Brookhaven Marketplace

Brookhaven Marketplace in Darien is not a large store, nor is it impressive in it’s decor, but if you are looking for an unusual food, or just like experimenting in the kitchen, this place is worth the visit.

To your right, when you first enter is the produce section. It has at least six varieties of old familiars like oranges and onions, and  a healthy selection of greens. Peppers of every sort, color and degree of hotness, and eggplant including Indian, and Japanese varieties.  There are all kinds of roots, and the largest selection of dried beans and legumes I have ever seen.

The entire back wall of coolers contain your usual assortment of
packaged meats and fresh fish. However if your tastes are more daring
they also have squid and sometimes a barrel of live crabs. The last
time I was there a woman pula pula inflavel was serving samples of cooked lamb, and it is
my understanding that with some early notice they can also provide an
entire roasted pig or lamb for your special doings.

They also have prepared foods, some need to be cooked, such
as the pork kabobs, chicken tacos, or steak fajitas. Some of the
prepared foods, like ribs, and chickens are hot, and ready to eat. The
deli section is typical of a large grocery store, but the salads and
homemade sausages deserve special mention. They make their own Greek,
Italian, Polish, and Mexican sausages, and even have octopus salad. The
macaroni and potato salads are delicious, they do not have that
metallic taste that the bigger grocery store salads have.

The bakery section is small, but they make up for it in the
big taste of their chocolate eclairs,and other assorted goodies. The
rest of the store has the usual grocery staples, but also includes a
large selction of every kind, size, and shape of noodle, American,
Italian, and Asian.  They also speak at least eight different languages for
customer convenience, and every employee I have run into is quick to
respond, friendly, and happy to help.

As far as prices, this is not the place to go for frozen
prepared foods such as pizza, they tend to be a little high, however
they do feature weekly specials.

Brookhaven Marketplace is located in Darien , in Brookhaven
strip mall at Plainfield and Cass roads. It’s worth the trip.