I once heard a presentation about how mothers go grocery shopping as an 'escape'. My first reaction was disbelief then I made a mental note to never have kids. When I went to Mariano's I started to think that maybe mothers were on to something... Saturday morning I walk into Mariano's and get a large cup of coffee and a muffin for $2! And the shopping carts have a coffee cup holder! perfect! I took my time roaming through the aisles listening to the piano player. I have to admit that the first time I saw the piano player I thought it was a dumb idea that wouldn't produce returns. But listening to "kiss the girl" from the Little Mermaid definitely put me in a good mood. Maybe they're on to something... They have a great variety of ethnic foods, exotic fruits, great cheap produce! The rest of the store is just like any other grocery store. I feel horrible about saying this, but every interaction I've had with the workers and managers has left me thinking they're just a few fries short of a happy meal. They seem like really sweet, good people, just not the brightest. I would go into detail but then I'd just be a jerk. read more

Mariano's - Grocery Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

I needed a flowers for a celebration on that particular day and my friend suggested me to go in here. It was my first time on this location of Mariano's. The store was pretty clean well lit and everything seems organized. Before I headed to the flower section, I observed that the place got a nice selection of products, produce and everything. Prices are fair and reasonable too. When I was in the flower section, I also admire their selection. Everything on it was fresh and are all beautiful. I thank that friendly and helpful staff in there who amazingly arranged my chosen flowers to a wonderful one. I was on the venue when most of the people in there complimented it little did they know that I only bought it here in Mariano's at a very reasonable price. read more

Can't believe I waited so long to check this place out! This place is 'da bomb! A truly great grocery store! I'd like a hyped-up Caputo's: It has all the imported selections, but the produce is a much better quality. Oh, and the store is like 10 times bigger. The store is immaculate and bright. As somebody else said, this is like the Nordstroms of grocery stores. The produce is beautiful. The bakery is sooo tempting. The deli/meat counters had fabulous meats. The prices seemed really good. The store itself is huge. They have a dude playing piano at the front of the store. Heh. Definitely worth checking out! I can't wait to go back! read more

Mariano's you have replaced Caputo's for the warm fuzzy spot in my heart. People complain of your crowds... but you are new to town and the crowds are nothing compared to Caputo's! The service was great. The bakery department lost my order for cannoli's and were not making them for the day. But they apologized profusely and made my order fresh in 10 minutes... most places won't do that for you! The bakery department is beautiful. The prices are cheaper than Jewel or Dominicks and you get a intricately frosted cake (they have adorable cupcakes too). Just for my fellow Yelper I tasted the cupcakes, cannolis, fudge and donuts... and they are all delicious! :) They were doing samples throughout the store... so many I got full even though I was supposed to be shopping for dinner. The fresh squeezed OJ was to die for and cheaper than buying Tropicana at Jewel! They carry items that cannot be found at the local Jewel or Dominick's. I really like how they have the smaller European style shopping carts that are double deckers. They take up less room and you can layer without squishing food. However, there are still people who are rude and will pin you up against that wall with their cart because they cannot wait their turn (yes this happened to me and I am still a little bitter). The produce is fresh and cheap. They also have a preferred card that is better than Jewel and Dominicks because you do not need it for cheaper prices... you accumulate points which can be cashed in for groceries. You HAVE to try out Mariano's... you won't be disappointed! read more

Mariano's - Yummy inexpensive cakes! - Grocery Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

As far as supermarkets go this place is one of the best! I would give 5 stars but my only critisism is the cooked food section. Whilst the food is really good I think it's boring that they do not change the offerings from time to time. It's always the same! Salad bar is great. Wine selections are fabulous and 15% discount if you buy 4 bottles or more. Extensive section of fresh vegetables and fruits. A great bakery section with fresh homemade breads. Good fish and butcher area where they will grill your meat for you. The deli is also really great with tons of cold cuts to choose from. All in all you can find almost anything you want in here and prices are pretty decent. Compared to Whole Foods this place is a bargain! The cashiers are always friendly and helpful. read more

I never expect sushi at a grocery store, even a high end one, to be very good, but I found a very pleasant surprise at Mariano's in Palatine. I come here a lot when my job has me in Palatine and my man, Marcelo does a phenomenal job, and makes it to order. Great, and unexpected experience. Delicious! read more

Mariano's - Lunch special rocks! - Grocery Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

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This is my "go to" grocery store. Out of all the Mariano's, this is definitely my favorite. The staff are helpful, kind, and courteous. The managerial staff is attentive and quick to make things right if there are any problems. The meat & seafood dept - the people behind the counter are so knowledgable about what they have. Some are better than others, but once you shop here enough you will know who the really good ones are. Nacho was my main meat man, but I think he's taken a early retirement. The bakery dept. - everything is fresh and delicious! In a pinch they can quickly and nearly write something on a cake or cookie, but all the other stuff will need to be ordered. Their hamburger cake and monster cake are the favorites in our house. The buttercream on these cakes are just right, not oily and not overly sweet, but just decadent enough to make a slice of cake feel luxurious. The deli - always packed with people waiting because things are just that fresh! There are never less than 5 people behind the counter, ALL working on orders, not talking in a corner or washing things like at Jewel or Tony's. They're nonstop slicing and scooping. The gelato and coffee - Gelato is smooth and creamy. If you order to go, they pack the container in ice to keep it cool so it won't become gelato soup by the time you get home. Coffee is tastier than Starbucks (& I love Starbucks). Overall - best place to grocery shop! Look for daily lunch deals - so worth it! $4.00 freshly grilled burger, chips, & drink or $3.00 grilled in front of you hot dog, chips, & drink. My favorite is the $6.00 RIBEYE sandwich grilled & seasoned to your liking with chips and a drink. Seriously - why make lunch?!? In the winter they do roasted chestnuts! YUM. read more

Juicy juice has nothing on this place! Fresh squeezed orange juice and a sample kitchen greet your senses to a feast as you enter Mariano's, followed by the smell of fresh baked breads and rotisserie chicken. So much of the fresh products offered are made in-store! Including gelato and a sushi station! Downside: cakes are outsourced... But still extremely scrumptious. While on the pricey side, Mariano's is a sure bet for fresh produce, delicious deli, and astounding assortments of cheeses, wines, beer, and everything else you might need. One stop shop meets gourmet. read more

Mariano's - Maple bacon long john - Grocery Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

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I want to thank Peggy in the flora department! Today I went to find some flowers for a sympathy gift. She was so helpful, approachable and friendly, which really was refreshing especially during this time of masks and social distancing. Her kindness really meant a lot to me, and I want her to be recognized for it! read more

Mariano's is a very nice escape from your average grocery store. It seems like a hybrid between your local grocer and Whole Foods. We were pleasantly surprised with an abundance of tasty samples and friendly employees. The aisles are open and inviting and stocked with good food. I won't start controversy by pointing out some obvious negatives and flaws. I will say check 'em out. I bought some pastries and couldn't wait to tear into them... I bought 'Gourmet All Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.' They were GREAT!!!!! read more

Mariano's - Gourmet All Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies!! - Grocery Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

WOW!!! What a supermarket. Coming from NYC I'm used to small supermarkets that you can barely fit the cart down the isle so this place is like heaven. This place has everything you will ever need in life, fresh cooked food, bakery, deli, butcher, pharmacy, liquor, beer, and wine. And did I mention liquor/beer/wine. I've never seen this before because back in NYC all you have is beer in the supermarket. Friday nights they do tastings by the liquor section for wines and spirits. There is another market close by as well but this is my place. The prices are good and they have club card discounts. A lot of local brands and the international isle is on point. I find myself at times just walking aimlessly up and down the aisles because this place is so nice. So don't waste your time going anywhere else cause this is The Spot. read more

I'm waving the white flag. I surrender and will not be back. I've given this store too many chances, I've spoken to employees, workers at the customer service counter & managers on duty. This store continues to decline. The main time I go shopping is after work around 5:30pm. The soup bar is continuously a disaster. The tins are empty & there is spillage everywhere with dirty napkins on the bar. The food on the hot bar is all covered with a film. Trying to find the right employee or any employee is impossible to correct the issue. The bbq section is closed and there are long lines at the deli where there is no Boars Head lunch meat, only Dietz & Watson. The check out lines are ridiculous too. You win Kroger. read more

This Mariano's has gone downhill quickly. This was the 1st of the Mariano's chain - a fantastic store when it first opened and for many years, and the model upon which the success of the franchise was based. Enter Kroger, and things have gone from great to fine to bad with no sign that it's going to get any better The produce is generally fresh, and much better quality than other nearby groceries. With the amount of fruits and vegetables that my family consumes, the produce is probaby the only thing that keeps me coming back regularly. Meat used to be reliable, but whether it's because items are sold with an incorrect sell-by date, or because items are not sealed properly some items are not lasting as long as they should. I had to get a refund for a package of meat that we intended to use a couple of days ahead of it's sell-by date, but was brown and rancid. But the worst aspect most recently is the overall customer experience. Staffed check out lines were replaced with self-service check outs, which are nowhere near large enough to handle a full cart of groceries. Digital coupons are great in theory, but many times do not come off, requiring a trip to the customer service desk. The store is presently moving the location of many items, so nobody - customers or staff - know where anything is anymore. The selection of products has been vastly reduced to make space for more Kroger branded products. Throw in the no-longer-used employee parking lot down the street that used to be packed with 30-50 employee cars, which are now taking customer spaces away. And everything that is becoming disappointing about this store is having a ripple-effect on the employees, who are noticeably unhappy - possibly about the changes themselves, possibly because customers are complaining more - making the entire experience frustrating. Mariano's - you had a great thing going. Great selection, 2nd to none quality, and staff that were proud to work there, and as a result, happy to help anyone who asked. But you sold your integrity to Kroger, and there's not much you offer today that I can't get anywhere else. read more

This store is a prime example of someone taking a great thing and driving it right into the ground. Kroger made unnecessary changes that have created a worse customer experience. The produce quality is awful, leaking freezers and coolers all over the store, out of stock on many basic items. Mariano's used to be a high quality shopping experience and with so many other grocery options in the area it's not worth going here anymore. read more

My local super market and I love it. I am a kid in wonderland here. First of all it is well maintained and super clean. The staff stays on top of things and makes sure everything is stocked. They have great selections at the butcher and their already marinated meats are amazing. One of my favorite parts is their cheese selection it is on point they have anything and everything you can think of local and imported. Their bakery is insane with so many delicious mouth watering things to choose from. I love how they carry so many local brands they just taste so much fresher. This super market is wonderful and has so much to offer and you even get to hear some beautiful piano playing as your checking out.. read more

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What happened to Mariano's?! It used to be better than other grocery stores now it is just mediocre. 8 pm and the store was deserted, empty shelves, mess everywhere, switched off parking lot lights. Still 2 hours until closing time. Each Bella cupcake packaged in its own plastic container, so wasteful...just finished Red Velvet and it was a far cry from what it used to taste like. And how about those self check outs? Sooooooo dissapointing! read more

We have noticed big changes over the last 3/4 months at what was once our fav grocery store.. Mariano's in Arlington Hts. They have taken their eye off the ball, aka, THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE! They are OUT of stock on items. Their change in the soup/hot food bar and food quality worse. Good luck finding any Vegitarian soups, They are out of food a lot in the hot bar. Go try and find healthy choices in many categories, like salad dressings- Kraft Fat Free versions for ex., don't have most of the time. Customer service, the worker bees don't have answers.. "can I call a manager over for you to talk to?" I'm tired of bringing things to their attention on deaf ears... We live right next to Marianos here in Arlingtion Hts, we are starting to shop more and more at Jewel. Too bad, so convenient, but will head to Jewel, Whole Foods other alternatives!! read more

I will never shop at this store ever again, I was totally Offended by the Employees of this store, they treat their Customers with total Lack of Respect. read more

Very disappointed. Upon arriving at the store i learned the power was out. I ordered a cupcake cake for my sons 21st birthday a few days prior and just needed to pay and pick it up. So sad to see the results of this cake....this is what i got from the bakery--Individual cupcakes with 21 written on the cardboard. It was so pathetic and not even worthy of the work Mariano's does with their cake decorating. Unhappy with the cake I asked if there was anything I can do to get it fixed. I was told that no one can write on cakes so I asked if I can look at other cakes. I peruse the display and found a substitute that would be perfect. I waited while the lady was busy packing up breads and still ignored I asked if I can get one of the cakes instead of these cupcakes. She looked at me and said I can't tag the cake, which meant I couldn't buy a cake So then I ask well can I get a discount on the cupcakes where they were selling to me for $45. She said the same thing, she can print tags. That meant nothing to me, print takes for what-- I understand hey have to print he tags so I can be charged-- but that was no excuse to forget about customer service and courtesy. Mind you, while I was waiting, an employee approached the counter and the same lady I dealt with, served her and gave her a pastry from the display. When the employee asked how much-- she said don't worry I can't print a tag anyway so it's ok. WHAT!!! Is it because I'm darker skinned, is it because I'm not an employee. Was it because I was wearing my Cubs hat and coming from the health club??i have never been treated so horribly before. So now that I was told I couldn't get a discount or buy a new cake. I was stuck, I needed something and so I ask To speak to a manager. She tells me well the manager is not here. So I ask again, so there is no one I can speak to, she says the store manager so I said I'd like to speak to the store manager then, she then tells me oh-- you have to go to the front for that. I'm pissed now. First of all there's no power in the store, not much going on in he bakery without power. You would think a store like Mariano's would have employees that would cater to customers instead of feel annoyed or Bothered by them. Truly disappointed. All I ask is for you to work with me. Clearly I am not happy, and even if you don't have the free will to offer me resolution offer something to me to keep my business. So sad that this one employee had to break it for me with Mariano's. read more

Mariano's - Grocery Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

Since being bought out by Kroger, Mariano's has become a garbage store. The selection of food remains nearly the same but the store itself is a trash can. It resembles a Walmart. Like many places it is understaffed but things have been messy for weeks. Forget about the bathroom. It is disgusting! The store that once was better than the rest has fallen to Walmart status. Bob Mariano you should be ashamed to have your name associated with this store. read more

I can not thank your Baker enough no word to express my gratitude who did my grandson's First Bday cake. IT WAS SUCH A HIT!!! So pretty and so flavorful especially his SMASH CAKE. For the price i paid nothing compares to any cake i had before who charges out of this world. More Power to you Marianos Bakery Staff. Pls keep up the great job you do and by not charging so much to people like us just cause we wanted a pretty flavorful cake for a great celebration. read more

Awful customer service for the bakery. They refused to add a little "Congratulations" on a cake unless it was over $20. Additionally, even if we bought the $20, she said she would MAYBE do it. No thank you. There are literally hundreds of other surrounding bakeries that would add wording to the cake without the attitude. Definitely never coming here for a cake. read more

I visited on Friday 5-15 - disappointed in the monitoring of people who were not social distancing, and not abiding with aisle direction signs. Possibly the overhead speaker system could remind people to do the above. Take precautions!! read more

Every time I come here I'm reminded why I stay away. The service gets worse every time I visit. The quality of everything else (produce, meat, selection) is ok at best. read more

That being said, you can't beat the huge produce selection, bakery choices, meat and seafood counter, and hot food bar. They have almost everything you can think of.. the food ..fruits ..desserts.. vegetables and flower are always fresh and kept well... the workers are kind and very helpful. Everything is organized very well and I want to look around at everything. read more

This is by far my favorite Mariano's for cakes. the cake decorator at the bakery shop is the nicest person to work with when it comes to putting a cake together, I had a very specific request for a cake that I forgot to order and I gave the store a call the day before and she made my cake, it was beautiful and it was personalized, she was there when I picked it up and she make sure that it was exactly what I wanted and asked me if there was anything else I would like to get done to it. it was a little pricey but it was exactly what I needed. I don't really go buy anything else there other than cakes since I live 30 minutes from this location but 7 from an other, however every time I need a cake the bakery's cake decorator does an outstanding job that makes it worth the drive. read more

This store is definitely the best location of Mariano's that I have been to. Everything is really on point when it comes to the service and the products. I haven't been to this location very often, but for the few times that I've been here, I observed that the store is always clean and bright. The shelves are also organized, as are the other selections they have inside. The store is spacious, and everything is really accessible. They have friendly and helpful employees that are always attentive and very helpful with some requests and questions that I could ask for. They were those kinds of employees that would not get mad or irritated if they were asked about something, and they were just super friendly and willing to help every time. The products they have are of good quality when it comes to everything, including their freshness. Speaking of fresh, their produce and meat sections are full of fresh and good-quality fruits and veggies, as well as different kinds and cuts of meat. Another one is their prices. Their prices are reasonable and competitive. What I like about their prices is that they do not go up too much, and whenever there is an increase, it does not go really high; it is just basic enough in an affordable and reasonable way. read more

After reviewing another local grocer last week, I was practically inundated with notes from fellow yelpers telling me I simply MUST check out Mariano's Fresh Market. To be frank, it isn't everyday, or even every month, you'd find me A. bookmarking a grocery store and B. Even making my way into a grocery store as the self proclaimed queen of take-out Thai food. I made a grocery exception for MFM not only due to the glowing recommendations, but because I've been battling some sort of sickness I can equate only while referencing the movie 'Contagion' and having a weekend itinerary that looked like something a koala would have put together- Sleep 10 hrs, eat 2hrs, sleep 10hrs, eat 2hrs - and was fueled by repeated trips to local grocers for whatever snake oil concoction I thought would cure my aching wicked bones. On my grocery tour of the Northwest 'burbs I made my way from EuroFresh to Valli Produce to Joe Caputo & Sons to Mitsuwa Market, and lastly- maybe unfortunately, Mariano's Fresh Market. I think had I never gone to the other stores this past weekend and seen the quality, prices, and uniqueness of the rival independent grocers, I'd likely be doling out a 4 star review. Lamentably, I have had other indie grocers and I have had better. Going in, they have a great parking lot, fantastic interior lighting (think Whole Foods), a little market with fresh made pizzas, sammies, and more, and double wide aisles so you don't have to feel cramped when someone else comes down the aisle. All good things here... then BAM! I'm not even 10 steps into the store and I've been hit! Hit by a Mom toting a child in her arms and trying to man a mini child's cart while attempting to coax the rest of her 5896296 children into following her. I was annoyed, for sure, but then felt amused by the struggle that was unfolding... when BAM- I'd been hit again! By yet ANOTHER of her cart wielding maniac children. So, no. Mariano's and their new age policy of letting children 'behave' as adults did not get off to a good start with me. Quick Tip: Melt down the frames from those mini carts and construct a large cage to be placed near the front of the store for children to be kept in while their parentals shop. Maybe 25 paces more, as I was perusing the bakery selection and being again entertained by one of the loudest aging Stepford wives I've ever seen, yelling to the bakery maidens about whether they had some kind of bread and what time they'd open again the next day so she could come back and get it. It was all fascinating until the woman, unaware of her surroundings or that anyone existed outside of the presence of her wants and needs, noticeably clipped me with her cart and continued blindly driving while talking to her privileged Louis Vuitton covered teenage daughter who also had no issue walking 3 inches from my person to flick her hair in my face. Lucky for her and what I'd assume to be her empty soul, I have cat like reflexes and was able to duck back a bit. But had I not been so aware of my surroundings and been hit, AGAIN, in less than 4 minutes into the store, I'd have been breakin' some dishes up in thurrr. Also while in the store, I saw another child (who was WAY too old to even be in a cart) allowed to sit and crouch inside one of those half cart things while her mid-life crisis pierced ear daddy pushed her into the hummus section while she pointed and demanded: 'Get the organic! Get the organic, Daddy!'. Now, I won't even tell you what would have happened to me if I demanded anything from my parents like that, but I will tell you that there is one very visibly placed sign on each and every one of those carts (as pointed out by my BF) that says 'DO NOT PLACE CHILDREN IN CART'. My Costanza (unspoken) thought: That's gonna hurt! ...as I quietly grinned and walked away. I will say that their bakery section, particularly those beyond gorgeous designer cakes, can't be beat. The quality, beauty, and prices on those bad boys are simply unbeatable, and the only thing I saw that I'd consider coming back for, as the quality of everything else seemed to be pretty on par with Jewel and the prices were nothing to write home about. Overall, I had to say I felt pretty underwhelmed with the selection and though I know it's not their fault, kind of appalled by the behavior exhibited by of some of their shoppers. I had high expectations, but ended feeling like it'd be more fitting to call it 'MEH-rianos.' read more

Mariano's - Olive you. - Grocery Near Me - Arlington Heights, Illinois

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Watch out Whole Foods! Mariano's is gonna give you a run for your pretentious, snobby, yuppie money! My first, and thus far only visit...don't you worry, Mariano's, as the famous Gov-inator once said, "Ah'll bee bahhk.". Mariano's is like Whole Foods, just minus the "our-food-is-organic-and-pesticide-hormone-poor people free" attitude. Shit, the Mariano's cheesemonger is identical to the WF cheesemonger. The butcher is an Atkins' lovers delight. The deli counter is a cluster-fucked mass of people, but the counter help is so calm and helpful, it's hard to fault anyone. There are wine tastings, cheese tastings, bread tastings, meat tastings (yes, I said, "MEAT tastings"), seafood tasting. My 6YO nephew and I had our afternoon snack just walking around the store. The "cooked" food section is wondrous -- I bought a pack of the buffalo wings that were perfectly sauced and delicious. Everything looked so fresh and tasty. The store is uber-clean -- it's been open for a few months, and it is still uber-clean. I mean, so clean you ask yourself, "Where do they hide the little robot cleaning machines that come out to clean up whenever there is a speck of dust?" And, the best thing about Mariano's? The staff is so incredibly nice. I mean like Mayberry and Barney Fife nice. The store manager even shook my hand as I entered the store. For those of us in the city, Mariano's is not an option. However, if you do find yourself in this neck of the woods with grocery needs, you owe it to yourself to visit. Bear in mind, the parking lot is beyond FUBAR, so be patient. read more

What a beautiful building! That was my first thought as I drove up to the market. What really nice covered shopping cart corrals! Wow, pretty fancy. Pretty fancy is right. Perhaps I'm not dignified enough to shop here because although the food/produce selection is dynamite, the lack of customer service really had me shaking my head in sad wonderment. It all started with an employee watching me very suspiciously when I grabbed a shopping cart from said fancy corral and brought it to my car. He still eyed me while I sat the Prince in the seat and buckled him up. Um yeah. why are you watching me with such an evil eye? I love grocery stores. I don't know why I'm so fascinated. Grocery shops, mom/pop stores, outdoor farmer's markets. I love browsing for food stuffs. I also love talking to the bakery person, the cheese monger, the butchers, etc. The sad thing is, none of these grocery employees at the bakery counter or cheese corner would meet my eye or even acknowledge me while I browsed. No one greeted me, no one asked if they could help me. I'm a pretty independent shopper, I don't need anyone holding my hand. But from the caliber and variety of food stuffs here to the maintenance of the store, I would have expected MUCH better customer service. Even the lady at checkout seemed pretty surly and never said hello or thank-you. Perhaps I would have bought more cheese or baked goods if someone had greeted me? The world may never know... 2.5 stars. read more

It honestly pains me to give this location a 2-star review because I have been to at least 4 Marianos' and have loved them all. They are very reasonably priced, the food (both fresh & groceries) is delicious, and the people are GENERALLY very friendly. I walked in on Friday to order my 1-year old's birthday cake and asked the lady behind the bakery counter to make it very similar to one I saw in the case below me. She took all my information down and told me it would be ready on Sunday morning. I came back expecting a quick & easy transaction and to my surprise the cake was never made! On top of everything, there was no record (a scrap piece of paper is what they typically use to record orders) of there ever being an order so the heavier set, young lady accused me of never placing an order. She asked me stupid questions like "are you sure you were here?" and "do you remember the name of the employee who took your order?" NO-I literally walked in, ordered a cake and walked out. We didn't have a lengthy conversation about her kids or what I had for breakfast earlier that day-just ordered a cake and left. She offered no consolation except "well you're going to have to wait at least 30 min before I can bake another one" so i walked out fuming and ended up getting a cake at Jewel. I called the manager to report her and he offered his apologies but I cannot forget how terrible of an experience it was. I understand it was an isolated incident but a large enough mistake to prevent me from giving anymore business to another Mariano's. read more

To say the store has gone to Hell in a Hand Basket is an understatement! RIP to my favorite store...bare shelves, unhappy workers, and comprised in all areas. Today I went in and the few bits that you could count on being affordable staples are through the roof. Any bits of Mariano's are totally gone and Kruger is in its place. Back to the Shop & Save and Jewel for me! read more

What do I love about Mariano's? Everything! It is the ultimate grocery store and so much more, great enough to be my 500th review. From the outside, you really have no idea how huge and spectacular it is inside. Imagine a Trader Joe's multiplied by five or six times in all respects, then add an in-house bakery, cafe, restaurant and coffee shop. And while you're at it, throw in a florist, deli, seafood sections and a butcher shop. Now put friendly and helpful employees everywhere. Oh, and the little shopping carts for the kids? There's a whole bunch of them in front, not just 5 or 6 like at most places. So now you get the idea, but there's more. You enter Mariano's at what is an awesome produce section. There's a mix of regular and organic produce, plus odd varieties of fruits and vegies that you won't find at your usual Jewel, Dominick's or neighborhood store. A table off to the side had 2 girls making these massive caramel apples, covered in colorful "Spwinkos!" as my 4 year old calls them, M&M's, nuts, each one a work of art. I was impressed with the apples so much that I watched the girls dipping apples to decorate. The one told me, "It's my first day here," but from the look of things, she was an old pro at making the most sumptuous caramel apples. And before you leave the produce section, stop at the juice bar where they squeeze fresh oranges to make bottles of all-natural, fresh unpasteurized orange juice on the spot. Yes, the kind with the little bits of juicy orange floating in it. At $2.99 for a half-gallon bottle, it can't be beat at Whole Paycheck or wherever you may be seeking a comparable OJ of such quality. Heck, I think the teary-eyed Minute Maid just got fired and her job outsourced to Mariano's. Be careful around the bakery, especially with small children. They have these brilliantly colored cupcakes decorated beautifully. There's also muffins and cookies. They will want to eat them right then and there. How convenient, someone put tables and chairs nearby so you can enjoy them. In our case, we also needed a carb count since my son is type 1 diabetic. Well, wouldn't you know it! The 16 year old boy working the bakery counter was type 1 and an older woman unloading loaves of fresh bread has a son with type 1 as well. They offered us the nutritional information and a warning to watch out for the blood sugar spike 6 hours later. Just to be sure they're good, we got 2 more cupcakes to bring home. I went for a cappuccino across the aisle while my kids had their cupcakes. As I waited in line, a woman offered me a sample of banana and walnut gelato. Unreal! Made me want to take a scoop of it and drop it into the coffee cup. I can go on and on about the various imported cheese, the walk-in wine refrigerator section, the massive meat and dairy section, and the various ethnic products in the aisles, but my review would be too long. It was our second trip of the day, since my wife found it earlier and insisted I come out with her for a more extensive exploration. We came out with $50 of all sorts of unique goodies the local stores by me don't carry. While it's a bit far to be my once-a-week grocery store, I can see this being our special once a month trip for reasonably priced, unique and exotic products no other place carries. read more

Got a roasted chicken that was the size of a Cornish hen. I couldn't see it through the steam and my family was left hungry after I fed them this dinner. Charge less for small chickens or don't sell them! Employees were nice enough. Clientele is usually the bummer here. read more

One of my favorite grocery experiences for the following facts: Aside from Whole Foods in Lincoln Park (where I hope to meet my wife/ live/get married/raise our children/die), I have never been to another store that extends as much customer service. During one visit it began to rain. They had one of their staff outside with an umbrella ready to help umbrella-less shoppers to their cars. There is a little water bowl for pets outside by the carts. There is a piano player on weekends. The lunch meat and produce are the items to grab to save some cash. Their other offerings are standard grocery prices, which is offset by the other services they extend. read more

They had a piano player serenading us on a very nice piano when we walked in. My immediate thought was "A piano at a grocery store--I don't belong here." I should have known better than to go to a grocery store on a Saturday but I had just moved and I was desperate. The parking lot was packed and I had to improvise on my parking spot a bit. Hello Snowbank. The store was busy but not too bad. I just needed a few things and didn't have much trouble finding them. They have lots of samples and even samples of alcohol which I thought was very strange. The aisles are nice and wide so two carts can fit with no problem. You can definitely tell that this is a new store. I would love to go back and check out the awesome bakery section and prepared food section. I've heard people rave about the meals they get at Mariano's so I am intrigued. Price-wise I'm not sure Mariano's will be a regular stop in my grocery store shopping. People have tried to tell me that Mariano's is like the affordable version of Whole Foods and I would agree that's it is more reasonably priced than Whole Paycheck but "affordable" is not accurate. Maybe I've been shopping too much at Garden Fresh Market and Aldi but my Mariano's bill was too high to become a regular grocery in my grocery shopping rotation. I definitely think it will be a "treat" trip like Whole Food, Trader Joe's and Fresh Market currently are for me. read more

Ode to Mariano's: Oh Mariano's with your offerings so fine, If not for weekend traffic, your delicious breads and salad bar would be all mine. Your produce and your meat counter really do impress, The cornucopia of affordable cheeses and seafood never look a mess. While I loathe you on a Saturday and even on a Sunday, I promise to visit often, even if just to grab a lovely bouquet. read more

The concept of Mariano's is great and it was the right "next step" needed in the area to bridge the Trader Joes and Whole Foods folks with the Jewel and Dominick's folks. I mainly shopped in the Hoffman store which didn't seem to be as packed and seemed to have less rude and arrogant patrons, however it did have the same issues with produce and other fresh product that were expiring within a day or so of purchase or looking kind ruff while for sale. The quality is just not there. During my one and only (and last) trek to the AH store, I was hit by carts with kids numerous times - all of which were humorous to the ones hitting me. All was well until I really got clobbered in a half surgically repaired leg that is no longer repaired thanks to the arrogant lady with the short dark slick hair with the kids in the red cart. Yeah, that was me falling in pain. Thanks a lot for killing the las 9 months of surgery and rehab so you could cut in line with your rude, obnoxious kids! After a 3 month transition from Whole Foods to Marianos, I am switching back. The quality of the products are way better, the coupons they offer work (Marianos coupons that go on the rewards card never work - I've sent emails and asked for help numerous times at the store) and above all else the customer service is light years better at Whole Foods. I'd rather reallocate my budget for Whole Food than to put up with this other crazy stuff at Mariano's. Plus, I've never had a surgically repaired leg get blown at a Whole Foods either as their patrons are a little more low key... read more

I reviewed the one in Palatine too, and this one is basically the same. That being said, it is really enjoyable to shop here (provided there aren't a bazillion other people with the same idea). If I wasn't so rooted in Jewel-Osco, this would be my go-to grocery store. The produce section isn't huge, but it's expansive. There are bulk items also which I find to be rare in grocery stores nowadays. The deli is tops and they have great pre-made items as well. I've never really enjoyed the selection from delis in terms of pre-made items (think chicken, pastas, etc.) but this stuff looks good. The bakery is one of my favorite places. They sell bread by the pound (I must be dreaming - sometimes you just don't want (read: can't have) a whole bag of bread lying around). The ready-to-purchase cakes and cupcakes are decorated SO nicely. Not in the typical roses/balloons/buttercream decorations you'll find at a typical grocery store. These guys know what they're doing. Plus, all the other stuff in the cases looks incredible. I have to walk really quickly when going past this area. The meat department has things I haven't seen outside of a butcher shop. Nice goin'. Their cheese area also makes me swoon, so basically I have to just run really fast from the entrance until I get to the wine. So, there's another trouble area. The rest of the store is wonderful too. The aisles have all of your favorites, and some new things to try. Two more things - the staff is really friendly and professional, and they wear black slacks with a white button up shirt. Keeping it classy, Mariano's! And, to top it all off, there's a live piano player right there at the end of the checkouts. And he smiled at me. I've still got it. So, there you go. 5 stars all the way. read more

I am super obsessed with Mariano's. I would go there every day if I could. It is a great addition to the Arlington Heights community and is different than other grocery stores in the area. Things I Love: 1. Free samples- No matter what time of day you go, they are always handing out samples for you to try. Bread, sushi (yum!), pasta salad from their deli area, cheese, frozen foods, frosting and graham crackers, etc. You name it, they've probably had a sample of it! At the front of the store, there's a stove/oven and you can sample recipes such as potatoes au gratin, pineapple with coconut topping, and honey lime glazed carrots. They have the recipes printed out so you can take it with you if you like what you tried. 2. Bakery/deli/pizzeria/salad bar area- There are TONS of pre-prepared foods for you to buy and most of them are reasonable prices. It seems like some of the items in the bakery are over priced, but they sure are delicious. There is a really wide variety of soups and they have my favorite- lobster bisque. I could write an entire review based on that soup. The best part is the small dining area they have. You could go there for lunch or dinner and actually eat inside the store. They have a patio that is opened during the warmer months. There is also complimentary water available so you don't need to purchase a drink. 3. If you buy meat from the butcher, they will cook it for you in the store. 4. Prices. From what I've seen, Mariano's has cheaper prices on almost everything when compared to Jewel. Lean Cuisines (something frequently eaten in my house) go on sale all the time for $2.00. When they're on sale at Jewel, only certain varieties are $2.00 and normally priced, they can run around $3.50-$4.00 (Jewel). 5. CUSTOMER SERVICE. Mariano's has amazing customer service, which is what keeps me coming back time and time again. There are always plenty of employees around to assist you, plenty of check out lanes open, and to top it all off, the employees are all very nice! We had an issue at my last visit where something didn't ring up the correct price. We went over to customer service and had zero issues fixing the problem. The woman who resolved our issue was very polite and ended up giving us our item for free instead of at the discounted price. Customer service, whether good or bad, is something people will always remember. I highly recommend checking out the Arlington Heights Mariano's. You won't regret it! read more