Chicago food specialities and food trends are two catalysts for the city’s robust tourist culture. Well, among other things like sightseeing, sports, and music. But how do restaurant industry leaders bring unique and specialty menu items to life? By locating appropriate wholesale suppliers, of course!
In this blog post, we're going to take a look at some of the most popular Chicago food specialties. Then, we’ll dive into several vendors that thrive by selling wholesale specialty goods. Keep reading to get started!
Chicago Food Specialties
Every city has its iconic selection of food and drinks. Check out the following list to learn about the food items Chicago, IL is most known for:
- Deep Dish Pizza: Unlike New York-style pizza, Chicago’s version has a thick buttery crust. But what’s more unique than that, is the toppings are stacked upside down.
- Chicago Hot Dogs: Served on a poppyseed bun, these are not just standard hot dogs. Instead, they are often topped with mustard, relish, onions, peppers, and more.
- Garrett Popcorn: Gourmet popcorn is a snack that Chicago does best. Garrett’s popcorn flavors include caramel, cheddar cheese, and other unique combinations.
- Italian Beef Sandwiches: The key to these sandwiches is slicing the beef thin enough and seasoning it accordingly. Oh, and don’t forget about the sweet peppers!
7 Best Chicago Specialty Food Suppliers
There are a number of Chicago specialty food suppliers that can provide you with everything from A to Z. From gourmet ingredients to food items you typically can’t find in the Midwest, at least one of the suppliers on the following list should have everything your business needs to succeed. Check them out below!
1. Four Star Foods
If you're in the market for some of the best meat products and wholesale seafood in Chicago, look no further than Four Star Foods. Not only do they supply and distribute these products to Chicago and the surrounding area, but to Milwaukee and Northwest Indiana as well. If there's a particular type of protein that you're shopping for, we encourage you to reach out to them, as they have many options.
2. Foodco Wholesale
From wholesale spices to energy drinks, Foodco Wholesale has everything you could ever need. This statement is especially true if you run a restaurant. Some might even argue that they sell a wide enough variety of products to stock a small grocery store! While Foodco Wholesale isn’t necessarily marketed as a specialty supplier, they definitely carry a selection of unique and gourmet items that do fall within the specialty category.
3. Krinos Foods Chicago
Krino's Food Chicago works with importers, manufacturers, and distributors of all types of specialty food. But one category that stands out consists of the best seasonings from Europe. The team at Krino's Food Chicago prides itself on not only providing some of the best ingredients but timely deliveries as well. One of their many advantages is that they operate their own fleet of trucks. This means that they have full control over timelines and delivery schedules.
4. Pure’s Food Specialties
Some of the finest brands throughout the world use ingredients from Pure’s Food Specialties. The category in which they dedicate their focus consists of premier sweet and salty snack items. Maybe you operate a snack brand and need to stock up on bulk cheese puffs. Or, perhaps you run a cafe and need a vendor for all your cakes and cookies. Regardless of the situation, Pure’s Food Specialties is sure to have the snacks to cure any craving!
5. Artisan Specialty Foods
With a name like Artisan Specialty Foods, it should come as no surprise that this wholesaler supplies unique and gourmet ingredients. Whether you're looking to purchase freshly squeezed juice or grass-fed protein options, Artisan Specialty Foods has it all. They even carry single ingredients that you would use in standard recipes like oil, vinegar, and flour. These ingredients are among pantry items as well. so technically, Artisan Specialty Foods can be a one-stop-shop for all of your inventory. That's if you want a super high-end business, of course!
6. Chicago Food Corporation
If you're looking for an Asian food supplier, look no further than the Chicago Food Corporation. Supplying ingredients that fall within Asian Cuisine is one of the Chicago Food Corporation's specialties. Despite authentic Asian ingredients being difficult to come by in the Midwest, the Chicago Food Corporation is a leader in this category throughout the entire region. Plus, they also supply ingredients for other types of cuisines and dietary preferences.
7. Dearborn Wholesale Grocers
If you need to stock up on certain ingredients in a time crunch, consider shopping from Dearborn Wholesale Grocers. Sure, this is a wholesale grocery store that caters to consumers similar to a Costco or Sam's Club. However, they carry a ton of specialty food ingredients as well as specialty brands. So if let's say you're running your restaurant business and you suddenly need a particular item, you can simply stop by and grab what you need. the best part? There is no membership required, so accessing the store will never be an issue.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicago Food Specialties
Even though Chicago food specialties and specialty food suppliers are categories on their own, one can vary dramatically from another. For instance, a specialty business may cater to a particular cuisine. Meanwhile, another might zero in on an entire product category. Either way, there’s a whole lot to learn about the topic–especially if you’re looking to source said ingredients in Chicago, IL. So, without further ado, check out the FAQ section below for additional details.
Are There Any Chicago Food Specialties That the City Is Known For>
Yes, there are a handful of food specialties that Chicago is known for, which include the following dishes:
- Deep dish pizza
- Chicago hot dogs
- Garrett popcorn
- Italian beef sandwiches
Which Are the Best Chicago Specialty Food Suppliers?
Several of the best Chicago specialty food suppliers include:
- Four Star Foods
- Foodco Wholesale
- Krinos Foods Chicago
- Pure’s Food Specialties
- Artisan Specialty Foods
- Chicago Food Corporation
- Dearborn Wholesale Grocers
What Are Some of the Most Popular Chicago Specialty Food Stores?
Some of the most popular specialty food stores in Chicago include:
- Olivia’s Market
- The Spice House
- Calabria’s Imports
- The Chopping Block
- Fountainhead Market
- The Coffee and Tea Exchange
Do Specialty Food Suppliers Sell Everything?
Specialty food suppliers don’t always sell everything. The sole purpose of a specialty food supplier is to carry a selection of food items that you might not be able to find anywhere else. Whether a supplier decides to stick with a particular category or to operate as more of a specialty broadline distributor is subject to differ.
Do Specialty Food Stores Sell Wholesale Products?
Yes, it’s a possibility that some of your favorite specialty food stores sell wholesale products. While individual retail stores typically sell individual units of products to consumers, it’s possible that you can purchase bulk quantities of certain items. Or, they might have a separate product catalog and ordering process where you can place wholesale orders. It’s always best to double-check with the stores you’re interested in shopping from.
Partner With the Right Vendors to Create Chicago Food Specialties
Shopping for Chicago specialty food vendors can take some time. That’s mainly because no two specialty food suppliers have the same product catalog. By using the BlueCart app to filter your search, you can narrow down the results to only show what you’re looking for. So, whether you’re in the market for the basics or gourmet and imported products, our platform makes it easier than ever to locate specific products.
The best part? On BlueCart’s digital marketplace, every item will be labeled as great, good, or fair value. You’ll never have to manually do the math to determine if something is worth the money. If this sounds like something of interest to you, book a demo with us to learn more about it!