Chicago Food Corporation

Am I correct in my recollection that one of the Chicago Food Corporation's locations burned down? If so, which one?

The recently remodeled N. Pulsaki location burned down unfortunately.

MAG wrote:Am I correct in my recollection that one of the Chicago Food Corporation's locations burned down? If so, which one?

MAG,

As JP said the 5800 N Pulaski location of Chicago Food Corp burned down to the ground. Really a shame, it was a wonderful store.



There is a Chicago food Corp on Kimball, also an amazingly stocked full service Asian, emphasis on Korean, store. One of the fun things at the Kimball store is the sneeze-proof panchan bar.



Enjoy,
Gary

Chicago Food Corp. (Korean market)
3333 N. Kimball Ave.
Chicago, IL
(773) 478-5566

Yeah, that fire was pretty unfortunate. I don't know what the competing Asian/Korean stores will do in response, but the owner (of Chicago Food) says it will take some three years to rebuild. In my estimate: bigger, better, and (of course) cheaper.

Hi,

My friend buys kimchee in half-gallon containers every month or so. I buy a quart and it takes my family a year. She advised since Chicago Food Corp's fire, the cost of kimchee has gone up in the smaller asian food shops. This may be coincidental, it may not.

In my estimate, Chicago Food Corp for the Asian community is like a Walmart popping up on the edge of a rural town. It is the great sucking sound which eliminates small businesses who do not have the volume to obtain lower prices to compete effectively. Of course, the other Chicago Food Corp location on Kimball remains.

I have heard there are plans to rebuild as an Asian shopping mall with Chicago Food Corp the anchor business. Certainly, they have plenty of land to work with as the old structure was set away from the road. Time will tell if the rumor and reality are the same.

Cathy2 wrote:My friend buys kimchee in half-gallon containers every month or so. I buy a quart and it takes my family a year.

I'm a fan of New Chicago Kimchee, fresh bright flavor made and sold with a smile from a Lawrence Ave storefront.

Cathy2 wrote:Of course, the other Chicago Food Corp location on Kimball remains.

Chicago Food Corp is now called Joong Boo, not sure of continued affiliation with CFC on Pulaski.

Cathy2 wrote:I have heard there are plans to rebuild as an Asian shopping mall with Chicago Food Corp the anchor business.

As of last week, 4 years later, they have not rebuilt the front portion which burned down, though the rear building is both warehouse and retail, with 80% wholesale warehouse not open to the public and 20% Asian housewares, small appliances and assorted non food items.

Enjoy,
Gary

Chicago Food Corp
5800 N Pulaski
Chicago, Il
773-478-2550

Joong Boo / Chicago Food Corp
3333 N Kimball Ave
Chicago, IL
773-478-5566

New Chicago Kimchee
3648 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
773-583-4442

My son and I went to the Nature Center yesterday and as we were heading south on Pulaski (just south of Petersen) I looked to the west, where Chicago Food used to be (before it burned to the ground) and saw a sign saying "Hi-Mart Open." Is this true?

If anyone knows, I would appreciate it!

bjt

bjt wrote:My son and I went to the Nature Center yesterday and as we were heading south on Pulaski (just south of Petersen) I looked to the west, where Chicago Food used to be (before it burned to the ground) and saw a sign saying "Hi-Mart Open." Is this true?

If anyone knows, I would appreciate it!

bjt

It's open.

That photo of the panchan bar brings back great memories. I used to stop in and buy 6 things, at least two that I knew we would like and at least two that I could hardly even tell what they were (it was and probably still is only labeled in Korean). I'd buy some meat and make bi bim bap at home, which my family liked. We'd sample the panchan; the kids borrowed the term "gahk" from the Klingon (apparently this is what Klingons eat, and not very appetizing in appearance), for the two or three of the panchans that they found truly inedible. Haven't been in awhile, but I love that store.