Mariano’s

This store is perfect for the type of shopper who has an eye on their budget but also enjoy high quality products, especially produce! I won’t buy produce anywhere else. The sales are always comparable to other local stores and even beat out Walmart! I love the everyday low prices on ground turkey, boneless/​skinless chicken breasts and cocktail shrimp. The hot and cold bars are spot on and a fair price. All but one visit I have encounter nothing but friendly people wanting to help. (I refuse to judge the entire store on one unhappy cashier). The bakery is always delicious and I enjoy the samples of their homemade items on the weekends. Thank you for bringing the neighborhood feeling back to the neighborhood Mariano’s!

Certainly better than your average grocery store. As far as Mariano’s go though, this is on the lower end. The Wheaton store is phenomenal. Even with that being said, this is still my favorite grocery store in the East Aurora area.

This is more of a 3.75 star, recently started shopping there. Store is in a great location, it’s very clean and well organized, definitely on par with Jewel. Pricing seems to be for the most part same as competition, some good sales if you look around. They offer soups and dinners to go, it’s inexpensive and rather tasty. Check out is quick, produce and deli are fresh, only complaint I would have is their bakery, for last few weeks selection was poor and product got stale quickly, otherwise solid store on par with evenly priced competition.

Love this place. I can’t stay away from their baked goods!!! Everyone is really really nice and there are rarely any lines so you get in and get out. So many great things about this place. A few times a month they have kids activities which is nice. Just check it out. You will love it! I wish I lived closer

This is the only grocery store I go to besides standard market! Love this place, and awesome selection of wine! I’m a big wine drinker so my regular grocery store better have a nice supply, the boyfriend is a big beer drinker and there is tons of crazy options in that department too! Staff is very friendly and helpful, place is very clean, fresh new products out daily, cute place, my regular grocery store

Racial Profiling
Now, before I go any further I am a person of color.
I went to this place 9÷6÷2015 since I wanted to cash in some coins. I had googled where a CoinStar was located. The moment I walked in I saw what I assumed to be a cashier (cause she was holding a cash register drawer in front of the customer service counter looking at me. I mean she was looking at me like I came in that place naked and she was not taking her eyes off me. It made me feel very uncomfortable. I mean I was dressed in a polo blue shirt and slacks and dress shoes. I also had a backpack (cause I had the coins in there in a bag) and because it was a nice day I rode my bike there. I walked to the front of the store and only saw an ATM machine and I noticed she was still looking at me hard, if you been watched at a store then you know what I mean.
Again, it made me feel very uncomfortable

She was looking at me like she «just knew I was up there with no good intention or came to do something wrong» in her mind. When I did not see the Coinstar there I went to the customer service window. I stood behind her in line and she turned around quickly and asked me «Can I help you». Did she work at the customer window or was she a cashier? I do not know but I think she just wanted to get in my business and find out why I came up in that store like I had no right to walk up in there. I told her I was trying to find the CoinStar and she said that was not here since it located there when it was a Dominicks. I ended up taking my coins to Walmart later that day and had no idiots looking at me like I came there to steal.
I will not be going back to this store to buy unless its an emergency. I urge all people of color when you get treated like this at stores to walk out and not give them your money.

Pretty solid grocery store! Their staff is a lot friendlier than your typical Jewel Osco staff, and the store in general gives off a warm, friendly vibe. There’s sometimes live piano music playing here, too — which might be a bit over the top for a grocery store, but still a nice change of pace. They have a HUGE selection of seemingly everything. Also, their smoothie bar is totally fantastic — some of their green smoothies seem like they use odd combinations of ingredients, but they are damn good. And their fresh-​squeezed orange juice is to die for.
My only qualm with this store is that they very prominently feature the more expensive products while pushing cheaper products out of sight — which is a great business tactic, but doesn’t leave me too satisfied. One example of this is the cheese aisle — there are some incredible selections of fresh cheeses in the front of the store, but all of these are quite expensive. If you’re looking for more standard Kraft/​Sargento type fare, you have to go to the back, where they have a ‘cheap cheese’ section inexplicably kept separate from their other cheeses. This isn’t the end of the world (and can be solved by just asking an employee where cheaper stuff is), but for a store that doesn’t seem to have a ton of deals, it kind of sucks a bit. Regardless, this is a good Mariano’s location and a wonderful grocery store that I’ll come back to soon.

How can you not be impressed? Mariano’s has brought warmth to grocery stores that somehow seems missing when I step into a Jewel or Dominicks (no longer around) that just seem so… sterile and unfriendly. I’m not surprised to see that Mariano’s is doing so well.
One product that stands out is the milk — yes! Milk from here, however generic, actually tastes better here to my son who has no idea what I’m serving him in the glass at home. However that blind taste test alone brings me back to Mariano’s every time.
My family also swears by the fresh squeezed orange juice. I purchase a jug/​bottle each and every time I am in. It’s always been consistently sweet and mild tasting with no sourness or bitterness, even during the off-​season months for oranges. Within a few hours of being in the refrig at home it is empty. The cost is also very low compared to some other premium fresh squeezed OJs.
My other standby is the rotisserie chicken. Ohhhhh! LOVE IT! Every store/​chain/​grocer has its own version of it. However Mariano’s in my opinion hass one of the best tasting chickens. It’s just so disappointing to arrive early in the morning or late in the evening to find that the chicken isn’t on the shelf — either still being «rotisserie-​d» or completely sold out for the day.
Regardless, although it’s a bit of a hike for me to make the detour during my shopping routine, I’m so glad that Mariano’s is around here in the suburbs now.

Amazing healthier options, delicious prepared foods, good organic produce. There is a register/​express checkout right by the produce which makes it super fast and convenient for me to run in quickly. Smoothie bar and coffee too? Im in heaven.

I am definitely a big fan of this grocery store. They have a lot of really unique stuff (read — house made juices and chocolate covered popcorn with mini m&ms and sprinkles that I buy pretty much every week despite owning a popcorn maker). The produce is fresh and there’s a big selection. The staff is friendly and helpful, and there are often free samples! I would definitely say that this place is pricier than shopping at say, Meijer, but there’s pretty good quality to be had. I usually go on Mondays after work (usually when the doughnuts come out of the oven) and I have to say that I really enjoy perusing the store… it’s pretty relaxing before I head home.

It’s supposed to be fancy but, we’ll, it’s Dominicks (and not a very good Dominicks) except… wait for it… They wear ties!
Checked out the «sushi» — it was sushi in that it had rice, seaweed, and fish. Fish looked small — kinda reminded me of «where’s Waldo» except instead of looking for Waldo, you looked for fish. So … We passed that by.
Then we checked out the hot food bar. Food looked old and clearly in need of a refresh. Not anything I’d willingly eat.
So why three stars? Well, it is a grocery store so they do have the staples required. Is it a deal? No.
Do they have a large craft beer area? Yes.
Do they have food? Yep
Would I drive out of my way to go there? No

Solid Marianos.
Of course, this one is an old Dominick’s, so it doesn’t quite look like the fancy built up locations in other cities; however, they did a great job with this location and the smaller space.
The store is set up really well. It’s easy to navigate and for the most part set up with common sense. I always love going into grocery stores that the layout makes no sense, and it takes you two hours to shop because you can’t find anything.
Of course, Mariano’s is well known for all of their fresh, easy take out food, and baked goods. This location does not disappoint by any means.

I like Mariano’s just not every aspect of it. When I first walked in I was underwhelmed. I kept hearing all these great things and it was kinda meh. Basically the regular grocery stuff (like packaged products, etc) are just okay. Where this place really shines is in its specialty departments and customer service.
First of all the meat and seafood departments are phenomenal. There are not a lot of places that have seafood, let alone great seafood. Mariano’s hits the mark on this. Every time I go in here the fish looks fresh and the selection is awesome. They get an extra plus for also carrying both Wellfleets and Littlenecks. The oysters were so fresh, they tasted just like I was back on the east coast slurping down the little bastards. Prices are comparable to other stores and I’ve never had an issue with the quality of the seafood like other places. The guys behind the counter are really great making sure that the product is packed for the ride home.
The meat is equally excellent. Everything looks and tastes fresh. Yeah a little more in price but you can really tell the difference.
Customer service is the best out of any store. Whoever is managing and training the staff deserves a big kudos. Everyone is well informed about the products (meat and seafood guys deserve an extra thumbs up).
I am also in love with the gelato bar. The peach flavor is by far my favorite. If you have a Mariano’s card, you get a free large one after your tenth purchase. And yes, I’m really close to getting my free gelato.

I was converted by the location in Wheaton, and the Aurora location is even closer to me! Score. My first visit wasn’t so happy though because I was nearly mowed down on foot in the parking lot by a soccer mom’s SUV (I had to slap on her back window for her to notice me). I don’t care how rabid you are for deals, folks — pay attention behind the wheel!
Ahem. As to deals, Marianos has decent prices and a nice variety, and I like the layout of this store better than the Wheaton one. Staff is swarming around so there’s always someone to ask if you have a question. I like their meat and produce is pretty good. Still waiting for a location in Naperville, but this will now be my go-​to! Just keep an eye out in the parking lot. :/

I am really in love with the Mariano’s chain. Being a Napervillain (yes, villain), this location is the closest to me.
The customer service is off the chain, the food court is boss, and when I went there two weekends ago, I had so many free samples that I was almost too full to partake in the salad bar for lunch. Almost.
To expand on the food court, it has a salad bar, pizza, sushi, soups… there’s a ton to choose from. There’s also a gelato place, which is a great feature.
This place pales a bit to the Wheaton location and it still feels a little bit like a Dominick’s, but I will take it!
Also, I got a rose from the cashier. I mean, like, everyone got a rose that day, but so did I.
It was red.

Mr. Bob Mariano has done it again… he opened another beautifully thought out Mariano’s grocery store a couple weeks ago and I couldn’t be any happier to live right down the street from this new location.
I can honestly say that before shopping at this Mariano’s, my grocery store decisions were mainly just based off of what’s closest and cheapest. HOWEVER… you have not lived until you’ve shopped the aisles of Mariano’s. It’s more than just your typical pick-​up-​the– items-​on-​your-​list shopping trip. It’s an experience.
The many options of produce are fresh and outstanding, the store is clean and well organized, prices are reasonable… the list goes on with everything you would hope for in a grocery store really. But Mariano’s has gone above and beyond that.
For example, you can literally enjoy a glass of wine while browsing the aisles! Dessert anyone? Just mosey on over to the gelato bar at the front of the store (the GROCERY store may I remind you) which is complete with numerous flavors and of course all the fixings. They also have a fresh juice bar with a full menu of smoothies for those looking for a tad healthier treat.
Their hot bar is definitely worth mentioning! It’s a great one stop shop for a delicious dinner on the go. Forget those busy nights running to the nearest fast food drive-​thru — just pop on over to Mariano’s Market in Aurora and you’ve got a well balanced meal on the fly (salad bar, burgers off the grill, sushi — you name it!).
Mariano’s is definitely my new go to grocery store and I’m proud to become a regular. Who knew grocery shopping could be so delightful?

I’m sure I won’t accrue a lot of fans here… but I just… don’t get it. I don’t get the hype. What is Mariano’s? Wait for it… it’s…a grocery store. Yep, folks. Literally, a grocery store.
Perhaps it’s because I used to shop here when it was a Dominick’s. Maybe that’s it. I’ll try another Mariano’s and check. No wait, I won’t. I won’t be traveling out of my way for a *grocery store*.
Anywho, sorry to be so hard, but I just don’t get it. Sure, the salad bar was neat. Gelato and smoothie bars were cool. My favorite part was the kettle corn and taffy apple stand. That was pretty neat… but out of season.
The worst part of the store? While I sauntered towards the baked goods, I began to drool over the red velvet cupcakes, but my walk was cut short by the huge wave of fresh fish, that were just feet from the cupcakes. Cupcakes + fresh fish = no appetite. Not even for sweets.
Overall, most of the prices were on par, or a bit expensive, compared to other grocery stores. Some really neat products, some cool offers, but at the end: it’s still a grocery store.

I love the layout of the produce department. Okay, well clearly they didn’t change it much from when it was Dominick’s, but that’s fine. I can navigate freely without being run over by little kids running willy-​nilly with those tiny shopping carts.
I did need assistance twice trying to find pico de gallo but they were sold out. I decided to make my own, but didn’t see cilantro. Again, sold out. Kind of a bummer, seeing as how I managed to get everything else on my list. It was five days after the grand opening, so I really cannot fault them for that. I guess everyone else had pico de gallo plans, too.
The parking lot is a thousand times better than the Wheaton store, but the grouping of certain items irritated me. Like sour cream– why on earth is it all the way in the very far corner of the store? Every other grocery store keeps it near the rest of the dairy products. I wasted twenty minutes trying to hunt it down.
Overall, some of the pros outweighed the cons of the Wheaton store, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to jump ship 100% for the Aurora location. I can get to both in about the same amount of time and obviously both carry the same items. I’ll have to give this location a few more tries.

Ok, now I understand the hype.
This place is HUGE!!! Nice big aisles that you can push your cart through. I was amazed, saw two carts side by side and somebody maneuvered through them. It’s impressive in a grocery store.
They have great produce. And, some decent deals.
This place can’t be my one stop shop thought, even though they have so much. They don’t have a good nut selection. I love Whole Foods, and to a lesser extent Trader Joe’s because nuts are my number one snack food. In fact, I probably eat way to many. But they only have the classic brands. I did however see some almonds that were raw and for a good price. But, I need Pecans and Macadamia nuts.
Also, Whole Foods has me hooked on Parmesan Crisps. A day just wouldn’t feel right without them.
This place has the feelings of the best Jewel type grocery store you will ever go into. So, if Jewel is your thing, you’ll really enjoy this place.

Love it! Mariano’s is like Whole Foods for poor people, and it’s definitely going to be my grocery store of choice until something better comes along in the area. (Like, for instance, if the gods smile upon the Aurora area and decide to bless us with a Trader Joe’s.) Granted, we went there on the day they opened and they were firing on all cylinders… But having heard great things about other Mariano’s I doubt that their grand opening was a one-​off when it comes to the quality of their foods.
We grabbed a ton of produce, meat, and other essentials that I’ve been cooking up since then and it’s all been awesome. Prices are great, the people are friendly, and the location is perfect for me.
Fingers crossed everything stays this way once the luster of the grand opening subsides!