I was looking for a specific oil and this place popped up during my search. I was not aware it existed but this little shop has a large variety of flavored olive oils and vinegars. The two ladies helping us were nice and knowledgeable and offered suggestions. You are able to taste the items before purchasing and the oils and vinegars can be purchased in various sizes. Highly recommend . read more

Old Town Oil - Specialty Food Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Can taste anything before you buy it. My personal favorites are the aged balsamic, pomegranate balsamic and lemon balsamic. I don't use a lot of the upscale olive oils, so I like to try a new one every time I go. Do NOT miss going down the street to the Spice House - the SH actually talked them into opening in Evanston because they were familiar with them from Old Town. Review their websites before you go, and I still guarantee that you will need a lot of browsing time in both stores. read more

Hip, hip HOORAY! I didn't even know a place like this existed until I happened upon one in Geneva IL while attending a training seminar in the area. Since Geneva is a wee bit far for me, I was so psyched when I was meeting friends for breakfast nearby and walked right past this place! I'm on a health kick and eating tons of salads lately. Let me just tell you -once you try one of the flavored balsamics with a touch of olive oil you will never again want to eat crappy, fake, processed dressing. I met Susan, who was sweet as pie and she got my order all wrapped up! This place is so cool! Now that I have one so close, I need to really start to explore and figure what other recipes I can make with these delicious oils and balsamics! Yum! read more

Terrific Old Town balsamic vinegar accompanied by condescending lecture on recycling. I have been in this store several times. The balsamic is terrific and the staff is usually very knowledgeable and helpful. If I did not already know that, I would not return after my encounter with the person minding the store yesterday. I simply asked for a bottle of vinegar, and got a lecture about returning the bottles for reuse. I explained that I still had some in the bottle I already have. She proceeds to wrap the vinegar in a lot of tissue, put it in a bag, insert a flyer on the store, THEN deliver a lecture about not getting a receipt because it isn't recyclable! Seriously? Then don't give me all the rest of that paper that I did not need. What's really funny - before I got to the store, I had already dropped off stuff at 2 recycling centers and donated books to the library sale. So, great product delivered by person with ego-driven personal agenda. There are other stores. read more

I have stopped in here several times over the past year or so. Somehow, I forgot to write a review. So, here we are, right here and right now. There are several things I like about this shop. The help is friendly and knowledgeable. The merchandise is delightful, and it is just down the street from The Spice House. They go hand in hand when it comes to doing fancy schmantzy cooking. This shop is convenient for anyone on the north side of the city or in Evanston or Wilmette. It is located in a cute little shopping area and I have never had trouble finding parking. I am surprised at all the uses I have found for infused oils and vinegars. Between places like this and The Spice House, my cooking ability and creativity has really expanded over the past few years. read more

Love this place! We go there quiet frequently, to replenish our stock. Our favorite oils are Tuscan herb, lemon and Rosemary. They highly enhance flavors of our foods, I don't cook without them! They are great purchases for gifts as well, which they always love! Thank you Old Town Oil for being in my neighborhood of Evanston. read more

This shop is only about a block away from The Spice House on Central, so I walked on over while my companions headed to a local apothecary. (That's what they called it; I have no idea...) I was really impressed with the place. It's neat and clean looking, with banks of oil and vinegar casks along the walls. Each one has a tasting station where you can dispense a bit of oil or vinegar into a little paper cup and see if you like the flavors. I went right for the Meyer lemon oil which was absolutely gorgeous with a delicate flavor and perfume. The owner (?) came over to help, and we chatted a bit about the oils, and about Meyer lemons while she filled a bottle for me. I was thrilled to find that they bottle the oil on demand and give you a discount if you bring them back for refills. High points for a more eco-friendly approach. Then, in spite of not really wanting to spend any more money, I decided I wanted to try the chocolate balsamic vinegar, and was instantly hooked. It's intense and chocolatey, and I'm sure it'll be heaven on strawberries. The owner suggested bananas as well, and then she mixed the balsamic with the Meyer oil in a cup and let me try it. That's going to make some amazing fruit salad vinaigrette dressing! Because we'd been talking about what I'd bought at The Spice House -- powdered ancho and guajillo pepper -- on the way out she let me try some chipotle oil. Again, I was very impressed. I don't tend to like smokey flavors, but the oil mellowed the rough edges of the smoke so that it was really attractive. It would have made a fantastic dipping sauce with a sprinkle of the vulcan fire salt from The Spice House. The owner is friendly and knowledgeable, and there was never a heavy sales pitch. She clearly loved what she was selling and liked to talk about it with her customers. I really respect that. Go and try some of the oils and vinegars; I think you'll find that there are some amazing choices to be had. read more

The oil is pretty decent albeit overpriced. The woman who manages this store is terrible -- especially if you have kids. She made me feel uncomfortable with her treatment towards a dad and two kids. Not only was she not welcoming to me but she repeatedly rolled her eyes at them and completely ignored them. Upon checkout she tried to ring my up first when they were clearly ready and waiting. I told her they were there first and got an eye roll myself. Kinda made me feel proud. What an ass! read more

I stopped in here after picking up my suitcase from a local repair shop, and I was on my way to catch a Metra train back into the city. I was glad to find someplace that had the kind of decent olive oil and balsamic vinagrete that one would find in Europe, without having to fight for parking in Old Town. The shopkeeper was able to recommend an oil and vinegar and wrap it up quickly so I could still catch my train. The only downside is it's a little spendy, but since it is hard to find oil this good in Chicago, it's worth it. read more