ORZO - Greek and Italian!

Good Morning!
I love orzo! Since moving to Chicago, I am having a tough time finding orzo in a regular grocery store. I have checked out my neighborhood Jewel, (Lincoln/Montrose), looking for Prince or Barilla and I have been unsuccessful. I have bought imported Italian (fufu) orzo at Fox and Obel and Whole Foods, for WAY TOO MUCH MONEY!!! I have checked out Paulina Meat Market, after someone recommended them and they didn't carry orzo either.... I would like just regular old orzo from inexpensive brands like Prince or Barilla. Am I crazy or just blind, does Jewel or Dominick's carry such an item? I know regular chains carry orzo at home in Boston.

I am also on a quest for Greek orzo (pearl shaped), for a wonderful recipe I have for great salad. I am tempted to give up hope looking for this due to the fact that I don't want to pay a ridulous price or make a special trip to Greektown for this pasta. Before I give up hope, can anyone give me some ideas so I can find these two items. Thanks!
Barbara

My Jewel carries Prince brand orzo all the time.

We regularly buy Barilla orzo at Tony's on Elston for a buck a box.

Tony's Finer Foods has multiple locations.

Best,
Michael

Barbara,

I'm slightly amused by your plight in that some years back I found myself in a similar situation with regard to another common -- or so it should be -- small form of pasta, namely, acini di pepe. The major groceries don't regularly carry it and for a time it vanished from specialty shops. In any event, my advice to you is to take the time and go once in a while to one of the following shops and stock up on Greek or Italian orzo and while there, indulge in purchasing some of the other specialties offered in these stores. Here are places that should always have plenty of the barley shaped pasta:

Greek:
1) Athens Market in Greek Town
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=9943#9943

2) Minos Market in Addison
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=68649#68649

3) Andy's Fruit Ranch in Albany Park
(grocery with substantial Greek section, Kedzie just south of Lawrence)

Italian:
1) Graziano's on Randolph
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=25595#25595

2) Conte di Savoia
(excellent salumeria on Taylor by Bishop)

3) Bari Foods
(excellent salumeria on Grand at May)

4) Riviera
(excellent salumeria on Harlem just north of Belmont)

5) Any of the Caputo's groceries in the western suburbs

The small pastas such as orzo and acini di pepe take up so little room, you can hit one of these great stores once in a blue moon and stock up. And while there, get great olives and cheeses and pork products and...

In a pinch, most Mexican grocery stores should have little 200 gram bags of similar little pasta (melon seed shape). During the great Acini-di-pepe crisis of a few years ago I started shooting up El Gallo brand 'munición' and that got me through.

Welcome to LTH and good grocery hunting!

Antonius

I am certain that HarvesTime carries 1 lb. boxes of orzo. I believe it's Barilla brand. This is a little closer to where you live.

HarvesTime
2632 W. Lawrence

Barbara, check out HarvesTime rather than rely on that pathetic Jewel. That store would be our neighborhood Jewel, too, but we rarely shop there. HarvesTime, Cermak Produce and Tony's get much of our business with the rest spread out over a wide range of stores.

Also look around this site for shopping on Kedzie between 4200 and 4900 north. There are a wealth of options including a big Cermak Produce that occupies most of the 4200 block.

HarvesTime carries a fair number of Greek items because there are still a fair number of mostly older Greeks around from the period when Lincoln-Lawrence-Western was Greektown North. HarvesTime has a parking lot.

I also shop at the Jewel at Lincoln & Montrose and they do carry orzo. I forget the brand name, but it's usually stocked near the wheat and organic pastas.

Edit to add: I stopped at the Jewel (Lincoln/Montrose) last night. The brand they carry is Bella Terra and is listed as organic (explaining why it's stocked in the organic pasta section of the pasta aisle). I believe it's a 12 ounce bag.