Best ethnic markets and shops-far north side

October 1, 11:02 AMChicago Food ExaminerRebecca Wheeler

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Any “best of” list is likely to be highly subjective, but I am happy to share my own subjective list of “best” ethnic markets and shops on the north side of Chicago with one caveat: This is by no means a comprehensive list. There are many, many great markets and shops on the rather sprawling north side of the city. So many you could write a whole book about Chicago’s ethnic markets (as some already have). These are the places I frequent and know most intimately. It’s a diverse list, reflecting the diversity of our city. To me, this is one of the best parts about living in the city---access and exposure to great food, shops and people. Many of these shops and markets are featured on my food tour “Best of the Northside”, an insider's look at the ethnic treats this part of our city has to offer. Each place is worthy of its own post, but here I do my best to summarize.

La Unica: This gem of a mid-size grocery and lunch room is known to insiders as the place to get Cuban sandwiches, sweet, rich Cuban coffee and a huge variety of delicious Latin and South American dishes (I like the fried chicken plate---it’s very lightly fried, with black beans, plantains and rice). The retro lunchroom is hidden away off one side of the store and is frequented by as diverse a crowd as the menu (plus a few cops). The market itself is a great place to get Mexican and Latin American foodstuffs, including frozen tropical fruit purees (great for sorbet and other desserts), fresh carnitas on the weekend, and a variety of tubers, like yucca. La Unica is an lthforum“Great Neighborhood Restaurant”.

Pasticceria Natalina: The Sicilian pastries here are crafted with care and amazing ingredients, and you taste it in every bite. The quality is superior, and I don’t mind paying a little more, because I am never disappointed. Many pastries use imported Italian ingredients like sheep’s milk ricotta, pistachios and pine nuts. My favorite is the sfogliatelle –unbelievably crispy and delicate layers of pastry surround a light orange- ricotta filling. While the pastries take center stage, the gelato is a great summer treat and you can always round out your selections with an espresso.

Tai Nam: This is my go-to Vietnamese market when I am cooking anything Southeast Asian. They have a sizeable produce section and carry equipment basics like granite mortar and pestles. All the basics are here: coconut milk, fish sauce, chilies and lemongrass. They also carry excellent locally made tofu and wide rice noodles.

Middle Eastern Bakery: This Andersonville shop is a great place to stock up on nuts, spices and olive oil-all at a great price. It’s equally good for a pre-party pit stop---for house-made spinach or olive and feta pies (which they also wholesale to Whole Foods and others), hummus, baba ganoush and more.

La Patisserie P: This shop on Argyle features a mix of some tasty French cakes and pastries as well as traditional Asian sweets, like the Pilipino sweet bread, ensaymada. But I go simply for the outstanding croissants-almond, chocolate or plain, they are the real deal-crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, flaky and flavorful. In fact, they are so good that chef /owner Peter Yuen won best in his category, Vienoiserie (pastries like croissants) at the World Cup of Baking in Paris last March.

Patel Brothers: This bright and shiny Indian super-store is perfect for one-stop shopping for all your Indian cooking needs. Since opening their first store on Devon nearly 35 years ago, the Patels have opened more than 30 stores around the country and also own the store brand “Swad”. Spices are fresh and much less expensive than specialty stores. I love the variety of pickles, chutneys and relishes available to buy in any quantity you need (like an olive bar), a few of these perfectly round out any meal featuring and Indian dish.

City Olive: I love good olive oils and the tastes they bring from the countries they hail from. In between trips to Europe (could be a while too with the dollar where it is) this is where I go to taste and choose the perfect bottle of oil. Besides oils, City Olive has a nice selection of vinegars, dried pastas and some nice olive oil based lotions, candles and other gifts or treats for you.