Sunset Featured on Chicago’s Channel 7 ABC News

March, 2005

Sunset was the recent subject of acclaimed author and restaurant/food critic James Ward’s popular weekly segment on Chicago’s Channel 7 ABC news. You can access the review at their web site by pointing your browser to http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/ward/030405_ward_supermarket.html
Mr. Ward appears every Friday on ABC7 News at 10 p.m., Monday on ABC7 News This Morning, and the first Sunday of every month on ABC7 News Sunday Morning. He covers a wide variety of food and leisure activities available in the Chicagoland area. We appreciate the kind words by our customers and his hard work putting this feature together. The complete transcript of the piece follows:

The Super, Supermarket: Sunset Foods
By James Ward
March 4, 2005 — Over the years, food critic James Ward has covered a variety of food shops and grocery stores. Now, he’s going to tell us about a north suburban supermarket where the emphasis is on service with a personal touch!

It’s a super supermarket, as well as a North Shore institution and tradition for generations of loyal shoppers. And all of them think the sun rises and sets on their food store!

Highland Park’s Water Tower is a landmark -- and just below, there’s another landmark -- Sunset Foods. Family-owned since 1937 by the Cortesi family, Sunset glows in the loyalty of its customers.

"I love the Cortesi family, they’re great. I’ve been shopping here for 50 years. Excellent service, good product, good people and they’re good to the community too," said a devoted customer.

At first glance, the store looks like other large supermarkets with aisle-after-aisle stocked with staples. But look again! Sunset is different! Sunset is special! Customers are warmly welcomed by Bill … there’s a Service Department that really means it … complimentary coffee, of course … plus many tastings and samplings.

The on-premise Bakery turns out basics and beauties -- from sweet treats to challah bread, bagels, bialys and beyond. Next, they’re very proud of the Deli -- prepared entrees, salads & sides, freshly made soups & hot food to-go. And the Spa Cuisine offerings are very popular with folks who are watching their carbs and calories.

Sunset is famous. near & far, for its catering: events large and small from birthdays and bar mitzvahs to weddings and special celebrations.

Now, the Meat Department may look prosaic, but it’s prime and choice, all hand-butchered by Mike and Sam. The Seafood display is small but spectacular -- the man-in-charge is Freddy, my favorite fishmonger!

Then you can’t miss Vince’s sensational, colorful Produce section: great fruit and vegetables plus an impressive variety of organic items and precious baby veggies. It’s very special … as is the extensive Kosher Food section. And hey, Sunset is already preparing for Passover.

Finishing touches" Don’t forget the wine or fresh flowers! Want anything else, just ask the staff! One customer of 26 years, notes: "They’ll find anything for you and if they don’t have it, they’ll order it for you."

Other happy Sunset shoppers enthusiastically remark: " I love the food & service, I love the people who work here, they’re fabulous" … "I love Sunset, it’s unbelievable, there’s nothing like the service at Sunset" … "The quality is always consistent, it’s excellent, the people are so warm and nice" … "You can’t beat this store" … "The people are great, love the service" … "No one has a check out system like Sunset."

So, from friendly greeting to speedy check-out, there’s never any waiting: they unload your cart, swiftly bag your goods, and deliver them to your car! Now that’s service! Sunset service!

Sunset Foods :
Highland Park - 1812 Green Bay Road - (847) 432-5500
Northbrook - 1127 Church Street - (847) 272-7700
Lake Forest - 825 S. Waukegan Road - (847) 234-8380
Libertyville - 1451 West Peterson - (847) 573-9570

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