Anton Dy Buncio is proud to call himself a foodie. The 29-year-old Andersonville resident runs Food Sherpa, a daily deal site for imported foods. He's a big fan of Gene's Sausage Shop & Delicatessen in Lincoln Square, well-known for various meats and prepared foods, particularly potato pancakes.
But when it comes to top-quality produce, he heads to Whole Foods in nearby Evanston. "I'm pretty selective," he said. "I don't buy other expensive things, but I will spend money on food." In his opinion, Whole Foods runs circles around traditional grocers' produce that "just doesn't seem as fresh."
His perception helps explain a phenomenon that's particularly apparent in the Chicago grocery scene: Upscale grocers are thriving as higher-income families return to old buying habits and the middle class splurges to buy premium produce or organic steaks, figuring that it's still cheaper than eating at a restaurant.
But not everyone can afford to pay a premium. Many people who have been hard-hit by the recession still seek out savings, which keeps value operators like Wal-Mart and Aldi front and center.
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