Mariano's on N. Elston

The new Mariano's on Elston in Forest Glen opened today. I stopped in this afternoon to check it out. It's pretty much the same as the one on Roscoe & Western. Lot's of prepared foods, and middle of the road looking produce and meat. Today being the first day they are open, the parking lot was full and the place was packed with people wandering aimlessly exploring the store. It wasn't too much fun to be there, but I'm sure within a short time the novelty will wear off and it will be a much more civilized place to shop. Although I'll probably continue to do the bulk of my shopping at Fresh Farms, I'm very happy to have this store in my neighborhood. I'm sure I'll be there quite a bit to pick up staples and last minute items.

Mariano's
5353 N Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60630
(773) 481-6731

I stopped by this evening and came away fairly pleased. I have not been to a Mariano's before.

Parking lot was hellish but expected on opening day.
Prices for many everyday items looked quite reasonable. An exception here was the deli lunchmeats which were highish.
Produce looks very nice. I hope they can keep this up. They have some great looking salad greens.
Meats were disappointing. I couldn't find non-cryovac'd or 'enhanced' pork tenderloins or ribs, spares or babybacks. Seafood selection is limited but what they had looked alright. The do offer to grill your meats or seafood free of charge. Perfect grab-and-go ribeye+tuna steak opportunity.
Cheese is probably between a Trader Joes and a Whole Foods which is to say very good.
Some of the sausages looked interesting.
The staff seems enthusiastic and engaged.

Overall, a nice addition to the neighborhood. I can't say Mariano's is outstanding in any particular way and there not much width or depth but the facility and shopping atmosphere is quite pleasant and the products are high quality with a bargain here and there.

I stopped by yesterday also. While the parking lot was filled near capacity, the shopping experience itself did not feel too crowded. Enjoyed the live piano and upright base and the many samples. And I can never pass up the $1 mini gelato.

Unless I overlooked it, here is what I noted different from the Roscoe Village store:

an olive antipasti bar
a sandwich making station
as BrendanR noted, a grill station, where they will grill what you buy from them for free. I'll do my own grilling, thank you, but I can see this being a huge plus for some. And maybe if I was in a rush ...

the liquor department is not open yet.

I had to tell the rookie at the register what banana peppers and shallots were. And the difference between yellow and white onions. The bagger needed the help of a veteran and gaped questionably at a bag of spaetzl. No bother on my part, just amusement.

Fresh Farms does have better produce, fish, prices, and other advantages, but lacks prepared foods all together. Mariano's fills this slot nicely. And I'll bet Fresh Farms never has a piano.

http://www.milwaukeemag.com/article/962012-FoodFight

An interesting article about groceries in the Milwaukee area and Marino's.
fairly constant with the belief that Marino's is losing money.

I have a Mariano's within striking distance (Vernon Hills) for lunch. Any prepared foods worth seeking out from them? I've never been.

Went into Mariano's last night, 2 days after grand opening after 6pm. It was very busy, and overheard lots of "oh wow!"s around me.

Observations:
Produce looks fresh and displayed very much in the Whole Foods Style. Perfectly stacked apples, carrots, lots of pre cut fruit, healthy smoothie/green drinks with the produce etc. Purchases: cored fresh pineapple for $2.50. Large container of raspberries for 2.50 as well (IIRC). Best purchase--large container of freshly squeezed--and I mean they were squeezing the oranges right there OJ for $3.50

Once past the produce you are right into the bakery. Donuts with bacon, donuts with fruit loops, cookies as large as a salad plate, cupcakes, birthday cakes, breads etc. Purchase: a cinnamon coffee cake that is more than 1/2 gone less than 24 hrs later.

In the bakery area is a gelato stand with flavors like blood orange, vanilla, strawberry balasmic. Purchases: 2 small orders to go of tiamisu and strawberry balamic. Total was under $4.50. I would have expected $4.50 for 1.

The a sushi stand with 3 sushi chefs and to made order sushi complete with sushi bar. Purchase: 2 pre-made sushis, 1 california roll with real crab was $7. A combo of eel and salmon was $12.

Walked past soup station, deli and meat counter. I did ask the (very young) butcher if they have turkey breasts or thighs. He said no, just the ground. I asked him if they could order for me, and he said he wasn't sure. I chalked this up as being new, but at Fresh Farms as well as Whole Foods they have been able to order for me and either offered or confirmed when I asked.

Cheese area looks promising. Purchase: a small container of shaved parm as I was out.

And then it gets weird. Its like this bustle of energy, lots of people, lots of sampling the min you walk in the store, but once you turn the corner from the meat counter...its dead. Hardly anyone in the "normal" aisles of the grocery store, like the chip, snack, cookie, isle. No one was in the beauty products aisle. If they are losing money, this is exacly its pain point. The prices are reasonable if not cheaper than say Dominicks or Jewel for standard household items, but I didn't see a lot of activity in here.

I am going back tonight with my friend and neighbor to check it out again and expect to do the same. Pick up more veggies/fruits, an easy Friday night dinner like soup and a salad and then out.

Well they have finally started tearing down Hubble School in Wheaton (the original Wheaton Central) to make room for Marianos. It will probably take some time to build. I hate to see it on opening week. It will be busier than grand central station.

toria wrote:Well they have finally started tearing down Hubble School in Wheaton (the original Wheaton Central) to make room for Marianos. It will probably take some time to build. I hate to see it on opening week. It will be busier than grand central station.

You're right on both counts, but things seemed to calm down quickly on Elston (after all, except for a few items it's really not that big a deal, once you get a look at the store and its offerings). I've been there several times now because it's walking distance from my house. The meat department seems to always have fresh Bell & Evans ducks, Cornish hens (larger than the typical ones you see elsewhere) and pheasants in stock. I'm going to cook one of those ducks on my Weber kettle's rotisserie tomorrow for dinner.

Spotted at Mariano's yesterday:

Hi- I was in the neighborhood today, and so I stopped in the Mariano's in Roscoe Village, and I was impressed. I did not really need anything, and so the only thing I bought was a small gelato for $2.99. I got more than I was expecting, and it was not bad, although I have had better, but for lots more money. One thing I noticed was how much business the store was doing. I got there around 4:30. Are they doing a lot more business than the Jewel that is next door? It appeared that they were. One thing I noticed was that most of the check out lines were open, and so the lines were not bad at all. There deli department seems to be a lot better than Jewel or Dominick's, and their hot bar and salad bar looks good, and is cheaper than Whole Food's. They had tons of free samples, and the pizza was not bad. Thanks, Nancy

NFriday wrote:Hi- I was in the neighborhood today, and so I stopped in the Mariano's in Roscoe Village, and I was impressed. I did not really need anything, and so the only thing I bought was a small gelato for $2.99. I got more than I was expecting, and it was not bad, although I have had better, but for lots more money. One thing I noticed was how much business the store was doing. I got there around 4:30. Are they doing a lot more business than the Jewel that is next door? It appeared that they were. One thing I noticed was that most of the check out lines were open, and so the lines were not bad at all. There deli department seems to be a lot better than Jewel or Dominick's, and their hot bar and salad bar looks good, and is cheaper than Whole Food's. They had tons of free samples, and the pizza was not bad. Thanks, Nancy

The Jewel is like a ghost town. It's handy when I need to grab one or two items and don't feel like dealing with the crowds at Mariano's. And there are crowds--it's difficult to navigate at times (reminds me of the Whole Foods on Ashland when they first opened).

When I was last there, the pizza they were sampling was Homerun Inn. What did you get?

My main issue with the Roscoe Village Mariano's is the parking lot, which seems like an accident waiting to happen. But I don't know what they can do about that.

When the Mariano's is built on the spacious parcel lower down on Elston, I'm sure we'll be frequenting it.

Hi- It was their homemade pizza. The one with the thicker crust that they sell for $2.99 a slice. I don't get to that neighborhood that often, and I was surprised how busy the store was compared to Jewel. Is there a Whole Foods near there? Apparently a lot of people in wicker park have money to spend. Mariano's would go over really big in Evanston. The one complaint I had was with the parking lot and general congestion. That four way stop on Roscoe where the entrance to the parking lot is, is an accident waiting to happen. It did not help that it started pouring as I was getting ready to go to my car. I decided to wait a few minutes for the rain to die down. Thanks, Nancy

riddlemay wrote:My main issue with the Roscoe Village Mariano's is the parking lot, which seems like an accident waiting to happen. But I don't know what they can do about that.

Indeed, I was there with a friend of mine (my friend was driving) and we got hit . . . Other driver was at fault and admitted so, but we felt bad for her because we saw just how bad the lot is.

We've been enjoying the new Mariano's on Lawrence, just west of Harlem, in Harwood Heights (we tried the one on Elston but trying to exit the parking lot without getting creamed by traffic was just too nerve-wracking).

While I love the produce and meat selection at Fresh Farms, I hate the new small carts and the smell. I always have a hard time finding someone if I need to ask a question. I have been entirely charmed by the squeaky clean new Mariano's (with lots of small AND large carts you don't need to rent), but here's what really captured my heart: not only are the clerks friendly and knowledgeable, they seem to take the time to get to know me. I had a produce fellow track me down to offer me a fresh version of an eggplant that had been past its sell-by when I'd visited before, and another cheese clerk who remembered that I eat gluten-free and offered her cheese sample on a Crunchmaster (gf) cracker instead of water crackers. The people who work there really seem to enjoy themselves, which has made quite an impact on me (compared to the poor drudges at the Jewel and the rushed immigrants at FF, none of whom have ever made any pretense of greeting or remembering or even acknowledging me while I shop there).

I've also found the house brand (Roundy's) to be quite decent, and they offer house brand organic milk and cage-free eggs.

I think I'm going to try this place over the weekend because I flippin' hate the Jewel on Addison/Elston/Kedzie and I'm not pleased with any of the other grocery stores in the area. What's the word two years later?

Pie Lady wrote:I think I'm going to try this place over the weekend because I flippin' hate the Jewel on Addison/Elston/Kedzie and I'm not pleased with any of the other grocery stores in the area. What's the word two years later?

The produce section isn't very good. Otherwise, the store is holding up pretty well. I use it as my neighborhood store for grabbing something I need in a hurry. Fresh Farms still gets the bulk of my shopping dollars, though...despite the fact that this particular Mariano's is walking distance to my house.

-At Mariano's, waiting in line, groceries being packed up-

Bagger: Oh, pineapple! You want to hear something weird about pineapple?
Me: Sure, what the hell!
Bagger: It contains the same acid that's in your stomach. So while you're trying to eat it, it's trying to eat you. That's why your stomach hurts if you eat a lot.
Me: Don't that beat all!
Bagger: Asparagus. You don't want to know about asparagus!
Me: Try me!
Bagger: No, you REALLY don't want to know about THAT.
Me: Aw, c'mon.
Bagger: You'll never eat it again. Trust me.

-No facts shared. Customer is disappointed. Vows to Google "weird facts about asparagus" when she returns home.-
-Transaction is complete, last bag is loaded in cart.-

Bagger: Have a nice day...or else! *

-end scene-

*sinister leanings added for comic effect

Hi,

My comment is related to Mariano's, but not the Elston location.

The workers in the store are unaware of their internet coupon offerings. Today, they had shrimp for $5.99, if you clipped their $2. off coupon. Often these internet coupon deals are highlighted near the product offered.

Standing in front of the frozen shrimp area, there was no clue which was $2 off if you clipped the coupon. I phoned the store's main number inquiring about the shrimp. Neither the front desk or the fish/meat department knew what I was talking about. I finally called a friend who advised what I seeking, but there were none to be found.

I still have no idea what happened, but as I was walking away I saw a bag that did not look like the others: it was exactly what I was seeking. I did not see another one.

When I checked out, the price was correctly priced at the $2. off price.

If you are going to offer something, please inform your employees so they will sound like they work there.

Regards,
Cathy2

I was at the Northbrook store on Tuesday 3/5 and getting ready to check out at 4;30, and I heard a produce person being paged. Why don't you have anybody working in your produce department at 4:30? Even at Jewel you would have at least two people working in the department at that time. The store was fairly busy then too. They could have just been checking on the price of something though I just realized, but I was at the Northfield Mariano's back in January at the same time, and they had nobody working in produce.

Concerning the shrimp, I won't buy farmed shrimp unless maybe it was responsibly raised. Jewel had wild shrimp for $6.99, but it was from Argentina, which is ok. but I prefer US shrimp. When I go to New Orleans I can pick up local shrimp at the grocery stores for $6.99 all the time, and one time I picked up shrimp for $5.99 at the local farmer's market, and brought it home on the plane.