Nonperishable Chicago food items

LTH,

A buddy of mine is serving overseas, and I'd like to send him some tasty items, but they need to be of the nonperishable/shelf-stable variety. He's not from Chicago, but has an affinity for many classic Chicago dishes (unfortunately I don't think I can send dry-iced packed Vienna beef nat-cased dogs.). I need some help coming up with tasty, possibly Chicago-themed non-perishables. I'd like to send him something hearty too like some high-quality beef-jerky. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance

Rob C

This thread might offer some ideas:

Fit for a Trump: High-end Chicago-made foods

Might only be pertinent to an LTHer, but Evanston's Spice House offers GWiv's own spice blend, as well as a number of Chicago-themedgift boxes.

Spice house has nice seasoning kit's as mentioned above and maybe some vienna giardinara/sport peppers or one of the many Italian deli's housemade giardinara.

Rob C wrote:A buddy of mine is serving overseas, and I'd like to send him some tasty items

Mhays wrote:Evanston's Spice House offers GWiv's own spice blend, as well as a number of Chicago-themedgift boxes.

What's a soldier going to do with that, sprinkle it on his MREs?

I expect the OP is looking for CARE-package-type ideas. Cookies, candy, dried meats and other ready-to-eat foods.

The thread I linked to mentions items like Terry's Toffee and Garrett's Popcorn.

While not a "Chicago food item" in the sense of being a food closely associated with Chicago, meats from the Elburn Market are from Chicago (or at least the Chicago area). Having thoroughly enjoyed their products myself, I'd guess that their beef jerky-type items and "snack stix" would be pretty well-received.

Ream's Elburn Market
128 N Main St
Elburn, IL 60119
630 365-6461

LAZ wrote:What's a soldier going to do with that, sprinkle it on his MREs?

I expect the OP is looking for CARE-package-type ideas. Cookies, candy, dried meats and other ready-to-eat foods.

yeah, I was thinking more along the care-package lines. I was considering Garret's, but I'm not sure how it would travel. Terry's toffee sounds like it's worth pursing.

Thanks

Rob C

Rob C wrote: I was considering Garret's, but I'm not sure how it would travel.

They can pack it it in a tin for shipping. www.garrettpopcorn.com

There is also Cora Lee Toffee, not to mention Tootsie Rolls and Ferrara Pan candies.

More ideas.

More Chicago brands.

How about some Silverland brownies? They are great.

http://www.silverlanddesserts.com/brownies.html