Best Ethnic market, specifically Mediterranean

We'll be in town this weekend, specifically to hit Katy's in Westmont (been a few years).

We'd like to also like to stock up on olives and Bulgarian feta while in the area. We used to do this in Greek town but the store there has closed and the replacement isn't quite the same (prices are very high as it's more of a boutique store now).

Can anyone recommend a Mediterranean type store anywhere between the West suburbs and downtown (we'll be going at least to Bobak's for some supplies also).

More specifically Arab than generally Mediterranean, and not too far from Bobak's, Al-Amal in Bridgeview (on the south side of 87th St. just west of Harlem) is where I've gone these days, since I'm nowhere near Albany Park anymore. They bake their own pita & meat pies, cheese pies, spinach pies, etc. I'm not sure how wide a selection of olives they have, but there are lots of dry goods and various cheeses, and you could call ahead to find out specifics.

Al-Amal Bakery & Grocery
7289 West 87th Street
Bridgeview, IL 60455
(708) 237-2625

West, the Caputo's Cheese Market just off of North Ave in Melrose Park has several fetas and all sorts of other cheeses at very good prices; olives too (and really cheap wine). I know it's not quite on the line you're drawing, but may I suggest that there are much better Polish markets closer to this Caputo's than Bobak's down there. For instance, Kolatek's on Harlem and Grand, across from the other Caputo's.

Not exclusively Mediterranean, but very close to Katy's is Standard Market. They have a good selection of both olives and feta. I'm not 100% sure they have Bulgarian feta, but they have several kinds and I wouldn't doubt that Bulgarian is among them. Also, there's Westbrook Market on Cass and 63rd.

Standard Market
333 Ogden Avenue
Westmont, IL 60559
(630) 366-7030

Westbrook Market
10 West 63rd Street
Westmont, IL 60559
(630) 737-1400

Did not think about Standard, but yes, there cheese section is one of the best around

Wow, thanks for the replies.

I am not set on Bobaks at all. I was there probably 10 years ago and was impressed but I knew less then also (what I do remember is how unfriendly they were). I'm after a good and broad meat/sausage selection to stock up.

So it kind of sounds like I could kill two birds with one stone by going to Kolatek's and then Caputo's near them? I assume there is more than 1 then?

Standard sounds like worth looking at also since it's so close.

I may even check out Al-Amal, but being half Lebanese, I'm almost always disappointed in arab-centric stores.

Now if only there was a hotel with some charm nearby.

Fresh Farms on Touhy will meet your requirements.
I regularly purchase Bulgarian Double Cream Feta and the selection of Deli meats and cheeses from Europe just cannot be matched.
Bobak's is Polish focused and indeed much of the staff speaks Polish. The selection of sausages is of course excellent but it's on the South Side.

Note, the Caputo's to visit for feta and other cheeses in Melrose Park at North & 15th. The one across from Kolatek's, while a good story in many ways is not the one I mean.

I also would suggest Fresh Farms, in Niles, which has a very large selection of Fetas, including French and Bulgarian, as well as a fantastic deli section with lots of sausages and hams from various ethnic origins. Since the owners are Greek they also import various types of olives and olive oils from Greece.
Fresh Farms 5740 W. Touhy Ave. Niles, IL 847-779-7343

Abouna wrote:We'd like to also like to stock up on olives and Bulgarian feta while in the area. We used to do this in Greek town but the store there has closed and the replacement isn't quite the same (prices are very high as it's more of a boutique store now).

Just in case you might be interested in another Greek market, Minos Imported Foods in Addison is better than anything else around here. Much more extensive than Athens Market (which I liked) ever was. Minos is probably one of my four or five favorite food stores in the Chicago area. If you're laser-focused on olives and Bulgarian feta, there are plenty of choices almost certainly more convenient to your route. You already got lots of good suggestions.

Minos Imported Foods
648 W Lake St
Addison IL
630-543-0337
http://www.minosimports.com/

OK, I'm getting confused now!

It looks like Fresh Farms is North of downtown? I'm now thinking there is no reason for us to go all the way into town. We're probably going to try and stay as close to Katy's as possible.

I am willing though too shoot over though if it's really worth it.

Correct--guessing that poster didn't see your original request because Fresh Farms on Touhy, while wonderful, is nowhere near Westmont, or downtown for that matter. Though if you ever are up this way, Harvesttime on Lawrence, just west of western, has fantastic Bulgarian feta for around $4 /lb. Mmmmm...

Instead of starting a new thread, can anyone recommend a good liquor/beer store near the West suburbs?

Caputo's has a new location in Downer's Grove, within minutes of Katy's:

42 Ogden Avenue
Downers Grove, IL
(630) 743-0270
http://www.caputomarkets.com/t/StoresDownersGrove

Pete's Fresh Market in Oakbrook Terrace (10 minutes from Katy's) has food for all ethnicities:

17w675 W. Roosevelt Rd
Oakbrook Terrace IL
Phone: (630) 812-6100
Hours: 7AM - 10PM Daily
http://www.petesfresh.com/stores/pfm-09-oakbrook-terrace

Binny's is a huge liquor store and has a brand new location in Oak Brook (less than 10 minutes from Katy's and on the way to Pete's):

1500 16th Street, Oak Brook, IL
(630) 861-1810

http://www.binnys.com/locations

Thanks a bunch!

Also Freddy's in Cicero is a tiny Italian market having olive oils, cheeses and pasta. Its really tiny though but worth a trip and also to have lunch there.