Unique Vintage 2-Bedroom Gold Coast Triplex for $549,900: 29 W. Chestnut
This 2-bedroom triplex at 29 W. Chestnut in the Gold Coast came on the market in September 2021. (Sorry about the bad photo.)
Built in 1889, this building has 5 units and one street facing garage space.
This unit is accessed through the central courtyard and has its own private entrance.
The kitchen, dining room and a half bath are on the first floor.
The listing says the kitchen was “remodeled” but the 2011 listing also said it was “remodeled” and the pictures look similar.
It has wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and soapstone counter tops with an island that seats 3.
The second floor is the living room which has built-in bookcases and a fireplace.
The third floor has both bedrooms and the full bathroom.
There are skylights throughout.
The unit has the features buyers look for including central air and washer/dryer in the unit.
Parking is available to rent in the building next door.
The pictures show an outdoor courtyard area. The listing doesn’t say if that’s a private space for this unit, or if it’s shared.
This building is located on a tree line street near shops, restaurants and public transportation.
Historic Washington Square Park is a block away.
We actually chattered about this property in the 2008-2011 time period.
Back during the housing bust, it was called a “carriage townhouse.”
The chatterati got it correct on the price though.
Originally listed at $650,000 in June 2010, it had reduced to $499,000. Many thought it would sell for around $400,000.
See our 2010 chatter here.
It’s 10 years later and the housing market has recovered from the bust.
Listed at $549,900, will it sell fast this go around?
Richard Aronson at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices has the listing. See the pictures and floor plan here.
Unit #3: 2 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, 1800 square feet, triplex
- Sold in April 1989 for $225,000
- Sold in October 1997 for $276,500
- Sold in September 2002 for $450,000
- Sold in July 2011 for $387,500
- Currently listed at $549,900
- Assessments of $125 a month (includes exterior maintenance, lawn care, scavenger, snow removal)
- Taxes of $8569 (they were $5908 in December 2010)
- Central Air
- Washer/dryer in the unit
- No parking- but garage parking is available to rent in the building next door
- Fireplace
- Bedroom #1: 14×12 (third floor)
- Bedroom #2: 12×10 (third floor)
- Living room: 17×35 (second floor)
- Dining room: 12×12 (main floor)
- Kitchen: 13×12 (main floor)
Super awkward layout which lacks views and natural light.
You’d have to really want to live in the Gold Coast to make this work. I suspect that post COVID (less need to commute to downtown), the pool of potential buyers will be much smaller than when this place was last on the market in 2011.
“The chatterati got it correct on the price though.”
So, not *always* wrong.
’11 price + CPI = $468k
’97 price + CPI = $467k
’89 price + CPI = $499k
So, I’d go with $490k this time, but maybe demand is strong enough for a bit of upside for the seller.
What’s with the pulls on the bottom 2 drawers on the left in the kitchen?
“I suspect that post COVID (less need to commute to downtown), the pool of potential buyers will be much smaller than when this place was last on the market in 2011.”
Really?
I would expect it to be even greater than 2011. Downtown has exploded with even more restaurants, entertainment, coffee shops etc. There’s still a problem on the Mag Mile thanks to COVID and changes in retail, in general, but nearby Rush street is booming and is able to lease open space pretty quickly.
This is in south Gold Coast. It will be just a block or two from the new mega-Whole Foods going in One Chicago Place. South Gold Coast is still popular.
The nearby highrises to this location have no trouble selling units and the most popular luxury building in the city is just a block or so away.
“So, not *always* wrong.”
The chatterati was usually too bearish during the bust years too but in this case, they got it pretty close to correct.
I’m always baffled by pictures that realtors use. Why are the two dresser drawers open? You couldn’t remove the dirty towel before photographing the shower? And yes, the weird pulls in the kitchen. If that’s the attention to detail in the listing photos, what’s the attention to detail in negotiating the deal and the contracts?
“the new mega-Whole Foods”
Just a grocery delivery hub that you can shop yourself, and pick up hot bar. Used to love the Food Holes, but they are pale shadows now and I don’t think very likely to change back.
in other words: not a real nearby amenity, imo, unless WF has a better model for delivery staging in new stores and can bring back the in-person shopping experience. But you say AMZN sucks at in-person shopping, so I can’t be too hopeful.
“ “I suspect that post COVID (less need to commute to downtown), the pool of potential buyers will be much smaller than when this place was last on the market in 2011.”
“ Really? I would expect it to be even greater than 2011. Downtown has exploded with even more restaurants, entertainment, coffee shops etc.”
There might be more retail or restaurants — hard to find the data on that. However, there are definitely a lot fewer people who need to go downtown every day. The people who previously chose to live downtown to be close to work may not feel the need to stay downtown if working remotely or on a hybrid model.
There are other neighborhoods with lots of restaurants and access to retail that are more affordable than Gold Coast. I do wonder if very close proximity to retail is even that important these days given that Amazon, Target, Macy’s and all the Instacart stores can deliver same day.
Taking an Uber downtown from anywhere in the city on limited occasions isn’t that bad.
I am baffled by the photos but also baffled that someone things a professional photographer would be the one to rearrange a drawer and close it. I don’t think they are allowed to touch things and if the homeowner left (I personally would be standing by asking the photographer if they had any last minute advice and I am guessing the photographer would have said, please close the drawers, please remove one of the stools from near the kitchen island, please turn on ALL the lights).
owners clearly didn’t measure the island before purchasing four stools. I would have grabbed a stool and made sure it wasn’t in the picture. Definitely a target run to get some fresh looking towels.
I wonder how often the neighbors hanging out on their abysmal dingy back deck (what a view! LOL) impedes one’s ability to sleep in this unit.
Personally I think this place sucks and the taxes indicate it is assessed for just under $500K which seems about right. I think that is what it would appraise for and probably what they will get. Looks like the handles for the bottom two cabinet drawers are just flat out missing? Upstairs bath cabinet doors appear not to close properly either. When little things are not maintained my mind wanders…what big item that you cannot see is about to break? The place would benefit from some fresh paint (It just appears dingy to me…but maybe because it gets no natural light) If this place had parking, better light and private outdoor space it would go for just shy of $600K in today’s market so I put this at just around or under $500K….Too depressing to live in full time but would make a great pied a terre.
“Too depressing to live in full time but would make a great pied a terre.”
Yet someone has lived in this property for 10 years.
It has only sold 4 times (this will be the fifth) since 1989.
Apparently, a handful of people didn’t find it that “depressing.”
“Just a grocery delivery hub that you can shop yourself, and pick up hot bar. Used to love the Food Holes, but they are pale shadows now and I don’t think very likely to change back.”
Have you ever BEEN to the Whole Foods in Lincoln Park (it’s second largest in the country) or the one in West Lakeview (also one of its largest)?
Yeah- this Whole Foods is going to be like those. With test kitchen and all the bells and whistles, including inhouse restaurants/cafes.
You know. An emporium to food. Like the Eatalys are.
So, yeah, it’s pretty much an outstanding amenity anon(tfo). And a real selling point, just like Trader Joe’s in a neighborhood is.
But we’ll see what it’s like when it opens. Maybe Amazon will drop the ball and put just a “normal” Whole Foods in that location, but that was not the plan I’ve seen for that site. And I can’t believe they’d be stupid enough to waste opening a new store 2 blocks off the Mag Mile.
But since they stink at brick and mortar, who knows?
“I’m always baffled by pictures that realtors use.”
They are in charge of the pictures. They hire the photographer. They tell the homeowner what they want/expect for the shoot.
I’ve heard stories of many shoving clutter into closets and some realtors will actually send cleaning people in before the pictures are shot. And rightly so.
Pictures are SO important now. Can make or break a property.
“ I’ve heard stories of many shoving clutter into closets and some realtors will actually send cleaning people in before the pictures are shot. And rightly so.
Pictures are SO important now. Can make or break a property.”
Sabrina, where are you getting this info?do you work in real estate?
“ Like the Eatalys are“
Eatalys are for chuds. If you’re shopping at Eataly, with a decent Italian population, you’re doing it wrong. Buy the reusable bag and shop elsewhere to impress Chad & Trixie
Shit go to Caputos and save 50%.
“ Sabrina, where are you getting this info?do you work in real estate?”
JoeZ
“Sabrina, where are you getting this info?do you work in real estate?”
Nope. Have never worked in real estate. But I know a lot of realtors.
Doesn’t everyone who runs a real estate blog for 14 years?
Lol.
They can all tell you the stories about what they do to get a property ready for pictures.
“If you’re shopping at Eataly, with a decent Italian population, you’re doing it wrong.”
Eatalys were first built in…Italy.
They only came to the United States later.
It’s a very successful example of the food “experience” that Whole Foods has also replicated at some of its larger stores.
Cooking classes, tours, multiple cafes, a market.
It’s all about the “experience” that you can’t get anywhere else.
“ They only came to the United States later.
It’s a very successful example of the food “experience” that Whole Foods has also replicated at some of its larger stores.
Cooking classes, tours, multiple cafes, a market.
It’s all about the “experience” that you can’t get anywhere else.”
Chuds aren’t know for being really smart
Again if you aren’t smart no prob pay a grossly inflated price. But if you have your head out of your ass, there’s better options. Can’t get anywhere else, LOL. Make a friend with an Italian, offer to help their mom on Sunday dinner and you’ll learn 10X
Also, not shocking that you’d support a company where a abuser of women was the face of the company
If I wanted a dark, crowded space with the vibe of a basement, I could rent an apartment in some 1950s complex in West Rogers Park for a lot less money.
This is a cute street and a great location, but the place is either really dim inside or needs better photos to show off any possible positive attributes.
“Can’t get anywhere else, LOL.”
Are there Eatalys in Springfield or Peoria?
No.
If you’ve been to Chicago in the last, say, 10 years, you’d realize that Little Italy has mostly died off. The older restaurants have been taken over by Mexicans, actually. And good for them. Still cooking the same old recipes. But tastes have changed. Millennials and GenZ don’t want that old food anymore.
My kids don’t seek it out. But they will go eat in the Eataly.
But the Eataly is an experience. A destination. I’m using it as an example of what the huge new Whole Foods could be like. That’s it.
I’m sorry you don’t understand where food is headed. In Indiana it doesn’t matter. In major cities, it matters.
This is why the Dom’s Kitchen & Market looks to be a success as well. It, too, is an “experience” with multiple dining experiences, cooking classes and a market.
Same thing with Foxtrot. They’ve created an “experience” with that concept too. Many have a cafe along with the convenience store angle.
“ Are there Eatalys in Springfield or Peoria?
No.”
Who cares? Overpriced chud matket
“ If you’ve been to Chicago in the last, say, 10 years, you’d realize that Little Italy has mostly died off. The older restaurants have been taken over by Mexicans, actually. And good for them. Still cooking the same old recipes. But tastes have changed. Millennials and GenZ don’t want that old food anymore.”
Zero to do with anything I posted. Why are you talking about restaurants?
“ My kids don’t seek it out. But they will go eat in the Eataly.”
Judging by their “Moms” intelligence and taste, not surprising. Do they brag about the “experience “? LOL
“ But the Eataly is an experience. A destination. I’m using it as an example of what the huge new Whole Foods could be like. That’s it.”
You like hanging with fellow chuds,, cool.
“I’m sorry you don’t understand where food is headed. In Indiana it doesn’t matter. In major cities, it matters.”
If you’re bragging about Eataly, you are clueless
“Yet someone has lived in this property for 10 years.”
We don’t know that. We only know that they *owned* it for 10 years.
“Have you ever BEEN to the Whole Foods in Lincoln Park (it’s second largest in the country) or the one in West Lakeview (also one of its largest)?”
Yes, many, many times. Like I said, was a fan: “Used to love the Food Holes, but they are pale shadows now and I don’t think very likely to change back.”
And since COVID, they SUCK. There are NO test kitchens–they are staging areas for deliveries. The bars are closed, you can’t eat there, they SUCK!!!
And, per your own words, AMZN sucks at B&M, so there isn’t much reason to expect them to revert back–>unless you’re willing to admit that you might be wrong about AMZN sucking at B&M.
Are you sure YOU live in Chicago?
“some realtors will actually send cleaning people in before the pictures are shot.”
WOW, real f’ing inside dirt there.
Next we’ll hear about how some realtors hire stagers, too.
Sabrina in another thread:
“Amazon … are losers in [brick & mortar]. They’ve failed at everything.”
Yet she expects that they won’t fuck up the One Chicago Whole Foods, when the two stores she cites as great completely suck ass compared to 3 years ago?
Pick a lane!
Are you sure YOU live in Chicago, Sabrina?
“Shit go to Caputos and save 50%.”
and if you lived anywhere close to Chicago you’d know that there isn’t a Caputo’s within 15+ miles of Eatily.
“you’d know that there isn’t a Caputo’s within 15+ miles of Eatily.”
Elmwood Park store is bang on 10 miles, and doesn’t even require making a single turn–if you found a street spot on Grand. From Grand/Wabash to Grand/Harlem.
Of course, ain’t no one living walking distance from Eataly driving to Elmwood Park to save $40 on some tomatoes and pasta, unless combining with a visit to Nonna.
‘Of course, ain’t no one living walking distance from Eataly driving to Elmwood Park to save $40 on some tomatoes and pasta, unless combining with a visit to Nonna”
Stock up every couple of months, some #10 cans of San Maranzano, Pecorino, Good Dried Pasta, etc. As an added bonus, stop by Damattos for some bread
You’re also neglecting the value of not stepping foot in an Eataly and dealing with a bunch of douchebags
“some #10 cans of San Maranzano, Pecorino, Good Dried Pasta”
I can get the tomatoes on my doorstep for the same price as Caputo’s; pecorino from anywhere (Bari, sure, getting me a sammy, and bread from next door, and saving an hour in the car); and dried pasta–what’s your brand?
“I can get the tomatoes on my doorstep for the same price as Caputo’s” – You can get a #10 can for <$10? Where?
P-R was about 50% less than Mariano's – YMMV
Bucatini – Granoro (best I've found for Cacio e pepe)
Rigatoni/tube – Cocco
DeCecco – In a pinch
There's a fat spaghetti (Like #4) that I'm out of and cant remember the name
“You can get a #10 can for <$10? Where?"
Hmm, not finding any in stock right now, but I have #10 cans that I paid less than $10 for, including ups/usps/fedex delivery. Bona Fide San Marzano. Have gotten them at Costco in the past, too.
btw, had been "reliably" informed here that real sna marzano tomatoes were only attainable at the most select of grocers. Strange that that isn't true, either.
also, appears no Cocco pasta at either Caputo’s or Eataly.
This place is so dark, the seller should be required to include a supply of vitamin D.
“Elmwood Park store is bang on 10 miles and doesn’t even require making a single turn–if you found a street spot on Grand”
but that’s not going to be the fastest way to get there but whatever. my point is no one is going out of their way to go there if they’re anywhere near downtown.
“ Hmm, not finding any in stock right now, but I have #10 cans that I paid less than $10 for, including ups/usps/fedex delivery. Bona Fide San Marzano. Have gotten them at Costco in the past, too.”
Thanks – hadn’t seen SM’s that cheap (other than Caputos), Hunts or Fake SM, yes.
“ btw, had been “reliably” informed here that real sna marzano tomatoes were only attainable at the most select of grocers. Strange that that isn’t true, either.”
Was also “reliably” informed that S-M wern’t as good as some domestic product
“ also, appears no Cocco pasta at either Caputo’s or Eataly.”
Might have to call or drive out to Elmwood Park or Addison, that where I got it from. I don’t think they have every product listed as they only had 1 brand of #10 can of SM’s shown.
Sausages there are excellent as well (plenty of fennel) If you like lamb, try the Barese .
LOL, johnnyu. On a site riddled with bitter suburban and/or ex Chicago posters you truly take the cake. Having lurked around here for some years but never bothered to post, I have to admit I got a chuckle out of you listing off the apparent litany of pasta varieties you buy from local shops simply to attempt to establish some cred and act as though you’ve lived in this city in the past two decades when I distinctly remember you casually dropping some years ago that you live in Minneapolis.
Just embarrassing, man…
Don’t worry though. You can carry on from this point with your devastating and endlessly witty quips of “gov fatfuck, boxed wine, cat lady” etc. And don’t worry, when nobody here laughs at your jokes, mirroring what your life is like in the real world, it’s all of US that just don’t get it, couldn’t possibly be you.
“Bona Fide San Marzano. Have gotten them at Costco in the past, too.”
Just fyi: If you watched Stanley Tucci’s Travels in Italy you would know that the San Marzano tomatoes that Americans eat are not the real thing.
There is a limited amount of land where they can grow those tomatoes and it could never meet the demands of Costco, Jewels, Eataly, Marianos etc.
He discusses this with an Italian farmer on the show.
“Stock up every couple of months, some #10 cans of San Maranzano, Pecorino, Good Dried Pasta, etc. As an added bonus, stop by Damattos for some bread”
Those of you who don’t live in Chicago don’t realize what the Eataly even IS.
It’s a tourist attraction. It’s restaurants. It’s an experience.
They tried to include a pretty extensive market originally, but quickly got rid of that part of it. Even used to carry fruit and vegetables, but who was going there for that? They weren’t.
The Chicago store almost exclusively carries items you cannot get anywhere else. Exclusive pastas and olive oils. Wines and meats.
Yes, they also have a bakery on site.
They used to have tours you could take of the building which were cool. I’m sure those were stopped due to covid. When they bring them back, I highly recommend it.
I’m expecting Whole Foods to compete with that aspect of the Eataly given it’s fantastic location. As well as also carrying the local foods that the River North store a few blocks away already carries.
And yes, having a massive Whole Foods nearby, or in your building, is a big selling point.
The Lincoln Park Whole Foods rocks. The Eataly is fun and vibrant.
I hope they don’t disappoint with this store.
“WOW, real f’ing inside dirt there.”
anon(tfo), I know you’re a realtor. But the point of this site is to provide information to those who aren’t.
99% of people have no idea how it works to list a property. If they did, we wouldn’t see crazy pictures with dirty clothes on the floor etc.
So, yeah, they WILL send in cleaning people. They WILL literally just scoop up clutter, shove it into whatever closets they can, and get the pictures taken.
Some clients “get it.” Others don’t want to do anything to clean it up. They won’t take down their extensive wedding pictures, for instance.
I feel for realtors. They have a hard job with some properties/clients.
“We don’t know that. We only know that they *owned* it for 10 years.”
There’s been few sales anon(tfo). So, again, this isn’t a property selling every 3 years so all the “this property sucks” is people who are clueless.
It’s sales history DOES tell you the tale.
“Zero to do with anything I posted. Why are you talking about restaurants?”
Because the Eataly is ALL about the restaurants???
Clearly, JohnnyU, you have never been IN any Eataly.
I recommend you check it out whenever you are next in Chicago. Or any other city that has one. I’ve heard the NYC one is cool. I wonder how the one in LA is doing?
“If you’re bragging about Eataly, you are clueless”
Nope. It’s the other way around, I’m afraid.
It’s a big tourist attraction. They aren’t in Springfield or Peoria. Something unique. Similar to the TimeOut Food Hall. Hopefully the new food hall off State Street will be the same.
Food is huge for the tourism industry.
And even for the local housing market as we know home’s sell for more if they’re near amenities like Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods or places like Dom’s Kitchen & Market.
“ Because the Eataly is ALL about the restaurants???
Clearly, JohnnyU, you have never been IN any Eataly.
I recommend you check it out whenever you are next in Chicago. Or any other city that has one. I’ve heard the NYC one is cool. I wonder how the one in LA is doing?”
LOL
I’ve been to the one in Flatiron. I’ll give you the rooftop was cool. Food was a 1/2 step up from Olive Garden at 4X the price.
And yes I’m bitter that for a business dinner in NYC, that’s where I got dragged
They make their money on Tourists and the clueless (like you). If they relied on local business they’d be closed in a month. Had better food in at least a 1/2 dozen Italian restaurants across the river at 1/2 the price
Also the “market” was a joke
“ Nope. It’s the other way around, I’m afraid.”
No it’s not.
You’re the type of moron that thinks they “know” a city by spending a weekend there (See Soulard as an example)
“It’s a big tourist attraction. They aren’t in Springfield or Peoria. Something unique. Similar to the TimeOut Food Hall. Hopefully the new food hall off State Street will be the same.
Food is huge for the tourism industry.”
Great it’s a tourist attraction. But since we agree that it’s a tourist attraction, their primary goal is not to cater to locals. Which is why I said it’s an overpriced chud market (explains why you like it )
“And even for the local housing market as we know home’s sell for more if they’re near amenities like Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods or places like Dom’s Kitchen & Market.”
None of these are tourist attractions. So not sure what Eataly has to do with this.
Just open Box number 2 and go away…
“None of these are tourist attractions. So not sure what Eataly has to do with this.”
Yeah- they are.
This started because someone said it wasn’t a great location and that it didn’t matter that a huge Whole Foods was going in literally a block away.
But yeah, it DOES matter.
It’s a destination- if they do it right. And a huge selling point. Just like Eataly, Dom’s, the huge WF in Lincoln Park and Lakeview and Trader Joe’s (no matter the location).
Yeah- even tourists go to Trader Joe’s. They don’t have them in many cities.
Your comeback JohnnyU always has to be that I’m drinking.
There’s gotta be a better comeback than that.
Sad.
“ You know. An emporium to food. Like the Eatalys are.”
Vs
“ They tried to include a pretty extensive market originally, but quickly got rid of that part of it. Even used to carry fruit and vegetables, but who was going there for that? They weren’t.”
OK Sybil
So se agree that Eataly sucks for groceries (unless you like hanging out with chuds an paying a premium for the honor.), like I was talking about
If your argument is that the food is something special – LMAO. Just stick to Olive Garden or Noodles.
The only ones going to Eataly are people from Peoria and bloggers that are allegedly live in Chicago and think Moes or Qudoba is good Mexican
Sleep it off
“ Yeah- they are.
This started because someone said it wasn’t a great location and that it didn’t matter that a huge Whole Foods was going in literally a block away.
But yeah, it DOES matter.”
LOL Wut?
“ It’s a destination- if they do it right. And a huge selling point. Just like Eataly, Dom’s, the huge WF in Lincoln Park and Lakeview and Trader Joe’s (no matter the location).
Yeah- even tourists go to Trader Joe’s. They don’t have them in many cities“
Yeah, no
Ain’t no one from Muncie, Ft Wayne, Iowa City or Davenport is stoping at a Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s (These are my people). Eataly, yes
“ Your comeback JohnnyU always has to be that I’m drinking.
There’s gotta be a better comeback than that.
Sad.”
I really hope you aren’t this ignorant on purpose. If so I feel sorry for your “children”
“Ain’t no one from Muncie, Ft Wayne, Iowa City or Davenport is stoping at a Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s (These are my people). Eataly, yes”
Yep- they do. I know you don’t live in Chicago, nor visit JohnnyU, but if you did and you went into the Trader Joe’s in River North, you’d find a TON of tourists in there buying things.
“So se agree that Eataly sucks for groceries (unless you like hanging out with chuds an paying a premium for the honor.), like I was talking about”
They haven’t had “groceries” for years. They have premium products that sell to tourists and some to locals but only things you can’t get elsewhere, like I said.
I’ve gone there to buy specific butter I couldn’t get anywhere else. Also some pasta and olive oil brands I couldn’t find elsewhere.
They’ve figured out what has worked in the US stores versus what they do in Italy, where they DO sell more local groceries and whatnot.
“ Yep- they do. I know you don’t live in Chicago, nor visit JohnnyU, but if you did and you went into the Trader Joe’s in River North, you’d find a TON of tourists in there buying things.”
With all the great museums, restaurants, architecture and music, tourists are going to a TJ?
Chicago has fallen further than I thought
Got to get those Trader Jose burritos – LMAO. Rick Bayless who?
Embarrassing
“ They haven’t had “groceries” for years. They have premium products that sell to tourists and some to locals but only things you can’t get elsewhere, like I said.”
So do they have groceries or not?
So it’s a Shitty grocery store and a 1/2 step above Olive Garden – cool you like it.
“ I’ve gone there to buy specific butter I couldn’t get anywhere else. Also some pasta and olive oil brands I couldn’t find elsewhere.” – LOL from the same poster that doesn’t think there’s any difference between S-M tomatoes and Hunts
JFC – log off and finish your wine
“ LOL, johnnyu. On a site riddled with bitter suburban and/or ex Chicago posters you truly take the cake. Having lurked around here for some years but never bothered to post, I have to admit I got a chuckle out of you listing off the apparent litany of pasta varieties you buy from local shops simply to attempt to establish some cred and act as though you’ve lived in this city in the past two decades when I distinctly remember you casually dropping some years ago that you live in Minneapolis.
Just embarrassing, man…
Don’t worry though. You can carry on from this point with your devastating and endlessly witty quips of “gov fatfuck, boxed wine, cat lady” etc. And don’t worry, when nobody here laughs at your jokes, mirroring what your life is like in the real world, it’s all of US that just don’t get it, couldn’t possibly be you.”
Hi Mr Sabrina aka JoeZ.
I bought them at Caputos. Glad you’re impressed. I’m really trying to impress w/ a $1.25 package of Bucatini. Maybe I should have said I stopped at Eataly for some butter, olive oil or pasta, it would be more impressive and give me the Chicago “chops” I so badly want.
At least I’ve moved out of Gary, so I’ve got that going for me
“JFC – log off and finish your wine”
When you’ve lost the argument, this is all you have to rely on. You have to resort to sexist tropes.
Sad.
“LOL from the same poster that doesn’t think there’s any difference between S-M tomatoes and Hunts”
Educate yourself. It’s never too late.
Stanley Tucci’s series on Italy is quite good. He goes to the sources.
He talked with one of the farmers who actually grows the San Marzano tomatoes. The farmer laughed when Stanley asked about all the cans of them in the United States and said they were not the real thing because there is limited land on which to grow those tomatoes in the San Marzano region. Think about how many Costcos, Whole Foods, and Marianos across the US (and elsewhere in the world) all carry those cans of supposed San Marzanos.
Because they do not.
It’s a pretty limited supply and pretty exclusive to get your hands on legit San Marzanos. There are a few brands that DO ship them to the US but you aren’t getting them for $5 a can. You will pay the price for them. I don’t remember if the Eataly carried the legit San Marzanos or not. You would probably pay $20 a can for the legit ones.
“With all the great museums, restaurants, architecture and music, tourists are going to a TJ?”
Yep. Many are staying down the street in the Embassy Suites, Homewood Suites etc. They have kitchens. Lots of tourists stock up. Some also have favorite items they want to take back home.
“The Lincoln Park Whole Foods rocks.”
You *clearly* haven’t been there since before COVID.
It might return to what it had been, but you keep telling us that current management sucks at B&M retail, so I don’t have high expectations.
Are you sure you live in Chicago?
“I know you’re a realtor.”
Like so many other things you “know”: WRONG. And never have been, even vaguely–never leased apartments, or worked for a large homebuilder, or anything like that.
As tehHof figured out years ago, I’m a late middle-aged retired pharma research chemist with 8 cats.
“the legit San Marzanos”
It’s a DOP designation. They are, or they are not.
That said, of course there are better and worse brands within that. Not all Modena balsamic is the same, nor Parma ham, nor Pecorino Romano. But even the least of each is still “legit”.
Wait…
“Even used to carry fruit and vegetables”
… are you suggesting that Eataly, on Wabash, does not have fruits and vegetables? It’s obviously not a full produce market, but…???
“… are you suggesting that Eataly, on Wabash, does not have fruits and vegetables? It’s obviously not a full produce market, but…???”
The last time I was in there they no longer carried these products. But that was pre-pandemic. I don’t know what they’re doing now.
“It’s a DOP designation. They are, or they are not.”
No major chain grocery store in Chicago carries the legit ones anon(tfo). I haven’t been in the Eataly to see if they do. They used to when they first opened but I don’t know the demand for it now.
They are rare. Like I said, just watch Stanley Tucci’s show. The region where the legit ones are grown is very small. There is no possible way for the farmers to grow enough using that great volcanic soil to supply the millions of cans sitting on the shelves all over the world.
The Centos sitting on all the shelves are not the legit ones with the batch code etc.
I’m not saying those tomatoes are bad and that you shouldn’t buy them.
But JohnnyU is acting like you can just stroll into your local grocery store and get the same products as some of those in the Eataly and it’s not true.
“As tehHof figured out years ago, I’m a late middle-aged retired pharma research chemist with 8 cats.”
Why do you have access to the MLS then?
Just for fun?
Or your spouse is a realtor?
“You *clearly* haven’t been there since before COVID.”
Nope. I haven’t been there in over 2 years.
Every restaurant has struggled. Most aren’t “the same” as before. If we ever get the pandemic under control, indoor dining will come back. Whole Foods isn’t going to keep its indoor business shut forever. But they want to be safe for their employees.
“No major chain grocery store in Chicago carries the legit ones anon(tfo). I haven’t been in the Eataly to see if they do. They used to when they first opened but I don’t know the demand for it now.
They are rare. Like I said, just watch Stanley Tucci’s show. The region where the legit ones are grown is very small. There is no possible way for the farmers to grow enough using that great volcanic soil to supply the millions of cans sitting on the shelves all over the world.”
This is getting ridiculous.
This would be like saying no one has any legit Bourbon because only a small portion of the Barrel house at the Weller distillery is used for Pappy’s 23YO.
You pick some really odd hills to die on
“The last time I was in there they no longer carried these products. But that was pre-pandemic. I don’t know what they’re doing now.”
But dont let that stop you from making completely absolutist statments
“Nope. I haven’t been there in over 2 years.”
I have been, multiple times: it SUCKS. So does the Lakeview one. Only go back bc the alternatives are worse–just as grocery stores.
You tell us over and over how much AMZN SUCKS at running such businesses.
Yet you expect them to recapture something that they have given away.
That’s f’ing insane.
“The Centos sitting on all the shelves are not the legit ones with the batch code etc.”
Uh…
https://www.cento.com/brands/cento/find-my-field.php
But anyway, please give us a definition of “the legit ones”, either as a general definition, or a single brand.
“Why do you have access to the MLS then?”
WTF makes you think I have access to the MLS?
I use Redfin, google, and ccrd.
“But anyway, please give us a definition of “the legit ones”, either as a general definition, or a single brand.”
Has Stanley Tucci’s picture on it
Duh
“But anyway, please give us a definition of “the legit ones”, either as a general definition, or a single brand.”
Nope. Sorry anon(tfo). The Centos claim they grow in the region, but they actually do not. They are not DOP certified. No batch codes. It’s not real San Marzanos.
There are about 4 or 5 brands, if you google it, that are the legit ones that have the batch codes etc. La Valle is one of the favorites. You have to be careful as even one that was said to be legit and linked to on Amazon actually is a fake one as it’s titled “San Marzano Style” right on the label. Anything with “style” is not legit.
It’s highly regulated just like the use of “champagne” and even saying your wine is “napa” wine.
I’ve never seen a legit one but, like I said, they may sell them at Eataly but I haven’t been inside since the pandemic started.
“This would be like saying no one has any legit Bourbon because only a small portion of the Barrel house at the Weller distillery is used for Pappy’s 23YO.”
The farmers in Italy who grow these tomatoes have said that 95% of them in the United States are fakes.
They simply cannot grow enough to meet the demand. It’s a small area that has the volcanic soil, which is what makes them so special.
Just watch Stanley Tucci. It’s explained pretty clearly on the show.
“ There are about 4 or 5 brands, if you google it, that are the legit ones that have the batch codes etc. La Valle is one of the favorites. You have to be careful as even one that was said to be legit and linked to on Amazon actually is a fake one as it’s titled “San Marzano Style” right on the label. Anything with “style” is not legit.”
https://www.amazon.com/Valle-Marzano-Tomatoes-28oz-cans/dp/B005IDXQXM
Just a hair over $5/can
“The farmers in Italy who grow these tomatoes have said that 95% of them in the United States are fakes.”
As noted here:
https://www.mashed.com/443249/why-alton-brown-is-warning-people-about-san-marzano-tomatoes/
what they said was (as reported):
“a report from the Consorzio San Marzano (aka the Consortium for the Protection of the San Marzano Tomato Dell’agro Sarnese Nocerino) that says, out of all the cans labeled “San Marzano tomato,” only 5% are an actual product of Italy”
That’s globally, not in the US, and if you take it literally, you mostly just have to check for “product of…” on the can. Sure, that can be fake, too.
“That’s globally, not in the US, and if you take it literally, you mostly just have to check for “product of…” on the can. Sure, that can be fake, too.”
Wrong!
It’s easy to figure this out. Come on. You are too smart to be arguing this.
Centos are ALL “grown in Italy.” It says so right on the can. But that doesn’t make them San Marzano tomatoes. The San Marzanos come from a very small area with volcanic soil. They are certified and labeled with batch numbers. They MUST come from that region to be San Marzanos. It is regulated and taken seriously in Italy.
If your grapes are grown in Mendocino, your wine is still from California but it ain’t Napa wine.
It’s likely you have NEVER eaten true San Marzano tomatoes as most of the legit ones are not sold in the local corner chain grocery store. Specialty grocery stores like an Eataly or other Italian market may sell them (but you’d have to check.) And you will pay more than $4.99 for the real deal because there simply aren’t many cans of it.
They cannot supply every Jewels, Costco or Mariano across the entire United States, UK, France, Mexico with San Marzanos. It’s not even possible.
Many of the San Marzanos at Whole Foods, by the way, say they are grown in California.
There’s nothing wrong with this. Many of these tomatoes are quite good too. The Centos, in particular, are a favorite of many cooks.
But they are NOT legit San Marzanos.
Thats a lot of words to not answer a simple question
Give us a single brand
“Give us a single brand”
She did: La Valle. Not just any brand, but “one of the favorites”
You found them on Amazon for $5.
They are $6 at Caputos: https://caputos.com/product/la-valle-san-marzano-peeled-tomatoes-d-o-p/
dibruno dot com has them for $5 each, limit 4.
PennMac, in the ‘Burgh, has them for $3.69, and will ship. price for 24, on my doorstep: $128.76, $5.37/can, delivered.
24 (4 packs of 6) from supermarketitaly dot com is $99.96, free shipping (dunno if that’s bc of something I pay for), but they collect IL tax, so its $102.21–$4.26 a can, on my doorstep, for “one of the favorite” legit San Marzano tomatoes.
ps: supermarketitaly also has, for $4.99 or *less*, the following brands of DOP San Marzanos:
Rega
Strianese
La Fiammante
Mutti
Eccellenze Nolane
They also have the organic Centos, and show the label–which asserts that they are grown in Sarnese Nocerino, which is the correct region for DOP San Marzanos (full name being: “Pomodoro S. Marzano dell’Agro Sarnese-Nocerino”
pps:
I suppose someone will also tell me how the Kirkland Signature (ie, Costco house brand) DOP San Marzanos **with** the DOP control number on them, simply do not exist.
I forgot I had them, but was looking for something else for lunch just now.
It is possible, I suppose, that I paid more than $12.99/3-pack, but I kinda doubt it. It’s more likely they were less.
“They also have the organic Centos, and show the label–which asserts that they are grown in Sarnese Nocerino, which is the correct region for DOP San Marzanos (full name being: “Pomodoro S. Marzano dell’Agro Sarnese-Nocerino””
These are not DOP. This has been talked about over and over. The Centos are NOT grown in the correct district. And US labels don’t require them to put the correct labeling like the Italians require.
Why do you keep arguing about something when you are clearly wrong?
Do you honestly think this small region has enough tomatoes to grow all those cans for Costco? They do not.
It’s laughable.
Go away. I’m done discussing it with someone who has NO clue.
“I’m done discussing it with someone who has NO clue.”
So, you are admitting that you were wrong about the price, right?
That DOP San Marzanos are readily available for $5 (or less) per 28 oz can?
“So, you are admitting that you were wrong about the price, right?”
Nah. I never order any kind of “branded” product like this off of Amazon because they have too many fakes so I really don’t trust a food product off of there.
Most people pay $15 to $20 per can in a legit Italian supermarket for the real deal. That’s what I would think you’d pay at the Eataly if they carry the real deal.
“off of Amazon ”
WTF? I cite 4 different sources, the cheapest of which is a “legit Italian supermarket” in Pittsburgh, and you go back to that?
I’d never thought that Hof was your sock, but I’m starting to have my doubts. You’re basically the same level of disingenuous.
“ Most people pay $15 to $20 per can in a legit Italian supermarket for the real deal. That’s what I would think you’d pay at the Eataly if they carry the real deal.”
Most people are idiots.
Eataly can get away with charging stupid prices on some items because their clientele are rubes.
“ I’d never thought that Hof was your sock, but I’m starting to have my doubts. You’re basically the same level of disingenuous.”
Both hate minorities