approved!

There's a new market in town . . .

 . . . and it's AWESOME!
Mariano's Fresh Market is a new grocery store in our neighborhood (kinda).  Last week we thought we'd just give it a try.  Since that first "try" we've been there almost every night, and no where else.  It's like a Whole Foods mixed with a regular grocery store, with great fresh food all at great fresh prices.  I know it's a bit weird to blog about a grocery store, but I'm in love.

They have a million different kinds of everything ranging from crap to gourmet to weird stuff you've never heard of.

Their produce is beautiful and cheap, but this little section is my favorite

This little side section is always filled with "exotic" fruits.  Sure pomegranates and kiwi are no big thing. But Aloe, Sugar Cane, Rambutan (related to Lychee), Baby Pineapples, Star Fruit, Strawberry Papayas! These aren't things you find in your everyday Jewel Osco or Dominicks (that's Albertsons or Safeway for you West Coasters).

Then past the breads, ready-made foods, and long dessert counter you find  . . .

MEATS!

Any kind of Seafood, and Meat you could think of.  I'm bummed at myself for not taking a picture of the tons of different cuts of steak,  because they are beautiful.  I mean Look at all those Sausages!!! (Hey, stop giggling and be a grown-up)

Mussels, Clams, Oysters, Scallops, Squid, Octopus.  Tuna, Salmon, Trout, Grupper, Halibut, Cod, Catfish, Perch, Marlin, Swordfish.  I may not want to eat all of those, but I like knowing they're there, just in case.

And although I can't have much of it now that I'm lactose intolerant . . .

Look how pretty that cheese section is.  It has it's own white chocolate Leaning Tower of Pisa.

This place is really great, and super delicious.  They even had this

The Man had just told me days before that if I ever wanted to get him a gift I could find a place that sells the Chipotle Tabasco, because he could only ever find it at the Chipotle restaurants and he loved it.  Well, look no further!

O.K. just one more thing about this grocery store then I swear I'm done.

They Have A Beer Sampler Section!

In the walk-in cooler is a wall with every beer they sell that comes in a six-pack.  You take an empty "sampler" six-pack and fill it with whatever you like and it's $8.99.  One of the girls who works there told us that if there is anything we didn't see in the cooler we could let her know and she'd add it so we could take one!

Seriously, if you live here in Chicago, you've got to try this place.

And if you don't then sorry for the rant.

I just really love grocery shopping!!