Treasure Island Foods

On recent trips to Chicago, I've gone to Treasure Island for the first time in many years.  I didn't realize it growing up, but this place has an astounding selection of specialty items.  It's just amazing that they have the guts to stock rare items (tins of giant greek lima beans, Pritikin canned soup) that you would think were in relatively low demand.

The deli counter people are helpful, and this location has free parking, which is really what makes shopping here possible.

But don't go on an empty stomach, lest you walk out having bought a thousand impulse items from around the world.

Some things are just terrific, some are ridiculously overpriced.  Great  grass-fed steaks (pre-packaged), some terrific high quality specialty products and absolutely delicious prepared salmon and chicken breasts (again, pre-packaged) that they season and prepare at the store and are very reasonably priced.  There are also some great prices and bargains, since they're part of the Certified group of grocers.  The employees, for the most part, are extremely friendly, outgoing and helpful and one manager in particular who's friendly.

Their hot food buffet is fair, sometimes good at best.

Good produce section with apples from local orchards in Michigan.  Very limited organic section.

Bakery has wonderful muffins and bagels and simply the best baklava I've ever gotten from a supermarket.  Sometimes some locally baked pies and breads...though overall, not much of a bakery department.

Plus, as someone else mentioned, the store gives you the impression that it's just plain dirty.  I've never seen food or garbage on the floors, but you just get the feeling that it's not all that clean.  That being said, I live close by and I go there all the time.

I come here because it's close.  That's it.  The store feels dirty though, but it's not due to cleanliness.  They have a decent selection of organic foods, which is definitely TI's strong suit.