Where I Shop for Ingredients
Looking for local places to shop to find fresh ingredients for Cleveland home cooking? My wife and I have found a few spots in Cleveland that we really trust for our kitchen. Whether we're heading down to the West Side Market or stopping by one of the many Heinen’s locations, these are the places we actually use.
West Side Market
Urban herbs 216-241-5444 Stand E2
My wife and I purchase almost all of our herbs and spices at Urban Herbs. Nicole recommended Vietnamese Cinnamon on our first trip down to their stall.
Their Vietnamese cinnamon is ideal for baking and cooking. Chai Shortbread, Apple Pear Pie, and My Orange Spiced Baked Ham are just some of the recipes I use with Vietnamese cinnamon.
A wide variety of herbs and spices and a wealth of knowledge. Cutting boards, cheese boards, and knives can all be found at Urban herbs. Spice collections, variety packs, and gift sets are available too.
DW Whitakers 216-241-5764 Stands E8, E9, E10, E11, and F8
If the vast array of meats, chicken, and other products were not enough, the freezer sales DW Whitakers were not enough, the freezer sales are not to be missed! Items such as steak, ribs, pork, ground beef, and their incredible brisket burgers are a steal.
We get pork shoulder to make my slow roasted pork shoulder recipe and I cube up a pork roast for the Cleveland classic City Chicken.
Ohio City Pasta 216-241-5444 Stand F1 and F2
There is nothing like fresh pasta and Ohio City Pasta is the freshest! Pasta, ravioli, sauces, pestos, pierogies, and butters. Ohio City Pasta has all of your pasta needs. Their lobster ravioli is delicious. When I don’t have time to make my own homemade pasta, they have the pasta we rely on.
Heinen’s
I do have to start with the department at Heinen’s that has never let us down. Fresh seafood for home cooking in Cleveland starts at the Heinen's seafood department, especially at the Rocky River location. We have made many recipes for special occasions with items from their seafood department and have always been top notch.
The latest recipe we made was Eric Ripert’s Sea Bass recipe from his Seafood Simple cookbook. You would have never known we were cooking fish. Very fresh and very delicious. One of the keys to buying fish is that it should not smell like fish. It should smell like high tide not low tide. As far as I am concerned, Heinen’s fish department is unmatched.
Artisan bread for Cleveland home cooks is essential The bread at Heinen's is supplied locally and is my favorite. Personally I do not like bread and buns unless they are artisan made. Some of the other grocery stores in the area have mass produced bread. The bread that Heinen’s sells is made with love.
The cheese and produce departments are also well stocked, fresh, and local. When available, they have the ideal strawberries and peaches for my peach and strawberry crumble!