Whole Foods
We really love Green Grocer, Provenance, City Provisions and even still have a soft spot for the waning Fox & Obel, but none of those spots is a true one stop shop for produce, meat and local products like this theme-park/grocery. Oh, yeah, and there’s a bar if you find grocery shopping stressful.

Whole Foods, 1550 North Kingsbury, (312)587-0648, wholefoodsmarket.com

Audience choice: Trader Joe’s, 44 East Ontario and multiple locations, (312)951-6369, traderjoes.com

Best of Chicago 2012

Foodlife

Featuring one of the broadest selections around and the best green goddess dressing we’ve ever tasted, we don’t go anywhere else.

835 N. Michigan
(312)335-3663

Audience choice
Whole Foods
Multiple locations

Best of Chicago 2008

Fox and Obel
While you’ll likely lay out a week’s grocery bill worth of cash, it’s worth the splurge. Lazy folk take note: In the summers, Fox and Obel offers six different five-course prepared picnic meals. Of course we prefer it DIY, and the deli counter which features specialty meats like D’Artagnan Sauccison Sec, a great spicy salami, or one of the best cheese counters in Chicago is a great place to start. Throw in fresh-baked baguette or eggy brioche from the warm yeast perfumed in-house boulangerie or a lemon-curd tart from the bakery and you’ll be splendoring in the grass in no time.
401 East Illinois (312)410-7301

Audience choice: Whole Foods
30 West Huron, (312)932-9600; 3300 North Ashland, (773)244-4200; 1000 West North, (312)587-0648; 1101 South Canal, (312)435-4600

Best of Chicago 2007

Whole Foods South Loop

If cooking shows and cookbook photography are food porn, then the largest Chicago outpost of this national chain might just be the grocery version of a sex club. Sporting everything from a smokehouse to a noodle shop to an in-house gelateria, this good-eats emporium will satisfy the most active of your culinary fantasies. Sure Whole Foods might sport the nickname “whole paycheck,” but it’s a relative bargain when compared to “whole inheritance” ultra-gourmet stores.

1101 South Canal
(312)435-4600

Audience Choice
Whole Foods
30 West Huron, (312)932-9600; 3300 North Ashland, (773)244-4200; 1000 West North, (312)587-0648; 1101 South Canal, (312)435-4600

Best of Chicago 2007

Fox & Obel
When this gourmet grocer opened last year, food lovers rejoiced over its glorious offerings of quality meats, fresh breads, and gourmet everything. But its cheese department is its epicenter. With more than 300 varieties, including an unsurpassed offering of artisanal cheeses from around the globe, Fox & Obel puts new meaning into the word cheesemonger.

401 East Illinois (312)410-7301

Audience choice: Whole Foods
30 West Huron, (312)932-9600
3640 North Halsted, (773)472-0400
3300 North Ashland, (773)244-4200
1550 North Kingsbury, (312)587-0648)
1101 South Canal, (312)435-4600
1640 Chicago Avenue, Evanston, (847)733-1600

Best of Chicago 2002