Local, Not Preachy, Goods at Green Grocer Chicago
Some part of me wouldn’t mind handcuffing some of the more extreme proponents of the locavore movement to a chair in my kitchen and feeding them a steady diet of Chicken McNuggets until they gave up their extreme dumpster diving ways. That being said, I do appreciate the underlying message of eating more locally for its ecological and improved flavor implications. As such, whenever I can secure good tasting fare from the local farmers and artisans, I do.
That’s pretty easy to do in the summer when the farmer’s markets are in full swing, but during the long slog of winter, unless you’ve got a freezer so big that Jeffrey Dahmer would be jealous and you’ve planned ahead, it’s a bit tougher.
But it’s not impossible. In fact, it’s a bit easier thanks to one local option I finally dragged my lazy butt over to a few weeks ago: Green Grocer Chicago in West Town. On the shelves you’ll find a beautiful assortment of the best of the best, including Tomato Mountain Farms organic jam (anything with raspberry is a favorite), Blue Marble dairy milk and cream (maybe the best tasting local milk in the Midwest), and Mint Creek Farm's beautiful, tender lamb.
There are a few other stores selling mostly local food, but what I really like about Green Grocer is its warm friendly open vibe. It doesn’t feel preachy. There isn’t some cabal of dread-locked, patchouli-scented, fiercely pierced and tattooed clerks sneering disapproval at your purchases—just the fresh-faced and helpful Cassie Green, the owner and store’s namesake.
Green Grocer Chicago
1402 West Grand Ave. Chicago, IL 60622 (map)
312-624-9508
greengrocerchicago.com
About the author: Michael Nagrant writes for Serious Eats from Chicago, where he also publishes Hungry magazine. Michael never met an organ meat he didn't like. He hopes to meet many more.
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4 Comments:
Believe me, I echo many of your sentiments--but this post is a reactionary minefield!
Michele Humes at 11:24AM on 01/22/09
Glad to see the Green Grocer profiled, Cassie is helpful and enthusiastic, if the store was closer to where I lived I would definitely shop there more often. Anyone who lives in that neighborhood(West Town) is very lucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! One reason I have been losing weight is my trying to eat whole, local, vegetables, or when I eat meat, meat like Mint Creek Farm's lamb! Or the to die for salsas of Tomato Mountain that spice almost anything in a good way....
Jbout at 11:56AM on 01/22/09
great store, nice people, excellent products, awesome ethics. no more throwing away egg cartons! think of it as shopping potluck, you'll never know what's there until you go in -- that is part of the fun.
best eggs in chicago, without a doubt. and your dog always gets a treat.
alktraz at 10:12PM on 01/22/09
also I wish this post was more positive. the store deserves better.
alktraz at 10:12PM on 01/22/09