Cermak Produce — Local services in West Chicago Township

I used to live in Rogers Park and my go to grocery store was Cermak Fresh Market. Moved to Lincoln Park and tried looking for something similar in the area. Found this Cermak Produce about 3 miles away and decided to give it a try. Absolutely NO comparison! Much smaller, like 1/6 of the size of the one I was used to, prices weren’t as good as the other one, the selection was obviously infinity times smaller. Then I get to the deli and had to wait forever to be seeing by one of the attendants because her chat and giggles with the other attendant were just way more interesting than doing her job (the deli attendant looks like she is latina, with colorful hair). When she finally got to me she clearly had an attitude, looked me with an annoyed face, as if I showed up there to ruin her fun. I ordered the mortadela with pistachios that were $8.99/lb (not cheap at all!). Got home quickly to make myself a sandwich and got pretty upset to find out that not only I was treated like she was doing ME a favor but also gave me the wrong type of mortadela. Checked every single one of the slices and not ONE of them have pistachios in it. I’m obviously not driving 3 miles again just to complain about a wrong order from the deli, cause the gas alone would cost more than the difference in price between what I got and what I paid for. First and last time I go to this Cermak, and won’t recommend it to anyone. Only things I was pleasantly surprised to find were the fresh French baguettes from my favorite brand and the home made original and coconut flavored flan puddings in their dessert section that look like they are from a...

Pretty average fruit market. The meat is pretty sub par but the produce is fine. I like that they're starting to carry more organic stuff due to the changing demographics in the area, but they really should carry more organic produce. Prices are pretty good. Their avocados are more miss than hit.

Update 7/2018: Prices keep going up but quality isn't. They also just tried to charge me $4.69 for Kerrygold Unsalted Butter; they're $2.99 at Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. Total price gouge. Can't wait for TJ and WF to come to the neighborhood.

Update 9/2018: Now they've moved on to price gouging on avocados that they're clearly freezing ( Hint: you're not supposed to freeze avocados). Bought several this week to make homemade guac. Made sure to pick ones that felt perfect for same day use (I've been picking ripe avocados since my parents taught me as a little boy). Got home and cut them open and they all had rings of rot in between under ripe rings of fruit. A clear sign that they've been freezing the avocados they're selling at Whole Foods prices. We took them back and immediately got a refund which to me is a clear sign that they're well aware. Today we bought a head of romaine for lettuce wraps and the leaves tasted like chemicals. I'm downgrading my review to 1 star and ceasing to patronize this business. Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, if you're listening:...

I previously left a great review. Today I erased it and here is another. I spend $140 there today, I do that at least 3 times a week. Today they were digging the parking lot and when I came out the dust was so thick on my car I could not see out of it and I had just washed it. I brought the manager out and showed him. I told him that spraying water to the site prevents the dust. He tells me it is done so the parking lot looks nice for the customers. I told him I am a customer. He walked away. Last week I bought bagels and threw them out because they were moldy. I did not bring them back to the store. The manager offered not one word of apology, not an offer for the next visit, not a word of compassion or decent conversation. He looked at me like I was a mad woman. Additionally, from other people's reviews the cashiers hold it against you if you are not Latina or Latino. Although the store has nice produce, good meat department and it is a great location, much needs to be improved for me to go back if ever. Not after this. I tried to look online for a phone number in their headquarters. Nothing is listed but the individual stores. This was the last resort. Shameful...