Whole Foods Market in Evanston
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Evanston, Cook County, Illinois, US
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Site: https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com...
- Monday:8AM–10PM
- Tuesday:8AM–10PM
- Wednesday:8AM–10PM
- Thursday:8AM–10PM
- Friday:8AM–10PM
- Saturday:8AM–10PM
- Sunday:8AM–10PM
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Ive had issues with a few of their cashiers for years... Most of the staff members are nice, but some dont even bother looking at you even if you say hello and thank you. Plus, they sometimes throw what you buy in a disrespectful manner.Many reviews address the same problem, but the store doesnt seem to pay enough attention to the issue.
This is my usual Whole Foods. Nice place, not huge but decent selection. Generally friendly staff. Pet peeve is cashiers who won’t scan your app, even when you ask. The self scan machine rarely works and it’s frustrating to be told “hold it there, move this way, a bit more, a bit more, etc” Just scan the freakin code
Ive gone to this location several times. It doesnt have as large a selection (like hot bar) as other WFs, and its not as clean. I like the casual atmosphere (probably the least pretentious of all the WFs in Chicagoland), but their prices are as high as the other locations, which is surprising since it doesnt seem as upscale. Delicious pizza though--better than Gigios.
I still love Whole Foods, even if the produce isnt quite as good as it was years ago. They have things you just dont see elsewhere, including an extensive international aisle, hard-to-find veggies, and unusual fruits. Their frozen foods section is deluxe, and many people use their deli counter like a restaurant. Its such a cheery place too, with great checkers.
My husband and I were at the checkout out and I went to scan my Amazon membership and the person checking me out asked “ are you the one purchasing” in a very rude tone because my husband was taking out our JOINT bank account card to pay for the items. I told her WE were paying for the items and she just stared at me. Totally unnecessary tone and rudeness we have always checked out like that. I get that some people take advantage of the prime discounts but she could have been nicer about it. I could have just as easily put my debit card in for our joint account to pay if that is the preferred method.
The fish department was not ready to sell fish at 8:25 am CT. Had to wait another 25-30 minutes to get fish. I was already done shopping so not willing to waste 30 minutes standing in front of the counter. The store opens at 8:00 am CT. This has happened several times at this location. If the fish department is not ready at 8:00am CT, then whats the point of opening the store at 8 am??? Now have to make another trip to the store and create more greenhouse emissions.
Vicky needs to be reevaluated as a cashier she should not be in costumer service if she has a horrible attitude and knows it. I try not to come to this location because it’s usually a bad experience but it’s the only one closest to me. Will try to shop elsewhere from now on today’s experience was the worst management did nothing about it.
Whole Foods is my goto spot for their cranberry tuna as well as there brown butter cookies. I have food allergies so Im happy that they have gluten free products so I dont have to give up indulging my sweet tooth. Some items are pricey but if you use the Amazon app, you can luck up on some price discounts. Totally recommend this marketplace for shoppers with allergies and varying taste palette.
I was able to purchase everything on my list except for gift wrapping ribbon and my favorite soap by Primal Elements. Please bring this brand of soap into the store. They make a great selection of affordable unique bar soaps. The Cashier Clerk waited patiently for me to open my Amazon Prime app. and asked if I was an Amazon Member. Im glad she did. I didnt know there is a benefit for Amazon Prime members but now I do. Although I didnt see the 10% discount on my receipt she mentioned.Ill shop here rather than at a closer competition. Store was clean as we expect. Clerks actually were helpful, also as expected to be. Good job. Only 4/5 because I had to go to another store to get the items I didnt see available here. Otherwise, good.
The selections have reduced a bit since Amazon takeover. I usually am here for specific things as otherwise you can spend a lot here. All the house brand 365 stuff is the best deal in town. Very good quality for not a lot of money. Especially canned, nuts, Olive oil. Also the cheese selection is very nice. I look for the bits and pieces in the corner and find really nice stuff.
Overall I believe this is a great Whole Foods. I cannot remember them ever being out of stock of anything I need and they actually have items that can be hard to find elsewhere. They have chicken spines which are great for making a soup or stock and I have asked for varying bones from the butcher and have generally been able to get them especially if I call a day or 2 ahead of time. Their hot and cold buffet is fantastic with rotating items and a few main items I always tend to see on the buffet, the pizza is not bad either. They have a great seafood selection as well as a great floral section. The only downside is that lines are often quite long.
I have refused to go to Whole Foods for 4 or 5 monfhs. I am fed up with the way Amazon has changed the culture and reduced the selections among many categories of food.Yesterday, i needed some gluten free products and WF was the only store available..As usual, it was a frustrating experience trying to locate GF products. Several staff members were busy, one was talking with a man about rock bands, musicians, songs, etc. the whole time I was there. I stood facing him until he noticed me and when I asked him for directions he waved his hand toward an aisle and continued his conversation. When I was leaving the store, he was still talking with the other man.
Just your usual well-maintained Whole Foods Market. Clean, warm, smells of delicious food and follows all the pandemic protocols. There are occasional stocking issues, but it is hard to nail down stock availability these days with all the logistical complications involved.
The produce, fish, meat and basically everything is top notch. If you are selective the pricing is average. The staff are very friendly, we are regular customers and are recognized and treated well. For us it feels like a neighborhood store, with well above average quality.Since Amazon purchased WF there have been many changes. I would no longer rate the experience nor products as highly. For example they have had obviously moldy old green beans for sale. When I pointed that out to the stock person they removed one bag and left all the rest out. The prices continue to go up while the packages get smaller. I would take away a couple stars.
They need to re-evaluate how they handle their lunch hour customers. They have one quick check out lane at the noon time rush when most people there are getting something quick. The cashiers work at a snails pace. There is no commitment to speedy checkouts. Maybe it’s a suburb thing.
This is by far the worst Whole Foods I have ever shopped at. The customer service is hideous, the produce is often not fresh.I have decided not to shop at this Whole Foods anymore. This store can’t be trusted. I have been to the Green Bay store and it is like night and day. It’s a pleasure to walk in there. They care about the customers there. It may be a bit of a distance for me but it’s worth it.Goodbye WF downtown Evanston. You’re losing a good customer who shops there all the time. No more.Wendi G.
Experience was good but wish they would put back out the hand sanitizer . Use to have before Covid, why stop now. Stop being cheap. Was kind of a turn off. Also took sanitary wipes away for the carts because they supposedly have someone there wiping them off but personally I like to wipe my on cart off. Everyone doesnt take their jobs seriously and that cart wiping at this time is serious and I rather do it myself. The young guy out there wasnt telling people the carts had been wiped down so some people were asking. The person on this job needs to communicate freely.
Bargain basement prices. One of the cheapest places to shop. Screaming hot deals available almost all the time. Naah, just kidding. They have really good quality groceries and food items, but quality comes at a price. You pay a premium for quality, and personally, I think that is absolutely fine. Their service is extremely good too, staff is always so helpful and courteous. And you can see they take care of their staff too. I just wish they were able to drop their prices a notch too, so one could shop there and have the option to buy reasonably priced non-organic stuff and buy some items that I want to spend more money for premium quality on.
The staff is always really nice and the one thing that sets this place apart from a few other Whole Foods locations is that they make their own orange juice and a few others. Also parking has never been an issue here compared to the new one where it seems like it always in. Selection is great and overall great grocery store. Be prepared to spend at least 100 no matter what you get. Also great cheese section!
Great location. Perfectly centered around the entire downtown area of Evanston. Courteous employees, and cleanliness was a little more polished than most other locations I have visited. A 4 because the back section of the dinning area definitely needed some tending too.
I have NEVER encountered an employee in this store who made me feel welcome or had a smile on their face. They ALWAYS look very unhappy to be working, sometimes do not even greet me first/look me in the eye, when they do talk its usually under their nose so you can barely hear them, NEVER smile, and ask if I am a Prime member.The employees in the meat area for some reason give me a hard time and TRY to be funny when I ask for the fat to be cut off the meat. When they do cut it off, they do a VERY poor job, and I have more fat to cut off at home.I only shop here when I absolutely have to. Terrible store!
Credit card machines have a lot of trouble reading Apple Pay.Worse, impatient checkers.I dont need to shop here. I can find just about everything they sell elsewhere, including independent local butchers, cheese shops and seafood purveyors. Jeff Bezos has ruined the experience.
Shout out to florist Cody for helping me on Mother’s Day! He went above and beyond to answer all my questions and did a wonderful job arranging the flowers for me. Both my mom and mother-in-law were happy with their arrangements!It was also the first time I purchased an item at WF through my Amazon Prime account, so I’ll definitely be exploring that feature more!
I have stopped shopping here once I found out that they are not using gloves. And also I am tired of spending money on Fresh supposably salads and finding hair in them and just last night alone I found s fragment of a small insect in my Brussel kale salad along with that every time I seem to go in there there is a Hispanic gentleman who never washes his hands hes always outside smoking then well come in and handle the food this used to be one of my favorite stores before I seen how gross this place truly is yesterday and how rude they can be I personally will never shop there again and that particular location I have Must Have Spent thousands of dollars a month shopping there it just seems to be a very unsanitary place where you sit down and eat nobody wants to do their job to mop it correctly or to clean their restrooms but I drew the line when I found a piece of an insect in my food.
I work right down the block from this Whole Foods, and it has always been a convenient place to stop in on my way home from work. I would stop in at least once a week, often more. They have recently done some remodeling and changed the lighting throughout the store. I have had a lifelong struggle with migraines which can be triggered by certain lighting. This lighting is a trigger for me. From the entry way throughout the entire store, the lighting is so harsh that 5 minutes in the store causes me to start developing a headache. I try wearing protective eyewear when I am in there, but it merely downgrades the headache to perpetual nausea. The lighting is at once harsh and dark at the same time. I can no longer stand to be in this Whole Foods, and will go out of my way to avoid going there. If you are someone who has migraines or seizures and are triggered by certain lighting, avoid this Whole Foods at all costs.For years now, the employees have also been going outside to smoke in a little alcove at the side of the building. They are close to the sidewalk, but hidden away enough that I cannot always see if there is someone smoking when I walk past. I am allergic to cigarette smoke and need to be diligent about avoiding it, so when I am surprised by someone smoking there (usually an employee), I will often have an allergic reaction. I know that it is not illegal for them to be there since they are far enough away from the entrance, but it is still something that causes me to avoid going near the store.
How anyone rates this place less than a 4 is beyond me. Its a grocery store, not a five star hotel with concierge service. The staff is friendly and helpful, they work on getting people checked out - and on occasion if they suddenly get busy there might be a small wait, like every where else. Yes, its expensive - its Whole Foods you knew that going in. Organic/wild raised foods cost more, thats how it works.
This location has some of the grumpiest cashiers I have ever met, and the dining area could be a little better maintained. I once sat down at a table here, and the top of the table almost slid off of the stand it was on. Other than those things, this is just your typical Whole Foods.
I am a fan of Whole Foods but unfortunately this particular store has a terrible service. Today, I was refused to buy alcohol because apparently the photo on my Drivers Licence does not look like me. The cashier was specific that I lost too much weight. Then, he wanted to see my passport (which is a clear reference to my being a foreign national). His comments made me uncomfortable. When I wanted to file a complaint, I was told that cashier has every right to refuse alcohol. How about the rude behavior? This is not the first time the personnel was rude to me. I see that many complaints point to the same issue
Have had great service and ok service at this location. Seems to depend on who is working. The people in the cheese section seemed to go above and beyond, while the customer service team up front seemed to be apathetic. Which is ironic, seeing as how that is their main focus. People rightfully call this place Whole Paycheck as your price can add up very quickly. They have a pretty good hot bar, and a wide selection of quick bites for lunch. But be warned if you go in around 11:45-1 during the week, you will be waiting to checkout for a while. This is a hotspot for downtown Evanston employees to grab a bite. Personally I am in the store about 2-3 times a week.
Expensive...everything is organic. That being said the vegetables were reasonably priced and fresh, and the seafood was fresh from the sea or sustainably farmed. Do we really need organic lip balm??? A cheaper, more traditional grocery store would be Jewel Osco or Trader Joes
Only a few blocks from my office Im at this Whole Foods more than all the others I visit combined. I wouldnt classify this as one of the better WFM in the area but its not bad and covers many of the bases youd expect from the store. Dont expect a super amazing hot bar / salad bar or deli; what they do have is adequate.In fact everything is like a smaller version of what youd find in a larger WFM. Thats okay because I find the neighborhood feel more welcoming. Ive been coming here for years and dont see that changing. Also I will highly recommend the made-to-order sandwiches. They do a really good job in that department.
The service and lines at this store were bad and have gotten worse recently. Last week, in the mid-afternoon, I stood in a line that had six people ahead me. Three other lanes were similarly packed. It was the worst I have ever seen at this store. The other check-out lanes we closed. I would have left if I hadnt really been short of time and groceries.
This is the worst whole foods I have ever been inside of. The layout is more congested than normal and there are homeless people hanging out eating food they bought at jewel across the street. I gagged a little bit after I saw the dirty homeless person rummaging through the plastic cutlery and cups I had just pulled my utensils from. The salad bar was gross and had old stale pita chips and dried nasty salad droppings everywhere. The bathroom was gross also and nothing was hands free. There were no toilet seat covers in the stalls. I will never go back to this whole foods again. The store on Green Bay road is infinity times better.
Awesome store and everyone is so friendly!!! Very nice area!! Love this location a lot!!! My former supervisor Kaley works here too!!! It was so great seeing him!!! Love you WF for life!!! Location is smaller than most Whole Foods but its ok. Still an awesome store!!!
Kudos for offering more vegan options on the hot food bar! In the past, this location lagged behind its Chicago counterparts with regard to vegan options. Lately, however, there have been 2-3 items offered. This a step in the right direction! This location also has slices of vegan cake from Chicago Diner more often. Sometimes you may find Hilary Cookies. This location doesnt have the great vegan & gluten-free chocolate chip cookies that the South Evanston location does, but I hope Ill see them in stock here soon. The service at this location is by far the best I have experienced of all the Whole Food stores that I have visited in the Chicagoland area. Do not hesitate to ask a question, request an item that you do not see or to just say hello....right now a lady is making the slice of cake my daughter loves simply because I asked if there were any in stock. Keep up the good work - you guys rock!
They have good ingredients (meat, fish, vegetables) but their cooks seem to have no taste buds. The food doesnt taste like anything made for humans. They are cooks with an education no doubt, but, as so many educated cooks, they just follow the recipe. It all looks good but has no flavor. They need someone who cooks delicious food at home. We all know that the same recipe will taste different in different cooks hands.They dont have oat groats, the best way to survive a winter. I am reduced to using steel-cut oats, a tolerable substitute but a substitute nevertheless, or go to the WF five blocks South on Chicago Avenue.If you read the descriptions carefully, you will notice that most of their meats are not organic, nor do they say No antibiotics ever.In the last half a year or so they became lazy as well: roasted garlic on the cold salad bar is under-roasted. They burn a few cloves in their impatience and the rest are white and hard instead of being golden, soft and sweet as they are supposed to be and as they used to be last year.A huge markup doesnt seem justified, particularly on conventional foods. Grapes, berries, vegetables: the conventional fruit and vegetables are priced at twice the supermarket prices and 3-4 times more expensive than private supermarkets, like Devon Foods, Teds Market, any grocery store on Devon Avenue in Chicago.A good thing is, they will order for you if they dont have it. I particularly appreciate them ordering Nelsons Calendula Cream (the only Calendula cream that works) despite the difficulties: I buy 2 tubes, WF has to order a package of 8 which they cannot put on the shelf since it contains preservatives. They keep it in the cabinet in the Whole Body Section until someone (usually me again) asks for it. Calendula creme has to have preservatives or it doesnt work. The other ones that they do put on the shelf have no healing effect.
Is Whole Foods Corp CLOSING this location in downtown Evanston, IL?Ive noticed that it is not cleaned or maintained as well lately.Also, the guy working the deli about 11:55am today STILL grabs the deli servings, such as burgers, meats, that can be bagged with his hand. GROSS! He does not use a wax paper to grab the food just the gloved hand which he only ever puts on 1 glove. So, yeah his other hand not gloved handling food and containers.Yuck!Long Time Customer.
Cold watery pizza, messy hot bar with yesterdays leftovers, not enough food stocked to make the sandwich of my choice, tasteless and over priced rotisserie chicken, no napkins in the eating area but a homeless guy sleeping in the eating area (I support the homeless). To top things off, smug and ineffective customer service. Wow! Im never going back there. Their service is in the toilet and prices are through the roof!
The manger called the Evanston Police on me. He has told the Police Officer and me I can not return to this store this was while I was just about to make a purchase. His last name is Marcelino and you need to avoid this store manger.This happened on 5/9/2015 at 9:30 am. and I will be getting a copy of the police report. Sincerely, Mark Wayne Nelson also look me up on Facebook or twitter.
Total reviews rating 4.2
199 Reviews for Whole Foods Market 2023:
Review №1
2022-03-18Warning! You cannot put the Irish Soda Bread in the bread slicer!They let you slice your own bread there, and I was dying to use the machine.However, their soda bread is more like a giant scone, crumbly and delicious, and it doesnt do well in there.
Review №2
2022-05-28Quality is really good but pricy I must say. Good organic goods are available. Will appreciate if they have more reasonable options for everyone. Some creepy people always bother you while entering.
Review №3
2022-05-08I never really shop at Whole Foods, but I had some specific items I was looking to pick up and they had plenty of options for everything. This is the place to go if you want quality organic, natural, or vegan products.
Review №4
2022-05-20In the time of September/October I was there it was pretty great energy this one and the ones Fort Collins/Denver it seems the more you are great plain to Midwest the nicer the people and customers service are
Review №5
2022-01-29Market is fine and the items are good, but there are always sketchy homeless people in front of the store or inside the entry who immediately confront me for money. The security doesnt seem to do much about it, and it makes it annoying to shop here.
Review №6
2022-06-23One of my favorite grocery stores for fresh foods including fresh vegetables, fresh meats, but also prepared foods.
Review №7
2022-04-19This location definitely is the best grocery store in the area. With those few times that I went here the store would always be clean and spotless.
Review №8
2022-01-05I’m there 7 days a week by 8:30am at the latest hoping to buy a vegetarian breakfast burrito. 5 out of 7 days I walk out empty handed. How brilliant does 1 have to be to realize that if 5 out of 7 days you are sold out of a product within 30 mins of opening that maybe you should be making more of that product. If it’s not better by next week I’m no longer wasting my time and energy to walk there to be let down. I’m just going straight to Einstein Bagels. Which sucks because both WF and I lose on that one. They don’t get my money and I don’t get the breakfast I prefer. Do better Whole Foods because right now you guys are failing a simple task. .
Review №9
2022-04-22Its a smaller whole food with the basics, you find at whole foods. I believe I went prior to stocking. They were out of a lot of items. Staff were friendly and helpful.
Review №10
2021-12-31Norma working at the meat dept. is awesome and professional.Good memory here... When I was taking long to activate amazon prime barcode another American lady offered her barcode. Good place, good people.