What an amazing experience at this small oil shop. I didn't quite know what to expect but to find overpriced oil, however it was quite the opposite. Not only were the oils and vinegars reasonably priced, but they tasted amazing too! The woman in the shop was very nice and really too her time to talk about the store and allowed us to sample the different olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Let me tell you know, the blood orange olive oil and Tuscan olive oils were amazing! They also have numerous balsamic vinegars, I literally couldn't choose which ones I wanted to take home because they were all so good. I opted for the honey ginger and blackberry ginger vinegars, one because I love ginger and two because it would pair well with the blood orange olive oil. The store employee (or maybe she was the owner? My apologies if so; she's sweet) wasn't pushy, she gave us a few samples then walked away to allow my friend and I have our own experience and choose. I really loved that, I didn't feel like I was being sold on any one thing and she was there to help if we had questions. Overall it was a very pleasant experience and I look forward to shopping again. FYI we were told if you bring your empty bottle back to the store, you will get $1 off your next purchase. I think that's a nice deal for repeat shoppers and to encourage recycling which is a win win! read more

Old Town Oil - Balsamic vinegar - Olive Oil Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

A brisk walk from the red line... this little store provides Oil and vinegar tastings. They are so delicious its hard to choose. These oils and vinegara add so much depth and flavor to to your meals, meats, cheeses, tacos, salads, bread, etc.. Highly recommend! read more

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I stopped in here again recently and purchased two small Reserve Vinegars: Fig and Balsamic. They were packaged in a perfect sized box! The vinegars were tapped and bottled and sealed in front of me=individual custom service! Staff was knowledgeable and kind! I highly recommend them for a unique gift for yourself or for the foodie in your life! read more

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What a gem! Speaking with the owner about Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegars was really a great experience, because he is educational without being pretentious, and provides just enough information without overwhelming you. I had known very little about Olive Oils and Balsamic Vinegars before coming here, but it was a pleasure to listen to the owner, who is a master of his craft. I came a few weeks ago and they have resumed in-person tastings. I walked in with a group of four people, and once he had finished helping a customer up front he was able to give us his full attention and provide some curated samples. The first sample he provided was the fig balsamic vinegar, which was surprisingly flavorful and sweet. The next sample he provided was a mixture of the Basil Olive Oil and Peach Balsamic Vinegar, which was super refreshing. I could see it going really well as a salad dressing. Once the quick lesson was completed, he let us know we could try the other oils/vinegars as we pleased. I ended up purchasing the Basil Olive Oil and Peach Balsamic Vinegar, and our friends went with the signature Olive Oil and Balsamic. The owner was very friendly, and the selection of oils/vinegars is really cool to experience with any visiting guests if they're into this type of thing. For parking, you can try to look for street parking on LaSalle Dr. We couldn't find street parking on the weekend so we ended up parking at the Self Park garage on North Ave between Wells St and N Park Ave. A little tip from the owner to measure out a quick vinaigrette: First pour olive oil into a small bowl. Next, pour the balsamic vinegar until it looks similar to an egg yolk. Then you can stir it up, give it a taste, and adjust as necessary (no measurements required!). Personally I like about a 2:1 olive oil to balsamic vinegar ratio. read more

$17 for 375ml vineger, $11 for smaller bottle. This small store has variety of flavor in olive oil and balsamic vineger. The owner was really nice and seems like she has some regular customers. I'm happy that I found such place on Chicago! It'll be a great gift for anybody. read more

What a fun stop! So many flavors to try! The staff is very friendly and are happy to give suggestions regarding what flavored vinegars and olive oils to mix. Many of the containers have pairing suggestions. Don't miss this stop or The Spice House when nearby!! read more

This was our fifth stop on the Gold Coast & Old Town Food Tour so I got to visit the Old Town Oil and I am so glad I got a chance to visit. This place is amazing!! There have a good collection of olive oils and vinegar to choose from. There is a small description on the oil that gives suggestions on what the oil can be used for: cooking, dipping, etc. . They have small little cup samples so that you can try as many sample as you like until you find the right oil that is just for you since some oils are better than others. I was in love with their strawberry vinegar one and a few other ones as well. Overall, I would definitely recommend this to anyone that loves cooking or just want a good salad dressing or dipping for their bread. There are so many flavors to choose from and until you visit, you won't even know that certain flavors exist. The only thing is that this place can be a bit pricey compared to other places that I have been to. read more

Second trip here - went for myself and for a gift. Great selection and the gentleman working was really helpful. Look forward to the day when we can taste test product before buying! read more

This is a great little store that we visited on our Chicago Food Planet tour in Gold Coast/Old Town and I'm so glad that we did. I've only been to a couple other oil stores in my life but this one was by far the nicest/most diverse in terms of both balsamics and olive oils. The staff was really helpful when answering any questions as well. One thing I appreciate is that they have little teeny cups underneath each oil and balsamic so that you could pour a little out and have a sample. When we were on our food tour the staff put together some incredible combinations of oil and balsamic together for us to dip some baguette bread into so I'd definitely take the staff's opinions before making a purchase. I've also learned they do business online so I won't have to be in Chicago to get products from Old town oil! read more

Old Town Oil - Old town oil setup - Olive Oil Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Turned onto Old Town Oil by a friend when I was stumped for a Christmas Gift for my brother... he is a bit of a Closet Foodie. Well it can be a little overwhelming on your first visit but the staff is more than willing to help you with the selection process. They offered me a few choices and samples to ensure I knew what I was getting. After all was said and done I went with the Organic Olive Oil and 18yo Balsamic Vingar for the first purchase. It seemed to be a hit with my brother, now if only he would invite me over for dinner... read more

Wow this place is cute. I was in around 4:30 on a Wednesday and it was empty, so the service was great. The guy helped me choose an olive oil for my dad, and helped the other 2 women in the shop pick a good oil and balsamic vinegar. He made several combination for the three of us to try, and I loved all of them. If I knew how to cook, or ate at home more, I would definitely buy oil and vinegar there for salad dressing, bread, and to put on chicken. This will be my new place for presents! They're a little pricey, but so good. read more

I've been to olive oil stores around the country but none were as friendly and helpful as was Old Town oil! I was looking for some hostess gifts and in one quick stop I was able to get expert advice from Mike on a complementary oil and vinegar to include. They even have a nice selection of gift bags so that I didn't need to make another stop! Plenty of flavors with small tasting cups so that you can pair your favorites together. And I also liked that on each of the oils there were suggestions on how to use it be it for dipping, in a sauce or for cooking. I also liked that they bottled it right in front of me which was a nice freshness cue. Prices are also reasonable as well. So if you are a foodie or know someone who is, don't hesitate to stop into Old Town Oil. I'm betting you'll be as happy with your purchase as I was! read more

The folks working here are helpful and friendly and not pushy. They also have the best prices per mL - $18 for 375 mL (compared to Twisted Olive, Eataly, & Vom Fass). You get $2 off when you bring back the glass bottles. read more

Last night was my first time in Old Town Oil. It was really fun trying all the different oils and vinegars (white peach vinegar was my favorite!) and I actually purchased a Christmas gift for my mother there. I picked up a set of 5 different oils and vinegars and worked with an employee to cherry pick from various sets to create a balanced set of oils and vinegars that compliment the kinds of food my mom cooks. They were so helpful and it was a fun way to spend some time trying different flavors and learning about mixology of oil and vinegar! read more

Wow! This place has the best olive oil and balsamic mixtures! They allow you to sample each one so you can pick the ones you like. They also ship it home so you don't have to worry about breakage in your suitcase! Live this place! read more

This is a simple review, as parsimony is warranted. 1) Their Old Town balsamic is totally TOTALLY underpriced. At $18 for 375 ml, I've paid triple that in Modena (Italy) and this stuff is every bit as good, no kidding. 2) The Spanish olive oils were better than the Italian oils, mirabile dictu. I lived across the street from an olive grove in Italy, and I know mah oils. This stuff is the good stuff. I felt like I was drinking the essence of everything olive. I did shots of the stuff. Seriously. We spent $90. I will go back and spend $90 again. And again. read more

I suppose if you have no idea what you are tasting place is amazing. It sure looks pretty until you realize your oil is being bought in bulk and exposed to air multiple times if it is being stored in those shiny dispensers.... I do know what I am tasting and I do know what I am looking for. To me this place was a terrible disappointment. The selection of oil was sub-par. They had mostly infused oils and the infusions were not very good. I asked the employees for something specific and they looked at me like I was from Mars. For a shop that claims to specialize in oil I should hope they have heard of oil made from "black" olives. The next comment I got was something along the lines of... "our oil comes from Italy." Well, if the most impressive thing you can tell me is the country from which you oil originated I think I will walk right back out the door. I will continue to order online from www.ppp-olive.com where they can tell me about the age of each olive and the family who makes each oil. If you are ever in Paris treat yourself to a real oil shop where people have passion about the product. PS. Water to cleanse the palette? Seriously? Water and oil don't mix. Any self respecting oil shop used a mild bread of some sort... read more

In my kitchen, the motto is maximize deliciousness, minimize effort. And the secret weapon is flavored oil from Old Town Oil. This little gem of a shop is nestled in the heart of Old Town. I walked in one Sunday to be greeted immediately by a friendly fellow who possessed not only an impressively extensive knowledge of all things oil and vinegar, but also an unexpectedly sharp sense of humor. Before I knew what was happening, he had me talked into taking mini-shots of his favorite EVOO and aged balsamic concoctions. Basil with strawberry, blood orange with tangerine, Tuscan herb with pomegranate, each one better than the last. With everything under $20 a bottle, I had to exercise a good bit of self-control not to say, "I'll take one of each!" I highly recommend this place. Delicious EVOO with a side of witty banter. Can't beat that. read more

The guy who works here was so friendly and helpful ; I had never been to a store like this and was excited to try the different oils and balsamic vinegars and he encouraged me to try a bunch. The flavored balsamic vinegars in particular had such bold, delicious flavors that I wanted to buy them all! The guy also gave me a map of Old Town with recommendations of what to see... so sweet of him. read more

I signed up for a walking food tasting tour of the city last week and when I saw that Old Town Oil was one of the stops, my 1st thought was, "why are we going there, that does not compare with cheese, pizza, chocolate, etc. I thought this IS a food tour RIGHT?". On the contrary of my initial reaction, it was the highlight of the walking tour for me! I have never experienced a place dedicated to oil and vinegar, where you can mix and sample EVERYTHING! - I loved it! Better yet, I use olive oil all the time at home, but never use vinegar. This place really helped me to broaden my horizons in the world of vinegar. The very best combination for me that day was Basil Olive Oil mixed with Strawberry Vinegar. I liked the sample cup dry!!!! I can't wait to go back and see what other concoctions I can create! I would like to mention that the prices are FANTASTIC! I usually buy quality oil from Caputo's, which is about the same price for their mid-grade, if not a more. The quality here is so divine that you can't wait to sample more and more flavors and concoctions! - I would recommend this place to ALL!!! read more

Let me begin by stating I did not walk in here looking like a big spender. I was wearing errand running clothes, ran in, the woman working asked if she could help me, and I said, "I'm just looking for some truffle oil". "I'm so sorry but we are completely out. You see, we don't have a reliable supplier." Then another sales person there joined in from the side, they were both explaining the unreliability of their supplier. Then the first lady said, "here, here is the store manager, he will talk to you." Really summoning the store manager was not necessary. I was totally okay. The Spice House two doors away had white truffle oil and I knew it. Either these employees were very nice people, or someone had mistreated them the last time they ran out of truffle oil. I felt kinda famous when the manager offered his apologies and advice (btw, there might be some there this Tuesday or Wednesday. Get it, yelpers!) So, customer service is above and beyond. Because they were so darn nice, I stayed and browsed a little, and I know I will be back. The variety is unsurpassed as far as I've seen; and you can taste all of the oils and vinegars. They have flavored balsamic vinegars, too. I'm pretty excited to treat myself and my greens to some new flavor. The bottles are pretty enough to give as gifts, and if you are a regular, you can bring back your bottle and get a $2 discount off your next bottle. Then they recycle the bottle. Cool, but call first if you need truffle oil. read more

Apparently this place opened up last summer while I wasnt looking. I found myself drawn to it on my last trip to old town, it almost sucked me right out of the spice house! I was the only person in there and worked my way around sampling so many tasty oils and vinegars... They have a Macademia Nut Oil, a Blood Orange flavored olive oil, Garlic flavored olive oil, and 12 or 18 year aged balsamic! Trust me, sounds weird, but tastes sooo good! Unfortunately, I had just bought a huge bottle of olive oil from trader joes that I need to finish, but after such a trip Ive learned that only an $18 bottle of specialty olive oil will do. If you do the math- its 6 bucks a bottle in the grocery store, and this stuff is 3 times as good, so the price is justified! I must return for all oil purchases from here on out. Oh yea, and looks like another great gift idea- they sell sets of 2 bottles in a nice box for $40- it screams awesome and unique housewarming gift read more

If nothing else, this is a great place to get some unusual olive oil. I'm not a connoisseur, so I can't tell you it's the best stuff on earth...but it tasted fine to me, and they had some more exotic stuff like toasted walnut oil, picholine olive oil, meyer lemon, etc. Also a nice range of very tasty balsamic vinegars, from 12 and 18 year to fruit flavored ones, an a white balsamic that was interesting. You can taste everything (as odd as it is to be swilling straight olive oil) which is kind of fun. Unfortunately, they only seem to offer one size bottle (which is a reasonable size) and I think you're paying more for that bottle than anything else - empties are sold for $7, and a bottle full of oil/vinegar is in the $17-18 range. I want to say bottles were 500mL. The salesperson at the store when I was there kind of insinuated that we could bring our own bottles in? But I don't know if that's really the case. read more

I think I have a new favorite birthday gift store. I wandered in here after being given an amazing oil and vinegar combo as a gift of my own. I loved the super friendly service and trying all the recommended combos of oil and vinegar was really interesting (and yummy, for the most part). They have a water cooler to cleanse your palate after each tasting, and if there's something that they don't necessarily recommend after hearing about your taste preferences, they'll tell you. Also, they do a bottle exchange, so after you purchase, remember to bring back those empty bottles for a discount on your next purchase (I think he mentioned $2 off?). If you have a foodie friend with a birthday, or someone you just like a lot, get thee to Old Town Oil! Stat. read more

When I was in San Francisco, I tried this amazing white balsamic vinegar, and really wanted to get some, so I dragged the boy over to Old Town Oil on Saturday afternoon in hopes of buying some. I left with a new favorite store. This is unlike any place I've ever been to, with gourmet, delicious oils and vinegars in metal kegs that you can not only taste from, but that your selections are bottled from, right while you watch! This way you can be sure that what you're tasting is what you're buying. I ended up being overwhelmed by all the flavors to actually buy anything, but the boy bought gifts for two of his coworkers while we were there. The first was a pear white balsamic vinegar with a nocciolara olive oil. The vinegar was a perfect combination of sweetness and tang, and the olive oil was smooth and lemony and oh-so-good. The combination of the two was great - the staff mixes up dressings for you to taste, it is so cool! The second combination that he bought was walnut oil with red apple balsamic vinegar. It was amazing - I am not a huge salad eater, but if all salads came with that as dressing, I think I would convert. It's not cheap - 375 ml of either for $15-18, but then again, balsamic vinegar and olive oil from the grocery store actually isn't that much less, and the quality of this is amazing. Go to Old Town Oil! You won't be disappointed! read more

Oh this place is just tooooo cool if you like to cook, eat, uh rub oil all over you and a friend. Actually that is the only reason that I do not rate this place 5 stars. It really is, but they DON'T have oil to rub all over you and a friend and that makes me sad. BUT---they do have a terrific quality and variety of flavored oils (garlic flavored and basil flavored are outstanding) as well as nut oils and some terrific balsamic vinegar. Those alone are worth the trip! if you like to cook, and want to visit a different type of store, this is one worth the premium price you may pay for their product. It is well worth it and I am looking foward to going back this weekend! read more

Love this place and the suggestions the employees give. Wide selection to choose from and they will let you sample any of it.

Stopped in here yesterday to collect some presents for Christmas. The guy working (owner?) helpfully showed me around, suggested different combinations, and offered me some samples. Super helpful and friendly! They have a good selection of different oils and balsamic vinegars. Definitely check out if you like to cook (or eat!). Also this stuck out to me: a lady came in to drop off her bottles, but didn't buy anything. She almost walked out but he called her back to give her a coupon for her bottles. Really great customer service. read more

Love this place! It's pretty pricey, but it's such a cool store. The workers were really nice and let you sample all the vinegars and oil which are in tiny kegs/barrels. I ended up buying a black currant vinegar which is a-w-e-s-o-m-e! The workers bottle it up for you, cork it and seal it. They would make great gifts (I'd like one or two)... and I learned some good uses for the vinegar that I hadn't thought about before. Okay, so I've never been to a shop like this before and have nothing to compare it to, but it gets 5 stars in my book. The only thing I wish the store did provide is some bread that can be purchased for dipping in the oil; would make it easy on me. read more

What a great little store!! It was empty when we went in, but quickly became crowded with a food tour. Even so, the service was outstanding. We had no trouble at all finding someone to help my friend put together a great gift basket and helping me get a bottle of peach vinegar for making salad dressings. I love that you can taste all of the olive oils and vinegars. It might sound weird, but it's delicious. IMO, the vinegars are the best part of the experience. You already know I loved the peach one. The strawberry one was also really good. And the 18 year aged... wow! I can't wait to come back :) read more

For hardcore gastronomers and salad dressers alike, this is the place for oil and vinegar. "We do not sacrifice quality and authenticity for price" said the manager, something I completely and wholeheartedly agree with. We went to a tasting for our building, and tasted some fantastic oils and vinegars and ended up buying 4 bottles, at least $15 each.... STEEP, but worth it. Oils we bought: Mixed Herb Meyer Lemon Balsamic Vinegars: Blueberry White Peach Lemon-White Peach is gonna be a KICKASS salad dressing..... Mixed Herb Blueberry is gonna be a weird marinade. Blueberry tops ice cream real well. read more

Sweet Baby Jesus! I am so PISSED... That I didn't discover Old Town Oil sooner!! Especially since I am at Topo Gigio fairly regularly and it's right next door.. If you're like me & enjoy supporting small businesses that specialize in doing one thing and doing it well & if you have taste buds that REALLY appreciate quality and deeeeeeliciousness. Get to this place NOW before you forget. Great service in a rustic boutique atmosphere. You can sample all the marvelous varieties -- I know it sounds odd to sample oil and vinegar but that just proves how good it is! They also bottle & seal the heavenly nectar right in front of you. This is going to be a new favorite closing gift for my foodie clients! read more

I consider myself a balsamic vinegar aficionado. I may not know wine or caviar or even cheeses as well, but oil and vinegar I know. I am always pleased when I find shops anywhere that specialize in fine oils and vinegars for the ones the average grocery store sell are pretty much bastardized versions of what they should be. Personally, I don't buy any balsamic aged for less than 15 years, that is hard to find in even gourmet grocery stores. On my visit to Chicago I was hoping to find a balsamic that could top the heavenly one I found at Oliviers & Co. in San Francisco earlier this year. The shop has a cute store front and was very welcoming. The shop is stocked with all the typical things you find in an oil and vinegar shop- jars of olives, olive oil soap, and large vats of oils and vinegars to taste. Immediately I dove right it. First up, their 18-year aged balsamic- very good, but not great. I prefer the consistency to be more on the heavy side, theirs is a bit light, nonetheless I bought a bottle anyway. I sampled some of the flavored vinegars and found the acidity too high for my liking, but the strawberry balsamic was divine! I took a bottle of that as well! The staff was friendly and not pushy at all. Overall I was very pleased with my find, unfortunately, the vinegars don't quite beat out the ones I got in San Francisco, but I definitely recommend a stop in here. read more

Old Town Oil has quality product. Simple enough. One room filled with a dozen or so varieties of oil and vinegar. Around $18 per bottle and you can sample any flavor. I have tried almost all they have to offer and prefer the flavored vinegars to the oils. Also, the customer service is outstanding. Best Oils Picual Olive Oil Black Truffle Oil Walnut Oil Best Vinegars Unflavored Aged Balsamic Champagne Vinegar White Peach Balsamic (unreal and a little goes a long way) read more

I had a lot of fun taste testing the different flavors of olive oils and mixing and matching the different flavors with each other. Unfortunately I dont cook so there wasnt really a need for me to buy anything here! But for the foodies and chefs, I'd definitely recommend this place. If I didnt join a walking tour this summer, I would have missed out on this great place! The staff here is very knowledgeable on the flavors and which ones blend well together. read more

As someone who usually buys my olive oil and balsamic vinegars at Trade Joe's and Costco, when I tried the samples here I was literally blown away. I never really liked balsamic vinegar and now I know why -I've never had real balsamic vinegar. Truly this place is amazing. You can sample anything and you will want everything. I will be buying 100% of my olive oil and balsamic vinegars here from now on. I also love that it is zero waste and eco friendly! You can return your glass bottles which they recycle and give you $2 off your next purchase. The owner and the staff are all really nice, and really generous with samples. A terrific small business! read more

I was the first customer at their new location which is across the street at 1543 N. Wells. This was my first time here since my other oil/vinegar placed closed. I really enjoyed pairing the flavors they have and learning what is good to go with what. I believe I have found a new home for getting my gourmet oils. Oh yes you can also bring back your used bottles and get some money off. read more

Old Town Oil - Blood orange oil paired with 15 year old balsamic vinegar taste great. Also the basil old and balsamic vinegar is wonderful as well - Olive Oil Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Meh is correct. I prefer Oh Olive on Armitage but I'm not going to say they have the world's best olive oil there either. I take one star off for the food tour. I was walking up Wells and was thinking I would go in when I saw a crowd of people coming out and then going on their way to the Spice House. After they were gone I went in and blah... There isn't as much as flavor in these oils as in others I've had. I found them to be bland. I also was turned off by how big the bottles are for the olive oil. If you have olive oil in your pantry for more than a year then it has turned. It's not that you can't eat it but it won't be as good. As someone who doesn't use it a ton there is no way I could use one bottle's worth in 12 months, unless I wanted to get fat (it may be good fat but it's still fat and high in calories). There are better places than this for sure. read more

Old Town Oil is an excellent place to find high quality olive oils and balsamic vinegars. If you're ready to move on from the supermarket stuff or shopping for a unique gift for a foodie, this is the place to hit up. The store is lined with kegs of imported oils and vinegars all of which you can sample for yourself. I was a little overwhelmed by the selection on my first visit but their knowledgeable staff helped guide me by explaining each unique flavor profiles and offering tastes. I eventually settled on the smooth, buttery hojiblanca EVOO from Spain and the peach infused balsamic vinegar. But I had a little buyers remorse later after tasting the 18 year aged balsamic...phenomenal! Never tasted any balsamic this good, even at high end restaurants. Easily the best item in the store. The prices are reasonable considering the quality of the product and when compared to similar specialty shops. Balsamic vinegars keep for a while and because theirs are so rich, a little goes a long way. Their olive oils are meant for dipping in bread or finishing dishes where you'll be able to taste and appreciate the delicate flavor. As an added bonus, they'll knock off a few dollars from your next purchase when you refill your empty bottles. read more

My only issue with this place is that the bottles are one-size-only. No taking some home to try - you've gotta take the whole thing. That said, the selection is exquisite, the woman who's always working there is friendly and helpful, and the little taster cups are quite dangerous (who knew that a mouthful of Black Currant Balsamic would be as pleasant as drinking port?). The atmosphere is bright, clean and calm (though I'm sure it's busy on the weekends). Take your time and try 'em all! read more