Recently moved to the NW suburbs, work downtown. I’m looking for a place to buy hard to find spices, preferably in bulk.
I Dallas we had Central Market(the most awesome grocery store ever). They had a bulk spice section with every type of rare spice you could think of. It also came in handy when I bought infrequently used spices because I could just buy a few cents worth at a time.
I ran into a spice store in Old Town, but it was more touristy, selling spice blends named after Chicago neighborhoods.
With the diversity around here, I’m thinking I just need to go to the specific regional grocery: e.g. if I need asafetida, go to the IndoPak store. Though that is fun, I would rather find a more central place.
For bulk spices, you’re probably best off just buying the few cents’ worth at Whole Foods or something.
If you’re looking for a multiethnic place with cheap spices of cuisines of the world, we do much of our grocery shopping (not just for spices) at Fresh Farms in Niles (there’s another one on Devon Ave. in the South Asian neighborhood, but it’s a fraction of the size and not nearly as comprehensive). The Niles store is like a bunch of different ethnic groceries under a single roof, with prices comparable to the ethnic groceries in their respective 'hoods rather than a gourmet specialty store. Plus fabulous fish, meat, and produce. I love that place! (Of course, it’s fun to explore the ethnic neighborhoods just for the sake of exploration, too.)
I am familiar with Central Market and their wonderful selection of, well…frankly everything.
Sadly, Chicago has nothing like Central Market. For the urban dweller, locating the specific regional grocery is really the best way to find the variety you are talking about. Chinatown or Argyle St. for less than ordinary Asian spices, Devon Ave. for Indian, etc.
Whole Foods is great for a lot of things. But compared to the store in the Dallas area the OP is talking about they reeeally fall flat in this area. Central Market is incredible.
This sounds like a great place and it may work for the OP. Unfortunately, it isn’t in the city so the grocery stores with a specific regional focus are my only option. Maybe I will make it to Niles someday. Now I at least have a reason to consider making the trip.
That’s probably the Spice House. Don’t be fooled by the “touristy-looking” blends–while they do a decent trade in gifts for the food lover, both the Spice House and Penzey’s are probably your best bets in Chicagoland for spices. I’ve pretty much most of everything I’ve ever needed at either store, from Kalocsai paprika to aijwan seeds to grains of paradise to aleppo pepper, etc. (There are things, though, that they lack. I haven’t seen black salt there, nor fenugreek leaves.) And their prices are more than reasonable. You probably could get spices for cheaper at a Middle Eastern or Indo-Pak grocery, but the selection will be a little more limited.
ETA: You can look here and see if there are any other suggestions that may work for you.
Are you from Texas? How do you, knowing that Central Market exists, live in a world without it. Is there a support group?
I remember when I first visited the spice section. I needed 5 cloves. I literally bought 5 cloves. It just barely registered on the scale and cost like 5 cents.
I was forced to buy what looks like a lifetime supply of amchoor from the local IndoPak grocer. I needed 1/4 of a teaspoon. Man I miss that place.
I’ll have to take a closer look. I think I walked in right when they opened. There were like 10 employees walking around, so I didn’t do a detailed walk through.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I will check them all out eventually.
