Toni’s Liquors

I didn’t know this, but apparently you can’t buy those little single shots within the confines of the city so our idea of an adult trick or treat bag was without it’s charm unless we took a trip to the suburbs.
We scooted up to Skokie and hit up this little gem that my gf’s been going to since before she even had a fake ID. It’s been family owned forever and the service shows that. The prices are fair, they’ve got all sorts of random stuff besides booze, and yes… the mini bottle selection was off the chains.
If you’re looking to stuff something full of cute baby versions of booze Toni’s totally has you covered.

Its the Harold’s TruValue to Binny’s Home Depot. Toni’s is my local, need to pick up a quick, quality sixer or a bottle of wine place when either Schaefer’s is closed or I don’t want to drive down to Binny’s. They’ve got a fairly solid offering of interesting craft beers from local and far flung brewers — and it seems to get better each time I stop by. While not as deep as Schaefer’s or Binny’s, the wine selection is rich with a wide variety of brands and price points. They cram a lot into a small space. Its like your local hardware store. Sure you can find the common stuff easily enough, but you gotta ask The Guy if you want something off the beaten path. Its in there somewhere and only he knows where. Price-​wise, Toni’s is comparable to Binny’s. A little cheaper on some things and not so much on others. I consider that extra buck or two a donation to a worthy cause: the local, family owned store.

Tony’s is not an excessively large store, but they do pack a lot into the space they have. It’s rare that they don’t have what I need, whether a fine wine, exotic liqueur or a bottle of Mescal with a worm, they have it! And they have party stuff as well.

So, I’ve been going to Toni’s for years but just getting around to reviewing it. Mainly due to not wanting to share its glee with the public. Plus if too many people start descending on this place buying up the minis I like most. (See my point.)
Toni’s does pretty well with the neighborhood and drivers-​by already. Being their location it’s an often passed area for those commuting to and from work. The shop has clearly been around a few decades and retains an older styled pink neon sign and slowly decaying brick building. I love the way the lighting shines against the pavement on darker nights, reminds me of the gross amount of stringy neon signs used during the late 1970’s to 80’s.
The smallest things intrigue me. Take airplane bottles. Only sold in the suburbs by the way. While most stores in the suburbs offer them, the smaller ones offer the same shit. Like for instance this crappy brand of flavored vodka called 99 because of the proof, this ratty brand is everywhere and its dirt cheap! If you’re lucky to find a bigger booze distributor they often carry many brands of minis. To me, it’s like being in a candy store with so many flavors and brands to try and at a far lower cost than when purchasing bottles. The perfect size to help me get through a late night lecture or the lengthier of airline flights. Nowadays airlines are charging as much as a downtown bar for a cocktail.
I called in one day and spoke with someone here that boasted about their mini bottle collection. Dude… The collection here is magnanimous. I never knew Taboo Captain Morgan minis were available; I even got a cute mini of Glenfiddich and so many more! A bit pricier than other liquor shops but a great collection nonetheless. The store has a great many selections of spirits and wines, I particularly like the finer Whiskeys. Toni’s also offers domestic beers and a few good micros; it’s a standard booze & wine shop. If you call ahead they may chill a bottle for you or put in an order for something you can’t find. Speaking of hard to find, they carry Old Monk. A harsh rum which is brewed & bottled in India. Its price is high but I figure it’s the cost to import. On occasion they might have a cute brand ambassador from a liquor company there hoping to entice you with a free taste of their brand. Not too shabby for this little store.

No reviews for Toni’s? A bit shocked. But at the same time, I’m not surprised that people don’t leave this place so raved about it that they’ll go home and write up a review. Simply put, you come here cause you live close by and are in need of alcohol. The beer selection is average, as goes for the wines and liquor. Every once in a while, they’ll be selling something in a shopping cart on sale for extremely cheap prices. Look for that, and this place is pretty sweet. But I’ve only seen that twice in my lifetime. Toni’s serves it’s purpose well. And that’s all it needs to be.

TONI’S IS EXCELLENT. I’ve Known Mark for Years and He is AWESOME. Everyone There is HELPFUL. What a Great Variety and Selection. I Love My Import Beers and TONI’S CHOICES ROCK. I’m not a Wine Drinker but My Wife is, and I’ve Impressed Her Quite a Few Times with a Little Help from the Staff. Oh Yeah, THE PARTY SERVICE IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER.
The Owner & Employees Actually Enjoy Helping Customers & IT SHOWS.
Mark W.

Toni’s Liquors just may be the best kept secret in Chicagoland. Family owned and operated for 5 decades… it makes you feel good just to spend money there. Staff is very knowledgable and helpful… always going the extra mile to service the customer. Selection is a good as it gets with special orders being no problem. Ample parking and convient location makes this truly «the shop around the corner» for everyone. I’ve shopped there for wine for over twenty-​years now and have recieved not only great prices but a tremendous wine education from Mark (the owner/​operator) While I now live in Florida, I continue to purchase my wine from Toni’s whenever I’m in town… now that’s saying something!