Cheapest place for staples?
Cheapest place for staples?
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Cheapest place for staples?
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Post #1 - January 17th, 2006, 3:09 pmSigh, my ex wife has decided to turn the screws a few turns tighter so I'm going to be really really broke for the forseeable future or until I figure out how to double my income:)
Basically eating out has become a thing of the past and now I'm looking for the cheapest place to get the basics; bread, rice, beans, vegetables.
I'm probably still going to go for the jasmine rice at Thai Grocery- I love the taste of it and haven't found it cheaper anywhere else. Any other suggestions?
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Post #2 - January 17th, 2006, 5:25 pmFor staples, I get many basics from Aldi. There are a few postings regarding their prices, however do note that their checkout lines can be long.
I have yet to check it out for myself, but I hear quite a bit about the wonderful produce selection and prices at Stanley's Produce, located on the corner of Elston and North Ave. From what I hear, the produce quality is top notch and the prices for them are a steal, compared to the pricey supermarkets like Jewel, Dominicks, etc.
Hope these are helpful!
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Post #3 - January 17th, 2006, 5:36 pmStanley's prices are very often wonderful. Sometimes they're not so wonderful. Often when a price is particularly wonderful, the produce is about 30 minutes from going bad, so use it fast.
I second the Aldi recommendation as well. The home economist is good for cheap bulk baking needs, as well, if you feel like making your own breads.
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Post #4 - January 17th, 2006, 6:13 pmI followed the lead of the tenants on the third floor and switched from chain grocery stores to Edgewater Produce, the seasonal produce is less than the year 'round pricing at chains.
Also, I am less tempted to buy all the expensive, over-processed crap when it is simply out of sight. Finally, less packaging is better for the environment and less calories is better for me.
I usually have a lot more prep time, but, on an ideal Sunday, I shop after working out, then clean, cut-up and prep for a few meals during the week.Unchain your lunch money!
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Post #5 - January 17th, 2006, 6:24 pmfoodie1 wrote:I have yet to check it out for myself, but I hear quite a bit about the wonderful produce selection and prices at Stanley's Produce, located on the corner of Elston and North Ave. From what I hear, the produce quality is top notch and the prices for them are a steal, compared to the pricey supermarkets like Jewel, Dominicks, etc
As far as produce is concerned, Stanley's is middle-of-the-road in the value department (in my book). The prices are far better than the big chains, but not as good as the multi-ethnic markets. Also, I'd agree with gleam: it seems that the best deals at Stanley's are often things that they're trying to get rid of quickly.
When considering price/quality/variety, I'd highly reccomend multi-ethnic markets that are on the outskirts of the city: Specifically Marketplace on Oakton and Lincolnwood Produce. (These are also reasonably close to you, Octarine).
A little while ago, I did a non-scientific price survey of produce.
Marketplace on Oakton
4817 W. Oakton
Skokie, IL
847-677-9330
Lincolnwood Produce
7175 N Lincoln Ave
Lincolnwood
(847) 329-0600
Stanley's Fruits and Vegetables
1558 N Elston Ave
Chicago
(773) 276-8050
Best,
Michael
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Post #6 - January 17th, 2006, 6:49 pmStanley's(tho' not awful by any means) has an undeserved reputation via the former hipster bastion of the WP...for further elucidation just look at the acclaim a hole like Sultan's Market receives. If Aldi has the long lines(my only exposure is outside of Frankfurt, Germany) then Stanley's has the narrow aisles clogged with the oblivious and self-entitled. Years ago I was amazed at their cheap dried herbs and spices. Then I discovered the Penzey's/Spice House axis.Being gauche rocks, stun the bourgeoisie
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Post #7 - January 18th, 2006, 8:59 amFor spices, the Evanston Spice House has one feature which makes me less likely to run down there: They only sell certain size packages, and a lot of spices, such as cloves, I know I'm going to need maybe a tablespoon in a 2-year period.
Home Economist does not have anywhere near the variety, but also carries bulk: rices (including Jasmine, Basmati, Arborio), candies, nuts, flours... Their prices are not always the cheapest, but watch for what's on sale. I think there's still a few of these, but the only ones I know about are in Skokie on Gross Point just south of Church, and in Barrington on Rt 14.
And definitely hit the local produce marts instead of the supermarkets for fresh produce. One of my favorites, at Waukegan and Dempster in Morton Grove, also has nicely-priced meats. I can never figure out why Jewel can charge $4/lb for tasteless red peppers while they can be $0.79/lb kitty-corner from them in a produce mart, and of much better flavor, although possibly having dirt on them.What is patriotism, but the love of good things we ate in our childhood?
-- Lin Yutang
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Post #8 - January 18th, 2006, 9:32 ama little spice adds a lot of flavor. you can get unbelievable deals on spices at small "ethnic" stores/markets. close to evanston, i'd suggest devon, clark street (north of foster, and especially north of peterson) in chicago, and argyle for asian and latin american cooking spices and sauces. those places also carry other staples at low prices.
i also second the lincolnwood produce and marketplace on oakton suggestions. the prices are super cheap and given the wide variety of offerings it's lotsa fun to shop there.
clipping coupons from the sunday paper will also stretch your budget.
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Post #9 - January 18th, 2006, 10:23 amJoelF wrote:For spices, the Evanston Spice House has one feature which makes me less likely to run down there: They only sell certain size packages, and a lot of spices, such as cloves, I know I'm going to need maybe a tablespoon in a 2-year period.
Joel,
I go to the Wells street Spice House and the spices are in bulk, 1/2-oz or 2-lbs, no problem. Not sure why the Evanston store's different.
Penzey's, at least the Oak Park branch, sells only pre portioned packs, not bulk.
Enjoy,
Gary
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Post #10 - January 18th, 2006, 10:40 amEdgewater Produce is very good. I also recommend Devon Market at about 1500 West. They serve both a Hispanic and Central European customer base, so there are all kinds of "exotic" items that are unavailable or overpriced elsewhere. Even their peppers are$1.99/lb or less when the same ones are more than twice as much at Dominicks, et. al.
Bunches of fresh herbs can also be half the price of the same at Doms. or TI or what-have-you.
Dairy is not such a bargain. Canned goods are worth checking out both for selection and prices. Lots of very inexpensive Ex. V. Olive Oil for basic use (not highly flavorful for salad drizzling).
Full butcher and seafood counters. All sorts of cured meats.
Also a very decent wine aisle (way better than the avg. supermarket) including a substantial range of Croation/Dalmatian/Romanian wines that can be quite decent. Especially if you can find an ancient post from RST breaking these down for you. Check out Postup and Dingac for hearty central Euro. reds worth experiencing.
The also bake a heavy, chewy balkan bread which I like along with Vie de France (I can't imagine why).
And keep scouting Trader Joe's. Milk, eggs, good cheese and house brand crunchy snacks and salsa are as cheap there as you'll find anywhere. (Actually, milk is frequently a loss leader for CVS or Walgreens, so keep your eye out there as well.)"Strange how potent cheap music is."
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Post #11 - January 18th, 2006, 10:45 ammrbarolo wrote:And keep scouting Trader Joe's. Milk, eggs, good cheese and house brand crunchy snacks and salsa are as cheap there as you'll find anywhere. (Actually, milk is frequently a loss leader for CVS or Walgreens, so keep your eye out there as well.)
Trader Joe's is a good suggestion for certain items. If you eat breakfast cereal, TJ's has some very good options that can be 25-50% less than the supermarket brands.
I am also a big fan of their natural peanut butter, significantly less expensive than other options.
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Post #12 - January 18th, 2006, 11:33 amHi,
Big Lots sells discontinued food items from spices to cereals to laundry detergents. The store on Dempster also sells frozen foods.
Cathy2 wrote:Subject: Big Lots - where ghosts of discontinued food products live
Name: Cathy2
Posted: April 13, 2003 at 12:06:05
Message:
Hi!
Once again we return to beautiful Waukegan, where shopping opportunities reside, to visit an old faithful: Big Lots. Depending on where you are in the country, it can also be called Odd Lots. This is astore in the TJ Maxx mode: we take your discontinueds, your product which received no disapointed fanfare when it disapeered from the shelves.
They sell furniture, knick knacks, cleaning materials, toys and seasonal products. I almost bought a Harry Potter Broom last year for a friend's daughter, then bought dress up stuff instead. Later, I read where the Harry Potter Broom was discontinued because it had a vibrating feature. Alarmed parents complained to the manufacturer about the effect the vibrator was having on their children. Only then I understood why it ended up at Big Lots so early in the merchadising cycle.
What I enjoy is the food department. I have bought cornflakes destined for the middle east. The entire package was in arabic except for the corporate logo and a label slapped on to meet USDA requirements. At the price of $0.99 I bought several boxes. Enjoyed the pleasure of persian flakes for weeks to come.
On another occasion, we bought a creamy tropical fruit dessert destined for Brazil with all information in portugese. Again, a hasty label was slapped on with instructions and ingrediants. Too bad I bought only one example because it really was good. ("... and I'll never have that recipe again! Oh Nooooo! OOOOOh NOooo!")
Yesterday was another fine day to tour their shelves for life's wants rather than needs! We took home from Bulgaria "Fried Eggplant Rings & Pepper Strips" for $2.49 and "Vegetable Spread (Macedonian Lutenitza)" for $1.99. Cranberry Jam from Canada for $1.29. Ziti 1 pound for $0.49. Kuhne Sauerkraut with Rhine Wine, 28 oz for $0.99. Not everything is an off brand: Heinz "Perfect Squeeze" Ketchup 28 oz for $1.29 and "EZ Squirt" pink-orange-teal ketchup 19 oz for $1.49 (destined as a gift to Europe).
Last year, we bought every can we could find of a Green Olive-Sweet Green Pepper Tapenade, 29 oz for $2.99. WE had it on bread, pasta, eggs. Had we only known, we would have been their most faithful customer! We're down to the last can, sniff!
During canning season, I buy my lids and jelly jars at Big Lots.
Big Lots are scattered around the Chicago area. No need to make Waukegan your destination for Big Lots.
Regards,
Cathy2
Big Lots
7215 West Dempster Street
Niles, IL 60714
http://www.biglots.com
847-966-2709Cathy2
"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
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Post #13 - January 18th, 2006, 12:00 pmI've gotten spices at Evanston's Spice House in whatever size I requested ... but they may not be shown on the shelves; maybe you have to ask.
But for cheap groceries, I don't think you can beat the combination of Aldi's and Marketplace on Oakton, conveniently side-by-side.
Or, for a more conventional supermarket not as high-priced as Jewel/Dominick's, there's always Food4Less on Main Street in Ev
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Post #14 - January 18th, 2006, 5:52 pmOver time, I think that I have saved about 50% over the big chain stores at Marketplace on Oakton. But I second Devon Market (especially for cheap Romanian wine and Supermercado Morelia has great prices on produce. For me, the bigger challenge in budgeting for food is cooking for one and not eating the same thing over and over or throwing stuff out. Finding a friend and trading meals works well because 1) you get more variety 2) you share the cooking 3) it's more fun to eat with someone else. If I cover these bases, I don't miss going out to eat, and tend to try more new recipes and expand my repertoire.Man : I can't understand how a poet like you can eat that stuff.
T. S. Eliot: Ah, but you're not a poet.
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Post #15 - January 18th, 2006, 6:19 pmIn addition to Big Lots, Supervalu's Deals stores also carry a wide variety of staples, all priced at $1 or less.
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Post #16 - January 22nd, 2006, 9:05 amLong time passing...
No, really - the only one anywhere near is the one on Lawrence/Gunnison near Pulaski. I think there's another one in the far West suburbs. Used to be they were everywhere.
Although I agree wholeheartedly about the Oakton Market/Aldi combo, I make an occasional trip to Butera for meat and deli items. It's one of the few places where they have an actual butcher who knows what to do with cheaper cuts of meat; you can get English roasts (a rolled, tenderized chuck roast you can treat like roast beef or pot roast) as well as Latin cuts like arrachera - but fresher than other places. The deli is excellent and costs less even than Marketplace, with many of the same brands (and bigger)
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Post #17 - January 22nd, 2006, 12:31 pmnr706 wrote:I've gotten spices at Evanston's Spice House in whatever size I requested ... but they may not be shown on the shelves; maybe you have to ask.
I think they discourage you from digging into the bulk containers yourself, but will definitely dispense as much or as little as you want.Leek
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