What's going on at Bobak's?

I went by Bobak's yesterday and it's now called Frank B's Sausage Company. What's up with that?

Which one?

Burr Ridge.

I've heard rumors from a couple different sources that there has been some sort of family rift, and that the western suburban Bobak's have broken off from the family chain. This information is completely unsubstantiated.

In a reverse of the frequent Chowhound post along the lines of "there's a lot of good information over at LTHforum", there's a bit more speculation about a Bobak's change over here.

I don't vouch for the accuracy of anything, but there's more to read.

Giovanna

Family Feud
Bobaks fighting over store names, food quality

October 25, 2006
By Mike Nolan Staff writer

A feud among members of the Bobak sausage-making family has spilled into public view, with a temporary sign blotting out the Bobak name at a recently opened Orland Park store.

That change, which one family member insisted Tuesday is temporary, stems from a federal lawsuit filed this summer accusing the Orland store of infringing on trademarks owned by Bobak Sausage Co.
The Orland Park Frank Bobak Fresh Marketplace has changed its name to Frank “B” after a judge ordered a name change.
(Bill Konway/Daily Southtown)

In that lawsuit, Chicago-based Bobak Sausage also accuses the Orland store of palming off "inferior" sausages, ham and other deli items as being made by the Chicago company.

More: http://www.dailysouthtown.com/business/ ... 25.article

"Sausage Wars"--Here's an article I just ran across from the Trib that describes the outcome of the Bobak brothers' lawsuits with each other:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ ... &cset=true

One thing I've learned from going to the Orland store a few times, CHECK THE DATES OF EVERYTHING! Seems they will buy in bulk, items about to expire, and then reduce the price dramatically and if the item doesn't go in time, they will just keep selling it. Overall though it's a great choice in grocery stores.

Bobak's seems to be still going through some family feud issues or something along those lines. I think they sold the Burr Ridge store, and just noticed this item today:

http://www.chicagoiplitigation.com/tags ... rketplace/

Although I am probably the last one to know this, the Naperville store is currently closed. It had a yellow legal-looking notice on the front door (I didn't get out of the car to read it, though).

Garden Fresh Market is taking over in Naperville.

it takes all kind of critters...

to make ol' farmer bobak's fritters.

Their website doesn't seem to be working yet...

New grocery store opens in Orland Park
Green Food & Produce has opened at 11333 W. 159th St. in Orland Park in the former Frank and Angie Simply Fresh Foods in Wolf Crossing Plaza, which used to be called Bobak’s Plaza.

The new store has a deli, bakery, meat, produce and liquor department. It also carries ethnic and imported foods as well as organic foods.

New owner Margaret Antonik also has kept the restaurant that was a big attraction for the store in its earlier incarnations. The restaurant is offering a $9.99 all-you-can-eat buffet as part of its grand opening.

For more information, call 708-675-1700.
The Web site is http://www.greenfoodandproduce.com

http://southlandbusinessnews.blogspot.c ... %20Produce

Artie wrote:New grocery store opens in Orland Park
Green Food & Produce has opened at 11333 W. 159th St. in Orland Park in the former Frank and Angie Simply Fresh Foods in Wolf Crossing Plaza, which used to be called Bobak’s Plaza.

Popped in yesterday to have a look around. Both the store and the buffet appear to be very similar to the old store. The buffet looked pretty good to me, typical Polish buffet fare, lots and lots of meat. Didn't really have the heart to sit down to such a heavy meal in yesterday's record breaking warmth, but I plan to try it soon.

Fans swoon as Bobak's closes Southwest Side store

The clues have been there for months — dwindling inventory, shrinking floor space and a “for sale” sign looming high on the brick wall outside — all fueling the predictable rumors.

It wasn’t until Tuesday, though, that the owner of Bobak Sausage Co. officially confirmed the fears of his customers — Chicago’s self-proclaimed “Sausageologists” intend to close their flagship Archer Avenue retail store on Saturday.

Company President Stanley Bobak hastened to clarify that Bobak’s Sausage continues on, strong as ever, because its trademark Polish sausage and other products will still be manufactured here and sold through most Chicago-area grocery chains.

What a 'bummer'!
I used to go with two cooler's in my wagon at least once per year.
Herring and pickles in real barrels!.
Reminded me of the Polish stores I grew up with in South Boston.
Well I can still can go to Andy's and a few others.-Dick

Well- I am neither a "Kielbasa-ologist" nor an American-of-Polish extraction-
but I do know a good ethnic market when I see one,
and gotta say
I was never that impressed w/ Boback's Market;
especially in comparison to Kurowski's Sausage Shop in Avondale, which you can smell from the
Parking Lot outside....the smoked meats- the huge variety of Pork Products-
and the helpful counter-help all add up to a great ethnic shopping experience.

Bobak's always felt kind "dingy" and old-fashioned- but not in a "cool-way"...but in a
way that a KRESGE's store felt before they closed 'em all down.
The help was never that friendly- nor were they eager to explain anything
they sold in the encased meats area....
For my $$ I'd much rather shop at a "gem' of a store like Kurowski's- where,
if your time it correctly- you can even get free pork bones (in the yellow barrel at
the end of the Meat Counter!)
Free Bones With Purchase by Man_of Steel, on Flickr