FoodSmart Urban Market – Armitage, Chicago

FoodSmart’s unassuming nature doesn’t quite do it justice. Both the Logan Square and Bucktown locations look relatively low-key from the outside, but the 45-year-old neighborhood market features a globe-spanning selection of organic and artisanal foods that runs deep, wide, and late into the night. Here’s a glimpse past the marquee and into the specialty foods and drinks lining the shelves:

• It has the face of a corner store but the spirit of a farmers’ market. A Logan Square/Bucktown mainstay, FoodSmart offers organic and artisanal foods that fit right in with the nearby craft bars and restaurants. You’ll find organic produce and humanely raised meats, as well as a thoughtful selection of veggie- and vegan-friendly meat alternatives that transcend the expected template brands. Everything from the cheeses to the pastas, snacks, and prepared foods skews toward local or artisanal.
• If you’re not thirsty when you enter, you will be when you leave. Similar to the food items, FoodSmart’s beverage selection spotlights craft and small-batch goodies. The beer and wine section covers the craft spectrum—local and small-batch microbrews sit beside national craft names, with plenty of organic wines and specialty liquors on hand. The fun isn’t limited to alcohol though; FoodSmart offers kombucha on tap, cold-pressed juices, and Intelligentsia coffees.
• It’s open 24 hours. There aren’t many places to score European-Asian fusion vegan sausages, take-and-bake flatbread artisan pizzas, and Kerrygold Irish-imported cheeses at 3 a.m. Or ever. (But especially 3 a.m.) FoodSmart’s round-the-clock service means a satisfying alternative to usual late-night munchies.
• Kill two (vegan) birds. The 24-hour USPS post-office located right inside the Armitage location lets you buy stamps, ship packages, and purchase mailing supplies no matter the hour.