This place is amazing! I had moved back to the suburbs a few years ago and totally forgot this place had existed. After hitching a ride with my neighbor to try some seafood soup another neighbor of ours recommended I was blown away. The freshly prepared food is actually fresh and tastes really good. Like you can't make it better at home good. All the produce and meats look very fresh as well. I have deep regrets about not going here sooner. This place is leagues above the other grocery store chains. They really truly care here. read more

I like shopping at Sunset for the variety of items they have. Their every day prices might be a little high, but they do have good sales if you check out their weekly sales ad and daily deals on their website. I don't get everything from here, but I do love their bakery and deli. I always like to see the different items they have, and I really like that they stock bakery items from local bakeries. I love that they have Do-rite donuts ($2.39 each) daily and that no matter what time I stop in, the donuts are always soft and fresh. They do usually have a few gluten-free on hand too. They also have items from their own bakery such as danishes, muffins, scones (from Hot Cakes Bakery in Northbrook) and croissants, etc. I get the croissants often and they are really good. The bagels are also another reason I stop in. I believe they are from 'Once Upon a Bagel' bagel shop. They are soft and fluffy and fresh daily for $1.25. They carry the standard flavors - Plain, Wheat, Egg, Everything, Cinnamon Raisin, Chocolate Chip, Sesame, Poppy, Pumpernickel, Corn Rye and Onion. They also have bialys which are also great. They have cheesecake slices from the Cheesecake Factory and various Palermo bakery cake slices and desserts. I've seen them stock things from other bakeries such as the Baking Institute, Carol's Cookies, Leonard's Bakery, Sweet Thing Bake Shop, Killer Brownie and others that I can't remember the name of. Their own bakery makes very good cakes too - we've gotten a lamb cake for Easter as well as other various cakes and coffee cakes and everything has been good. They have a very good deli selection with a lot of prepared foods. If you were hungry and wanted something quick, there are a lot of foods available you can grab. You can get soup, hot bar, sushi - which is some of the best grocery store sushi (they make it there), salads, sandwiches and lots of other miscellaneous foods. They also have some deli meats packaged so you don't have to wait in the deli line. They also have a really nice selection of precut fruits and vegetables for convenience. This review is already a lot longer than I intended, so I'll wrap it up here, but it's overall a great store in the area. The workers have always been friendly and I always find something that I don't see everywhere else which keeps me coming back to discover new things. And can't refuse the complimentary coffee on the way out! read more

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Beautiful selection of meats and produce. Available are items to serve from one person to a crowd. Many good homemade soups and bakery, lots of frozen selections. Flowers, liquor, party needs, and exceptionally nice salespeople. Delivery is a great option. A class store. read more

It used to have a great fish department. This summer we have been extremely disappointed with the fish we buy there. Their fish is very expensive and for the price, we expect it to be good... but this summer it's not good and it's very frustrating. They also don't have the Stella Quatro cheese anymore. I don't understand why they can't offer their version of Quatro cheese if they can't get it from Stella. read more

A cool smaller grocery store with great items. The egg salad in the deli is great. It's not a specialty store but one can find anything they need there. I like the feeling that people care about the store's appearance and how it feels, which is cozy. I shop here whenever I'm in the area. Even sometimes when I'm not. read more

I've been coming here for years and just wanted to leave a note because the service is always consistently kind and the quality is exactly what you want for weeknight staples. They carry so many great local items, and the prepared foods section is genuinely reliable. It's not flashy -- just dependable and pleasant. read more

Hidden gems with the grill by the check out. Amazing smashed burgers and fries! Also quite affordable.

(3.5) ~ good overall neighborhood grocery store. It should have most conventional items you are looking for. My only suggestion would be more "organic" options. read more

I shop here every so often as I work in the area. What I do enjoy the most is the food court area, I think it's called the Northbrook Grill. I have had a couple of their wraps and they have always been delicious!! My favorite is the Chicken Caesar wrap! It was really big and I honestly couldn't finish the last couple of bites! The crew who cooks is very friendly and I ended up in conversation about movies with them as I ordered my chow. Very personable and engaging! One time I was expecting a small group for a meeting and they helped me pull chairs and a table together to accommodate the attendees. Once I inquired about where I could get some coffee and they pointed me to the coffee station - it's free!! I was expecting to pay a few bucks for a cup but it was on the house! Granted it was a small styrofoam cup, but that was a-ok in my book. This is a great store and community partner. Keep up the great work Sunset! read more

I have been going to Sunset Foods in Northbrook for decades. I used to go there 3 times a week so that the seafood and meats I bought would not need to be re-frozen. After we moved to the other side of the same town, and then later the pandemic hit, I don't go so often anymore. Their prices are usually higher than the other newer and bigger grocery stores, but I still go for their seafood, meats, and some other things. Yesterday was the day that I checked in with Yelp and was ready to write Sunset Foods in Northbrook a review after so many visits, however, if I base the review on yesterday's experience, I would have given it one star (or no star if I could)! They had set up a new self-checkout area last Spring, and I love using self-checkout. Why? I prefer fewer numbers of hands touching my merchandise, especially the cashiers' hands that have constantly handled money and credit cards from customers in the pandemic. They have a "15 items limit" sign at the self-checkout, but whenever I went, the whole area was never busy, and I have never seen a line. I had gone over 15 items before, but it was never a problem until yesterday! The self-checkout was also basically empty, with only 1 out of 5 stations being used, so I thought it would not bother anyone, and went ahead to use the self-checkout even though this time I had more than 15 items. When I was all done and keying in my cell phone number to sign in their "loyalty program" (just one step before payment), an old man who had not worked at that area before came over to interrupt me. He told me in a stern manner that I would have to use a cashier next time! At that time, the whole self-checkout area was empty. (As a matter of fact, the whole store was not busy this evening). I answered him nicely, "Okay, no problems." That should have been the end to this incident. However, he said condescendingly, "It's not no problems, it's a big problem, we cannot have big orders here", then he went on to repeat himself that I would have to use a cashier next time, he repeated 5 to 6 times! He wanted me to go to his monitor to see, and then he came back to tell me that he needed to make sure that I had checked the orange juice. This was not acceptable to me, I had checked everything, they were all in bags, and the total was over $250, just the Chilean sea bass was already over $50, was I going to steal a $5 bottle of orange juice? No matter what I said, he argued back, and lied in my face that the area had five other people, was he seeing ghosts? Even though I hated to make a scene, I had to point out to him that this was not the way to treat their loyal customer, and he had been condescending to me. He said he wasn't. Phil (the name on his shirt), you are not the one to determine whether you are condescending or not, it's the person at the receiving end who feels the hurt and humiliation does the determination! And I told him that! I didn't understand why he wouldn't stop and continue to act like I have committed a crime or at least a huge mistake! (Hope that this was not because I am a petite Asian woman! It would have made it even more unacceptable!) I had to tell him to stop and not to waste my time! Before I left, I had reported briefly to Kathy at the Customer Service, she assured me that she would tell Charlie, the manager, who was not around at the time. Why do I still give Sunset Foods 3 stars? Because they have a 5-star seafood department that I keep returning to, and there are other professional and courteous staff there. Their seafood is better than most grocery stores, and they have a good variety. Luis, the department head, is always fun, super friendly, and very helpful. I knew him for many years. I can trust him so much that I just call him ahead of time to order the seafood that I want. Each time I regularly purchase Chilean sea bass, organic salmon, sea scallops, sometimes shrimp, and yesterday also lobster tails. Luis always gives me the best cut of fish and seafood, he knows exactly what I want, and have them shrink-wrapped the day I pick them up. It saves me a lot of time. The 2 young guys Kaydon and Aydan (not sure about the spelling) of the department are very friendly too. When they spot me in the store, they would go to the fridge room to get my tray of orders immediately, and "special deliver" them to my shopping cart! Hector was also very helpful, but he had switched to part-time and might have left. Charlie, one of the managers, is always very helpful, friendly, professional, and accommodating as well. So are Bruce, another manager, and Kathy at the CS desk. Andy of the produce department is also very friendly and says Hi to me every time he sees me. I will still shop at Sunset Foods, but will avoid Phil at all costs, so as to avoid unnecessary confrontation causing my blood pressure to drastically rise again! That episode was shocking, upsetting, and totally unnecessary! It still bothers me. read more

I've been here many times and if you want excellent service and want to pay for overpriced food and groceries then by all means this and the other Sunset foods are for you. I'll start my complaining with the 'hot bar'. I like that they have fried and baked chicken and I get that they charge by the pound but my dried out chicken breast was over five bucks! Has anyone ever had an over eight ounce chicken breast after it was cooked? This chicken must have been a powerlifter! On to the salad bar. What I suggest they do is use real chicken and not the preformed sliced up chicken substitute that is the only chicken choice. Got to Antons Fruit Ranch to see what a real salad bar should offer. I never liked ham salad before and this one is excellent. It's about the only reason I come here. read more

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Overall a fine store with good staff and good products. That would be a 5 star, except for the absolutely fucking ransid piss stinking tree in the grill area in the back. That lowers it 4 fucking stars. Absolutely disgusting, sunset I would expect better from a place with a large focus on freshness and produce. Shame on you. read more

Sunset Foods - A fucking stinky tree - Grocery Near Me - Northbrook, Illinois

Always consistent .. GREAT product, service, cleanliness .. and especially ... BEST FIRST CUT BRISKET.. always‼

Called my sister "Fucking Asian!". This morning, I was shopping here with my sister and she asked one of the hispanic employee where an item could be. He goes "I don't know" and while he goes little farther cusses at her "Fucking Asian". Shame on you Sunset management. It is not the first time we felt offended by shopping here. It is only recent that their employees were sick with Covid-19. No wonder! They don't clean their grocery carts and runways like Marianos by capital drive for instance. read more

Sunset Foods - 1127 church st - Grocery Near Me - Northbrook, Illinois

My sister and I went to Northbrook this afternoon for some grocery shopping at Sunset Foods. We also decided to indulge in some Smash Burgers with one order of fries at their indoor grill. The Smash Burgers (cheese, grilled onion, pickle and good bun) were absolutely fabulous. The fries were delicious and plentiful. I totally recommend this great lunch for everybody. The burgers were $8 and I don't remember the price of the fries. read more

My all time favorite grocery store. They opened the Northbrook Grill recently and it is nothing short of amazing. Very friendly employees with great prices and the food is spectacular. I am very picky when it comes to eating and I've never experienced a better food court menu. Love the salmon bowl and smash burger. read more

Crazy how your "MANAGER" is on her shift talking on the phone w her friends about going to a bar then gets off the phone when my husband is waiting for the approval for the insta cart order that they need to do but that is only needed when you're done scanning everything. Is racist to my husband and rude over a "15 items or less rule" but the store was empty only had abt 3 customers paying at the REGISTERS the self check out was empty! Continues to tell the rest of the workers not to assist him cuz it was an Instacart order but remember is complaining basically about him using the self check out but just wastes our time and makes us take longer in leaving. Take in note when I walked in the store cuz my husband called me and I was waiting in the car, she wanted to act like she didn't talk to him the way she did. read more

This review is for the Northbrook Sunset Foods. I've been shopping there for decades, even though prices are a bit high. Things I appreciate: -Speed of checkout -Variety of items available Here's what's gone wrong lately: -The time saved at checkout is more than eaten up by the time spent waiting at the deli -Most importantly, there is water dripping down from holes in the ceiling, in the produce department. This has been the case for, I think, maybe a year. It's unhealthy - that water coming from the inside of the ceiling could have mold, bacteria, and who knows what chemicals in it and it's dripping right on the produce. Management is aware of the problem and I don't know why it hasn't been dealt with. Gross, and possibly a health code violation! read more

Sunset is the best quality grocer in Chicagoland! When we moved to Northbrook in 1992, we lived so close to Sunset that it was within walking distance of our house. Coming from Connecticut, the only other similar upscale grocery was Stew Leonard's; and Stew is more of a dairy store. For us Sunset always seemed to be daily trip. Weather it was to get some deli meats or saving some prep time for dinner by using their salad bar as an option. It was always fun to walk down the aisles, looking for daily specials, or just picking up some fresh bread for dinner. I always thought the choices they had at their salad bar outweighed the costs of making it yourself. Now that we are in the Southwest, we have found AJ's to be a close second to our fond memories of Sunset. One thought for all those Northshore folk who seem to have the need to vent, please remember that this Yelp site is about Sunset Foods and the store. It's really not a blog about your frustrations with your fellow shoppers. So grade the store and not the parking lot experience. Sunset Foods was always a Five Star experience for us! read more

I was undecided about my previous review. The business did reach out on this site and encouraged me to come back to try the product again or get a full refund. Unfortunately, no one else that I interacted with knew about this. so awkward. read more

I have been shopping at Sunset Foods in Northbrook for over 26 years. I would like to respond to the comment that was made by a customer about a cashier named Rod. In all the time that I worked with him, he has been nothing but polite, honest, soft spoken and professional. If Rod was asking a customer to maintain social distancing, I have to believe he was doing the right thing. Considering all of accommodating that store managers Bruce, Jim and Charlie, plus their staff have to put up with from "high need" people shopping in their store (some of which I have witnessed first hand), I think that they all do an excellent job. It is very simple folks, if you don't like Sunset Foods, don't shop there! Go to Mariano's or Jewel and stop whining. Tim Northbrook, Illinois read more

I love the selection of meats here, cuts and prices are good. Beer selection blows, but you can understand, it's a shmancy grocery store serving Northbrook. Wine selection is quite large. Northshore Moms have their noses stuck way too high in the wind, although most localites are nice, people say hello here! Employees are very helpful. Associates will help you with bagging / pricing your veggies & fruit, so that its faster through the checkout. The store is full of associates, so you can always find someone to help you. I am a discount shopper, and compared to foo foo stores in Chicago, the sweet selections here; pricing is moderate. read more

Sunset has kept me going through stroke recovery and the pandemic. So grateful for the good service and always their solid support of the Northbrook community. Thank you! read more

I love this place. Everyone says its expensive. Its not too bad. Plus they are the only ones that sell black (forbidden) rice.

Their cashiers are awful. Grumpy old men with rude attitudes. And so fucking disrespectful. Instead of cashiers they're okey.

The best thing about this store is the customer service. You just can't find any other grocery store like them, at least in this area. Their motto is "people are friendlier around Sunset" and I find, to my surprise, that this pertains not only to the staff but also to the people who shop there. You almost never have to wait at the checkout. At the chain stores they have 10 check stands and one person working. At Sunset they have 6 or more check stands with people waiting to help you at every one. They insist on taking the items out of your cart or basket for you. Then they put your food items in good quality bags that don't break and bring them to your car (if you wish). Yes, some things do cost more, but not everything, and they make up for that with great service. The produce is excellent. You can't get anything fresher unless you go to the farmers' market. There's a café on the upper level that is equipped with an interesting machine that plays popular music of bygone days. It features an automated accordion and assorted percussion instruments. It uses paper tape, like a player piano. It's great fun to watch, and it's fairly loud. One time I played it, I got a pretty stern lecture from a lady who was there to play bridge with her friends (boo hoo)! Anyway, if you've ever been to Wall Drug you probably saw one of these. If you have kids, they will love watching this thing play! Bring a few quarters along (it costs 25 cents). read more

Super rude people working here, cashier named Rod (with classes, white male grumpy old cashier) was literally accusing me of not standing where i was supposed to be standing, but i am pretty sure that was not the case. Even if i did stand a little closer, why wouldnt he just advise me to wait further, isntead of making me feel bad and embarassing in front of people!!! I would understand if it was a one time thing, but whenever i go there, everyone is fucking rude, i saw another elderly cashier (white old male with glasses and longer hair) yell at a woman "Back off lady", why do such people have to work there? Also my niece was called "fucking asian" by a latino male worker, if further things happen, we would not hesitate to sue this messy place, do not go there!!!! Next time will shop there again with caution! read more

Please stay away from Julia in the prepared foods department. Her demeanor is stoic and condescending. I avoid her At all costs. Otherwise....sunset has great food! read more

I just had a pretty unpleasant experience with one of the guys at the fish department. Very reluctantly, he had steamed a fish for me, after complaining that he has a lot of other things to do. When I came back to pick up the fish, he asked me, "why don't you cook for yourself"? I said that I do, but sometimes I don't feel like it. Then he dared to ask me whether or not I have a wife! (what if I were a gay man?). When I told him that I don't have a wife anymore, he had a sort of mocking, scorn expression on his face, and then released a sigh of unhappiness. He was also standing two feet from me, outside the counter, without a mask! I have been shopping there for 12 years, and I must say that this was my first unpleasant experience. I have always tried to stay away from that guy (I don't know his name), because he has never been friendly! read more

Whole Foods is so much better for similar, if not better prices. This Sunset is tight, hectic, unpleasant to be in, and worse of all, they don't value good ingredients (less processed, organic, pasture raised) as much as they should for those prices. Thus butcher is all pre-packaged so you have no participation in the process. The fish prices are ridiculous for the quality (farmed Salmon is $23/lb)- that is what I would expect to pay for wild, not scary farmed fish. Better to get fresher, wild fish from Assi or H-mart for a fraction of the price. I just find it to be an annoying place to shop. It rubs me wrong on so many levels. If I am going to go with a hectic atmosphere, I'd rather go to Jerry's on Milwaukee and actually get great prices for the inconvenience. read more

Good Food friendly staff who are willing to help. it is a little overpriced but it's negligible. really good sushi with high-quality ingredients. the salmon cuts for 5 bucks are a good deal and snack. read more

Instacart, with Sunset did an incredible job, period. We ordered items from Sunset Foods in Highland Park, IL. An instacart employee went shopping at Sunset for us. If there was a question about an item, the instacart employee texted us with the question, waited for the answer, and picked up the one we wanted. What an amazing service. Nice Job and thank you read more

Worst catering catering experience of my life. Barbara actually YELLED at me on the phone because I didn't reply to her email, even though she spelled my email address wrong ALL THREE TIMES she tried to send me a confirmation. Food was lousy, half of it showed up smashed and they were late. Never again. read more

I'm from Houston Texas and I am visititing my in-laws. Went to sunset foods to buy some beer but was denied due to my out of state ID. Was told it is corporate policy. Not so much a problem for me but the state of Texas has informed me this is a serious problem and they consider themselves messed with. As you all know this is a big no-no. Sunset foods consider yourself on notice. read more

I went in there and I saw the guy in the diary was running around betting dimes on the mets and Jets and Nets. He called me Rook and said welcome to the diamond club. I told him I need brussels at -8 like I need oxygen. He asked if I was on wax. I must say it was an exciting place. read more

I moved away to the Atlanta equivalent of Northbrook just about a year ago. While I'm not the snobbish, Zagat-groping food groupie, I am what you'd call discerning and experienced in two things; customer service and food. Sunset is the best at both, period. What the bad reviews say are true. I concede that it's a nightmare to navigate and that the prices ARE higher across the board. Having been borne in these burbs and raised in Northbrook, I can attest to the distinct clientele. All of that is true, and it doesn't matter a bit. Sunset is at all times exactly what they preach in business schools. Engage the customer and sell them more than just the product. Save money on business school and start bagging groceries at 14, with people who have been there forever. Everyone knows Ron Bernardi. What other store, this side of the big box grocery generation, is so a part of the community that it sponsors that kind of celebrity? Jim, Donna in deli, Lord Allen, the seafood guys...the list goes on. The food is spot on every time. The butchers will cut anything you want if you don't see what you like. Fresh soups and salad bar everyday. Countelss deli items that i yearn for daily. A seemingly endless process of restocking produce, again the list goes on. The feel of Mom and Pop done with professionalism. Deeply invested in the community. Not for the bargain shopper nor the impatient but worth it. The Cheers of grocery. Thank you for your years of service. read more

I went to this place and when I was getting chips two people were staring at me. When I go grocery shopping no one has ever stared at me like that. Even in the parking lot, I feel like there should be cameras there. Anyways, I think that an employee should have said something to the person. I got my chips and walked away and after that, she left. I will never go back to this place again because of that scenario. read more

Their deli is everything! Great selection & plenty of healthy options. The check-out lanes are well-staffed and move fast. Prices are worth it when you take into consideration the quality of the food/produce. read more

Disappointing!! The layout is weird, the produce is RIDICULOUSLY expensive and of middling quality, and the whole place had an off-putting smell. The checkout person was clearly befuddled by my bag of onions which didn't have a sticker on it, and took ages for him to figure out how to ring me up. I'd go back here for an emergency ingredient run since it's close to home, but definitely would not choose it for regular shopping trips. read more

I often do my Passover shopping here. The prices are usually fairer than I expect. Service is top notch and well over and above what you would ever get anywhere else in the area. It was the only place in the area that carried Cook's Illustrated's top-rated turkey, the frozen Empire Kosher brand one. I was in for a bit of a shocker at the price, though--$5/lb. For a small one it ended up being $90. For the record, it wasn't worth it, and I'll go back to Butterball at $1/lb next time. Incidentally, none of this is Sunset's fault--it's a fair price for the brand. I'm not sure what happened to their cattle-herder at the register, though I don't miss the idea. I can find my own line without too much trouble :) Though it was kind of a neat novelty. Maybe they hold back when it's not too busy. Another interesting novelty is that your produce gets weighed and marked in the produce section itself, not by cashiers. They have a nice selection of organic apples. read more