What is the best grocery store in Illinois? “The daily meal” intervenes

ST. LOUIS – Everyone has a favorite grocery store, and for those who live in Chicago, preferences may be a little different depending on your home state.

The Daily Meal, an online food and drink publication, recently published a list naming “the best grocery store in every state.” It includes a mix of local grocers and national chains.

The selections are ultimately based on four criteria: stock, innovation, value and contribution to the community. Not everyone who shops enjoys all four, but generally speaking, they are all important parts of the experience.

According to The Daily Meal list, Aldi was named the best grocery store in Illinois.

As for Aldi, the discount grocery chain has a large presence in Illinois with more than 200 locations. The writers tout their organic fruit and vegetable choices and say they have a generous return policy for spoiled food.

“Of course, in many cases a large supermarket chain has branches in many states. To give smaller, more local chains their fair share, each chain appears on our list only once,” The Daily Meal said in organizing the rankings.

Convenience stores, delis, farmers’ markets and technology stores were not considered in each state’s ranking.