salad bar, great sandwich selections, an outstanding bakery, and some of the best prepared foods available in the area, this gourmet grocery is one of my favorite picks for a quick dash out of work for a snack, a light lunch with friends in the area, catering a Ravinia picnic, or picking up dessert for family dinners. This cute Glencoe storefront is packed wall-to-wall with most specialty items a foodie could desire. Stand-outs include the chopped cobb salad (try their homemade bleu cheese dressing), chocolate-caramel brownies (they're like dense blocks of fudge with a sugary ribbon of caramel through the middle), garlicky cheddar bread, roasted-red pepper and spinach dips, and cheese case. Check the frozen and prepackaged sections for items from excellent Chicago-area restaurants too including Heaven on Seven's gumbo and Gabriel's vodka sauce. Parking is ample in the lot behind the store. There tends to be a great deal of street parking available too. But beware: Lines for EVERYTHING-- from the bakery to the fish counter-- are absolutely crazy during lunchtime.
(4)
John R.
The best little food shop ever -- as a latchkey kid growing up, I used to live off this catering joint...yes, a little bit spoiled as a youngster. They have everything here though -- fresh fish, butchered meats, imported cheeses/wine, desserts AND an amazing selection of prepared foods and soups (fresh and frozen, good either way). If you decide to trek to the lovely hamlet of Glencoe -- you must grab some Courtney's tuna -- it's my favorite anywhere. Soups are great as well...pretty much anything is good, just go. I should note -- there is a location in Evanston and I heard that they are opening one downtown somewhere as well...
(5)
Kate C.
Always a treat to drop by!
(4)
Margaret B.
Bike ride and lunch outside. The best salad in a long long time. I would eat here all the time if I lived nearby. Service was friendly, choices were great and kale and everything chopped salad hit the spot. Thanks.
(5)
elizabeth t.
This is truely an Amazing "boutique" style Market , & a great place to pick up the best if the best in deli style salads , amazing top Notch bakery goods , & pastries , Gourmet Sandwiches , soups & awesome fish department !! The service is very friendly & when you don't have time to do your cooking @ home , you'll be delighted @ the amazing choices you can grab that will be As good or better then homemade !!! This is truely a gem on the northshore & a regular daily stop for many !!! If you r heading to a party & don't want to show up empty handed this is your one stop Place for the best cakes ever !! You can't go wrong with food stuffs!!
(5)
Jennie C.
Yum-O as Rachel Ray would say. I love that you can get such a variety in your salad. They have all the items that I love, but other might think is not suppose to go in a salad. Their zucchini tea bread is GREAT! Wish they could deliver.
(4)
Kim M.
One star off for lack of parking at lunch and high prices. In all fairness, it is the North Shore though. All the food is great, and the bakery, although small, gives other bakery only specialty joints a run for their money. This is the perfect place to get a picnic to go for Ravinia, or to take home an out- to- eat -quality dinner if you are just too tired to cook (or go out.) Service is good, and the lunch menu salad/sandwich counter is creative without being pretentious or weird. Even picky eaters will find something they like here. There are also frozen items to take home and a number or gourmet packaged foods as well as an extensive offering of cheeses. Its a unique place, but best described as a soup/salad/sandwich place with a full service bakery and deli AND a gourmet convenience store. Yeah, that sums it up.
(4)
Scott B.
First, an idea for anyone at Foodstuffs who is listening: you offer very good pastries/baked items, you offer prepared foods and fine soups/sandwiches. You also open later than just about anything else remotely similar. In terms of the Glencoe location (it would vary depending on the location), bring one of the refrigerators towards the front, move the wine towards the back. Open just the front portion of the store early and rope off the rest of the store: sell coffee, pastries and an assortment of pre-packaged portions of your prepared foods - fill a refrigerator with soups, sandwiches and other things and have it closer to the cashier, around where the wine is now. You'll get people during the morning rush who will grab a coffee, muffin and maybe a soup or sandwich. Early in the morning, it's "Foodstuffs Express" or whatever you would like to call it. At 10am, open the rest of the store as usual. Some other high-end markets do the same thing - while not an apples-to-apples comparison, Eataly downtown opens their coffee bar at 8AM, then opens the rest of the store a few hours later. Maybe just try this at one Foodstuffs location and see how it goes, but I think you could do pretty solid morning rush business with a very limited portion (in terms of Glencoe, the very front area and the area around the corner where the cashiers are - you wouldn't have to have all the lights on, etc, just towards the front) of the store open to sell coffee,baked goods and an assortment of prepared foods before opening the rest of the store as usual a few hours later. I think a lot of people in Glencoe would stop at Foodstuffs instead of Einstein if given the option in the morning. Foodstuffs would also be competitive on the bagels and prepared food front for the morning crowds versus Starbucks and Glencoe Roast. ------ That said: Anyone who grew up in the area is going to have childhood memories of Foodstuffs. Foodstuffs was doing the high-end market concept before so many competitors in the area. I think the issue becomes the idea that Foodstuffs has not really changed that much over the years and evolved with the increased competition. The sandwiches are still very good in terms of quality of ingredients, but I think they're started to get too expensive for what they are and have started to skimp a little on the amount of ingredients. The prepared foods are more mixed, I think other groceries have started going into the high-end prepared foods game and are offering better quality for lower prices. The soups is one section where foodstuffs still excels. While a little on the expensive side (prices in general at Foodstuffs have really crept higher on the last several years), the soups are ultimately very satisfying, with great ingredients. The baked goods/pastry section of Foodstuffs is the other highlight, as one treat is richer and more decadent than the next. I don't have anything against Foodstuffs really, but it has gotten increasingly expensive (it was never "cheap") and there are other compelling alternatives offering similar items for less. Bonus tip: one of the best things about Foodstuffs is the day-old bread basket next to the register. It's not labeled, I don't think anyone has any clue what it is, but it's a way to get still very good bread (and sometimes things like cookies) for half price.
(3)
Susan L.
We have gone to Foodstuffs in Glencoe for over 20 years for ordering cakes, year in and year out. So I am sad to say that the service we received on our last visit was nothing like the service we are accustomed to. I went in to order a birthday cake and, having checked Foodstuff's website and found a "present" decorated cake on there, asked the sales clerk for that one. She said they couldn't do it. I said I saw it on the Foodstuffs website. She still said no. Then I drew a picture of it for her- it was simply a cake shaped like a box with a bow on it. The clerk said Foodstuffs could only do flowers. At this point I could feel an argument coming and I knew my husband, for whom I was ordering the cake, would still eat a cake with flowers. But after we ate the cake (which did taste good), my husband and I went in with a print out from the Foodstuffs website to ask politely why I couldn't have had the cake shown in the picture. This time we talked to a second salesperson who stared blankly and said, "It depends who decorates the cake." Huh? So then she took our name and number and said she would have someone call me. Well no one has called and it's been over a week. This is really sad to me. Foodstuffs used to call to see how their cakes were routinely. Now that we had an issue no one cares. Again, the cake tasted fine. But given that the staff has no idea what their website offers and doesn't seem to care when a loyal customer points out an issue, I am not sure we will be going back to Foodstuffs for special orders. Well...I just got a call from the President of Foodstuffs. I couldn't ask for more. He was genuinely sorry, apologetic and just wonderful. I am sure the problem with customer service will be addressed appropriately.
(5)
Gerry X.
Nice place...alot of organic food with its own bakery, deli, butcher, and foodstuffs (pun intended) Cute little outside area...and since it IS Glencoe...it is also a bit pricey. I got a sandwhich here on my lunch break and it was quite good...the staff here friendly, especially behind the deli (very animate.) Cute outside....my gripe....parking. I can understand how it can be hard at times to do so... but Glencoe enforces a 2 hour parking dutifully (and kinda annoying) which limits you sitting there, as some people might want to do, and relax, take in the area and enviroment arounf as some of the architecture is nice. But if you want no issue with parking...then you should go more west on Park by...the park lol and park over there. Some of that is permit parking by the school but for the most part its safe. Fyi....they dont have raisin bran...I was kinda bummed. Pics posted.
(4)
Andrew M.
I can see how people who grew up shopping and eating at Foodstuffs might have a soft nostalgic spot for the place, but I think the food is mediocre, overpriced, way too salty, and just plain tired. Worse, the staff is indifferent at best and frequently openly contemptuous. I'm not expecting red carpet treatment by any means. But in the 10+ years I've been occasionally shopping at Foodstuffs, no one's ever asked my name, acknowledged a past visit or struck up a bit of small talk. Inexcusable. As far as I'm concerned, Foodstuffs can stuff it.
(1)
Benjamin B.
Overpriced for what you get. Fresher more amazing meats and cheeses available at fresh farms on Milwaukee. Also doesn't have basics like milk.
(2)
David M.
A life-changing experience. That's all I'm going to say.
(5)
Andrea R.
My favorite room in my new house is the kitchen, which is ironic because I only know how to make 3 things: 1) turkey burgers. Or actually I buy them already made from whole food, but I do stick them in the oven for 30 minutes 2) chicken stirfry. Yep I buy that pre-made too. 3) pasta. Not pre-made, but it's nearly impossible to messup sticking some noodles in boiling water I plan on learning to cook a few more things one of these days so that I can use that beautiful kitchen of mine, but until then thank goodness I have foodstuff. Sadly there aren't nearly as many good restaurants that deliver in the burbs as there were in the city. In the 2 weeks I've lived in Glencoe I think I've been to foodstuffs about 20 times. You really can't go wrong with anything you get here, but the make-your-own salad is my personal fave.. And as many yelpers noticed that is some darn good tuna...just perfect for my fellow yelpers who aren't mayo fans. Last week I took home some frozen chicken enchiladas, which actually involved opening my oven. It was tasty and more importantly...fast and easy. While I haven't indulged in their desserts, my 2 year old seems to be a big fan of their cookies. The rest of their desserts sure look scrumptious and I look forward to trying them all at some point. Five star food and five star service (you can expect lots of smiles while shopping here),but four stars due to the prices. I may need to learn to cook a few more things just to limit my frequent trips to foodstuffs because this is one expensive place to eat.
(4)
Diana P.
This is a cute market when you first step in and they seem to have a lot of gourmet type of items however prices are high and The quality on a lot of products (freshly made) are better from Whole Foods (and less expensive). Great sandwich shop area in back you can grab a quick bite to eat at but again, you will be paying a premium. We catered from here once and were not as happy as we had hoped to be.
(3)
Lisa P.
So glad this special little market has survived through the years!
(5)
Hamman L.
I always loved Foodstuffs when I was growing up in Glencoe, but I didn't have the money to often buy it. Now I live in Glencoe with my own family and love stopping there for gift baskets, lunch, etc. The food is so fresh and delicious! It is still very pricey, which prevents me from going as often as I would like. My husband loves the food too, but hates the price tag. I do love to see a local business thrive! The staff is also very helpful and friendly!
(4)
Leslie S.
great tuna sandwich and nice ambiance. Worth the price becuase the food is high quality. Since my previous review I have had 3 bad experiences at a place I have frequented for as long as I can rememember. #1- sandwich lady was annoyed that my husband did not place his order the way she liked- "Order both sandwiches at the same time, next time!" Oh, okay, sorry. #2- when requesting a piece of red onion for my sorry charlie I was give one tiny sliver and had to ask for a second sliver #3- the best for last. We ordered 2 sandwiches- my usual Sorry Charlie and my husband ordered a chicken sandwich warmed up. Chicken sandwich was made but not warmed up- ok, not worth complaining. We also had 2 bags of Miss Vickie chips. As usual we ate our lunch and kept the wrappers to pay from. I went to the register and told the cashier we also had 2 bags of Miss Vickie chips. Keep in mind that the different chips are different prices so I was sure to identify the ones we had. I paid and then comes Alyssa- the chip gestapo. "You had 2 bags of chips didn't you?" "Yes, I replied , I told the cashier to add them" "Well, he didn't add them to your bill "says Alyssa. Like thats my fault or problem. Rather than ask the cashier to verify she requested my credit card again which I took out. I made a point of asking that they be sure to charge me for my chips as basically Alyssa was accusing me of the high theft of 2 bags of chips. Alyssa didn't seem to care much and proceeded to charge the additional $4. Yes, she apologized and yes, she was accusatory and rude. Common sense and good business sense should dictate that 2 bags of chips aren't worth losing a loyal customer. I am annoyed and sad that Courteney's tuna will now beome a memory. Foodstuffs needs people with better people skills and sense.
(2)
Ali C.
Their cheese sticks are the best in the world. All their baked goods are well prepared and scrumptious. The home made squash soup is out of this world. This is my favorite gourmet food store in the suburbs.
(5)
Abby K.
I love to pick up lunch here -- they build your own salad full of fresh ingredients ranging from quinoa to cucumbers. They also have a great sandwich bar, as well. (Especially love their tuna.) The food is all so yummy. The only negative is that it's a bit pricey. However, the quality of the food is so good that it appears that you're getting what you're paying for. They usually have desserts out that you can sample, too!
(4)
Andrea R.
My favorite room in my new house is the kitchen, which is ironic because I only know how to make 3 things: 1) turkey burgers. Or actually I buy them already made from whole food, but I do stick them in the oven for 30 minutes 2) chicken stirfry. Yep I buy that pre-made too. 3) pasta. Not pre-made, but it's nearly impossible to messup sticking some noodles in boiling water I plan on learning to cook a few more things one of these days so that I can use that beautiful kitchen of mine, but until then thank goodness I have foodstuff. Sadly there aren't nearly as many good restaurants that deliver in the burbs as there were in the city. In the 2 weeks I've lived in Glencoe I think I've been to foodstuffs about 20 times. You really can't go wrong with anything you get here, but the make-your-own salad is my personal fave.. And as many yelpers noticed that is some darn good tuna...just perfect for my fellow yelpers who aren't mayo fans. Last week I took home some frozen chicken enchiladas, which actually involved opening my oven. It was tasty and more importantly...fast and easy. While I haven't indulged in their desserts, my 2 year old seems to be a big fan of their cookies. The rest of their desserts sure look scrumptious and I look forward to trying them all at some point. Five star food and five star service (you can expect lots of smiles while shopping here),but four stars due to the prices. I may need to learn to cook a few more things just to limit my frequent trips to foodstuffs because this is one expensive place to eat.
(4)
Diana P.
This is a cute market when you first step in and they seem to have a lot of gourmet type of items however prices are high and The quality on a lot of products (freshly made) are better from Whole Foods (and less expensive). Great sandwich shop area in back you can grab a quick bite to eat at but again, you will be paying a premium. We catered from here once and were not as happy as we had hoped to be.
(3)
Lisa P.
So glad this special little market has survived through the years!
(5)
Hamman L.
I always loved Foodstuffs when I was growing up in Glencoe, but I didn't have the money to often buy it. Now I live in Glencoe with my own family and love stopping there for gift baskets, lunch, etc. The food is so fresh and delicious! It is still very pricey, which prevents me from going as often as I would like. My husband loves the food too, but hates the price tag. I do love to see a local business thrive! The staff is also very helpful and friendly!
(4)
Susan L.
We have gone to Foodstuffs in Glencoe for over 20 years for ordering cakes, year in and year out. So I am sad to say that the service we received on our last visit was nothing like the service we are accustomed to. I went in to order a birthday cake and, having checked Foodstuff's website and found a "present" decorated cake on there, asked the sales clerk for that one. She said they couldn't do it. I said I saw it on the Foodstuffs website. She still said no. Then I drew a picture of it for her- it was simply a cake shaped like a box with a bow on it. The clerk said Foodstuffs could only do flowers. At this point I could feel an argument coming and I knew my husband, for whom I was ordering the cake, would still eat a cake with flowers. But after we ate the cake (which did taste good), my husband and I went in with a print out from the Foodstuffs website to ask politely why I couldn't have had the cake shown in the picture. This time we talked to a second salesperson who stared blankly and said, "It depends who decorates the cake." Huh? So then she took our name and number and said she would have someone call me. Well no one has called and it's been over a week. This is really sad to me. Foodstuffs used to call to see how their cakes were routinely. Now that we had an issue no one cares. Again, the cake tasted fine. But given that the staff has no idea what their website offers and doesn't seem to care when a loyal customer points out an issue, I am not sure we will be going back to Foodstuffs for special orders. Well...I just got a call from the President of Foodstuffs. I couldn't ask for more. He was genuinely sorry, apologetic and just wonderful. I am sure the problem with customer service will be addressed appropriately.
(5)
Ali C.
Their cheese sticks are the best in the world. All their baked goods are well prepared and scrumptious. The home made squash soup is out of this world. This is my favorite gourmet food store in the suburbs.
(5)
Abby K.
I love to pick up lunch here -- they build your own salad full of fresh ingredients ranging from quinoa to cucumbers. They also have a great sandwich bar, as well. (Especially love their tuna.) The food is all so yummy. The only negative is that it's a bit pricey. However, the quality of the food is so good that it appears that you're getting what you're paying for. They usually have desserts out that you can sample, too!
(4)
Jessica K.
Again, childhood memories. This place had the feeling of an English corner shop with the black and white tiles, the wooden shelves and the old fashioned stick candy with the most curious objects for sale. As a child, I was brought up spoiled (only by food standards) and this is where I discovered there was more than just iodized salts in this world. I picked up blue tortilla chips, fresh artichoke dips, pasta salad, and sandwiches made with cheeses I couldn't pronounce. They always had a great selection of local chocolatiers and they'd wrap it up beautifully for you too. It was always a boasting point to show up anywhere with the Foodstuff ribbon neatly wrapped around it. It's an excellent place to learn about new foods, pick up fresh meats and cheeses and Orangina which is my all time favorite drink. I wish I could wear one of those aprons and be like the old-time shop keeper. This is definitely one place I frequent when back in the 'burbs.
(5)
Amy G.
You're a 5' 10" North Shore mom with enough collagen in your face to kill a horse and are on some sort of crash diet. It's lunchtime and you only have 20 minutes between your date with your personal trainer and your nail appointment at an upscale salon on Park Ave. So, where to go? Food Stuffs, obviously. I jest, of course. Food Stuffs isn't just for the northern suburbs' Ladies Who Lunch. With a fantastic salad bar, great sandwich selections, an outstanding bakery, and some of the best prepared foods available in the area, this gourmet grocery is one of my favorite picks for a quick dash out of work for a snack, a light lunch with friends in the area, catering a Ravinia picnic, or picking up dessert for family dinners. This cute Glencoe storefront is packed wall-to-wall with most specialty items a foodie could desire. Stand-outs include the chopped cobb salad (try their homemade bleu cheese dressing), chocolate-caramel brownies (they're like dense blocks of fudge with a sugary ribbon of caramel through the middle), garlicky cheddar bread, roasted-red pepper and spinach dips, and cheese case. Check the frozen and prepackaged sections for items from excellent Chicago-area restaurants too including Heaven on Seven's gumbo and Gabriel's vodka sauce. Parking is ample in the lot behind the store. There tends to be a great deal of street parking available too. But beware: Lines for EVERYTHING-- from the bakery to the fish counter-- are absolutely crazy during lunchtime.
(4)
David M.
A life-changing experience. That's all I'm going to say.
(5)
Jennie C.
Yum-O as Rachel Ray would say. I love that you can get such a variety in your salad. They have all the items that I love, but other might think is not suppose to go in a salad. Their zucchini tea bread is GREAT! Wish they could deliver.
(4)
Andrew M.
I can see how people who grew up shopping and eating at Foodstuffs might have a soft nostalgic spot for the place, but I think the food is mediocre, overpriced, way too salty, and just plain tired. Worse, the staff is indifferent at best and frequently openly contemptuous. I'm not expecting red carpet treatment by any means. But in the 10+ years I've been occasionally shopping at Foodstuffs, no one's ever asked my name, acknowledged a past visit or struck up a bit of small talk. Inexcusable. As far as I'm concerned, Foodstuffs can stuff it.
(1)
Benjamin B.
Overpriced for what you get. Fresher more amazing meats and cheeses available at fresh farms on Milwaukee. Also doesn't have basics like milk.
(2)
John R.
The best little food shop ever -- as a latchkey kid growing up, I used to live off this catering joint...yes, a little bit spoiled as a youngster. They have everything here though -- fresh fish, butchered meats, imported cheeses/wine, desserts AND an amazing selection of prepared foods and soups (fresh and frozen, good either way). If you decide to trek to the lovely hamlet of Glencoe -- you must grab some Courtney's tuna -- it's my favorite anywhere. Soups are great as well...pretty much anything is good, just go. I should note -- there is a location in Evanston and I heard that they are opening one downtown somewhere as well...
(5)
Liz S.
Foodstuffs was my Yoda in learning to love gourmet food stores. It's been around almost as long as I can remember, started in 1979, with its narrow aisles filled floor to ceiling with delicious, exotic and carefully crafted foods. In high school, I would save my spending money to buy a little container of their scrumptious English Toffee. It came (and still comes in) a Chinese food box with the cheery green-and-white Foodstuffs sticker on top. It is so delicious - buttery and crunchy with fine quality chocolate and nuts - that one product turned me off of mass-marketed candies forever. Foodstuffs was also one of the first places to offer tastes of their various products. My mother and I still run the circuit when we are there - sampling a bite of cake, a chunk of cheese, or a new spread...and it's hard to walk out without something new and tasty in your bag, so they are definitely doing something right. From sweets, to fresh meats and seafood, to the sandwich bar, to the cheese bin, to bowls and bowls of prepared foods, Foodstuffs continues to thrive and is always a treat to visit. Excellent spot to pick up lunch, food for a pot-luck, a housewarming gift, or something new and exciting for the pantry. After many repeat visits, you may find yourself a Jedi-master of delicious food...or at least a fat and happy civilian.
(5)
Luke S.
Red Pepper Dip! Red Pepper Dip! California Sandwich! Red Pepper Dip! Red Pepper Dip! I blacked out; what happened? This place has some of the best cracker spreads around. Did I mention the red pepper dip? They also carry a wide array of upscale food. If you're willing to spend a little more this is the place to go to grab any meats, cheeses, or bread.
(5)
Ronni G.
Take a trip to France without leaving the North Shore. Try some of the bread(ooh-la-la) or specialty cheeses, and you'll be in heaven. I'm a baker, but their rich brownies blow me away-no way am I playing with caramel and marshmallows, they're too easy to burn. Chopped salads are also fantastic. Be aware that food here is pricey. Also, this is a favorite grazing spot of North Shore ladies so, although the service is excellent, you may wait in line for quite a while if you come at noon. I've suggested that they take carryout orders by email and phone to prepare in advance-maybe they'll listen.
(4)
Al D.
Great gourmet food but you pay for it! Their made to go sandwiches and salads are awesome, as are most of their soups. They also have unusually good tuna salad (Courtney's tuna salad) which I usually have a container of in the fridge. They have a buy $50 and get $10 free gift card offer so I just buy $100 of gift cards at a time (put onto one card) and receive a $120 credit. This helps offset their very high prices somewhat and is a nobrainer if you are a regular.
(5)
Daddy O.
Boutique/Gourmet Foods! I have two words for this place: ENGLISH TOFFEE. The best I've ever had. I always take it home with me in mass quantities because nothing else compares. Their deli and bakery are also excellent. You can find an assortment of all kinds of jellies, jams, olive oils, and other goodies that you will be hard pressed to find anyplace else. it's always a treat to be able to shop here. I'm sure when I drag my girlfriend out to the North Shore one of these years, Foodstuffs will definitely be on our list of stops.
Liz S.
Foodstuffs was my Yoda in learning to love gourmet food stores. It's been around almost as long as I can remember, started in 1979, with its narrow aisles filled floor to ceiling with delicious, exotic and carefully crafted foods. In high school, I would save my spending money to buy a little container of their scrumptious English Toffee. It came (and still comes in) a Chinese food box with the cheery green-and-white Foodstuffs sticker on top. It is so delicious - buttery and crunchy with fine quality chocolate and nuts - that one product turned me off of mass-marketed candies forever. Foodstuffs was also one of the first places to offer tastes of their various products. My mother and I still run the circuit when we are there - sampling a bite of cake, a chunk of cheese, or a new spread...and it's hard to walk out without something new and tasty in your bag, so they are definitely doing something right. From sweets, to fresh meats and seafood, to the sandwich bar, to the cheese bin, to bowls and bowls of prepared foods, Foodstuffs continues to thrive and is always a treat to visit. Excellent spot to pick up lunch, food for a pot-luck, a housewarming gift, or something new and exciting for the pantry. After many repeat visits, you may find yourself a Jedi-master of delicious food...or at least a fat and happy civilian.
(5)Luke S.
Red Pepper Dip! Red Pepper Dip! California Sandwich! Red Pepper Dip! Red Pepper Dip! I blacked out; what happened? This place has some of the best cracker spreads around. Did I mention the red pepper dip? They also carry a wide array of upscale food. If you're willing to spend a little more this is the place to go to grab any meats, cheeses, or bread.
(5)Ronni G.
Take a trip to France without leaving the North Shore. Try some of the bread(ooh-la-la) or specialty cheeses, and you'll be in heaven. I'm a baker, but their rich brownies blow me away-no way am I playing with caramel and marshmallows, they're too easy to burn. Chopped salads are also fantastic. Be aware that food here is pricey. Also, this is a favorite grazing spot of North Shore ladies so, although the service is excellent, you may wait in line for quite a while if you come at noon. I've suggested that they take carryout orders by email and phone to prepare in advance-maybe they'll listen.
(4)Al D.
Great gourmet food but you pay for it! Their made to go sandwiches and salads are awesome, as are most of their soups. They also have unusually good tuna salad (Courtney's tuna salad) which I usually have a container of in the fridge. They have a buy $50 and get $10 free gift card offer so I just buy $100 of gift cards at a time (put onto one card) and receive a $120 credit. This helps offset their very high prices somewhat and is a nobrainer if you are a regular.
(5)Daddy O.
Boutique/Gourmet Foods! I have two words for this place: ENGLISH TOFFEE. The best I've ever had. I always take it home with me in mass quantities because nothing else compares. Their deli and bakery are also excellent. You can find an assortment of all kinds of jellies, jams, olive oils, and other goodies that you will be hard pressed to find anyplace else. it's always a treat to be able to shop here. I'm sure when I drag my girlfriend out to the North Shore one of these years, Foodstuffs will definitely be on our list of stops.
(5)Jessica K.
Again, childhood memories. This place had the feeling of an English corner shop with the black and white tiles, the wooden shelves and the old fashioned stick candy with the most curious objects for sale. As a child, I was brought up spoiled (only by food standards) and this is where I discovered there was more than just iodized salts in this world. I picked up blue tortilla chips, fresh artichoke dips, pasta salad, and sandwiches made with cheeses I couldn't pronounce. They always had a great selection of local chocolatiers and they'd wrap it up beautifully for you too. It was always a boasting point to show up anywhere with the Foodstuff ribbon neatly wrapped around it. It's an excellent place to learn about new foods, pick up fresh meats and cheeses and Orangina which is my all time favorite drink. I wish I could wear one of those aprons and be like the old-time shop keeper. This is definitely one place I frequent when back in the 'burbs.
(5)Amy G.
You're a 5' 10" North Shore mom with enough collagen in your face to kill a horse and are on some sort of crash diet. It's lunchtime and you only have 20 minutes between your date with your personal trainer and your nail appointment at an upscale salon on Park Ave. So, where to go? Food Stuffs, obviously. I jest, of course. Food Stuffs isn't just for the northern suburbs' Ladies Who Lunch. With a fantastic salad bar, great sandwich selections, an outstanding bakery, and some of the best prepared foods available in the area, this gourmet grocery is one of my favorite picks for a quick dash out of work for a snack, a light lunch with friends in the area, catering a Ravinia picnic, or picking up dessert for family dinners. This cute Glencoe storefront is packed wall-to-wall with most specialty items a foodie could desire. Stand-outs include the chopped cobb salad (try their homemade bleu cheese dressing), chocolate-caramel brownies (they're like dense blocks of fudge with a sugary ribbon of caramel through the middle), garlicky cheddar bread, roasted-red pepper and spinach dips, and cheese case. Check the frozen and prepackaged sections for items from excellent Chicago-area restaurants too including Heaven on Seven's gumbo and Gabriel's vodka sauce. Parking is ample in the lot behind the store. There tends to be a great deal of street parking available too. But beware: Lines for EVERYTHING-- from the bakery to the fish counter-- are absolutely crazy during lunchtime.
(4)John R.
The best little food shop ever -- as a latchkey kid growing up, I used to live off this catering joint...yes, a little bit spoiled as a youngster. They have everything here though -- fresh fish, butchered meats, imported cheeses/wine, desserts AND an amazing selection of prepared foods and soups (fresh and frozen, good either way). If you decide to trek to the lovely hamlet of Glencoe -- you must grab some Courtney's tuna -- it's my favorite anywhere. Soups are great as well...pretty much anything is good, just go. I should note -- there is a location in Evanston and I heard that they are opening one downtown somewhere as well...
(5)Kate C.
Always a treat to drop by!
(4)Margaret B.
Bike ride and lunch outside. The best salad in a long long time. I would eat here all the time if I lived nearby. Service was friendly, choices were great and kale and everything chopped salad hit the spot. Thanks.
(5)elizabeth t.
This is truely an Amazing "boutique" style Market , & a great place to pick up the best if the best in deli style salads , amazing top Notch bakery goods , & pastries , Gourmet Sandwiches , soups & awesome fish department !! The service is very friendly & when you don't have time to do your cooking @ home , you'll be delighted @ the amazing choices you can grab that will be As good or better then homemade !!! This is truely a gem on the northshore & a regular daily stop for many !!! If you r heading to a party & don't want to show up empty handed this is your one stop Place for the best cakes ever !! You can't go wrong with food stuffs!!
(5)Jennie C.
Yum-O as Rachel Ray would say. I love that you can get such a variety in your salad. They have all the items that I love, but other might think is not suppose to go in a salad. Their zucchini tea bread is GREAT! Wish they could deliver.
(4)Kim M.
One star off for lack of parking at lunch and high prices. In all fairness, it is the North Shore though. All the food is great, and the bakery, although small, gives other bakery only specialty joints a run for their money. This is the perfect place to get a picnic to go for Ravinia, or to take home an out- to- eat -quality dinner if you are just too tired to cook (or go out.) Service is good, and the lunch menu salad/sandwich counter is creative without being pretentious or weird. Even picky eaters will find something they like here. There are also frozen items to take home and a number or gourmet packaged foods as well as an extensive offering of cheeses. Its a unique place, but best described as a soup/salad/sandwich place with a full service bakery and deli AND a gourmet convenience store. Yeah, that sums it up.
(4)Scott B.
First, an idea for anyone at Foodstuffs who is listening: you offer very good pastries/baked items, you offer prepared foods and fine soups/sandwiches. You also open later than just about anything else remotely similar. In terms of the Glencoe location (it would vary depending on the location), bring one of the refrigerators towards the front, move the wine towards the back. Open just the front portion of the store early and rope off the rest of the store: sell coffee, pastries and an assortment of pre-packaged portions of your prepared foods - fill a refrigerator with soups, sandwiches and other things and have it closer to the cashier, around where the wine is now. You'll get people during the morning rush who will grab a coffee, muffin and maybe a soup or sandwich. Early in the morning, it's "Foodstuffs Express" or whatever you would like to call it. At 10am, open the rest of the store as usual. Some other high-end markets do the same thing - while not an apples-to-apples comparison, Eataly downtown opens their coffee bar at 8AM, then opens the rest of the store a few hours later. Maybe just try this at one Foodstuffs location and see how it goes, but I think you could do pretty solid morning rush business with a very limited portion (in terms of Glencoe, the very front area and the area around the corner where the cashiers are - you wouldn't have to have all the lights on, etc, just towards the front) of the store open to sell coffee,baked goods and an assortment of prepared foods before opening the rest of the store as usual a few hours later. I think a lot of people in Glencoe would stop at Foodstuffs instead of Einstein if given the option in the morning. Foodstuffs would also be competitive on the bagels and prepared food front for the morning crowds versus Starbucks and Glencoe Roast. ------ That said: Anyone who grew up in the area is going to have childhood memories of Foodstuffs. Foodstuffs was doing the high-end market concept before so many competitors in the area. I think the issue becomes the idea that Foodstuffs has not really changed that much over the years and evolved with the increased competition. The sandwiches are still very good in terms of quality of ingredients, but I think they're started to get too expensive for what they are and have started to skimp a little on the amount of ingredients. The prepared foods are more mixed, I think other groceries have started going into the high-end prepared foods game and are offering better quality for lower prices. The soups is one section where foodstuffs still excels. While a little on the expensive side (prices in general at Foodstuffs have really crept higher on the last several years), the soups are ultimately very satisfying, with great ingredients. The baked goods/pastry section of Foodstuffs is the other highlight, as one treat is richer and more decadent than the next. I don't have anything against Foodstuffs really, but it has gotten increasingly expensive (it was never "cheap") and there are other compelling alternatives offering similar items for less. Bonus tip: one of the best things about Foodstuffs is the day-old bread basket next to the register. It's not labeled, I don't think anyone has any clue what it is, but it's a way to get still very good bread (and sometimes things like cookies) for half price.
(3)Susan L.
We have gone to Foodstuffs in Glencoe for over 20 years for ordering cakes, year in and year out. So I am sad to say that the service we received on our last visit was nothing like the service we are accustomed to. I went in to order a birthday cake and, having checked Foodstuff's website and found a "present" decorated cake on there, asked the sales clerk for that one. She said they couldn't do it. I said I saw it on the Foodstuffs website. She still said no. Then I drew a picture of it for her- it was simply a cake shaped like a box with a bow on it. The clerk said Foodstuffs could only do flowers. At this point I could feel an argument coming and I knew my husband, for whom I was ordering the cake, would still eat a cake with flowers. But after we ate the cake (which did taste good), my husband and I went in with a print out from the Foodstuffs website to ask politely why I couldn't have had the cake shown in the picture. This time we talked to a second salesperson who stared blankly and said, "It depends who decorates the cake." Huh? So then she took our name and number and said she would have someone call me. Well no one has called and it's been over a week. This is really sad to me. Foodstuffs used to call to see how their cakes were routinely. Now that we had an issue no one cares. Again, the cake tasted fine. But given that the staff has no idea what their website offers and doesn't seem to care when a loyal customer points out an issue, I am not sure we will be going back to Foodstuffs for special orders. Well...I just got a call from the President of Foodstuffs. I couldn't ask for more. He was genuinely sorry, apologetic and just wonderful. I am sure the problem with customer service will be addressed appropriately.
(5)Gerry X.
Nice place...alot of organic food with its own bakery, deli, butcher, and foodstuffs (pun intended) Cute little outside area...and since it IS Glencoe...it is also a bit pricey. I got a sandwhich here on my lunch break and it was quite good...the staff here friendly, especially behind the deli (very animate.) Cute outside....my gripe....parking. I can understand how it can be hard at times to do so... but Glencoe enforces a 2 hour parking dutifully (and kinda annoying) which limits you sitting there, as some people might want to do, and relax, take in the area and enviroment arounf as some of the architecture is nice. But if you want no issue with parking...then you should go more west on Park by...the park lol and park over there. Some of that is permit parking by the school but for the most part its safe. Fyi....they dont have raisin bran...I was kinda bummed. Pics posted.
(4)Andrew M.
I can see how people who grew up shopping and eating at Foodstuffs might have a soft nostalgic spot for the place, but I think the food is mediocre, overpriced, way too salty, and just plain tired. Worse, the staff is indifferent at best and frequently openly contemptuous. I'm not expecting red carpet treatment by any means. But in the 10+ years I've been occasionally shopping at Foodstuffs, no one's ever asked my name, acknowledged a past visit or struck up a bit of small talk. Inexcusable. As far as I'm concerned, Foodstuffs can stuff it.
(1)Benjamin B.
Overpriced for what you get. Fresher more amazing meats and cheeses available at fresh farms on Milwaukee. Also doesn't have basics like milk.
(2)David M.
A life-changing experience. That's all I'm going to say.
(5)Andrea R.
My favorite room in my new house is the kitchen, which is ironic because I only know how to make 3 things: 1) turkey burgers. Or actually I buy them already made from whole food, but I do stick them in the oven for 30 minutes 2) chicken stirfry. Yep I buy that pre-made too. 3) pasta. Not pre-made, but it's nearly impossible to messup sticking some noodles in boiling water I plan on learning to cook a few more things one of these days so that I can use that beautiful kitchen of mine, but until then thank goodness I have foodstuff. Sadly there aren't nearly as many good restaurants that deliver in the burbs as there were in the city. In the 2 weeks I've lived in Glencoe I think I've been to foodstuffs about 20 times. You really can't go wrong with anything you get here, but the make-your-own salad is my personal fave.. And as many yelpers noticed that is some darn good tuna...just perfect for my fellow yelpers who aren't mayo fans. Last week I took home some frozen chicken enchiladas, which actually involved opening my oven. It was tasty and more importantly...fast and easy. While I haven't indulged in their desserts, my 2 year old seems to be a big fan of their cookies. The rest of their desserts sure look scrumptious and I look forward to trying them all at some point. Five star food and five star service (you can expect lots of smiles while shopping here),but four stars due to the prices. I may need to learn to cook a few more things just to limit my frequent trips to foodstuffs because this is one expensive place to eat.
(4)Diana P.
This is a cute market when you first step in and they seem to have a lot of gourmet type of items however prices are high and The quality on a lot of products (freshly made) are better from Whole Foods (and less expensive). Great sandwich shop area in back you can grab a quick bite to eat at but again, you will be paying a premium. We catered from here once and were not as happy as we had hoped to be.
(3)Lisa P.
So glad this special little market has survived through the years!
(5)Hamman L.
I always loved Foodstuffs when I was growing up in Glencoe, but I didn't have the money to often buy it. Now I live in Glencoe with my own family and love stopping there for gift baskets, lunch, etc. The food is so fresh and delicious! It is still very pricey, which prevents me from going as often as I would like. My husband loves the food too, but hates the price tag. I do love to see a local business thrive! The staff is also very helpful and friendly!
(4)Leslie S.
great tuna sandwich and nice ambiance. Worth the price becuase the food is high quality. Since my previous review I have had 3 bad experiences at a place I have frequented for as long as I can rememember. #1- sandwich lady was annoyed that my husband did not place his order the way she liked- "Order both sandwiches at the same time, next time!" Oh, okay, sorry. #2- when requesting a piece of red onion for my sorry charlie I was give one tiny sliver and had to ask for a second sliver #3- the best for last. We ordered 2 sandwiches- my usual Sorry Charlie and my husband ordered a chicken sandwich warmed up. Chicken sandwich was made but not warmed up- ok, not worth complaining. We also had 2 bags of Miss Vickie chips. As usual we ate our lunch and kept the wrappers to pay from. I went to the register and told the cashier we also had 2 bags of Miss Vickie chips. Keep in mind that the different chips are different prices so I was sure to identify the ones we had. I paid and then comes Alyssa- the chip gestapo. "You had 2 bags of chips didn't you?" "Yes, I replied , I told the cashier to add them" "Well, he didn't add them to your bill "says Alyssa. Like thats my fault or problem. Rather than ask the cashier to verify she requested my credit card again which I took out. I made a point of asking that they be sure to charge me for my chips as basically Alyssa was accusing me of the high theft of 2 bags of chips. Alyssa didn't seem to care much and proceeded to charge the additional $4. Yes, she apologized and yes, she was accusatory and rude. Common sense and good business sense should dictate that 2 bags of chips aren't worth losing a loyal customer. I am annoyed and sad that Courteney's tuna will now beome a memory. Foodstuffs needs people with better people skills and sense.
(2)Ali C.
Their cheese sticks are the best in the world. All their baked goods are well prepared and scrumptious. The home made squash soup is out of this world. This is my favorite gourmet food store in the suburbs.
(5)Abby K.
I love to pick up lunch here -- they build your own salad full of fresh ingredients ranging from quinoa to cucumbers. They also have a great sandwich bar, as well. (Especially love their tuna.) The food is all so yummy. The only negative is that it's a bit pricey. However, the quality of the food is so good that it appears that you're getting what you're paying for. They usually have desserts out that you can sample, too!
(4)Andrea R.
My favorite room in my new house is the kitchen, which is ironic because I only know how to make 3 things: 1) turkey burgers. Or actually I buy them already made from whole food, but I do stick them in the oven for 30 minutes 2) chicken stirfry. Yep I buy that pre-made too. 3) pasta. Not pre-made, but it's nearly impossible to messup sticking some noodles in boiling water I plan on learning to cook a few more things one of these days so that I can use that beautiful kitchen of mine, but until then thank goodness I have foodstuff. Sadly there aren't nearly as many good restaurants that deliver in the burbs as there were in the city. In the 2 weeks I've lived in Glencoe I think I've been to foodstuffs about 20 times. You really can't go wrong with anything you get here, but the make-your-own salad is my personal fave.. And as many yelpers noticed that is some darn good tuna...just perfect for my fellow yelpers who aren't mayo fans. Last week I took home some frozen chicken enchiladas, which actually involved opening my oven. It was tasty and more importantly...fast and easy. While I haven't indulged in their desserts, my 2 year old seems to be a big fan of their cookies. The rest of their desserts sure look scrumptious and I look forward to trying them all at some point. Five star food and five star service (you can expect lots of smiles while shopping here),but four stars due to the prices. I may need to learn to cook a few more things just to limit my frequent trips to foodstuffs because this is one expensive place to eat.
(4)Diana P.
This is a cute market when you first step in and they seem to have a lot of gourmet type of items however prices are high and The quality on a lot of products (freshly made) are better from Whole Foods (and less expensive). Great sandwich shop area in back you can grab a quick bite to eat at but again, you will be paying a premium. We catered from here once and were not as happy as we had hoped to be.
(3)Lisa P.
So glad this special little market has survived through the years!
(5)Hamman L.
I always loved Foodstuffs when I was growing up in Glencoe, but I didn't have the money to often buy it. Now I live in Glencoe with my own family and love stopping there for gift baskets, lunch, etc. The food is so fresh and delicious! It is still very pricey, which prevents me from going as often as I would like. My husband loves the food too, but hates the price tag. I do love to see a local business thrive! The staff is also very helpful and friendly!
(4)Susan L.
We have gone to Foodstuffs in Glencoe for over 20 years for ordering cakes, year in and year out. So I am sad to say that the service we received on our last visit was nothing like the service we are accustomed to. I went in to order a birthday cake and, having checked Foodstuff's website and found a "present" decorated cake on there, asked the sales clerk for that one. She said they couldn't do it. I said I saw it on the Foodstuffs website. She still said no. Then I drew a picture of it for her- it was simply a cake shaped like a box with a bow on it. The clerk said Foodstuffs could only do flowers. At this point I could feel an argument coming and I knew my husband, for whom I was ordering the cake, would still eat a cake with flowers. But after we ate the cake (which did taste good), my husband and I went in with a print out from the Foodstuffs website to ask politely why I couldn't have had the cake shown in the picture. This time we talked to a second salesperson who stared blankly and said, "It depends who decorates the cake." Huh? So then she took our name and number and said she would have someone call me. Well no one has called and it's been over a week. This is really sad to me. Foodstuffs used to call to see how their cakes were routinely. Now that we had an issue no one cares. Again, the cake tasted fine. But given that the staff has no idea what their website offers and doesn't seem to care when a loyal customer points out an issue, I am not sure we will be going back to Foodstuffs for special orders. Well...I just got a call from the President of Foodstuffs. I couldn't ask for more. He was genuinely sorry, apologetic and just wonderful. I am sure the problem with customer service will be addressed appropriately.
(5)Ali C.
Their cheese sticks are the best in the world. All their baked goods are well prepared and scrumptious. The home made squash soup is out of this world. This is my favorite gourmet food store in the suburbs.
(5)Abby K.
I love to pick up lunch here -- they build your own salad full of fresh ingredients ranging from quinoa to cucumbers. They also have a great sandwich bar, as well. (Especially love their tuna.) The food is all so yummy. The only negative is that it's a bit pricey. However, the quality of the food is so good that it appears that you're getting what you're paying for. They usually have desserts out that you can sample, too!
(4)Jessica K.
Again, childhood memories. This place had the feeling of an English corner shop with the black and white tiles, the wooden shelves and the old fashioned stick candy with the most curious objects for sale. As a child, I was brought up spoiled (only by food standards) and this is where I discovered there was more than just iodized salts in this world. I picked up blue tortilla chips, fresh artichoke dips, pasta salad, and sandwiches made with cheeses I couldn't pronounce. They always had a great selection of local chocolatiers and they'd wrap it up beautifully for you too. It was always a boasting point to show up anywhere with the Foodstuff ribbon neatly wrapped around it. It's an excellent place to learn about new foods, pick up fresh meats and cheeses and Orangina which is my all time favorite drink. I wish I could wear one of those aprons and be like the old-time shop keeper. This is definitely one place I frequent when back in the 'burbs.
(5)Amy G.
You're a 5' 10" North Shore mom with enough collagen in your face to kill a horse and are on some sort of crash diet. It's lunchtime and you only have 20 minutes between your date with your personal trainer and your nail appointment at an upscale salon on Park Ave. So, where to go? Food Stuffs, obviously. I jest, of course. Food Stuffs isn't just for the northern suburbs' Ladies Who Lunch. With a fantastic salad bar, great sandwich selections, an outstanding bakery, and some of the best prepared foods available in the area, this gourmet grocery is one of my favorite picks for a quick dash out of work for a snack, a light lunch with friends in the area, catering a Ravinia picnic, or picking up dessert for family dinners. This cute Glencoe storefront is packed wall-to-wall with most specialty items a foodie could desire. Stand-outs include the chopped cobb salad (try their homemade bleu cheese dressing), chocolate-caramel brownies (they're like dense blocks of fudge with a sugary ribbon of caramel through the middle), garlicky cheddar bread, roasted-red pepper and spinach dips, and cheese case. Check the frozen and prepackaged sections for items from excellent Chicago-area restaurants too including Heaven on Seven's gumbo and Gabriel's vodka sauce. Parking is ample in the lot behind the store. There tends to be a great deal of street parking available too. But beware: Lines for EVERYTHING-- from the bakery to the fish counter-- are absolutely crazy during lunchtime.
(4)David M.
A life-changing experience. That's all I'm going to say.
(5)Jennie C.
Yum-O as Rachel Ray would say. I love that you can get such a variety in your salad. They have all the items that I love, but other might think is not suppose to go in a salad. Their zucchini tea bread is GREAT! Wish they could deliver.
(4)Andrew M.
I can see how people who grew up shopping and eating at Foodstuffs might have a soft nostalgic spot for the place, but I think the food is mediocre, overpriced, way too salty, and just plain tired. Worse, the staff is indifferent at best and frequently openly contemptuous. I'm not expecting red carpet treatment by any means. But in the 10+ years I've been occasionally shopping at Foodstuffs, no one's ever asked my name, acknowledged a past visit or struck up a bit of small talk. Inexcusable. As far as I'm concerned, Foodstuffs can stuff it.
(1)Benjamin B.
Overpriced for what you get. Fresher more amazing meats and cheeses available at fresh farms on Milwaukee. Also doesn't have basics like milk.
(2)John R.
The best little food shop ever -- as a latchkey kid growing up, I used to live off this catering joint...yes, a little bit spoiled as a youngster. They have everything here though -- fresh fish, butchered meats, imported cheeses/wine, desserts AND an amazing selection of prepared foods and soups (fresh and frozen, good either way). If you decide to trek to the lovely hamlet of Glencoe -- you must grab some Courtney's tuna -- it's my favorite anywhere. Soups are great as well...pretty much anything is good, just go. I should note -- there is a location in Evanston and I heard that they are opening one downtown somewhere as well...
(5)Liz S.
Foodstuffs was my Yoda in learning to love gourmet food stores. It's been around almost as long as I can remember, started in 1979, with its narrow aisles filled floor to ceiling with delicious, exotic and carefully crafted foods. In high school, I would save my spending money to buy a little container of their scrumptious English Toffee. It came (and still comes in) a Chinese food box with the cheery green-and-white Foodstuffs sticker on top. It is so delicious - buttery and crunchy with fine quality chocolate and nuts - that one product turned me off of mass-marketed candies forever. Foodstuffs was also one of the first places to offer tastes of their various products. My mother and I still run the circuit when we are there - sampling a bite of cake, a chunk of cheese, or a new spread...and it's hard to walk out without something new and tasty in your bag, so they are definitely doing something right. From sweets, to fresh meats and seafood, to the sandwich bar, to the cheese bin, to bowls and bowls of prepared foods, Foodstuffs continues to thrive and is always a treat to visit. Excellent spot to pick up lunch, food for a pot-luck, a housewarming gift, or something new and exciting for the pantry. After many repeat visits, you may find yourself a Jedi-master of delicious food...or at least a fat and happy civilian.
(5)Luke S.
Red Pepper Dip! Red Pepper Dip! California Sandwich! Red Pepper Dip! Red Pepper Dip! I blacked out; what happened? This place has some of the best cracker spreads around. Did I mention the red pepper dip? They also carry a wide array of upscale food. If you're willing to spend a little more this is the place to go to grab any meats, cheeses, or bread.
(5)Ronni G.
Take a trip to France without leaving the North Shore. Try some of the bread(ooh-la-la) or specialty cheeses, and you'll be in heaven. I'm a baker, but their rich brownies blow me away-no way am I playing with caramel and marshmallows, they're too easy to burn. Chopped salads are also fantastic. Be aware that food here is pricey. Also, this is a favorite grazing spot of North Shore ladies so, although the service is excellent, you may wait in line for quite a while if you come at noon. I've suggested that they take carryout orders by email and phone to prepare in advance-maybe they'll listen.
(4)Al D.
Great gourmet food but you pay for it! Their made to go sandwiches and salads are awesome, as are most of their soups. They also have unusually good tuna salad (Courtney's tuna salad) which I usually have a container of in the fridge. They have a buy $50 and get $10 free gift card offer so I just buy $100 of gift cards at a time (put onto one card) and receive a $120 credit. This helps offset their very high prices somewhat and is a nobrainer if you are a regular.
(5)Daddy O.
Boutique/Gourmet Foods! I have two words for this place: ENGLISH TOFFEE. The best I've ever had. I always take it home with me in mass quantities because nothing else compares. Their deli and bakery are also excellent. You can find an assortment of all kinds of jellies, jams, olive oils, and other goodies that you will be hard pressed to find anyplace else. it's always a treat to be able to shop here. I'm sure when I drag my girlfriend out to the North Shore one of these years, Foodstuffs will definitely be on our list of stops.
(5)