The food is a constant reminder of the time growing up in Romania, at a better quality level and no long lines of waiting or rationing (some of you know 1st hand). Never disappointed yet. Their "mici' are delicious as we get them for many events: business outings, church picnics and family events. Thank you and keep up the good work. read more

I had a fantastic experience at Sara Valle Meat Market on the corner of Laramie and Lockwood in Chicago. The owner is incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about their products. They make their own bread, sausages, and pork belly, and offer some of the best Hungarian and Romanian products. Their fresh and frozen mititei are a must-try! These are the kind of stores that are rare nowadays. It gives you the real old world feeling of care and that you're not just a number in the endless row of customers but a real human being carrying out a real conversation with the owner who put his life in this business. If I could give six stars I would. Highly recommend. read more

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Personnel ok. The products on shelf is ok with satisfactory prices but the deli products way to expensive and some poor quality. Also the traditional mici are weighed after frozen so it comes heavier than more pricey. A loaf of bread medium size became $15 dollars from $6 and $10 previous year ! read more

Hadn't been to Saravale in 14 years and I was excited to see that remodeling had occurred! The 'new' owner has put a lot of hard work into this place. Very pleased with the storefront appearance; well-lit and with plenty of food on display. The manager was extremely helpful and patient, as I am know little about the Romanian culinary experience. She was so helpful! So, how were the sausages??? THe mititei lamb and beef sausages that I purchased were positively INCREDIBLE! They grilled up to the perfect texture and oh SO filled with garlicky goodness. I also was fortunate enough to try the larger gauge, fresh 'Transylvanian' pork sausages. Some of the best tasting pork sausages that I can remember; like a more-flavorful bratwurst. I grilled up a ton of the stuff and had celebrated with a storm of delicious Romanian sausages. I love Saravale! read more

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I found zacusca (a veggie spread made with, among other things, the wildly popular gogoșari pepper), several types of Romanian jam, some really good Bulgarian feta, slanina afumata (smoked and dried Romanian-style bacon) and some simply amazing Transylvanian sausage. Extremely friendly counter help throughout my little shopping expedition I can see why this outstanding food market stays so busy! read more

Amazing Romanian delights. Some of the best meats and treats you can find in the states.

Came in @90 minutes ago and picked up 2+lbs. of spicy Romanian sausage - came home and cooked it up with mashed potatoes, corn and a pint of porter; HOKEY SMOKES NATASHA!!! What outstanding sausage!!! I will definitely return! read more

I spent two years in the Peace Corps in Romania and I got back a few months ago. I was missing Romania so I decided to do a search for shops here in Chicago with Romanian produce. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted in Romanian which about made us cry because of how much we missed that hospitality. I purchased some smoked Transylvanian sausages, goat's cheese, catabosi, zacusca, and slanina, all for right around 20 dollars. We were also given a package of mici which we promptly went home and grilled up later that night. They were also willing to point us in the direction to where we could buy some Romanian beer and wine. So far, everything I have eaten from there has been great, and a taste of my second home in Romania. read more

Had to stop by here last night - we were walking past & my daughter was insistent that we stop in based upon the delicious smells alone. We picked up some sausage along with some goat cheese & pasta. The sausage was absolutely delicious - I'm not certain what types of spices they use, but it is extremely unique. The woman behind the counter was sweet as can be and extremely helpful. The selection is limited, however well worth a stop by for a weekend bbq. read more

This is a great store with authentic Romanian food. Everything tasted excellent! So happy that there's a place in Chicago where we can find food just like home. I highly recommend Saravale Meat Market! read more

The best place to get Romanian traditional products. A gem in the city.

Saravale's is a Romanian meat market and deli owned by some of the nicest people you can imagine. I stopped in here in hope of finding a quart of milk and I walked out with three tins of pate and six sausages. How did that happen? Well there wasn't any milk, but I'm the sort of person who likes to look around a bit once I'm in, and I was intrigued by all the sausages in the case. I was told that they were all made on the premises, which is frequently a very good sign. Unfortunately I had no idea what any of them were, and wasn't too keen on just taking a wild stab at buying, oh, a pound of this or half a pound of that, and finding that I HATED all of it. But I did find some little tins of pate on one of the counters, and they were inexpensive and looked like something I might enjoy, so I bought one each of the chicken, pork and tuna. (So far I can say the chicken was a disappointment, but not a huge one.) While I was paying for them, one of the owners said "Do you have a grill?" "Yes," I said. "I want you to try something," she said, and proceeded to bring out a package of sausages which she GAVE me. Seriously, just put them into my bag and said "I think you'll like these." This never happens, right? Then another customer said "Oh those are great, you'll love them." So that night we grilled them up and I have to say that they were really good. I don't know what they're called but they were garlicky and spicy, and not greasy. I'm seriously thinking about walking back up there and getting more for this weekend. Or maybe trying something else. Whatever. The point here is that the quality is high, the people are lovely and the prices are very reasonable even when they're not giving away samples. Yet another small, local, ethnic food store that really should be better known. read more

I learned of Saravale's Meat Market a number of years ago. They have the best Romanian sausage I can find perhaps outside of Romania. Within Romania as well for that matter, although I've never been there. I am second generation American/ Romanian and grew up eating Carnati & Caltabos. My mother was raised in the Chicago Romanian community. After my folks passed I spent years searching for the Romanian foods I loved. Hail Saravale's! Each year I make a 340 mile one way pilgrimage to procure their sausages. Thank you Saravale's you are the best. read more

Authentic Romanian Food. Made by the owners themselves. The meat that they gave you is called Mici, pronounced "meech" rhymes with teach. We travel over 200 miles just to come and get there amazing food. Like today, for example, about to hop in the car and drive from the Northern Wisconsin just to go to the Saravale Meat Market in Chicago and then go back. Little extreme?...not for us. read more

Saravale is a taste of Romanian food at it best. From the time I walked in I felt right at home with the butcher greeting me from behind the counter. I was astonished at the wide selection of Romanian specialties ranging from a wide variety of sausages to a number of other carnivores delights. But what surprised me most was, the butcher telling me the he made most of his good fresh on site. So If your looking a good and affordable Eastern European butcher or the best Mititei in the Chicago area I would recommend you give this place a shot! read more