Taste: A Cook's Place

MARY SPENCERS FAVORITE FOOD SOURCES

METRO DETROIT AREA

As a culinary instructor, I feel that it is a part of my job description to educate my students about where to purchase good quality ingredients at a reasonable price. Over the years, I have developed a list of favorite grocers and food sellers. I hope you will enjoy shopping at these establishments as much as I do. Tell them that Mary sent you!!!

MEAT

Ronnies Quality Meats

Gratiot Central Market (across from Eastern Market)

1429 Gratiot, Detroit, MI Ph: 313-566-5471

Pork (especially ribs), Beef (GREAT Prime Rib), Ox Tails, etc. at a very reasonable prices.

It is worth the trip downtown to just go to Ronnies!!!!!!!!

Wigleys Corned Beef

Gratiot Central Market

1429 Gratiot, Detroit, MI PH: 313-831-6881

The best corned beef in the world!!!

 Capital Poultry

2448 Riopelle, Detroit, MI Ph: 313-567-8200

Great quality Amish chicken, and poultry

Dearborn Sausage Co.

2450 Wyoming St., Dearborn, MI Ph: 313-842-2375

Great hams and sausage. Famous for its spiral cut ham, but the Old Fashioned ham is just as good, if not better.

Super Greenland Market 

Sparrows Meats (inside Kerrytown Market)

415 North 5^th Ave., Ann Arbor, MI Ph: 734-761-8175

Pricey but great quality meat. Where I buy veal bones and imported anchovies.

Joe's Meat and Seafood (next door to Joe's Produce)

33066 7 mile road, at Farmington Road.

Just opened in May, 2012. Great meats and seafood.

PRODUCE

Randazzos Market

6701 Newburgh Rd., Westland, MI Ph: 734-454-1712 and other locations

For over a decade, I have been raving about the quality, great prices and global selection of fruit and vegetables at Randazzos. Not a gourmet market with heirloom tomatoes, or wild mushrooms, just a great selection of fresh produce.

Blocks Farm Market

21960 Eureka Road, Romulus, MI Ph: 734-941-9388

Seasonal open area market south of metro airport. Open from mid-July through fall. Great prices. Stuff a bag of corn for $2.99 (on average). My best effort was 30 ears of corn per bag. Dont be embarrassed corn stuffing is encouraged there, and its fun. Also, good prices on pickling pickles, squash and bottled spices. Do NOT speed on Eureka Rd. It is heavily patrolled!!

The Produce Station

1629 S. State St., Ann Arbor, MI Ph: 734-663-7848

Hard to find produce and specialty gourmet products, and ready to heat entrees.

Northville Farmers Market

(seasonal Michigan produce and food products)

Chefs at the Market cooking demos monthly

Every Thursday 8:00am - 2:00pm
May - October each year

(2013 = May 2 - Oct. 24)

Located in the Northville Downs parking lot at the northwest corner of 7 Mile and Sheldon Rd.

FISH

Monahans Fish Market

(inside Kerrytown Market)

415 N. 5^th, Ann Arbor, MI Ph: 734-662-5118

Pricey for some fish but the best quality. Great customer service. Wide variety. They make and sell their own fish stock.

Costco (various locations)

A limited selection of good quality fish, e.g. salmon, trout, halibut, shellfish at a good price. Good turnover. Frozen cod is good quality and a good buy. They stock canned CRAB year round at a great price.

Hillers Market (various locations)

425 N. Center St., Northville, MI Ph: 248-344-1030

A limited selection of high quality fish (especially salmon) and shellfish. The swordfish is reasonably priced.

Joe's Meat and Seafood (see Meat section above for details)

EXTRA VIGIN OLIVE OILS AND BALSAMIC VINEGARS

Old World Olive Press

Wide selection of Regional and flavored EVOOs and flavored Balsamic vinegars

467 Forest St., Plymouth, MI 48170

734-667-2755

And 282 W. Maple, Birmingham, MI 48012

248-792-2192

Knowledgeable and courteous staff

www.oldworldolivepress.com

(click website address to be linked to the Old World Olive Press website.)

Fustinis Olives and Vinegars

Kerrytown Shops, Ann Arbor, MI

734-213-1110

Large selection of Regional and flavored EVOOs and flavored Balsamic vinegars

Knowledgeable and courteous staff

www.fustinis.com

(click website address to be linked to Fustinis)

CHEESE

Trader Joes (various locations)

Decent selection of good quality cheese.

Zingerman's

422 Detroit St., Ann Arbor, MI Ph: 734-663-3354

High priced but high quality artisanal cheeses. Great customer service with knowledgeable staff. A cheese lovers paradise.

Devries Chesse Company -

(was known as R. Hirt Jr. Co.)Eastern Market

Regulars of Detroit's Eastern Market mourning the loss of R. Hirt Jr. Co., take heed: The specialty retailer is back.The store, founded in 1887, which closed late last year because of bickering between the third- and fourth-generation family members, has reopened under a new name, DeVries & Co. It's owned by David DeVries, a grandson of the founder.

A large selection of cheeses, charcuterie. Real puff pastry (made with real butter)!!!

DAIRY

Guernsey Farms Dairy

21300 Novi Rd., Novi, MI Ph: 248-349-1466

The best whipping cream, old European style. Rich ice cream.

Calder Dairy

9334 Finzel Rd., Carleton, MI Ph: 734-654-2622

A live operating dairy farm. Come at 4 p.m. to watch the cows being milked. A great day trip for the kids!!! Homemade ice cream, sour cream, non-homogenized milk.

SPICES

Penzeys Spice Company

17712 W. 13 Mile Rd. , Beverly Hills, MI Ph: 248-647-6177

It doesnt hold a candle to Rafals Spice Company that closed in Detroit, but it does have a good selection of spices.

Hashems Nut and Coffee Gallery (See below under Middle Eastern)

Spice Merchants

located in Kerrytown

A wide variety of spices, salts, sugars, etc.

407 North 5th AvenueAnn Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 332-5500

Nanci Jenkins Manager

www.spicemerchants.biz

(click website address to be linked to Spice Merchants)

The Spice and Tea Exchange

The Spice and Tea Exchange of Birmingham

175 W. Maple Rd.

Birmingham, MI  48009

(248) 433-1500

GOURMET PRODUCTS

Zingermans (see above)

A fine selection of artisanal products, olive oils, vinegars, cheeses, smoked fish, cured meats, etc. High priced but high quality.

Papa Joes

6900 N. Rochester Rd., Rochester, MI Ph: 248-609-5670 or

34244 N. Woodward, Birmingham, MI Ph: 248-723-9400

A great food emporium. Wine tasting. Upscale gourmet grocery. Offers a service where they will cook your chosen fish or meat selection right there before your eyes.

BREAD

Cantoros Market

(See Itialian section below)

19710 Middlebelt Rd., Livonia, MI Ph: 248-478-2345

Zingermans (see above)

Avalon Bakery

422 W. Willis, Detroit, MI Ph: 313-832-0008

Wonderful small artisanal bread bakery.

CANDY

Rocky Peanut Co. (Eastern Market)

2489 Russell St., Detroit, MI Ph: 313-567-6871

Bulk Candy, dried fruits, nuts, spices and a lot of fun candy for the big and little kids - brings back a lot of childhood memories for many of us!

ETHNIC

I find it is helpful to initially shop at ethnic groceries with a specific menu, rather than wandering aimlessly through the aisles. Do not be afraid to ask for help!!! Generally the sales staff are happy to educate you about their cuisine and culture if asked.

CHINESE / ASIAN / THAI

Evergreen Supply Co.

26760 Lahser Rd., Southfield, MI Ph: 248-354-8181

A great selection of Chinese and Asian foods.

Kimnheung (Thai store)

13 mile and Dequindre

Madison Heights, MI

JAPANESE

World Market

42705 Grand River, Novi, MI Ph: 248-374-0844

Largest Japanese market in Michigan

ITALIAN

Cantoros Market

19710 Middlebelt Rd., Livonia, MI Ph: 248-478-2345

My favorite Italian market. Fresh baked Italian breads, cookies, wonderful deli selection, dried pastas, cheeses, olives, and fresh made subs. They also carry FRESH Pizza dough that cannot be beat. Crowded on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays. Don't go there hugry, you may buy out the store -there are just that many great things to eat.

Alcamos Market

4423 Schaeffer Rd., Dearborn, MI Ph: 313-584-3010

Filled to the brim with Italian products, olive oils, vinegars, pastas, etc.

MEXICAN

Honeybee Market

(near west side, near the abandoned train station)

2443 Bagley, Detroit, MI Ph: 313-237-0295

Best Mexican market in the metro Detroit area. Good produce department. Take home some marinated chicken for the grill. While in Mexican town try the luncheon tacos at LUPITAS TACQUERIA, 3443 Bagley, Detroit, MI Ph: 313-843-1105. Very inexpensive and wonderful food day or night.

INDIAN

Vandanas Indian Spice Market (see above)

MIDDLE EASTERN

Greenland Market

15237 W. Warren, Dearborn, MI Ph: 313-584-5445

Hashems Nuts and Coffee Gallery

13041 W. Warren, Dearborn, MI Ph: 313-581-3212

A small nut shop specializing in Lebanese and Turkish products. Many varieties of fresh nuts and spice by bulk.

Shatila Bakery

14300 W. Warren, Dearborn, MI Ph: 313-582-1952

Freshest Phyllo Dough

EASTERN EUROPEAN

Polish Market

2938 E. Maple Rd., Troy, MI Ph: 248-577-5334

Srodeks Market

44632 Mound Rd., Sterling Heights, MI Ph: 586-997-0950

Good fresh Polish sausage

Bozeks Polish Market

2297 18 Mile, Sterling Heights, MI Ph: 586-991-0135

Sofias Market

47764 Pontiac Trail, Wixom, MI Ph: 248-669-3535

Russian focus. Smoked fish and canned fish.

RESTAURANT SUPPLIES / MISC.

Wen's Kitchen Supply Inc.  (Open to the public)

31658 John R.

Madison Heights, MI  

Ph:  248-589-2483

Restaurant Equippers  (Open to the public)

27141 Greenfield

Southfield, MI  

248-415-0212

Bell & Sons  (Open to the public)

26514 W. 7 Mile Rd.

Redford, MI

888-498-8739

Kitchen Supplies on the web:

Instawares.com

+++ Sorry for the west side bias. Its just that this is where we shop and what I know.