Best Grocery Store
1. Strack & Van Til
For over 75 years, Strack & Van Til has been offering Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland the finest quality products at the best value. The Strack & Van Til company encompasses 13 Strack & Van Til stores, one Key Market, two Town & Country stores, and 13 Ultra Food stores in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland and the company continues to grow, while keeping the independent feel upon which they were founded.
“In 2007, we opened eight new stores, and we’ve been spending a lot of time on making them the best experience for our customers,” says Jeff Strack, vice president of operations for Strack & Van Til.
Each store features the finest produce. Their meat departments are superb and they only sell Certified Angus Beef. They have added Smithfield Lean Generation pork items and carry grade A poultry, veal, and lamb which all come with a 200 percent guarantee of satisfaction. Their produce departments offer the best quality and availability, which varies with seasons and growing conditions. Freshness is critical with most produce items, so Strack & VanTil uses a number of suppliers to accommodate this need. Freshness is guaranteed 200 percent. Their delicatessen brings shoppers both convenience and fresh, savory foods that are ready to serve, from processed meats and cheese to salads and Country Style Chicken. The bakeries use only fresh ingredients and products, such as breads, cakes, donuts, and other items, are made from scratch. The seafood departments specialize in a variety of different types of shrimp and a wide variety of fish, along with other offerings.
The commitment to community and customers has allowed Strack & Van Til to bring growth to the region. “We care about what the consumer wants and we adjust to their demands,” says Strack whose personal email address and phone number is printed on every grocery bag that leaves his stores. “We do this because we really believe you can build or lose a business one customer at a time, so we value what every customer has to say,” he says.
3. Meijer
Founded in Greenville, Michigan in the middle of the Great Depression out of a need to bring food to hungry people, Meijer has thrived to become the grocery and merchandise supercenters in five states. The store boasts some 40 different departments, including pharmacy, fashion, and home décor, and is built on the philosophy take care of their customers, team members, and the community.
3. Town & Country Food Market
As part of the Strack & Van Til family, Town & Country Food Market was founded upon the commitment to friendliest service, finest quality, and overall lowest prices.