Happy Foods is near the lengthy North Branch bike trail. After biking double digit miles I've enjoyed a deli-made sandwich here more than once. Why only 4 stars? The deli, it's bad. No, it's good, too good. You take a number and wait - a fair system - but the problem is that there are some shoppers who fill up their ENTIRE SHOPPING CART with deli items. Since they usually have only one person behind the counter, that can take an hour! Last couple of times I tore up my number ticket and left the store. What should they do to get me to return short of assigning a second counter person? Limit deli items to, say, 4 items per person, then they have to get a new number ticket. It's the only way to be fair to the rest of the customers. read more

Asked spouse to check if Happy Foods had plain bagels. Asked spouse to purchase just one to taste test, we're particular about our bagels. Spouse came home with a mystery sack of 6. I squeezed them, they feel like Wonderbread. So I thought I'd read the ingredients. Wrong. Simply weren't any on the bag plus there was no info next to "Sell thru." Ummm, I need to know what's in my bagels, as I specifically avoid ingredients like corn syrup. What are you hiding??!! I'll never ask spouse to pick up anything from Happy Foods again. read more

Happy Foods - Edgebrook - Plain. Well, that explains everything. - Grocery Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I avoided this store for a long time after a touchy produce manager admonished me for squeezing fruit that was overripe and should have been discarded. Now under new ownership and currently being remodeled and reconfigured, the store today is more attractive, cleaner, and better laid out. The deli service counter looks especially spiffy and offers a nice array of made-in-house specialties. But the main strength of this small neighborhood grocery has always been its convenient location. It's walking distance for many residents of Edgebrook and Lincolnwood and also offers free parking. While they do offer some brands and specialty items you won't see at any of the large grocery chains, for me it's not a 'stock-up' store because it lacks many of the staples I normally buy, and more importantly, the prices overall are higher than the big chains. I'm puzzled as to why they would substantially enlarge the liquor department only to compete with a liquor store across the alley and a Jewel-Osco just a few minutes away. This reduces the amount of space to stock unique grocery items. The store no longer sells sushi. The bakery's service counter, together with baked-in-house items, has been eliminated; hoping to find breads and rolls I'd purchased here in the past, I spotted a bunch of empty shelves instead. Happy Foods no longer maintains a website. I tried to find this week's sales flyer on their Facebook page but it's not kept current. The flyer I found in the store appeared much smaller than in recent memory. Observing that there had been no visible change to unfinished portions of the remodeling since my previous visit in late 2025, I asked a worker when the remodeling would be completed. The reply was a barely audible, "I don't know." read more

Happy Foods - Edgebrook - Blimey! Products from the UK! - Grocery Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We took a long break from HF because of the hiccups with the changeover, especially in the deli and meat counter--two big reasons we used to shop there several times a week for well over 20 years. We've been back a few times recently and things seem a little more stabilized operationally but something seriously needs to be done about some of the deli help. There is one guy from the old store who works the deli--he's great but some of the newer folks are just not friendly or service oriented. The heart of this store has always been the deli, the meat counter, and the relational aspect of staff interacting positively with customers, especially neighborhood regulars, and treating them well. We have typically been on a first name basis with many of the old crew, and we always went out of our way to engage positively with them. It can be a hard job and some people can be absolutely miserable to deal with--i get it. We're always friendly and appreciative of the HF team.. Today, the lady at the deli counter fairly snapped my head off for no apparent reason, and made me feel so uncomfortable, that I almost walked out. Maybe she was having a bad day, who knows, although it appears she may have them quite often, as I have gotten negative vibes from this individual before. Anyway, if the new owner and employees can't figure out how to fix these and other issues, and they should be simple fixes, then what sets HF apart from the big boxes, where the selection is better and the prices too? We are tuned in with several other long time customers who are feeling the same way. People who will not bother to post on Yelp or formally complain to the Manager. They are just voting with their pocket book. We're not feeling the love any longer and we're done...and the distinct impression I get is that the new crew, Management included, couldn't care less...So be it, we all can take the hint...and we will... read more

LOVE the transformation! I used to shop at Carnival when I was at student at DePaul. If I could make a suggestion...sandwiches please! I live in Edgebrook and still drive to Bari Foods on Grand Ave. for their amazing sandwiches. Keep up the great work! read more

I like shopping at happy foods but since they remolded they have gone down hill. I go in the morning to buy bengals and white bread. Also I buy meats Most days they don't have them. Today I went and they were only taking cash. Am not going there anymore. I will go to Jewel they have bagels and white bread and the meats are cheaper. read more

Greater selection of products, shelves filled with many different products. Not sure, but prices seem a little lower. Seems like we're off to a good start. read more

So glad to still have this location after the Edison Park one closed. Best deli around. Had everything I needed and the employees are really nice and friendly. Something you don't see at the big chains. read more

I always stop here when in the area. Wonderful deli with mostly house made items. Good meat and butcher and excellent produce. Not a supersized place, but very good quality and service. read more

This place isn't anywhere near my house, but for some reason they sent me a "Welcome to the neighborhood" flyer with a few no-strings-attached $5 vouchers. So I figured, "Have coupon, will travel." It turned out that this is one of those medium-sized neighborhood grocery stores that Chicago does well. Selection on grocery and frozen items is not extensive, but they tend to excel at produce, meat, and deli. Nobody would ever really go out of their way for these places, but it's nice to have one on your block. Anyway, I won't become a regular here due to geography, but it's a solid store. The people are super friendly, and prices are more reasonable than one might expect. The deli sold me some killer sliced turkey which actually tasted like real roasted turkey breast rather than lunchmeat, on sale for $5.98/pound. I found some good produce bargains too, such as a bag of ten flawless gala apples for four bucks. Also, I happened to notice apple fritters in their doughnut case. It was neither the greatest nor the worst, fairly middle of the road. There is a small parking lot to the side (much appreciated). 3.5, rounded up due to the enormous smiley face greeting all customers (not to mention passersby). Plus they sent me another set of coupons a week later, so I went back for seconds. I got twenty bucks of free stuff! read more

I don't know if slabs of dead, cooked animals makes you happy... but they sure make me smile! I go here pretty much specifically for their deli counter. The lunchmeat is hella cheap and that really speaks to the bargain hunter in me. They also have fresh sausages that are delicious. Their meat isn't always as cheap as, say, Jewel but when they have specials I snap it up. Their bakery section... yum. Everything is fresh. I love their bulk chocolate covered pretzels. I think they put crack in them... so addicting. The rest of the store... meh... and that's the reason I'm only giving it three stars. Their produce is hit or miss. The last time I was in I bought a bag of baby spinach... and didn't realize til I got home that it had expired the day before. Slimy spinach is ewww. Also, most of their other products are priced significantly higher than chain stores. While I get the whole "supporting the small business" bit... I can't help but wonder... who's going to support ME if I spend $30 more a week on groceries by shopping there? I go for a few specific items but when preparing to engage on a mass shopping expedition, I head elsewhere. read more

Technically this is not Niles but after a jog through Caldwell Woods I ended up on the east side of the tracks and I happened to look left and there was this smiley beacon of happy floating in the sky. I didn't even know Happy Foods still existed but there it was. I just had to do a walk through. After many years of slogging through pretentious city grocery stores it was a relief to visit one that didn't cater to such whims, as much. I still spied some gluten free pasta and a smattering of organic products but for the most part is was a wide weird variety of food goods from many different cultures. Not the best produce granted, but the variety made hop for it. It had that small community no nonsense feel even though I'm not usually prone to such nostalgia. Kids stocking the shelves, old folks hobbling through pushing carts and everybody on a first name basis. You have my heart Happy Foods, fuck Whole Foods. read more

Happy Foods - Edgebrook - How can you not like a giant smileyface in the sky? - Grocery Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The bags with the face on it... how can you resist being happy? I am so glad they have stood the test of time, my now adult daughter and I have recently roamed the aisles as we shopped on a trip through our old stomping grounds. So Jewel and Dominicks are bigger and loftier but here you definitely have that neighborhood feel and we both remember when she would get a lolly pop from the cashier when she would go with me as a wee girl. Happy foods, you still make me happy! read more

Cool place...I believe there are 2 of them....clean and brightly lit interior, and helpful people. Alot of good stuff inside and it gives you that mom and pop feel....it was also alittle pricey...which for the area isn't too suprising. You can park on the street if you like to pay...but it does have it's own parking, which I think got alittle smaller as now they are building smoething in the corner in front of it. read more

One the nicest, cleanist, well stocked items, very customer service staff and management

I have been going to this store since it was a Dominick's (50 years ago) and have seen it deteriorate quite a bit lately. Today I bought 6 items and was overcharged for 3 of them; that's 50% WRONG! The prices were clearly marked on the shelves but the register overcharged me anyway. Instead of returning to the store for a refund, I will now quit shopping there altogether. Time to pull the plug on this old relic. read more

I have been on a "little guy" kick lately so imagine my surprise to find one of the last IGA stores left in these parts. This particular store is the perfect antidote to the super chains and the large scale McJewelz and Dominicks in the area. Super friendly staff, that does things the way I remember when I was a kid, i.e. they take the cart to your car and load your groceries, the baggers are local high school kids from the hood, there is an old school butcher with fantastic cuts of meats and they offer personalized service. The recent addition of a wine and spirits department is what brought me here. While not a Binny's by any stretch of the imagination they do have a pretty decent selection. They do however offer great values on everyday wines (same product is $7.99 here, $13.99 at Whole Foods, for real) and they even had close outs for the $3-$4 range. FOR.AN.ENTIRE.BOTTLE.OF.DECENT.WINE. read more

I am not sure if Happy Food is part of a chain or if it is independent, but it sure has the feel of a smaller, local, cozier, friendlier corner grocery store. We lived in Edgebrook for many years and this was our stop down the street - it is nice to go back after the years and get the same neighborhood feeling about the area and Happy Foods which is a true reflection of the community. read more

I have been stopping in at Happy Foods for many years now. When I was working in the burbs, it was a quick and easy stop to pick up groceries and sometimes pre-made meals to make my life easier. In the past few years, we have been faxing over food orders and having everything delivered. I love it. It is so nice to be able to get the staples delivered and not have to go into Dominicks or Jewel. Thea who does the shopping for us is terrific. Mom will make up her list, fax it over and if there are any questions Thea calls her and everything runs smoothly. We even get our poinsettias for the holidays from Happy Foods. We simply love Happy Foods, with their cute smiley face bags!!!! read more

Happy Foods on Devon, I love the different Salads that the Deli has on display. Where else can you get Egg & Onion Potato Salad, Fresh Spinach Dip, black Bean Salad, and so many more. I cant make and frankly don't want to make at home. Its so nice to walk into a store and know where everything is. Your in and out when you need to be. Going to a Party run in and grab some spinach dip, crackers and a bottle of wine and your out the door in 10 min. Nice employees and they hire the local youth to give them a taste of their first jobs, I love that. Great Store read more

Happy Foods is a small grocery store with a great deli counter. Most items are the same price or at least close to the same price as larger grocery stores. But it's a local place, so I don't mind paying a little bit more. If we don't support local places all we will have left will be Costcos and Walmarts, so you can pay an extra dime for orange juice. There my rant is done. Anyway, great deli items and awesome ready-made lunches/dinners for when I don't pack a lunch or feel like ordering out at work. Great butcher counter too for when I feel like splurging on a nice steak. Do yourself a favor and start shopping here, we need to keep places like this around. read more

Unfortunately, they are not conscientious about insisting their employees wear masks and wear them properly. One older employee never has his mask over his nose so it is fairly useless. If he was infected, he would be breathing the virus out through his nose. He seems to be dealing with dairy products and thus all of those products would be contaminated. The butcher was serving customers with his mask totally off. A number of the employees were removing their masks when they entered the back room and could be observed in the prep room behind the deli counter. Remember, masks are for your protection, not the protection of the wearer. Come on Happy Foods, with all of the elderly in the area, please insist that your employees wear masks and wear them properly. Show that you care about your customers. read more

Great prices and selection of organic products for a small grocery store! Friendly and awesome staff! Keep it going.

Not a bad grocery store if you need to make a quick stop for something and are in the area. I swung by there one night after running an errand in Park Ridge. Their selection isn't going to be as good as a Jewel, but it gets the job done. The aisles feel a little closer together than normal, but that may have been because they were restocking the shelves when I was there. They have plenty of staff working there, and they are really friendly. read more

Loved it in Skokie, love it here. Awesome bakery department...friendly helpful staff. Delicious prepared foods. Easy parking. Great prices. My go to grocery store a few times per week. read more

Anyone remember that episode of Sesame Street where they had an animation of a little girl who was asked to go get milk, eggs, and a stick of butter from the store? (For those of those who don't remember the story or didn't never saw it, she starts walking and chanting "milk, eggs, and a stick of butter" but eventually the things in the list get replaced with things she sees on the street. She's completely forgotten what she was supposed to get from the store, but the grocer knows she's there for milk, eggs, and a stick of butter.) As large a diversion as that was, this store is the grocer. While by no means the one-man corner grocery, it's as close as we get in today's world of one-stop shopping and supermarkets. While they aren't all that much cheaper than supermarkets, and on a very rare occasion the produce isn't worth it, the guys in the produce section know their stuff. The baker even asked if we wanted a fresh loaf of bread since there were some just coming out of the oven! Now that's service! read more

Loved Happy Foods since they had a location in Skokie (now closed) so I stop once a week at the Central/Devon location. I snap up all their meat counter deals, and love that you can get turkey breast to roast/grill, usually cheap chicken, and consistently good pork product pricing. If you know your pricing, shop their sales. They're great. The down side is you have to watch them ring up items, or double check your receipt. Every other week there is a price issue, however, they have always cheerfully refunded, I would prefer if it did not happen any more. read more

I live in Edgebrook and have been a frequent shopper. This Thanksgiving weekend was especially great. Ran in for skirt steak (I only purchase it here - the best around and I have shopped around for great skirt steak) and also purchased sushi (made right in front of me) for our 'tried of turkey' meal and we loved it. Made my kids day! FYI - the Stauffer's Ginger Snaps are the only ones made with REAL ginger - grab yourself a bag while there. Truly enjoy their meats, fish and deli selections. How great to have such a friendly place (true small town feel) right in the neighborhood. read more

so this happy food does not meet my standards the produce is terrible, not fresh at all very expensive and the meat dept is the worse the only thing that i find so so is the deli and bakery goods they have to do better to earn my business so I​ won't be going back again read more

Great people work here! Really excellent meat. It's a small store, just like when neighborhoods each had a grocery, not a corporate behemoth. Also love that I can get Allegrettis bakery goods here as it's much closer for me. read more

Happy Foods is a wonderful asset to the Edgebrook community. It is so welcoming and they have a great selection of items - a really nice alternative to the cold chain supermarkets. I've gained a new appreciation for Happy Foods during this COVID-19 outbreak - I was able to find items here that were depleted in other supermarkets. And their deli counter and home-made salads are out of this world. read more

I love this place. Great service, great meats, pleasant butcher, pleasant manager in the morning....I will not go to the local grocery stores anymore! the food quality, freshness, Selection and Deli is far superior to any grocery store within the 5 mile radius! they do a great job....the small town feeling......I'm ant imagine how any person could rate this Place low....I would certainly lquestion his judgement ! read more

I never saw a store cater to the person who lives alone the way this place does. And the pride the butcher, fish and deli folk put into their work really shows. You can find packages of two pieces of chicken to cook or ready to eat. Lots of homemade packaged meals just for one. Everyone is so meticulous in their work. Truly an old school kinda pride makes this place extra special. read more

Best grocery store in the area; hands down this is the place to go for all of your grocery shopping needs.

I run in here if I really need something quick as it is in the neighborhood. Prices can be a little high which is why I don't regularly shop here. The employees are friendly unless you get a teenager. Then they are either super sweet or ignore you as they chat up the cashier or bagger of the opposite sex. That's a pet peeve of mine whether it's an adult or teen. Acknowledge me dammit!! :-/ read more

Been going here for pretty much forever. Typical small business grocery store, perfect for any quick needs. Good deli and butcher. Produce is mediocre. Have anything when you need it. Prices a bit high but that always comes with small businesses like this. Will probably keep going here for pretty much forever. :) read more

Super friendly store! The staff is very helpful and happy lol. Will stop by again if I'm in the area!

Happy Foods butcher & deli are great,,,,,my big problem with this store is the inaccuracies at the check out on each & every visit I have had. Most recently, being over charged $2.00 on an advertised item. Fortunately, I reviewed my register receipt while I was in the parking lot (instead of finding out after I got home). In addition, the expiration dates on many dairy or other perishables are a day or 2 out. You have to dig deep to find items that have a somewhat longer shelf life. What gives Happy Foods? Is this how you treat your customers...... read more

I came here one time, and altough i saw a few cans of tuna fish which appeared rather jovial the majority of the produce i saw seemed not only UN-happy, but also slightly IN-edible. read more

This place has been around for a long time, but I only recently started coming here for my protein needs. The meats are fresh and of good quality. We like to get the thin sliced chicken breast and breakfast pork chops here. Never had a problem with the food or the staff. I'll continue to give them my business. read more