The Business section in today's Tribune reports that the ex-Dominick's/now Mariano's at 2021 W. Chicago Avenue, which is opening today, will be the first Mariano's store to sell game meats, such as bison, boar, pheasant, and rabbit.

Marmish wrote:There's talk of Mariano's at North Ave and Harlem, sharing space with Sears similar to the Ravenswood location (so I'm told, never been there myself).

I would love to see that happen for a few reasons; First it would be great to have a Mariano's in the Oak Park area, and second it might just save that Sears location. I'm not a huge fan of Sears but it's damned handy to have them there to grab some things real quick.

Katie wrote:The Business section in today's Tribune reports that the ex-Dominick's/now Mariano's at 2021 W. Chicago Avenue, which is opening today, will be the first Mariano's store to sell game meats, such as bison, boar, pheasant, and rabbit.

While visiting the Ostermalm Food Hall in Stockholm (a must-visit location in a must-visit city) my jaw literally dropped at the selection of fowl (as well as game in general) in the butcher's cases. The breadth of selection was pretty amazing. Nice to see a move in that direction here.

The Mariano's on Elston in Forest Glen has been selling bison and rabbit since they opened (rabbit not available 100% of the time). Also, a rotating assortment of fowl, including ducks, geese and the occasional pheasant. Perhaps the store on Chicago Ave. is the first to promote it as something unusual.

And shame on the Trib for biting on this. So it is the second (at least) Mariano's stock this stuff? There are places in the city that always had it, like Paulina Meat Market. Why is this news?

Darren72 wrote:And shame on the Trib for biting on this. So it is the second (at least) Mariano's stock this stuff? There are places in the city that always had it, like Paulina Meat Market. Why is this news?

It was a slow business news day.

The article does mention that this is not the first sighting of game meat in town.

Chicago Tribune wrote:Mariano’s is not the first store in Chicago to sell game meats. For example, Whole Foods sells items such as bison rib-eye steaks and pheasant.

Hi- I have seen bison at the Green Bay Jewel store in Wilmette. It seems like when I was a kid, we used to occasionally have rabbit though, but I never see it in Jewel or Whole Foods.

Treasure Island routinely carries game meats and poultry, though mostly frozen, save for during the holiday season. I've even seen fresh alligator on occasion.

I thought it was sufficiently clear: the first Mariano's store in Chicago to sell game meats. Not the first Mariano's store anywhere; not the first store in Chicago.

Katie wrote:I thought it was sufficiently clear: the first Mariano's store in Chicago to sell game meats. Not the first Mariano's store anywhere; not the first store in Chicago.

Clear, maybe. Newsworthy?

Darren72 wrote:And shame on the Trib for biting on this. So it is the second (at least) Mariano's stock this stuff? There are places in the city that always had it, like Paulina Meat Market. Why is this news?

Hi,

I heard this on the radio as well as television, obviously a PR person whispering into people's ears. At least what I heard, the emphasis was the first Mariano's to be selling wild food NOT the first store in Chicago (area) selling wild food.

Maybe I should stop in their Vernon Hills stores to complain about the northern suburbs being shortchanged on wild food.

Regards,

Katie wrote:I thought it was sufficiently clear: the first Mariano's store in Chicago to sell game meats. Not the first Mariano's store anywhere; not the first store in Chicago.

Like I said upthread, the Mariano's on Elston has been doing this since they opened nearly a year ago. Some may not want to admit it, but last time I checked, the northwest side is indeed part of Chicago. So no. It's not the first Mariano's in Chicago to sell game.

Geez...if the PR people send out a release about a new brand of Lean Cuisine or yogurt, is that going to be breathlessly trumpeted from the anchor desk or front page too??? Ridiculous.

Who cares??

FWIW, they are also selling python and alligator.

ziggy wrote:
FWIW, they are also selling python and alligator.

To eat, or to wear?

stevez wrote:

ziggy wrote:
FWIW, they are also selling python and alligator.

To eat, or to wear?

Depends on whether you're Lady Gaga or not.

I was actually at the ribbon cutting for that Mariano's and saw the Tribune reporter there. I did not hear any mention of the game meats, so that must been mentioned on the private tour Bob Mariano gave the mayor and the gaggle of reporters, or in a conversation between Bob Mariano and the reporter. For some reason, I guess Bob Mariano wants us all to know about that? Personally, I was more excited about having a hot food bar and a smoothie bar just down the street from work.

Has anyone tried Todd's BBQ in a few of the Mariano's locations?

Goodness, I did not expect such hostile reactions to my post. The information may well be wrong; stevez says it is, and I believe him. I just passed on what I read in the Tribune and assumed to be correct. Not a whole lot of mainstream supermarkets in the Chicago area sell game meats --- unlike Lean Cuisine and yogurt. I found it interesting information and thought others might find it interesting too. Sorry to have annoyed and bored so many of you.

Katie wrote:Sorry to have annoyed and bored so many of you.

Katie,

I didn't mean any comments I made to be mean or hostile toward you (don't shoot the messenger). They were more directed at the press for reporting on this bit of manufactured non-news.

Ditto My comments weren't even about Mariano's--just the sad state of reporting these days...

Well, you won't get any argument from me about what a shadow of its former self print journalism is these days.

Hi- I visited the Northfield Mariano's today for the first time, and I really liked it. I could see myself going there once a month when the outdoor farmer's market in Evanston is not open. I work in Winnettka on Saturday mornings, and so it was semi convenient for me. They were crazy busy today, and I think the next time I go it will be on a weekday. I just wonder if the store is going to take business away from the Northfield farmer's market this summer though.

I especially loved their produce section, and it seemed like their regular prices in general were cheaper than Jewel's. I noticed that their organic baby carrots are $1 a bag all the time, which is even cheaper than Aldi's. Their bananas are $.39 a pound too, and their King Arthur flour is $3.99 a bag all the time, and the white whole wheat flour is $3.69 all the time. I just bought some flour at Jewel last week, and so I did not need any. There were lots of free samples, and after a while, I passed on some of them, even though they were tempting. I ended up spending $19 there.

They have lots more help than Jewel does, and I question with their everyday low prices, how they can make any money. They have to pay the piano player too.

I wish Mariano's would have taken over the Evanston Green Bay Dominick's store, instead of Whole Foods. We don't need another Whole Foods in Evanston. BTW- I stopped in at the Wilmette Jewel on my way home, and they were still busy. although not as busy as Mariano's. Does anybody know when the construction is going to be finished on Willow? It seems like it has been going on forever. Hope this helps, Nancy

NFriday wrote:They have lots more help than Jewel does, and I question with their everyday low prices, how they can make any money. They have to pay the piano player too.

Well, I could guess that they are making a few bucks with their prepared foods/hot bar/salad bar/soup bars/pizza/gelato/bakery area which is a major attraction to the store (sure is for me), but I have no idea. I'm glad they are around (I really love some of their soups and I'm not usually a soup guy), and with Northfield being only about 10 minutes from me, it's fine. Once they have one a few miles closer in Northbrook (closer to home and work) and Bannockburn (if they truly are going where Beeson's is), then I'll have 3 Mariano's to choose from.

I found out some interesting info on Mariano's that some of you know and some may not. Every Mariano's is different. Some have a lot more to offer than others.

Depending on your location they may have:

Vero Coffee and Gelato
Oki Sushi (sushi bar)
Squeez'd (smoothie bar)
Todd's BBQ
Pharmacy
Oyster Bar
Grilling Station
Spice Shop
Kitchen Classroom
Patio
Oil/Vinegar Bar
Demo Kitchen
Sweet Shop
Wine Bar

I've been to three so far. Vernon Hills, Northfield, and on Elston. Vernon Hills is noticeably larger than the other two and more impressive with their layout and features.

Ram4 wrote:I found out some interesting info on Mariano's that some of you know and some may not. Every Mariano's is different. Some have a lot more to offer than others.

Depending on your location they may have:

Arlington Heights:
YES Vero Coffee and Gelato
YES Oki Sushi (sushi bar)
No? Squeez'd (smoothie bar)
No? Todd's BBQ
YES Pharmacy
No Oyster Bar
YES Grilling Station
NO Spice Shop
No? Kitchen Classroom
No Patio
No Oil/Vinegar Bar
Yes Demo Kitchen
No Sweet Shop
No Wine Bar

I am thinking that the sites where Mariano's converted a Dominicks store will have fewer features than a built-from-scratch Mariano's. I have been watching the construction (actually DEstruction at this point) at the new Mariano's site on corner of Golf Road and Waukegan Road in Glenview and wow that is one big parcel of land! I do understand that they are intending to fit in condos and other stores on that site but it must be fun to take a big piece like that and design it just the way you want it with lots of bells and whistles.

Meanwhile, the brand new Heinen's down Waukegan Road from there looks mostly built. Time being money, it sure looks like they are pushing to open in a month or two.

Good times! Good times. --Joy

I think you are right Joy. I have shopped at newly built store on Halsted regularly and yesterday tried the new one on Chicago Ave that was formerly a Dominicks. Way smaller and many less departments. I especially missed the beautiful large bakery and the nice wine bar that the Halsted store offers. While I found both to have the same annoying drive up a ramp to the roof parking, the Chicago Ave. store only had two small elevators to get back up there, no escalators that pull up your cart. I can't imagine how that works during a busy shopping time.

Hi- That is all that Whole Foods in downtown Evanston has too is two elevators, and I hate their parking lot. I live close enough to there that I walk there most of the time, and on the rare occasion I do drive, I park somewhere else. Sunday evening when I was there, I was able to find a free parking space on the street. I think the majority of their business is pedestrian, and for people that cannot deal with the parking lot, there is always the South Evanston location right down the street.

That Chicago Avenue site is really small and they did no additional construction on it. It was converted in only about 4 months. I'm still glad to have it - it's a very convenient location.