Category: Food Business

Parkview Hot Italian Sausage Review (Aldi’s Brand)

Parkview is Aldi’s house brand for many of their meat products. Their ” Parkview Hot Italian Sausage,” is a smoked sausage, whereas most companies (and grocers) sell their Italian sausage as “fresh” (uncooked).  Smoked sausages like hot dogs, are fully cooked, so they only require a quick heat and eat, if that’s your preference.  This… Continue reading Parkview Hot Italian Sausage Review (Aldi’s Brand)

Tombstone Roadhouse Pizza Review

(August 1, 2016) Most of the major frozen pizza manufacturers have been busy rolling out new variations of their products over the last couple years, apparently in an attempt to acquire more freezer frontage in the store, which hopefully translates into sales. Tombstone, which started in Medford, WI, (map below) as a supplier of frozen… Continue reading Tombstone Roadhouse Pizza Review

Hillshire Small Plates Snack Review

Hillshire comes out with a version of “lunchables” for adult palates, and they are high quality and valued priced.  I found them at Target at 2 / $5. The one(s) I picked up included dry salami, smoked gouda, and toast rounds.  I was happy with all of it. The “real” lunchables, the meat and cheese… Continue reading Hillshire Small Plates Snack Review

Gramma Pearls Sausage Review

Don’t bother trying to find anything out about this product online, I spent a bunch of time doing that and came up pretty short.  I can’t even tell you exactly where I purchased it, other than a suburban Chicago grocery.  So a lot of this should be prefaced with “apparently.” This product is made in… Continue reading Gramma Pearls Sausage Review

Malincho Euro Market & Deli Review, Des Plaines, IL

Hit another ethno-centric market this weekend;  Malincho promises a full selection of Bulgarian meats, cheese, canned and boxed groceries. They didn’t disappoint, although the store was considerably smaller than I imagined it would be, having based my impression via their online presence. They have a good selection, but if you don’t speak or read Bulgarian,… Continue reading Malincho Euro Market & Deli Review, Des Plaines, IL

Felicias Meat Market and Deli Review, Schaumburg, IL

Some weeks ago, I wrote about an Italian deli I stumbled on in suburban Chicago. Nottoli’s has a great selection of house-made sausages, pastas and an ample selection of imported Italian canned and box goods. This week I hit Felicia’s, an Italian-centric meat market and deli in Schaumburg. Felicia’s is smaller in size than Nottoli’s,… Continue reading Felicias Meat Market and Deli Review, Schaumburg, IL

Olive Theory Pizzeria Review, Downers Grove, IL

I have  so much  admiration for  people who start a restaurant with just a concept in mind and build a business from the ground up. It’s a really tough, competitive segment – the best statistics available  recently show 60% of new restaurants fail within the first three years.  Any start-up is tough, I know, because I’ve been involved… Continue reading Olive Theory Pizzeria Review, Downers Grove, IL