Curated Product Recommendations from Chicago’s Specialty Shops
Embark on your own tour of Chicago’s best specialty shops and gourmet grocery stores.
Maison Pasquale
2058 W Roscoe St
La Démarrante, Domaine Dupré Goujon
“La démarrante” directly translates to “the starter,” a perfect name for this light, refreshing, and juicy Beaujolais. Enjoy it chilled en plein air for your best experience.
Strawberry Vanilla Jam, Les Saveurs Provençales
After discovering this jam at the farmers market in France, Maison Pasquale’s owners knew they had to have it on their shelves back home. It’s made in a small kitchen in L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue with more fruit and less sugar than traditional jam, and a shorter cooking time to preserve the fruit’s flavor.
Lavender Essential Oil, Terre Ugo
This essential oil is made by a high school friend of Maison Pasquale co-owner Patrick Walsh, from lavender grown on his farm in Aix-en-Provence. Add a few drops to cream, then whip and dollop on fresh fruit or your morning latte, or add to your salad dressings for a taste of spring.
Moody’s Market
2755 W Belmont Ave
Moody’s House-Blend Coffee
This custom blend, roasted by Gaslight Coffee, uses beans sourced from Brazil. It’s a dark roast with notes of chocolate and cherry. The perfect way to start your day.
Mild Giardiniera
Moody’s Market may be modeled after specialty shops from L.A., but owners Melissa and Mollie knew they needed to give it that Chicago twist. Enter this classic giardiniera, made in-house. Jalapeños give it just a touch of heat, ideal for those who prefer it on the mild side.
Pimento Cheese
Another house-made specialty, Moody’s pimento cheese is deliciously smokey-sweet. Spread on a breakfast sandwich, eat with your favorite crackers, or simply enjoy by the spoonful. It’s that good.
Ándale Market
Lincoln Park: 725 W Wrightwood Ave
Andersonville: 5232 N Clark St
A-Ma’s Everything Sauce, BokBok
A vibrant, spicy-sweet Thai chili condiment inspired by a 1950s family recipe and crafted locally in Chicago. The six-ingredient sauce is designed for drizzling over fried foods, proteins, and noodles. Fun fact: Ándale Market was the first shop to stock BokBok products.
Italian Wine Spritzes, Ramona
Founded by two women in NYC and made in Italy. One co-founder was the sommelier for Eleven Madison, Momofuku, and Daniel Boulud’s Daniel. These refreshing and easy-to-drink cans are perfectly sized for the beach, picnic or patio. Find wine spritzes and rosé at the Lincoln Park shop and n/a rosé in Andersonville.
Garlic & Herb Pita Chips, D’mitri’s
D’mitri’s is a locally owned and operated snack company founded by brother and sister Drake and Katrina, who wanted to share some of their families favorite Greek staples with the world. These golden-brown pita chips are perfectly crisp with a garlic-herb seasoning that complements your favorite dips.
Choco Chip Chewy Cookies, Al’s Real Goods
If Chips A’hoy had a cooler, more thoughtful older sibling, they would be these cookies. They’re made from cane sugar, red wheat flour, and free range eggs with that soft-baked texture you know and love.
Explore even more thoughtfully curated specialty shops at a few more favorites below:
The Center for Order and Experimentation
