While searching for mastic gum or bitter kola, I visited Larrabee Herbs and Health Center, which…read morehappened to be near a Whole Foods I recently visited for the same products. I had no idea Larrabee Herbs existed until I found it via Google Maps. I wondered about parking prior to visiting, as the storefront sits along W North Ave, but it ended up not being an issue. There is a small parking lot right outside the building on N 76th Ct, with a decent number of spots for the number of customers they get. Keep in mind that parking is also available along W North Ave if those spots are ever filled. After entering, I immediately started looking for the products I needed while an employee helped another customer at the register. Once he finished, he immediately asked me if I needed any assistance, and of course, I took him up on it. The employee was very informative about which products were available, as well as when the items I was looking for would arrive, as they were in high demand. All the items were displayed in alphabetical order, making it easy to find what I needed. I ended up purchasing 1-ounce bags of kola nut, licorice root, black walnut leaf, and cloves, since my original target products were not available. I really loved everything I discovered about what I purchased. All of them have wonderful results in combating bacteria in the stomach, and I hope to incorporate a few of them regularly into my dietary routine. As for kola nuts, I learned that they are caffeine-rich seeds from the African cola tree that are used to boost energy, enhance metabolism, and aid digestion. Containing around 2% caffeine, they act as a central nervous system stimulant, reducing fatigue and boosting mental alertness. Licorice root helps eradicate bacteria, especially alongside medical treatments. It inhibits bacterial growth, soothes inflamed tissues, and boosts protective stomach mucus. Other benefits include contributing to healthy skin and relieving colds and coughs. Black walnut contains compounds--particularly juglone in the hulls--that exhibit antibacterial, antiviral, and antiparasitic properties. Studies also show that regular consumption reduces inflammation and inhibits associated gastric damage, making it a promising nutritional approach. Lastly, cloves! Out of all the herbs I found, the cloves made me smile because they do wonders for the body that I had no idea about. It was the first of the herbs I had with dinner, and I really loved the smell of it. The taste sent chills through my body as I heated a small portion to drink for the evening. Cloves also inhibit bacterial growth and reduce the inflammation it causes in the stomach. I am very pleased to say that Larrabee Herbs and Health Center has played a key role in helping me take better control of my health. I will surely visit again, whether for these exact herbs or others. ~ Live. Laugh. Love. ~ Thomas G

Great people and excellent products! So grateful they are in the area. They have great adviceread more

This place is the bomb for fish. Basically any kind you can think of. Been around for years. A…read moreChicago staple!

There's something about eat a whole smoked mackerel. I'm a fan of this super oily fish. It's…read moreincredibly satisfying and on hot days where I don't feel like turning on my stove and just want a big hunk of omega 3 protein, this hits the spot! The entire fish was roughly $10 and fed me for a few meals. Be like a seal and get it!!

They are only doing wholesale at this time, but will return to retail after the pandemic…read more August 23, 2021.

Want to spice up your life? Sorry…read more.. This place has wholesale prices for almost every spice you can imagine. On a fluke, searched for spices, whatever, and found this place after being disgusted by the prices at the local grocery store for 1/4 or 1/8 of the amount and sometimes at almost 10 fold difference in the price. So, keep this in mind when shopping for spices.

The only negative here are the long lines of people waiting…read more The very positive here are the long lines of people waiting. I don't know why the meats at Joseph's are better than that at any grocery store.....but they are. We don't eat too much red meat but when we do, we get it at Joseph's. Always a smile and willingness to cut what we want the way we want it. Always a dinner delight.

The place where I've ordered a turkey for a few years had a weird, unclear deadline for their…read moreThanksgiving orders so this year I needed to quickly find another place (or try). Had I ordered from the place I usually have, I would have had to pay a shipping fee of $35 whether I had it shipped to my home or to the business. I hadn't heard of Joseph's before but decided to take a chance. I placed my order by phone the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and they took it with no problem, no extra charges; they also took the bone out for me. I was a bit nervous just because I hadn't tried this place before, and if there was a problem there wouldn't be much chance to fix it or easily switch gears. But I needn't have worried. While it would be helpful if they decided whether they were going to use numbers or just a line (I pulled a number upon entering, but they weren't advancing the numbers and instead just taking people who said they were next), I was in and out within ten minutes. The employees were helpful. Like many butchers, they have more than just the meat but it's not a grocery store (though I found I could have gotten the baguette that I made a separate stop to procure). The turkey breast I bought was at least half of what it would have cost at the place I've used in the past. With that kind of savings, paying their 4% credit card fee was fine by me (pay cash to save yourself the fee). Parking is easy; it's Dunning, not Lake View. Will definitely come back, possibly sooner than later since I've been wanting to try making a pot roast and I expect they'd have the right cut of beef for that. I won't bother with the butcher I used to go to with this one so nearby.

I appreciate that they are a small business with a nice variety of baked goods. We have made…read morepurchases of their goods at the Lake County Arts & Craft shows and have not been disappointed. My only suggestions would be to have better descriptions of the baked goods they are selling, either on or with their packaging and have listings and descriptions of their products on their website. I have a family member that has allergies to certain ingredients and was not sure about some of the ingredients, for example, listing the type of nuts that were used. Their table was very busy at the time of our recent purchase and they were helpful with any questions, but I did not have the opportunity to verify some of the ingredients. I tried to look items up on their website, but could not find the information I was looking for.

Decent, creative, slightly unique taste. I've had their smores deep dish cookie and turtle. They…read morewere good. But I've been spoiled by Amish cookies in a past life

Had no idea that they had such a wide variety of great stuff…read moreLook at the picture and know that it cost 10.00 Really good stuff

I was going for oven pizza but the restaurant was not yet open. I saw Nuts Castle and decided to…read morestop to check it out. I am looking for healthy snack options and it appears that everything there is vegan. I was handed a tea cup and saucer upon entry and given samples of the most delicious Turkish treats I'd ever eaten. Everything I tried, I had the attendant add to my box. Everything was delicious. They freeze dry fresh fruit and blend it into powder, which when added to hot or cold water renders the most extravagant tasting tea! I bought pomegranate!!! I'll be back for sure!!