Al’s Supermarket

Just moved down the street from Al’s from Chicago, where we have tons of supermarket choices. I’m so glad Al’s is just a few blocks away, and that they carry many of the foods and specialty items I enjoy — gluten free, kombucha, locally sourced greens, beer/​wine, good deli, meats (try to tomahawk chop or the dockside burgers). Perfect for vacationers and local residents. The larger Al’s on Franklin Street has a little wider variety of produce, meat, seafood and drugstore items too. Very friendly staff.

Recently relocated to Long Beach, and found Al’s to be my designated grocery store. While there’s a plethora of other major chains nearby in Michigan City, this one does the job just fine.
Prices are pretty good all around, and they throw down on some solid sales on Thursdays.
I usually hit up their meats, as it’s incredibly well priced and I haven’t experienced any scary colors or stank. The cuts are good, and they’re actually one of the few where I can easily pick up a London broil (they offer tenderized versions as well).
While they’re plenty well stocked in most categories, the only downside comes in their produce section. While it’s not horrible, I’ve come across mold and swarms of flies enough times to warrant a second look whenever I need to pick up some greens. Be sure to double check their bagels as well. It’s easy to overlook the mold.
Personal care section… just go to CVS across the street. They just don’t have enough there unless you know for sure your specific brand is sold there.
Their deli at the far right back is fairly comprehensive. They typically have some fresh fried chicken to go with your classic sides of potato wedges, mac and cheese, cold salads, and so forth. They also almost always have a rotisserie chicken ready for pickup if you need to fulfill a quick meat craving. They usually have them adjacent to the register area too. Smart.
The neighboring cheese section is pretty loaded, but the prices seem immune to any sales. Go figure. They rarely do anywhere unless you want to hit up an Aldi’s.
I would’t really mess with their wine selection. Not because it’s small, but because you’re just paying too much for it. Their beer selection though is worth it. While I don’t see sales there much either, the selection is broad enough to warrant a look every once in a while.
Customer service is superb, their membership is free (go to the Customer Service desk), and you’ll never be waiting in line for too long. The cashiers rarely look like they want to jump off a bridge. While I personally couldn’t care, I’m sure it can go a long way for some of you.
Oh, right. Their breads. Always be sure to pick up some bread. They have some awesome sales on a daily basis. Always fresh.

Love Al’s. Super friendly people, Intelligentsia coffee, great wine deals and selection — generally everything you need from a grocery store.
I’m not going to dock them a star because of prices; this isn’t Costco people. It’s a (basically) lakefront, independent grocer and for what they are, they do an amazing job.

A work colleague and I stopped into Al’s during our most recent business trip. That included healthy snacks like yogurt and energy bars during the day and at the hotel. This place seems bigger than I remember and certainly as «yup scale» appointed as it’s ever been.

Al’s Karwick has the best selection of super-​premium ice cream and gelato in town.

Al’s is a great grocery store and supermarket, the only complaint one can find is in the slightly exaggerated prices, likely for the nearby vacationers of the Long Beach, IN resorts.

They have what you need for a day on the beach!

I love Al’s Supermarket!!! We shop here every year when we come up for our family Lake House Vacation! They have everything we need and at reasonable costs! I think what makes this store so much fun is they let me BAG my own groceries! Now I used to be a bagger back in my younger day, and the checkout girl actually let me relive my youth and have some fun bagging my own groceries! Boy did that bring back memories! Everyone had a good laugh and chuckle as they watched me in action… I think Al’s should hire me as a full time bagger!!!

Quality produce, very friendly staff, nice wine selection, coffee shop with big comfy chairs in front of a fire. What’s not to love? It’s definitely my neighborhood grocery.

I’m a big fan of Al’s Supermarket… but not for the groceries. The only times I have ever been in this store have been to buy booze. And maybe some munchies to go with said booze. Sometimes I even utilize their café whilst booze shopping (highly recommended! There are even couches and a fireplace over there!) Basically? This review is about BOOZE.
They have a really nice wine section with a few local favorites thrown in for us lazy tourists who don’t want to drive around too much and their craft beer choices are pretty solid too. They even have a small make your own six pack section along with some bomber options on the endcap. Nice touch. Just make sure you don’t come on a Sunday… stupid Indiana booze laws.

This place sure has changed since I was a kid. The place has doubled in size and the selection sure is impression — all around.
Let’s focus on my favorite things:
1) Alcohol. While I do not believe they sell hard alcohol, they sure do have a lot of beer and wine. They have a really impressive selection of micro-​brews… not just the standard list of microbrews like New Belgium or New Holland, but serious legit beer from microbreweries around the state (Flat 12, Sun King, etc).
Their wine selection is ginormous for a local grocer as well. It’s well displayed, varied, and well-​priced. The only way a grocery wine display gets better is if the reds are kept at a very delicious 58 degrees.
2) Coffee. While not a full service coffeehouse, this place serves up Intelligentsia at its coffee bar. That’s some serious Joe for Michigan City, and a clear indication this place is catering to our dear Chicago friends with fancy tastes… and I’m okay with that, because I’m a bit of a coffee snob. My coffee was served from a thermal pump-​carafe, not pour-​over brewed like at the Intelligentsia shop. Yeah, I missed the ridiculously-​pompous novelty of the show that probably subconsciously makes me feel like my coffee tastes better, but I got my coffee in under thirty seconds and it still tasted pretty damn good. The store also has a great selection of beans from other local coffee roasters. Anybody tried Infusco from Michigan?
3) Meats and cheeses. The deli counter here rivals a Whole Foods. Plenty of sausages, charcuteries, cheeses, etc. Even the prepared sandwiches, meatloafs, mac and cheese, and fried chicken looks amazing. With the amazing upgrade Al’s has had over the years, prices have likewise been upgraded, but I wouldn’t hesitate to order dinner from the deli area. The selection of cheeses in the refrigerated island is also akin to Whole Foods.
4) Ice creams. This place stocks Valpo Velvet AND Bonnie Doon. And that’s alright by me.

This is a great family owned grocery store. The bakery and wine sections are well stocked and the staff is friendly.

The groceries are a touch over priced for the beach community but I must say that their deli is like a full service carry out restaurant The food is great and the staff is very helpful.

Al’s does it right! Kudos to Jerry the manager!
The suggestion board makes for terrific reading. Their selection of organics and local foods is way above average, and they make big attempts to tell you wear the produce comes from. They have Boar’s Head meats, Intelligentsia Coffee, and a great selection of discounted flowers if you go on the right day!
On one supremely hot day they were giving away free bottles of water when you left the store for your car. Love it!

Really nice supermarket with lots of choices. The deli meats are all Boar’ Head and they have LaBriola breads and a great selection of cheeses. I suspect they are a little pricey as they cater to the summer crowd of Illinois tourists, but I make a trip there monthly to get the great deli stuff. Oh, they also have a section where they sell Bit of Swiss pastries. Yum.