Brookhaven Marketplace

Very good variety of produce for such a small store. Always high quality produce. I agree that staple items are pricy and the selection could definitely be improved (for instance, don’t go there to buy your brand-​name cereals). But they carry fun, unique items and it’s a very approachable size.

My go-​to grocery spot on the way home from work! Extremely large, fresh variety of produce, meat, fish and bread. Many ethnic and interesting grocery options. Really nice selection of pasta salads and ready-​to-​go sides. Fair prices, friendly service.

After making this my main grocery store for almost a year I have to say I downgrade from 5 stars to 2.5 (ok, I’ll round up and give ‘em 3).
Two main reasons:
1) Things on their shelves are constantly a day away from expiring or they are a day or more past their expiration date. I am constantly looking at their dates to triple check they haven’t expired and this takes up a good amount of time at the store! I usually check the dates no matter where I am, but here I would say half of the items I pick up I put right back down due to the dates. Today was the last straw. I bought a package of sausage, Brookhaven’s package, because the Johnsonville sausage didn’t have a date anywhere to be seen. So I finally decided on this one and once I got it home I discover it expired yesterday. Sigh… Here I go again to return ANOTHER item that was past it’s prime.
2) Their Brookhaven House Made ready to bake items are pretty bad. I’ve tried their pizza, mashed potatoes, apple pancakes, meatloaf, and more I can’t remember right now. These are all items they have that are made and all you have to do is go home and heat it up, then voila! Dinner is ready. Well I have to say, none of the items I’ve purchased made me want to buy them again. Trust me, stay away!
Other than that, the employees are always nice and helpful. The place is clean. And the produce department is always well stocked and usually super fresh and inviting.
I’m not mentioning names, but I kinda can’t wait for that new grocery store to open up down the street on Cass & 63^rd. I hate to say it but once it opens, I probably won’t be coming here anymore.

Selection is decent. Over priced for the more staple items that any household would need for their pantry (tomatoes, onions, flour, sugar, etc). But definitely a place to go if u want staple specialty ethnic items (polish, Mexican, Indian, middle eastern, oriental, European).
Prices for more ethnic items are maybe 5−18% higher than what you would get at an Indian grocery store for example, but if that’s the only item you need, it wouldn’t have made any sense to make a separate trip just for one item. So with that in mind this place is decent for last minute ethnic items.
TL;DR: overpriced for household staples, moderately priced for speciality ethnic items. Go here if u only need one or two specialty items and don’t want to make a separate trip to a specialty store.

When I asked my mother-​in-​law which grocery store nearby was the most reliable for produce, she exclaimed «BROOKHAVEN!»
Don’t get it confused with Westbrook, because I did. I’m still getting used to the area, so when I was on my way southbound on Cass Avenue, I thought «oh there it is!» but something didn’t look right. Thankfully I quickly pulled up the handy dandy Unilocal app and realized that Brookhaven is off of Plainfield Road.
Anyway, blueberries were 2 for $ 3, so I bought two pints. I also needed some other produce; cucumbers were decently priced but the strawberries were priced like fancy organic strawberries. As my MIL would say, «you gotta know your prices!»
Brookhaven has a great variety and quality produce. Everything I bought lasted several days, nothing got mushy or moldy. The deli and bakery have some yummy looking stuff, but I wasn’t patient enough to wait in the deli line. The Caputo’s deli definitely has a bigger variety, but Brookhaven’s prices are on point.
The packaged goods, like many smaller grocers, aren’t really worth it unless you’re in a hurry and relying on convenience.
Brookhaven is a lot smaller than the big box grocery stores, but the layout is straightforward and I was able to get in and out quickly, which I appreciate. I’ll definitely be returning for produce, but only if I check my prices in the grocery ads first.

They have a great produce section and the best Rotisserie chicken of any grocer with in 25 miles

They completely dropped the ball on our Easter order. They ran out of boneless legs of lamb and didn’t have anything else ready for us. We had an almost identical experience two years ago at Minos. Done with this!

Great service, fresh produce, wide varieties of European, Asian, Mexican, bulk, spices, on and on. Great deli and bakery. Has basically replaced all my other fresh produce grocery stores, but still can’t compete with box stores on prepared foods.

Loved visiting a local market with wide variety of breads, cheeses, veggies & fruits AT A DECENT PRICE! Meat selection for normal chicken & beef wasn’t any different then other grocers in area but lots of specialty international meats here.

Brookhaven is a nice neighborhood market with high quality meats, cheeses, baked goods and deli items. The building is not particularly large, so it feels a little bit cramped outside of the produce section. I have the general impression that its meat, cheese and produce are a bit better than Westbrook Market which is a couple of miles to the north on Cass. The prices, however, are marked up to reflect this.
You’ll find many central European packaged items here — similar to what you’d find at Lassak market on Kingery Highway, while Westbrook features a greater proportion of Latin-​American choices. Each are great… it just depends on what you’re looking for.
Whether you’re looking for something a little exotic or trying to find the basics, Brookhaven Marketplace will likely be able to meet your needs.

While they do have a killer deli department, the rest of the store is subpar. I quit going here after the smell of rotten fish made me seriously queasy. I’d like to know why every employee is either Polish or Mexican too. Borderline rude cashiers make this only a convenience store at best for me,

I’ve been a regular shopper at Brookhaven since I moved to the area 6 years ago. I think it’s a great store where you can get certain things at a much better price than the big grocery stores. I am a big proponent of fresh produce and not eating much processed food, and for someone like me who buys produce by the cartful, this is the place to shop. Most of the produce here is great and no different than the big stores. The only thing I’ve learned not to buy here is apples, you’ve got to go to Jewel for those. Most everything else in the produce section is more than satisfactory.
Their fish department is good and I’ve always found the guys here to be helpful with ideas. I don’t buy much fish other than some Cod, Shrimp, or Scallops occasionally, but what I have bought here has been good.
I buy all of my chicken here and have bought plenty of beef and pork too… all of it has always cooked up well and was what I was expecting. The prices here are good too.
If you are a fan of processed deli meats, their meats and cheeses are way cheaper than the other guys and just as good. Their salads in the deli are just fair though. I’ve also bought a couple of their pre-​made dinners and they weren’t bad either.
They sell individual treats in their bakery area which are great. I recommend the brownies with nuts!
There is a large selection of different cheeses which I enjoy as well.
If you are big into packaged foods, you may want to go to Jewel because I think it’s a little cheaper there unless there is a sale at Brookhaven.
Maybe the service isn’t exactly what Jewel is, but I’m here to save a few bucks, not take the employees home with me. Also, I have never had any problem with any of the employees. Some may be a little indifferent, but no one has ever been outright rude to me.
It’s a good store if you’re looking for certain things at a lower price.

My family has lived in the area for over 14 years and have been shopping at Brookhaven since. It’s a small neighborhood grocery store that has well stocked shelves of both ethnic and popular American brands.
The produce here is very competitively priced and you will walk out spending a lot less than if you had bought similar items at a big national chain, without compromising the quality. No matter when I have gone in, I have seen employees busily restocking produce and other items so you always have the best to pick from.
The deli is wonderful. You can find everything from delicious soups, lunch meats and the best of cheeses. They are always happy to let you have a generous sample before you commit to purchasing, and they do it with a smile.
The bakery is also amazing. The pastries never disappoint and I will make a special trip here just to buy the Napoleons when visiting my parents. You can find a wide variety of breads, crackers and ethic items like pitas and naan too, which is greatly appreciated.
I believe that in this day and age, where Americans should celebrate diversity and appreciate the fact that this country is still a safe haven for the many immigrants who live here, I think that a language barrier should be taken in stride. It is awfully close minded to critique an establishment on the fact that many of the employees don’t have the best command of the English language. I think that it’s great that Brookhaven is equal opportunity and that people who would only face closed doors at other establishments are accepted with open arms here and given the chance to be contributing members of society.
I have never felt disrespected or have been rudely treated here. But that might have something to do with the fact that you need to give respect to get it?
Regardless of what other reviewers have said, this is a neighborhood gem and I am excited to see that they have branched out to Burr Ridge as well. If you’re willing to look past the language barrier and seek to support a local business who caters to a wide variety of clientele, is very fairly priced and offers a wonderful selection of produce, deli, bakery and general grocery items, then Brookhaven is the place for you.

The quality here seems to be lacking as of late… bad produce picks, slimy chicken, and they need to hire more cashiers and deli personnel. I consider myself to be a patient person, but I just can’t be standing around for 15 to 20 minutes (not exaggerating, that’s timed) while I have a cart full of perishables.

This place just keeps getting better. As they add stock, move things around, and refine the store, I consistently find less and less reasons to go anywhere else.
The deli selection is phenomenal, and the produce is generally really good. You pay far less for a lot of items (limes, peppers, garlic) than you do at the Jewel right down the street. Outstanding cheese market, and their bread selection is similarly excellent, as they bake their own bread, but also carry La Briola, Turano, D’Amato, and numerous other brands of bakery goods.
They have a small but decent selection of wine and beer. There is a clear catering to Eastern Europeans and a lot of their products, but they also carry standard beers and enough wines that you can always find something.
The people are usually really nice, and it’s a great neighborhood grocery store. If you need something really unique, you may not find it there, but if you’re going for staples, there’s no reason not to try this place.

Nice selection of produce, fish and deli items.
I have been buying more and more seafood from them as I grow to trust them more. I like the fact that they have a large ethnic clientele and thus move a lot of seafood.
They have whole tenderloins on sale from time to time for around $ 7 a pound which I always jump on (cut them into fillets, vaccuum pack and freeze) that are pretty darned good.
Brookhaven is my go-​to grocery store. I can find most of the produce, meats, fish, deli and baked items I need there.

I moved to Downers Grove and was seriously confused with all the grocery stores. Prices are flippin’ ridiculous out here! And for no darn reason except to irritate me endlessly.
But Brookhaven is a hidden diamond my friend.
It has the best fruits and veggy section EVER! There are things that look gross and scary, but they have them, and people are buying them. Huge section of peppers, with all of the spicy ones to boot. And do you have any idea how hard it is to find Mint at a grocery store for Mojitos? This place has A TON of it, and our summer is going to be filled with rum mojito happiness thanks to Brookhaven.
I even bought 12 limes for $ 1. RAD i tell you. Lime-​icious. Totally fantabulous. Words obviously cannot describe my enthusiasm.
It’s a great international marketplace. Prices are reasonable, and there’s some unusual stuff as well. Highly recommended.

I had big plans to make a sandwich for lunch. I had an extra loaf i stashed in the fridge from when I bought it at Whole Paycheck, and I open it up, it’s moldy.
So having a little time, I go get bread. The first grocery store I see is Brookhaven Market. I’ve driven past this a few times in the past. Just assumed it was a typical small non-​chain grocery store.
So I get inside, and it’s an international-​type grocer. Mainly European, but a respectable amount of Asian staples. I walk past the tea looking for the bread. They have some stuff on sale for $ 2 a box, which is a good price. I look at the flavors: lemon, berry, …soursop? I have to get it and try it. I look at the non-​sale tea and find elder flower and bilberry, both not expensive and i try both. At the checkout I see my beloved chocolate covered marzipan. $ 2 for a HUGE bar, and it’s vegan. nom nom nom.
Definitely will be back. Oh, and the bread? Store-​baked was on sale, and tasted phenomenal. Great success!

On my first day in Chicago (land) after a 2.5 year absence, I made two wonderful discoveries:
1. Wearing Juicy Couture velour track suits really are great travel wear. I mean, it’s damn comfortable and it’s better than walking around in pajama bottoms (hint, hint white girls from the Midwest). I didn’t feel any shame about it because well, my ass looks great in the pants and it was fucking comfy. And did I mention it was fucking comfy? It was comfy.
2. Brookhaven Marketplace is one of the best grocery stores in the ‘burbs of Chicago!
Brookhaven Marketplace is actually not very from where my parents used to live in un-​incorporated Downers Grove, but in the few years I lived in that house and town, I wonder how this place went unnoticed by me for so long. Brookhaven Marketplace is an AMAZING multi-​ethnic emporium of groceries with cheap prices. 4 bunches of scallions for a $ 1?! I mean, that ‘s better pricing than Chinatown!
There was a myriad of different olive oils in large tins hailing from Italy, Greece, and various parts of the Middle East. Tea brands and juices from the Czech Republic. Pomegranate wine from Armenia (which I HAD to buy to try), Bulgarian cheeses, and the BEST CORN TORTILLAS IN THE WORLD (even better than any I’ve had in Mexico) from Chicago’s very own El Milagro company. These tortillas are so good and available only here that I will buy many packs and bring them back to New York. Once I brought home a small suitcase full. Seriously, only tortillas in that suitcase.
Brookhaven Marketplace fortunately avoids giving me slight panics because it isn’t too big, too bright with too wide aisles like most grocery stores in the suburbs. All that shit usually freaks me out to a degree especially in contrast to the grocery stores in Manhattan. A lot of the cashiers are immigrant Polish girls who barely smile, which amuses me to no end.
I could go on and on about the other treasures I saw, and there was plenty I didn’t comb through unfortunately. It was like going to a grocery store in a foreign country, which is one of my favorite things to do when I travel abroad. So fuck Jewel, fuck Ultra Foods (formerly Cub Foods), and fuck Dominick’s! Brookhaven is where it’s at!!!

A local favorite of mine
Love this store … they have a great produce department, large meat /​seafood department, large deli and a nice bakery. They carry lots of imported foods from many different ethnic cultures. This store is always interesting to visit and due to their good prices, they are rapidly becoming our main grocery shopping choice. They have a large selection of herbs and spices that are priced better than most anywhere I’ve seen. They always have something good on special in the deli. I’ve not seen lower prices overall in the Chicago area … at least, not in one store. The quality of their fresh items is great too. The meat is very fresh and the produce is too. They routinely check the produce and cull (and sell at greatly reduced prices) any that is not at its peak.
Putting the Burbs on the Map, One business at a time :)