Hillary's Reopening...

As August Grocery Store, from what the new awning indicates. I read on some blog that Hillary's was going to reopen a couple blocks down the street, but haven't seen anything in the 'hood that would confirm that.

Also haven't found anything about this new "August" store, but looks to be a boutique-y grocer...

i was wondering the same thing. Those chilaquiles are sorely missed. Anyone with info, please post!

thanks

Spoke to Hilary herself a few days prior to closure and she indicated they were going to be taking a much needed vacation and then opening further east on Division sometime (possibly) this spring.

Who knows if that is still the game plan.

markd wrote:i was wondering the same thing. Those chilaquiles are sorely missed. Anyone with info, please post!

thanks

If you can bear it, the former kitchen manager at Hilary's is running the shop at Earwax now, and 9 times out of 10 they run those chilaquiles on special there.

I tried the chilaquiles at Earwax, and i have to say, aside from looking like the HUE version, they didn't hold a candle. Very bland, and the sauce was pretty "ehhh". I'm off to Texas for a work trip. I can get my fill of killer mexican breakfast down there. mmmmmmmmmm

has Earwax *ever* been known for their food? I've been an an occasional visitor for over a decade and the cuisine has never superceded passable

I suppose there will never be an end to impressionable Chicago suburban, hipster vegan, poseur/wannabe, tween punks who wouldn't know flavor if it stretched out their earlobes w/ a .02 guage carmine stud.

back in the day...urgh...gramps...cough...cough...hack...I quite enjoyed their maga(zine) and video collection...I believe I got through Jodorowsky's finite ouevre via Earwax in the mid-nineties

the food...not so much...

...has anyone seen the default hipster jungen from the 1st season of Check Please! who rec'd Earwax, but felt oh so uncomfortable at Blackbird? As if the latter wasn't more "punk" than EW could ever hope to be...

so sad

I'm sure I'm in the small minority but I always thought Hillary's was overrated and have never understood why it's so popular. Breakfasts are nothing special and it seems to be more of a "see me" place than anything else.

My opinion, of course.

rdstoll wrote:I'm sure I'm in the small minority but I always thought Hillary's was overrated and have never understood why it's so popular. Breakfasts are nothing special and it seems to be more of a "see me" place than anything else.

My opinion, of course.

You opinion, of course, is 100% true. It has evolved beyond opinion into fact.

I could never stand Hillary's. Even the jelly beans were sub-standard.

I too was never a fan of Hillary's. While I found it unique that none of their coffee cups matched and of course that they had jelly beans on the table, I never found the food to be high quality. It was definitely a place to go to say you were there, and nothing more.

on my only visit to hillary's, i ordered fish tacos or enchiladas, i forget which it was, and couldnt believe that they used canned tuna, rather than fresh fish. i never returned.

I talked with someone whom the new owners are working with and they are still debating betweel high end boutique grocery a la olivia's market or gourmet coffee shop. either way it seems a wierd walking destination for groceries or coffee...

Actually, George, the new owner of the space which is now "August Grocery", used to be head chef at Tru. The guy is really amazing, and is a very cool guy to do business with. It's true that they are still sorting their stock out a bit, but price-wise, they are way better than you would expect. I find the selection is really pretty good. Angie and George, have offered on a couple of occasions to try to find some pretty rare items. Anyway, I think if they weren't willing to be flexible enough to change with local clientelle's wants, they wouldn't be in business long. For me, it's a quick stop, well, usually quick unless I get distracted scanning the shelves. These cats appear as though they are going to be around for a long time.

Maybe August is positioned to be the go-to stop for parents dropping off/picking up kids at Near North Montessori? Otherwise, that stretch of Division is not really "upscale," and actually kinda scary.

I live just a few blocks away and am not enticed to walk there, so it would have to be worth getting in the car when there are so many good options within walkable distance. I still don't get the location, but I haven't been to the shop yet. Perhaps I should hush until I check the place out...

Susan wrote:Maybe August is positioned to be the go-to stop for parents dropping off/picking up kids at Near North Montessori? Otherwise, that stretch of Division is not really "upscale," and actually kinda scary.

I live just a few blocks away and am not enticed to walk there, so it would have to be worth getting in the car when there are so many good options within walkable distance. I still don't get the location, but I haven't been to the shop yet. Perhaps I should hush until I check the place out...

I live right there, and i don't find it to be a scary area at all. but as for the store - i stopped in to check it out a few weeks ago, and i was very unimpressed. i was just talking about the place this morning with my friend as we drove by. the store had opened with unstocked shelves - which was curious to me. the things they did have stocked were your average jewel/dominic's grocery items - quaker oats, jiff peanut butter, etc. they had maybe one or two 'gourmet' items, they had a refridgerator holding some specialty cheeses that one could easily get at whole foods, or the special cheese section at jewel. there were minimal prepared foods, again - uninspiring selections, and there was some fresh meat. there were also some frou frou aprons on the wall behind the cash register. i really wasn't sure what this place was trying to be, and i wasn't impressed enough to want to return. i was going to get a cup of coffee, but that too was very simple stuff - just a pump container with to go cups next to it - i got a cheaper cup at dunkin donuts a block away.

as i was headed out the door - the woman behind the register said - if there was anything i was interested in seeing the store carry to let them know and they would order it for the store.

I left thinking that a place like that should have it's shelves stocked to the max with things would wow a customer into wanting to shop there. its true that the location is not the best for an upscale boutique grocer - not good parking - there are condos being built all around that area - but still theres a jewel store only a block or so away...

I have been pleasantly surprised at August. My initial reaction may have been sceptical- why do we need an upscale boutique in a neighborhood without a corner produce stand? But I have found that while they are still tweaking their product line (if even still trying to stock products) to fill a certain niche in an up and coming neighborhood, the enthuasiasm and accessibilty of the owners/ staff are enough to lure me into the shop from time to time. Its also a convenient stop for me, as I live just blocks away and nightly head west off the Division exit of the Kennedy. George and his sister (name?) are determined to promote "cooking culture" by offering quality products at fairly reasonable prices rather than overpriced specialty boutique items. For instance, they may not carry grassfed beef, but the conventional beef that they offer will be of highest quality, well cared for, and not much pricier than Jewel. The meat/ seafood/ deli counter have been the main draw for me. I picked up fine imported mortadella for just over three bucks a pound. I stopped in this weekend for a few extra ingredients for dinner and eyeballed nice looking oysters in the case. George offered my girlfriend and I complimentary samples, which were super fresh and reasonable. After a brief shucking lesson, George let me borrow and take home a spare shucker and we had a lovely round of Bluepoints and Kumomotos as soon as we got home. August has a pretty amazing kitchen facility (remnants of HUE?) and it seems to me that following their ethos and convivial manner with customers that August could thrive if they offered culinary classes. And while it may not promote "cooking culture", they seem pretty set up to offer a booming business in ready made takeout, because when I'm turning off that highway ramp at 6:30 I am usually more than ready for dinner.

Does anyone know if August carries wine or beer?