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Grocery Reviews

Chicago is the best city in the country. Rogers Park is the best neighborhood on the north side of Chicago. And my local international grocery Devon Market is one of the best grocery stores in Rogers Park. This page is for short reviews of the food, drink, and snacks I try from Devon Market, with occasional honorable mentions from other independent grocery stores.

Premade Meals

Ethiopian couscous - ★★★☆☆

Good variety of vegetables with very light seasoning. Leaves room to punch it up. Kind of an awkward size -- it felt like about 1 1/2 meals' worth.

Sides

Grilled & marinated green olives - ★★★★★

One of my favorites. I prefer black olives, but these grilled green ones round out the flavor in a way I really enjoy.

Homestyle hummus - ★★★★★

Great hummus, less runny than common brands in the US. No preservatives so it tastes great but will go off relatively quickly.

Snacks

Chocolate-covered coffee beans - ★☆☆☆☆

As of this writing, the worst snack I've gotten from Devon Market. Cheap chocolate and weirdly dry beans that felt like they were splintering in my mouth.

Chocolate-covered toffee pretzels - ★★★☆☆

Pretty good, not the most amazing chocolate covered pretzel I've ever had but perfectly serviceable.

"Oriental" crackers with peas - ★★☆☆☆

Pure empty calories with some mild seasoning. I finished them, but wouldn't buy again. Maybe I just don't like rice crackers.

Sesame-honey crunch - ★★★★☆

Another favorite around here. Not overly sweet, and large enough to prevent snacking on them endlessly.

Desserts

Honey cake - ★★★☆☆

Based on Eastern European medovik, I believe. Not overly sweet and the crumble on top is nice.