Supermercado Garivaldi

This place is a cute family owned/​run business. They have good basics and if you are a repeat customer, will offer to stock things per your request. Have frequently used them if I am out of something and don’t want to run to a large grocery store like Jewel or Target. Obviously you are going to pay a little more for a produce at an independently run store, but I would rather pay an extra 50 – 75 cents for an item than deal with the fuss of a huge store. I also happen to live a block away– so I guess that’s an added bonus. Cute joint.

Honestly, the only thing I ever buy from here is tortillas and the occasional bag of chips. The produce is always old, wilted and/​or overripe. The meat counter smells like The Walking Dead. Some of the staff is very friendly, some of them would rather file their nails then be polite.
Tip: buy less produce more often. Instead of buying 50 avocados once every two weeks buy 10 twice a week. If I knew I could get fresh produce here I would stop in more often. There are tons of small bodega style grocers aroudn chicago. Some of them nail it, others don’t.

I’m always amazed by the random things they carry here that have helped me avoid a lengthy trip to Jewel. Random things such as:
— marshmallows (just two days ago, shocked they had them)
— sour cream
— canned tuna
— onion
— pop
I know of people who live in my neighborhood that say they refuse to go in there because of how gross it is. However, I like the idea of buying from a small neighborhood store and, well… I just don’t think it’s that gross. I don’t do my regular shopping there or anything but it’s always been super helpful in a bind.

Not bad for that missing item but not a full service grocer. There is a decent array of items from household cleaners to frozen foods to fresh meats and veggies to cereals and other prepared foods. Magazines, phone cards, and other impulse items line the register.
I get the occassional gallon of milk, bag of chips (and cookies, you caught me), or avacado or lime.
The store doesn’t appear to be the cleanest but it definitely is not obviously dirty. The meat selection looks alright but I just don’t trust the quality. No reason, admittedly.
Staff is friendly and have been helpful to others although I’ve never needed their assistance. This is an adequate neighborhood grocer and possibly more if I can scrounge up the nerve.