Halsted Food Center

This store has been closed down for awhile now and has been replaced by Save A Alot

I only stop here when I really need to. I have bought items here that cost twice as much as Dominicks. One occasion I picked up some popsicles. When I got home with them it was obvious that they had melted and been refrozen. Another time I attempted to purchase a squash but the only one that they had was rotten. I brought it to the register and showed the cashier where my finger went through the skin. The next day I stopped in for something else, and saw the same squash back in the produce to sell.
I could tell plenty of these sorts of stories but tonight has finally sealed the deal for me. I wanted a klondike bar more than anything so I stopped, paid $ 6 for a package, got them home and… they were freezer burned. I did not even know that ice cream could get freezer burn.

Halsted Foods is quite the old timer, but still kickin strong. I used to frequent this grocery store back in the 80’s with my grandma, just about every other day. It wasn’t anything fancy back then and it certainly isn’t anything fancy now… however…after all these years I find it quite charming that it hasn’t changed. It’s a Bridgeport local staple and I’m glad it’s still around! As others have noted — they have good prices, even better sale items, and great customer service. Don’t judge this book by it’s cover! Halsted Foods is cool!

this is the type of grocery store you only go to if it is less than a few steps away from your front door. don’t drive or bike out of your way to come here, continue a few blocks in either direction and you will find a better grocery or convenience store.
i’ve come here three times now… pointless 2 of the times… couldn’t find what i needed and it’s the basics
one occasion all i needed was yogurt. their selection is nearly as pathetic as fairplay. not only that i had to spend $ 10 worth to use my debit card. so shitty coffee it is! really, the selection for much of anything is shallow. quality not present. the staff was not friendly. meh. i won’t be back.

This store is Gross. It needs to close. They lure you in with sales. and then don’t have the sale items in stock. The rest of the stuff is way overpriced.

The only reason I give this place 2 stars is because they carry the Polish rye bread that I love so much and because it’s walking distance from my house. The store looks dingy, management is rude, much of the time items are out of date (and I’m not referring to items in the cart marked as such!), and it’s expensive. The cashiers are nice and helpful enough, but that doesn’t make up for moldy pastries and high prices. A new grocery store just opened up in the old Jewel location up the street. It’ll be interesting to see how Halsted Foods holds up.

I’ve done all my grocery shopping here since the Jewel on Halsted and 31^st closed. Meets most of my needs. In fact, when I asked a couple years back what had happened to the Boca burgers, the manager said they were taken off the shelves due to low sales but that he would get them back for me in a week or two. I wasn’t expecting anything like that. But on my next visit, sure enough: All the Boca products I could fit into my Easy Wheels granny grocery cart. My main recommendation to them: clear the aisles of cleaning supplies and stock more ethnic foods that will set you apart from impending competition.

Halsted foods is to grocery stores what McDonalds is to restaurants.
Convenient, nice enough staff, basic selection, no frills.
Halsted Foods does an excellent job of keeping up with sales to stay competitive. They have a great meat selection. In fact, I’d rather get my protein here then from larger chains like Jewels or Dominicks. There’s a very small specialty section that carries asian and hispanic items. The best part of this place is the bacon buns. Every friday and saturday the get fresh pastries from Bridgeport Bakery delivered. I promise, if you come here for no other reason, the bacon buns are worth it. Skip over the produce section though, it’s seen better days.

The store looks a little ragged, but sometimes I’m surprised at the products I find. You wouldn’t think a store like this would have some healthy, organic granola or amish chickens. One time I found some gourmet frozen entrees. Their prices on lunch meat are unbelievable. Same brands as Jewel or Dominick’s, but half the price. Their baked sandwich buns are great. Very fresh and soft.

THIS is my Supermarket. I don’t own it but this is where I shop. Ever since Bridgeport became a food desert thanks to the closing of the neighborhood Jewels Supermarket, This is the only Bridgeport supermarket left. I had, and still have several close friends who worked at the Jewel’s that closed down and left Bridgeport. BUT, I also have friends who work at «Halsted Foods». I myself worked at the supermarket for 6 months back in the early 1990’s. I did everything from stock the shelves, work shipping and recieving, inventory, and even deliveries. Does Jewels or Dominicks offer home delivery to their shoppers? No. I want to take this opportunity to send a shout out in my review of Halsted Foods to «Sarah» (cashier girl) «Donna» (Cashier girl) and «Rick». Especially Rick. He has been working there even before I worked there for a few months in the early 1990’s. When I used to work there, the store was owned by the butcher, and a man by the name of «Mike Beatty». I can’t remember the Butchers name, I’m trying to say «EnzleEnzo, or Wenzil, Wendil»? But anyway, the butcher sold his half to Mike, and Mike took over. Wenzil owned some race horses he used to tell me. Back when I worked there, the butchers were all white guys. also, you had to come to work in a shirt, and a tie mandatory. Mike wanted it that way. I had no problem with that at all. Now the workers come in working in t-​shirts, baseball caps, however they like. Wow. There was a guy that worked there, he was the store manager. His name was «Dick» and basically, that’s what he was. He was scared of Mike so he bullied all the workers and treated them like crap. The majority of them quit because of him. He would send workers home if he didn’t like the speed of your shelving, or stupid junk like forgetiing your tie. Everyone hated him and I hope he reads this because the store is WAY better run than when he worked there. He tried some junk with me but I got in his grill soft spoken like Clint Eastwood and he left me alone. Of course alot of the workers that quit were teen boys, and old ladies. The butchers didn’t take no b.s. from him either and he knew not to bug them. But yeah getting back on track they have a nice variety of food for a small Supermarket. Like I said, I have been shopping there for years. I have lived in Bridgeport my whole life anyway. Sure some prices are a little bit pricey, but compared to Dominick’s? We are blue collar people in Bridgeport. I mean real Bridgeporters and not Bucktown relocators, or Relocated out of towners who try to pass themselves off as Bridgeporters because they live in the neighoborhood for 5 yrs. Anyway, this is a great little store. But WAIT. Everytime I go there. Rick gives me the 411 on the future of «Halsted Foods». Seems like the workers at Halsted foods always hear talk about how developers are working with the 11^th ward to renovate the entire strip of businesses on Halsted Street from 35^th street to 31^st street as all condos and brand new trendy stores.: (Who really needs another Starbucks? From what Rick has told me, on the west side of Halsted street (the side Halsted Foods is located on) Citibank is staying, Halsted Foods is going to be razed, along with the out of business furniture store next to it, the library is staying and all the little stores, going north are going to be gone in maybe less than 5 yrs! So get your butts down to Halsted foods before it’s gone for good! considering how unscrupulous the 11^th ward is, I give it Less than 5 yrs. Halsted Foods is a great Bridgeport community Supermarket. Support it even if it is old. I do. UPDATE: THE STORE NOW HAS A NEW FACE!

Total dive grocery store. However, they tend to stock fairly high-​quality products for a dive. The glaring exception is produce, which is rather pathetic. The meat selection is limited, as you might expect given the size of the store, but again the quality is good.

There are a limited number of reasons why I will come here for grocery shopping (which has increased exponentially since they closed down the Jewel in Bridgeport):
1) The sales. They advertise, they have big signs up every week, and if they’ve got something on sale that I need, I know they’re pricing competitively and it’s worth heading over for some shopping.
2) The local treats. They get stock in from the local bakeries and such, so I can pick up some kolaches or a nice batch of fresh bacon buns. In fact…
3) Bacon buns. They deserve to be a reason all on their own. If you’ve never had a bacon bun, then get your butt down to Bridgeport and hunt these puppies down! I’m pretty sure that with the amount of bacon hiding in these little pastries of joy — you’re getting MORE than your money’s worth for the BACON alone, plus you get a fluffy tasty bun enveloping the meaty treats as it pleads for you to sink your teeth in.
Now I’m craving bacon buns. Off to Halsted Foods! Later!

I really like going here for a quick small grocery stop. They usually have decent sales and the staff here are friendly and will help you find anything you need. Their selection is not as big as the big chain stores, but they are awesome for small things you need, or to pick up a few items that you need to cook for your next meal. They also have 25 cent candies, which always makes me feel nostalgic!
One thing they do a lot better than the big chains… they KNOW how to properly bad your items!

This supermarket has been around forever. While times have changed and this supermarket is now not as large as its competitor’s it still is very competitive with its pricing, selection and sales.
Every week they do local advertising with their «Big Sales.» Do not just pass it up because it looks like an old supermarket. There is a reason they are still there. They do know their stock well and how to aggressively price against the big boys.