FINALLY FOUND COLD SMOKED MACKEREL!!!!! Been seeing people eat it with potatoes and pickled onions, was so so happy this market had it. They have a large variety of snacks, produce, meats, etc but I can always count on finding the mackerel here. Parking is easy, nice customer service read more

Rich's Deli - Cold smoked mackerel - Delis Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Very good grocery store for Eastern European foods, the store is packaged with farmed cheese, herrings, jars from Lithuania, Poland and other countries. They have a good variety of spices and grains (buckwheat). Deli section has different kielbasa and kabanofs and much more! read more

Everything is sooooo delicious and I got very sweet service despite not knowing the language. My pastry was top notch, I wanted to cry. If you're pregnant you need to come here. read more

Rich's Deli - Crunchhhhhhh - Delis Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ukrainian Bodega! This little grocery store has some fantastic stuff! There's all kinds of pre-prepared foods here, and lots and lots of single beers. I came in and rang up my stuff- I said "Hello" in Russian. I was corrected- this is not a Russian grocer, it's a Ukranian grocer, and they say "Hello" differently. I was humbled- my bad! The shop is stacked to the ceiling with foreign sauces, dips, sodas, meal mixes- everything you can think of from eastern Europe. My favorite is the preprepared food- pierogis, ladkes, and pumpernickles. I came in and got a bunch of foreign beers from Soviet breakaway countries, and some Baltika Beer, along with some smoked Mackerel. I was in heaven. There's a park down the street where you can chow down on your goods from here. This deli isn't just a delicatessen where you get meat- they have all the dairy products, like the stranger stuff too - like keffir yogurts or Bulgarian yogurt. Their snack selection is strong too- love the sweets in unpronounceable packages. Really, this was a great place to get some beers- a deep selection of weird, foreign and strong beers at low, low prices. read more

Really great Ukrainian deli, lovely staff, lots of interesting meats, fresh made Pierogi (try the fruit ones), and tons of unique European products. They also get fresh bread from D'Amatos daily, which is amazing. read more

This is one of my favorite small grocery store.Small in size but well stacked, with fresh meats and tasty deli section.. I particularly like smoked Salmon & European style breads, always coming back for the Polish sweets and good selection of international wines. The meat counter always has great kabanosy and there is always a large selection of breads and Eastern European beer. Be sure to grab some kvass (it's hard to find, but they have at least 3 kinds!). Hands down the best fresh perogies in town! Yes, fresh not frozen! You get them at the deli counter. Their hot bar also has the best mashed potatoes that are cheaper than at the grocery store and 10x more flavorful. Great prices for deli meats and cheese with a nice selection of polish sausage. Homemade pierogi, just like mom my use to make! I also enjoy the homemade soups found in the back, a great bang for your dollar. Be patient, most employees are from Europe with an accent but they are super helpful. They also have some produce if you need to grab something quick. I really can't recommend this pace enough. It's *the* place to go to for all my Polish food needs. Their kielbasa and kabanos cannot be beat! Excellent hams in the deli, Polish and Ukrainian package and baked goods of every description, and a good selection of beers and liquor. read more

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So authentic they dont speak much english, but the food is awesome. Def a go to when you want homemade pierogi and various polish meats. Lots of reasonable snacks and did I mention pierogi? Limited parking, leave flashers on if you are lucky enough to get a space. read more

Since Andy's Deli closed this has become my convenient destination to stock up on eastern European specialties. The place isn't much to look at from the outside but they sure do cram in a lot of merchandise into the store almost to the point of being clausterphobic. The produce section is small but adequate for essentials. But one doesn't come here for the produce - I want the best Eastern Europe has to offer: smoked meat, alcohol, cheesecake and chocolate. Yum. In the chocolate aisle I recommend the Milka and Wedel chocolates. There's a cooler in back and my favorites from there are the mushroom salad and leek salad. They have assorted soups at 99 cents which vary day to day and may include some uncommon choices such as sorrel, cauliflower and Ukranian borscht. They bake their own bread but also have a selection from various bakeries. They carry a wide range of beers of imported beers (Polish, Ukranian, Russian, Czech, Lithuanian). A buck and some change will get you a half liter bottle. Go ahead, be adventurous. Pick a beer at random. The non beer offerings lean toward favorites of the eastern European clientele (vodkas, vermouth) and wines from the former Soviet republics. I understand 2008 was a good year for muscats from Moldova. The Armenian brandy ("cognac") is $14 per bottle. I noticed they have a refrigerator up front behind the counter with caviar in it but I've never been adventurous enough to try anything from it. At the deli counter, there are always plastic containers of whatever they cook up that day (pierogi, fried fish, blintzes). Recent finds: salmon pierogi, fried breaded eggplant, mushroom filled small pierogi (uszka) and leek salad. Four stars for the selection and prices plus an extra star for the people watching and general sensory overload of the place. Update: I always pop in to see what new beers they have. Latest find was Obolon Bile, a Ukrainian beer which is not bitter as the name suggests but is actually a wheat beer. Also, Larine Grand, a Belgian beer, which despite coming in a green plastic bottle and costing 99 cents was acceptable.. read more

Rich's Deli - Delis Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This wonderful Polish grocery store and deli reminds me of how many stores used to be back in the day. An active and lively establishment that caterers to the working class people that stop in almost daily to pick up a few items for the family table.... It's not like a sanitized hospital environment that is so typical of today's American grocery scene.... This place permeates with authentic smells and fragrances that entices so many shoppers as they walk in the door. This place is busy and justifiably so. A wonderful array of items that one would not find at the local grocery chains, items imported from Poland, Ukraine and other Eastern European destinations.... Real food, much of it prepared right on the spot.... homemade soups... the borscht is great and inexpensive! Sausages ....fresh Polish and countless varieties of smoked as well. Fresh chicken and meats... ham... salads.... imported beers and spirits.... produce.... bakery items.... This is how we all used to shop long ago....in stores just like Rich's deli....! ...and to the amazement of many Americans, shopping in a smaller, local deli is often times much cheaper than buying overpriced items at Dominick's because our thinking of today leads us to believe that bigger stores offer the greatest bargains. Rich's Deli is very reasonably priced! Buy what you need and save! This gem of a store deserves the highest of recommendations! read more

This is an unassuming place I found because of yelp! I was in town with my mom and we needed to pick up a couple Polish things and the place we normally go to was closed. I looked up this place so we just came here. It looks like just another liquor store on the corner but inside it's a gem. First, the people are super nice... that doesn't always happen. The meats were all super fresh but also juicy. We were a little hesitant to buy too much because we've never shopped here before. They also carried different bread than we normally buy but it was fresh and very good! I'm pretty sure we'll end up coming back here in the future!! read more

Rich's is more than just a deli, it's where I shop weekly for delicious and fresh Polish, Lithuanian, and Ukrainian foods like canned and jarred vegetables, spreads, pickles, fish, jams, dried pastas, fresh fruits and vegetables, and some of the best smoked (in-season) salmon and trout around. They are a full-service market, also carrying bread, beer and liquor, deli items, teas, coffees, snacks and candy, eggs, milk, butter, etc. They even have a small selection of health and beauty items. They've been open throughout the lock-down and subsequent re-opening, and their prices are reasonable. Service is always friendly and efficient. read more

Fresh pierogi are really good! Also great sausages. Sometimes the produce is a little icky, and frozen things have been freezer burnt. Overall, it's great to have a Polish deli in the city with lots of good options. read more

Rich's Deli - Lunch made with ingredients from Rich's - Delis Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Their pickled tomatoes are amazing!!!! We always stick up on them! Also they are clean and have a good variety of fresh produce

This is a true ethnic grocery with lots of delicious Polish products at very reasonable prices. The do have a deli counter as you might expect, but we didn't try it. Considering we mostly heard Polish being spoken, I trust the authenticity here. We bought a bunch of good (and cheap) mustards and cabbage products. They were all delicious. The staff was very polite and helpful, too! read more

Average Eastern European grocery store in Ukrainian village Chicago. I just wish they had more Ukrainian products.

Rich's has cheap beer! My boyfriend loves to stop by and buy a few singles of Eastern European beers some for under $1.50 each! If you need a fix and don't have much money, or you want to try new brews, grab some change from the couch cushions or your piggy bank and come to Rich's! read more

Rich's Deli serves up a lot of neat stuff, not the least of which is people watching. I am fascinated by Eastern Europeans. Their bone structure, especially a certain region I cannot identify is different, with strong, angular jaws and craniums built for resistance. Those wide set eyes with a look-right-through-you burn that says "survivor." Approaching the deli outside, you'll often see three or four men walking together, all smoking and gesturing, with throaty outbursts of passionate discourse. I don't know what they're saying, but I like to imagine a magnificent argument over the body politik and its exploitation of the working class. Oh hell, they're probably arguing over the right way to fix the freaking faucet, but it's the theatre of it all that counts. Anyway, the second you enter Rich's Deli, an authentic deli aroma grabs you and then evolves in stages as you move about the store. It's more than a grocery. It's a Polish deli, with a meat counter, produce, two full aisles of imported chocolates, cookies, etc. Local bakery breads and pastries, dairy products (with excellent prices!), wine, spirits, Eastern European delights ranging from Vodka, of course, to the Czar's tea to buckets of herring or some such fish (no signs in English here!) in the back. There's a foreign newspaper and magazine rack, bearing cover girls that are strong, gorgeous and self-assured. On the end of the next aisle are stacks and stacks of tuna-sized cans with fascinating labels, all mixed up together. Fish, fowl, beef---- I think, and on it goes... Rich's is pretty much an "if we don't have it you don't need it" deli serving the Eastern Blok immigrants of the Uke Village, and pathetic little westerners like me who speak one language. If I may digress on that point, my seventeen year old neighbor, a Ukrainian immigrant who came to the US when he was seven years old speaks Ukrainian, Polish, and English fluently and studies French in school. He actually prefers to read novels in Polish, for heaven's sake. I love this kid. I love these people. It's important to try new things. I did, and now I can't seem to get out of Rich's without buying a bag of paprika-seasoned potato chips. Who'da thunk it? Yum! It's all there, two blocks north of Chicago Avenue on Western. Anyway, go for the chocolate, the pierogi, the Krakus ham, a four pound loaf of Baltic rye bigger than Papa's shoe, swing by the fish and pickle buckets, and grab a case of kefir. Above all, belly up to the bar, boys, and order up a tall bottle of sensory overload, cause the combined human experience of the patrons here is tonic enough to conquer an empire and live to tell about it. read more

I was on my way to Dominick's when it hit me, I want Polish food. And when I want Polish food, I want it made that day, fresh. So, I spun my little Polish dupa around and went straight to the source. The dried meats are great. I've never been let down by any of the prepared deli items. Cheese is something that I rarely purchase. Why? Cost. Here is something that I'd rather not share with the world, but I will because I love this place: They sell little containers of random cheeses. Basically, whatever might have been cut wrong or didn't make it into someone's placed order will make it into one of these containers. Same goes for the meats. Cheese for $2.19/lb? Yep. Meat for $1.99/lb? Yep. Considering that there isn't any food that I don't enjoy, the grab bag/box style deli mix is one of my favorite ways to score big for pennies. read more

I have been going here for over 10 years. In this time I have learned: - Get the Polonaise brand pickles in milky brine. The Polonaise brand in clear brine is very good too, and so are the milky non-Polonaise brand pickles, but Polonaise in milky brine is the ideal pickle. - Get the Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish beers, especially Okocim, Zywiec, and Baltika 7, 3, or, if you are feeling adventurous, 9 "for a good time." Do not get Balika 5 or 6. You will regret. - Obviously, there are separate aisles for the pickles, other pickled vegetables, and pickled mushrooms. - Fruit, vegetables, and deli meats and cheeses are very very good for the suspiciously low prices. If you're intimidated by the Polish and Ukrainian deli attendants, they mostly speak some English, and they can tell you don't speak Polish or Ukrainian, so just grunt and point at some sausages, and they'll take care of you. That's what they're expecting, and if you don't take advantage of the deli here, you're really missing out. - Polish and Ukrainian Birthday cards depicting a cappuccino cup full of glitter, and a grandfather clock full of glitter. - Beware, this place is periodically shut down by the city because it gets busted for selling liquor and cigarettes to minors. These days they're pretty careful about it, so maybe they won't have any more problems for a while. - I highly recommend a trip to the back left corner of the store where they sell the following out of self-serve large open barrels: house-made marinated Norwegian mackerel fillets, two types of pickles, and marinated mushrooms. If you value your life, do not eat this. - It's the best place for dark bread in the neighborhood, but if you're looking for fresh white bread, go to Ann's. - Cereals (buckwheat, millet, etc) and flax are sold here for 1/10th of the price you would find at American grocery and health food stores. - You can get the good version of the classic Nivea creme here- the kind made in Europe, not the made-in-Mexico you get in American stores. The European version has a completely different list of ingredients, and it's vastly superior. read more

I love Rich's! Mainly because they are awesome and close to my house. When I need my polish fix I just run right down the street. I laugh reading some of the reviews. I can't believe people are surprised by the amount of European foods. It says right out side that it is a European deli. Moving on their peirogies, dumplings (potato fingers), potato pancakes, and the deli meats are all delish. They even sell some hot in the morning time. If you like the dumplings you must go early because they don't make them all day and once they are sold out you have to wait till the next day to get them. I love this place. Bardzo dobre! :) read more

A hidden gem! A coworker suggested we get lunch here and WOW I am glad we did. The store itself was great, I loved seeing the different kids of products they sold. I ordered the stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes, and cheese pierogi's to share with my coworker. Upon eating a pierogi, I claimed loudly that i wanted to marry these pierogis and spend the rest of my life with them. The stuffed cabbage was incredible as well. Will return and feast again! read more

I have been shopping at the store for 15 years at least once a week. I buy ful shopping for a week and everybody knows me by name. One day I came in and a new girl put my soups in a single bag. when I took them out of the car bag broke and all the soup spilled. I brought it back. a service girl yelled at me and then a manager continued to yell at me saying that it was my fault. I should off have tell her how to pack my groceries and they would not replace the soups. absolutely shocked and puzzled! They just lost a good loyal customers for $1.50 per soup. terrible terrible business read more

Busy, great selection, and we were the only non-Polish speakers in the place. After enjoying several Polish treats that one of our doorpeople brought us from Rich's, we stopped by this store and deli to check it out ourselves. From the outside I thought we'd made a mistake. But inside the delicious smells of the cooked meats immediately told me we'd come to a good place. It's crowded, with narrow aisle and shelves of normal groceries mixed in with unusual European imports. When you explore you discover they punched through the wall next door and actually have two rooms full of food. In one back corner is a cooler filled with plastic containers of homemade soups and side dishes (and homemade lard!). At the counter up front are displayed all the meats, sausages, cheeses, potato items, and more items, which I have no idea what they were and couldn't tell from the handmade signs in Polish. We brought home some delicious bean soup (butter beans, potatoes, some veggies, and a bit of smoked ham). Plus pumpernickel bread, pickled beets, sauerkraut, and red cabbage. All as tasty as we hoped they'd be. The soup and full meal dishes make this a great alternative for picking up a homemade Polish dinner if you have reason to be anywhere near Chicago and Western. read more

I don't come here often, but when I do, I make sure I get some ethnic favorites. While it's in the confines of Ukrainian Village, this store has fruit juice from Poland and Lithuania, Russian mushrooms and seafood, Bulgarian stewed tomatoes, and an assortment of Eastern European food products. The girl working the deli understood me when I spoke to her in Ukrainian. Right after me, someone else requested something in Russian and took care of him too. There were some Polish people shopping as well. I got me a kiszka - barley sausage, a childhood favorite of mine. I also picked up some home-made pierogies with potatoes and some with sauerkraut. I also got a bar of halvah, something my wife and kids don't particularly enjoy, but it too was a part of my childhood snacking. This place is worthy of a visit and it's a lot bigger inside than it seems from the rather modest street corner entrance. While most regular grocery items are somewhat pricy, the specialty imports are reasonably priced and the main reason to shop here. read more

This is a great place with a great selection of fresh produce and cheap (and excellent) import beer. It is also within walking distance from my place so I double love it. But don't go in there after you've had a bad day because the people that work there will send you over the edge! The employees are MIND BLOWINGLY mean and their vibe is just bad, bad, bad. Call me crazy, but I think this treatment is worse if your American. I made the mistake of speaking english the first time I went in there--I think the exact word I used was "sorry" and I will never forget the glare I got from the old man mopping the floor right before he said "I DONT SPEAK ENGLISH!!" From then on, I only speak in Italian when I go in there --which they still don't understand-- but at least they are only moderately rude when I say "spiacente." read more

I shopped here every week or two for three years. A good go-to place for yogurt, all kinds of pork sausage (lots and lots of Pork), and a small selection of fruit and vegetables. This is a good place to get cold beer! They have a solid selection of Polish beers in the cooler as well as some Russian and Ukrainian beer. Going to a party and want to bring stuff no one has had - this is a good place. Or, got a Polish uncle who likes his brand - chances are they have it on ice. They have a solid selection of spring water, and a freezer section full of Polish and Russian pasta and other foods. The cheeses and oddities like pimento mayo are pretty darned good. I also like that they make fresh bread here daily. I am talking about rolls, and they make these great little triangle "health" rolls with nuts, and other good stuff in them. I saw these everywhere in Germany and Austria, but was always happy to see them here. Good corner store with a Polish and Ukrainian focus. read more

My friends and I were a bit skeptical to head inside this "Deli" from across the street. Rich's Deli is more of a Eastern European grocery store. They have snacks, and meat, and so many different items. However, I couldn't read most of it since it was all in some foreign language. We spent a while just wandering around the grocery store, checking out the different items they had. In the end, we decided to share some cheese and potato pierogis. We tried to ask if we could get them heated up, but had to go through 2 people since of limited English-speaking ability. That's when you know a place is authentic! But yes, we did get them heated. The pierogis were well-priced at $4.35 for around 15. At the pierogi wagon, a food truck near UChicago, pierogis are 4 for $6 and 6 for $8. If you're looking for something you ate growing up, or want to try something new, head to Rich's. read more

This is a place owned by Ukranians, and therefore a good chance by the Mafia - so for your own sake, be nice to everyone there. I was always smiling at everyone. As far as the produce - the smoked fish is yummers, and there is a large selection of imported hams and russian salami. Service - everyone speaks to you in Ukranian assuming that if you're white you must be Ukranian too! Don't expect a "thank you" after you pay either. read more

I passed by here many, many times and never really noticed this place. I always thought it was a liquor store... It's not much to look at on the outside, and the corner lot makes it look a lot smaller than it really is. The deli selections here were amazing to look at... Tons and tons of cheeses, deli meats, red meats, and TONSSSSSSSSSSSS of sausages that I don't have any clue what they are. They carry a lot of pre-packaged cheeses in addition to those at the deli counter (though no Mexican cheese in this eastern Euro market!)... It doesn't seem like anyone behind the deli counter really speaks English when I'm there. there's a fridge of cheap soups they've made, a barrel of pickles they made... there's a meat freezer with a variety of things in it--everything from ducks to turkeys to shrimp. the produce selection isn't as good as what other small markets nearby have. They do have a variety of liquor and wines though the selection is really limited. They have a baked goods section, candy aisle, and an ice cream freezer. Prices were good on some things, OK on others, and a lot higher than the big guys on a few staple items ($5 for a jar of mayo). No kosher/pickling salt! The place was packed at 6pm... And there were more than a few really, really attractive patrons. read more

I absolutely love Rich's deli. They have everything, alcohol, lottery, produce, candy, pickles, pickles, pickles, SAUSAGES, staff who are friendly after your gracious effort, ben and jerry's ice cream, various flavors of juice, SAUSAGES, cleaning supplies, frozen section for fish and lots of action. If you haven't been there yet and live in the neighborhood, check it out. read more

Rich's Deli may be my favorite thing about Ukrainian Village. Cheap produce (including 10 for $1 limes), intriguing food imported from eastern europe, and a fantastic selection of ready-made eastern european delicacies. Every time I come here, I bring home a couple of their homemade soups, which are located in a cooler in the back right corner of the store. I've tried the Ukrainian borscht made with beet juice, the sauerkraut soup (fab!), the tomato and macaroni, and a few others. At around $1 for a huge serving, it is a great deal. Buy a half-loaf of seedy euro bread and you've got a great meal. However, the best thing about Rich's is the ready-made meals. Go on a weekend for the best selection of pierogies, stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes, and a ton of other amazing offerings placed on top of the deli case. The pierogies are fantastic! I've tried the beef and the potato and cheese, and can't wait to try all the other types. The stuffed cabbage is also amazing. This place makes me want to move to Kiev, stat... read more

Radyj,shcho maemo svij gastronom.

I just decided this was the best store ever because not only is it WAY cheaper than Dominick's, it also carries an extensive assortment of Kinder and Milka brand chocolate. I bought some pierogies which look totally good, and the deli looks and smells really good. I plan on visiting often. The reason I am giving 5 stars instead of 4 is because they have 3 kinds of Breyer's ice cream, one of which is cookies and cream. It's cookies and cream, not OREO cookies and cream, which is usually what every place carries. They seem to have a pretty extensive collection of polish and other eastern European beer, and the baked stuff looked tasty. read more

I need to have someone who speaks Polish come here with me. I think I just ate a raw sausage. I'm pretty sure this place is cool if you know what the hell you have purchased. I wanted to ask the deli, but when I asked for a fork I got a blank stare. Please message me if you know what the hell anything in here is. read more

Oh, Pam. There you go again, beating me to review all my favorite neighborhood places. It's okay. I completely agree with you on all your social insights. And now, onto what I, personally, like best at Rich's Delicatessen and Liquor Store. -the name, of course. -the bin of vaccuumed sealed smoked mackerel and Canadian bacon surrounded by farmer's cheeses and open air pickles. -the .99 cent soups. Borscht, cauliflower, vegetable... don't deny it. It's not scary. -the deli. all those counter ladies dislike me, but I persevere. It's cheap cheap cheap and delicious. -the counter girls. especially when they all wear tight sparkle plastered t-shirts. -walking home with grocery bags. ..I think that's enough. Five stars. read more

If you are looking to shop for your average American diet, there are certain things you won't find here like peanut butter and cereal. It can be disappointing to buy a bottle of what looks like ketchup or yogurt only to get home and find that the Eastern European version of these things is not as appetizing. However, if you are looking for specialty foods there is an amazing selection of reasonably priced things to try. They have an entire isle just for chocolate and a surprisingly large amount of honey, noodles, pickles, and cheeses to choose from. Fresh bread, and homemade soups, perogies, and pizzas. Big wooden tubs of sour crout, and pickles. Did I mention cheap beer? Cheap beer. Most of them I've never heard of. I like to try something different every time. You can't miss the heavenly hazelnut Kindler chocolate for $1.00 staring at you directly in front of the register. Gigantic jars of Neutella... Need I say more? read more

It's fun trying to decipher and interpret a foreign language if you have time to kill, the juice bottles and spice packets are a great start. You can pick up a fulfilling lunch at Rich's that is probably way healthier and cheaper than nearby king burger but you'll need extra time to reheat. Actually no, reheating not always necessary, because you can always order a submarine. They have fresh perogies at the deli but I wouldn't recommend microwaving them as I once did in a rush. My Ukrainian coworker informed me that the proper way to cook is to slightly fry then dip in sour cream. Minced pork perogies over rule potato for sure. The soups are really good too, fresh basic ingredients. I really dig the shroom soup. I was a bit reluctant to try the soups that listed "gruel" as an ingredient, but don't knock it till you try it...if you dare. jk. Those little mulit-colored jelly filled empanadas drenched in powdered sugar are delish also. Plus, there is a wide foreign selection of candy, wine, and coffee that I have yet to try. The lines can be long at times, so if you're in a rush, expect to wait or buy your lunch elsewhere. read more

Cheap, delicious, Cutthroat! Pay attention and get great deals don't pay attention and pay $5 for a cauliflower. If you look at all eastern european expect everyone to speak polish to you and be confused if you can't back. Buy some things you've never tried before. Good luck figuring out how the lines work. Be prepared to defend your place in line with your life. Do not be fooled by the 80 oz. bottles of beer for 1.99.... They will punish you! read more

I'm currently seeking a Polish counterpart that might like to show me what everything is at the deli. I usually just stick to the things I can sort of guess at on the shelves. I'm admittedly a little intimidated when I'm in there as their employees are totally stone faced. Just by picking sorting through the shelves I've been turned on to a few new things. They've got about every form of herring in existence from those hangin' out in a chilled bucket to the cans, jars and vacuum sealed plastic. Homemade soups in the smaller refrigerator near the back along with good peirogis. Homemade breads and pastries are another highlight. Small produce section stocking just the basics. Oh and some interesting game in the frozen section...rabbits, quail, etc. read more

Though the exterior of Rich's doesn't look like anything special, it's a treasure trove of Eastern European eats. Rich's has a good variety of vegetables and fresh herbs. In the way of fruit they have several types of apples, oranges, grapefruit, and a changing selection of other fruits, in season, I suppose. Give yourself time to explore and read labels here -- you'll find some interesting treats. The deli has premade foods like pierogi, potato dumplings, breaded cutlets, sausages, smoked meats and fish (trout and salmon), and a variety of good quality cold cuts and cheeses. The bakery area, while rather small, has a wide selection of sliced breads (white, wheat, rye, challah, pumpernickel), cakes, cookies, and pastries. I usually spend at least 5 minutes perusing the cookie/candy isle trying to figure out what stuff is, then taking my chances with some random item. They carry canned meats and fish, and dried grains. Check out the back of the store for herring, smoked pork belly (bacon!) yogurt, kefir, butter, and pickled items. I love all things pickled and Rich's takes care of me in that department -- they have pickled cukes, beets (sliced and whole and baby!), garlic, carrots, mushrooms, etc... and a huge array of different types of vegetable salads and spreads in jars. There are open barrels of pickled things in this area which I've avoided. Open barrels of food seem like a bad idea. AND yes cheap beer and the best soup in town for $1.29 per 1/2 lb. container. I've found the soup can be cut with water and is still plenty tasty (only did this because I don't like thick soup and the soups are kinda thick). My only complaint about Rich's is the juice selection-- all of them seem to be a "drink" and not 100% juice and some crazy combination. It's hard to find a good mixer for my Ukrainian vodka here. I haven't fully explored the booze options behind the counter, mostly because there's always a long line. When I've asked questions about the booze I didn't get the sort of answers I wanted. I'd love it if they'd have a wine/booze tasting type of event so everyone with a Polish/Ukrainian booze curiosity like mine could finally be satisfied. p.s. if you visit on a Saturday bring your patience and be nice to the old ladies! Also parking is limited; best to avoid driving here. read more