Mariano's Fresh Market

I generally try to keep my money as local as possible, but I was near Mariano's at Halsted and Madison last Thursday evening around 9 and needed a few things, and would have not been able to get to any local stores in time.

I had already been impressed with the amount of bike parking they had installed, but otherwise didn't know anything about the place beyond a vague perception that they were probably on the pricey side. My initial perception after passing the sushi and expresso bars, and the deli/bakery/produce areas on the way in was that the store was very upscale, but when I got to the aisles I found the prices were pretty low, especially the house brand stuff (Roundy's) and there was kind of a suprising assortment of foreign food of various kinds.  I ended up almost enjoying shopping, which I've almost come to dread in recent years....

Anyone else shop here? What do you think? Is it a local company? Is it just a subsidiary of Wal-Mart and I'm easily fooled?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on October 9, 2013 at 8:19am

I called Mariano's. Go to the Deli/Cheese department. Describe it to them as follows: Mariano's brand (re-labeled) Wisconsin Sharp Cheddar aged 5 years. I think it's $8-10/lb. They'll know what you're talking about.

h' 1.0 said:

So, rehearsal let out early last week and I ended up there again.... thought I would see about this Cheddar but only remembered your description vaguely... I ended up with a "super sharp" cheddar that I swear was indistinguishable in flavor from Kraft American Cheese singles.

Rehearsal ends early again tomorrow (probably last time) so.... do you know which one this was?

Kevin C said:

Mariano's carries a sharp Wisconsin Cheddar aged for 5 years that actually makes me weep with joy. Every. Time. I. Eat. It.

Permalink Reply by Gopher Biker on October 9, 2013 at 8:26am

I agree with Tom. That's the worst part of my daily commute home (well, that and the area around Dispatch Taxi - both AM and PM).

Tom Dworzanski said:

They opened one on Elston near the DMV (Elston & Bryn Mawr) not too long ago. I've been surprised by the amount of traffic they get. Unfortunately the traffic has created one of the most unsafe parts of Elston with cars darting in and out of the already busy stretch without having a good view of the bike lanes due to parked cars on the street. They really should have built a single big, multi-lane driveway with plenty of room to make eye contact rather than two narrow, blind driveways. So I for one am not a fan of theirs as far as being a cyclist.


Can't say anything about the food as I've never been inside.

Permalink Reply by igz on October 9, 2013 at 8:28am

i scored some nice house plants at awesome prices. and they are all still thriving

Permalink Reply by Duppie on October 9, 2013 at 9:12am

$8-10/lb. That does sound like a great deal for a quality cheddar. Thanks, I finally have my reason to ride the long way home tonight...

Kevin C said:

I called Mariano's. Go to the Deli/Cheese department. Describe it to them as follows: Mariano's brand (re-labeled) Wisconsin Sharp Cheddar aged 5 years. I think it's $8-10/lb. They'll know what you're talking about.

h' 1.0 said:

So, rehearsal let out early last week and I ended up there again.... thought I would see about this Cheddar but only remembered your description vaguely... I ended up with a "super sharp" cheddar that I swear was indistinguishable in flavor from Kraft American Cheese singles.

Rehearsal ends early again tomorrow (probably last time) so.... do you know which one this was?

Kevin C said:

Mariano's carries a sharp Wisconsin Cheddar aged for 5 years that actually makes me weep with joy. Every. Time. I. Eat. It.

Permalink Reply by KayCee on October 9, 2013 at 9:15am

South Loop's Mariano's opened yesterday, I think...  On Clark just south of 18th.  

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on October 9, 2013 at 10:06am

Actually it's just south of 16th.

KayCee said:

South Loop's Mariano's opened yesterday, I think...  On Clark just south of 18th.  

Permalink Reply by Adam Herstein on October 10, 2013 at 3:37am

Is their food called "Roundy's" because it will make you round if you eat too much of it? :-)

Permalink Reply by Michelle Loomis on October 10, 2013 at 3:47am

I shopped at Mariano's with a friend that worked for whole foods. I probably won't be going back to Mariano's as my friend pointed out every flaw in the store from the bruised/bad produce to the poorly stocked shelves. You will never have to reach to the back of the shelf to get products at whole foods. I guess that is the type of stuff you notice when you have worked in the industry and now that it has been pointed out to me, I will notice too.

Permalink Reply by S on October 10, 2013 at 4:18am

On the other hand, it having perfect produce and spending extra time to make sure shelves are properly and fully stocked increases costs by a bit.  It's a tradeoff as to whether customers would be willing to accept a less than ideal shopping experience in order to get better prices.

Michelle Loomis said:

I shopped at Mariano's with a friend that worked for whole foods. I probably won't be going back to Mariano's as my friend pointed out every flaw in the store from the bruised/bad produce to the poorly stocked shelves. You will never have to reach to the back of the shelf to get products at whole foods. I guess that is the type of stuff you notice when you have worked in the industry and now that it has been pointed out to me, I will notice too.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on October 10, 2013 at 4:35am

That's good that you noticed that. Did you also notice the increased cost of your groceries that invariably accompanies 'mirrored'(*) shelves.

(*) In my teenage years I worked in a high-end grocery store. Mirroring is what we called the activity of pulling goods forward, placing them label forward, and placing newer merchandise in the back. Mindless work, but it paid for my weekend nights out.

Michelle Loomis said:

I shopped at Mariano's with a friend that worked for whole foods. I probably won't be going back to Mariano's as my friend pointed out every flaw in the store from the bruised/bad produce to the poorly stocked shelves. You will never have to reach to the back of the shelf to get products at whole foods. I guess that is the type of stuff you notice when you have worked in the industry and now that it has been pointed out to me, I will notice too.

Permalink Reply by Juan 2-3 or more mi. on October 10, 2013 at 4:39am


Roundy's is their value brand for sure. They are also good at being enablers of alcoholics as I have witnessed some shoppers walking around with a glass of wine in one hand and groceries on the other.


Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

Is their food called "Roundy's" because it will make you round if you eat too much of it? :-)

Permalink Reply by Duppie on October 10, 2013 at 4:43am

Oh, that is one of the few things I love about Whole Food in Lincoln Park. Grab a beer at the bar and then do your groceries! Awesome!

Of course, I don't like riding anywhere near North and Clybourn, so I rarely go there.

Juan 2-8 mi. said:


Roundy's is their value brand for sure. They are also good at being enablers of alcoholics as I have witnessed some shoppers walking around with a glass of wine in one hand and groceries on the other.


Adam Herstein (5.5 mi) said:

Is their food called "Roundy's" because it will make you round if you eat too much of it? :-)

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