The Spice House has every spice you need and ones you didn't know you needed. I was a bit overwhelmed with so many options. The staff were so helpful and were extremely knowledgeable. They had a section of Chicago themed spices that were intriguing and also could be a nice gift. There so many unique spices and excited to try them. read more

I've done a review of this chain's Naperville store but want to spread the love so the Yelpers know they can get fabulous service and products other places too. This store was smaller than the Naperville location but the selection is still vast. The employees were beyond helpful and knowledgeable about the products. Who knew that sampling spices could be as fun, tasty, and educational as a wine or beer tasting?!? read more

The Spice House - Trading sample 2 - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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The Spice House has been around since the late '50s, and they are known as a purveyor of spices, herbs, signature blends, and premium extracts. My particular favorites from their signature blends are: +Back of the Yards Garlic Pepper Butcher's Rub - contains pepper, garlic, kosher salt, sugar, shallots, bell peppers, and parsley; great for steaks, burgers, ribs, and chicken as well as for veggies, eggs, and dressing +Lake Shore Drive Shallot & Herb Seasoning - contains salt, shallots, onion, garlic, chives, and pepper - great for potatoes, chicken, eggs, fish, and egg or potato salad to zip them up If you're a home or a professional chef, check The Spice House out - it's fun to peruse through their collection and try different blends out! +various spice blends and extracts +online ordering available +limited parking in the area read more

The Spice House - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

I needed to kill a little time between stopping at Hewn and picking up some groceries from Jewel, so I stopped to wander Central Street for a bit. I'm glad I had the opportunity to stop into The Spice House today! When I came in there was an employee standing right near the front who asked if I needed anything, and though they didn't have the item I asked about (a brine bag--Thanksgiving is fewer than three weeks away!), I wandered around a bit anyway. I picked up some vanilla bean paste (I use this in place of vanilla extract), cinnamon maple sugar, some broth concentrate, and a bag of crystalized ginger. That brought me above their threshold for getting a free flat-pack item so I chose some Back of the Yards spice, which is part of their Heritage Collection. The woman who checked me out said that it tastes good as a rub but it's also great in potatoes and stuff. I'm looking forward to tasting it because it sounds delicious... I just wish they had a Ravenswood or Lincoln Square one too! The Heritage Collection is a line of spices created to be reminiscent of various neighborhoods--Pullman, Back of the Yards, Central Ave., etc. Cool idea to celebrate the city and its environs! Staff were really friendly. They also appear to have a tasting bar; I didn't really understand what it was until I was about to leave and saw some folks being offered tasted of stuff. I don't know if I would have wanted to taste what they had out there (though the Greektown spice did sound interesting!) but next time I stop in I'd love to have the chance to do so because it definitely can be intimidating to buy spices you haven't used before, or those for which you have no frame of reference (like the Heritage Collection ones that are made particularly for this store). If I made one suggestion, it would be to have a few recipes here or there. for some of the spices, especially some of those that might not be part of the standard spice cupboard/might be a bit more intimidating than others. They do have suggestions on some of them but I wouldn't mind adding to my recipe collection! read more

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I had been buying from Penzey's mostly after we went into pandemic mode. Several colleagues who live in Evanston recommended The Spice House, so I followed through on their recommendation. I bought quite a bit. Was glad to find whole spices that I could run through my spice grinder. I will definitely be back when I need to replenish. read more

The Spice House - My Purchase - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

This was my first time visiting The Spice House, and I was blow away! The variety of spices they had to offer was amazing. While I did not make any purchases, my friend built a gift set of four spices for her mom. The sales associates were very friendly and helped us along the way. I'll be back to purchase some of the Chicago-themed spices! read more

The Spice House - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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When your husband is a chef, purchasing spices is a regular occurrence. We have been gifted Spice House spices before but have never gone into a store ourselves until today. When we walked in you could smell the spices in the air. The first one we smelled was of cardamom. As it was out on display for the Chef Morimoto collection. As we walked further in the store, the extremely friendly staff asked if we needed help, or have stopped with them before. Although we didn't ask for help at first, after a while all of the spices blended together. The staff quickly made some recommendations for us, all of which we ended up buying small packs of to try and were able to try at home. Needless to say, my husband dove right in to cooking with the spices, and everything we've tried so far are amazing! Each of the spice packets come with recommendations on how to best use them. If you're looking to spice up your food, the Spice House is the place to go! We will certainly be back! read more

The Spice House - Morimoto spices - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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Short and sweet review. Very nice little spice shop in Evanston on super popular Central street near Green Bay rd. Unbelievable selection of spices from around the world. Friendly knowledgeable folks work here. Support the locals and forget about buying spices at the grocery stores! You'll be glad you did! read more

The Spice House - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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I've been a huge fan of the quality of the Spice House for years. They were my happy place with the ability to be able to walk in and smell the the amazing spices. I recently decided to leave the Chicago area and didn't want to downsize my spice collection. I called The Spice House to ask about buying some empty flat packs. I emailed over the picture of my collection and they not only provided me with the flatpacks I requested but also the labels to go with all of my spices. I was able to condense my collection to the 2 containers of flatpacks and not get rid of any of them. Thanks Spice House!! read more

The Spice House - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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The Spice House is the perfect stop for gourmands. Whether you're a novice at cooking or a professional chef, you'll find the perfect spice or blend of spices to meet your culinary needs. The aromas filling the space extend outside the shop. On my most recent visit, I took my husband here and as we walked from our parking space to the shop, you can smell the scents of exotic spices from 3 shops away. The smells are that potent! Throughout the store there are jars filled with colorful spices spanning the world. With all the variety abound it was difficult to choose. Our goal was to go in and find a BBQ spice for our meatloaf recipe but with all the options available, there were 3 other spices I was tempted to purchase! As we were on our search for a good BBQ spice, a store rep recommended we try the Milwaukee avenue steak seasoning. It's got the perfect amount of smoky mesquite flavor without being too sweet. Since our purchase, we've used it a few times for making meatloaf and we absolutely love it. I love how they curate their spice selection and post stickers on each jar describing the ingredients in each blend and its best use. They also have taster sample bottles next to each spice jar so you can try a spice out before you buy. Most spices start from $7.00 and up per 3oz shaker jar. I asked a store associate if you run out of a spice purchased from the store, would it be possible to refill an empty shaker jar. I was told due to health code issues, they don't do it but you can purchase spices in a 3 oz bag to take home with you. Parking depending on the time of day can be tricky but if you cannot find parking along Central Avenue, there is a metered parking lot near Central and Stewart Avenue a block away west of the shop. read more

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OMG. Where have I been buying spices my entire life? I needed smoked salt to cook a new meat free collard greens recipe. After going to , Marianos, Jewels, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods with no luck, I googled "whete to buy smoked salt" and was led here. When I first walked in, I got a deliciously sensual whiff of spices. It smelled like an amorous mix of every flavor in the world. I'm hoping that they bottle up that scent and put it in a perfume. It was really hard not to spend my entire paycheck on salt blends and dry rubs and exotic cinnamon and herbs but by the grace of the Lordt, I managed to leave with only the smoked salt that I came in to buy. Everyone in the store was super super helpful, knowledgeable and pleasant and they all looked really happy to be there, which is rare in retail. nice thing when you're at a store. I love this place and you will too! read more

The Spice House - Love at first sight - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Absolute gem of the neighborhood. They recently changed their spice packaging which is stunning and makes me want to collect them all! Great gift for the holidays. They have different collections of spices from essential to adventurous. I've been a fan of roasted vegetables recently and these spices are the perfect touch. I would highly recommend a visit here if you love to cook. read more

The Spice House - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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I used to love the spice house. True they still have some of the original great employees that are kind, engaging, knowledgeable etc. over the years I've had a number of employees I've had an affinity for. It used to be hippy owned - the people love the business really cared about customers and offered a value and quality - exceptional quality. Today - they sold out to the man some private equity firm. Selection shrank by a lot Slick marketing and packaging is job one Celebrity chef alliances are important MSG in many products PRICES 2-3X or more what they were 4-5 years ago. (I realize inflation is out there) I have no loyalty any more ... I used to spend $300 or more a year... for like 20 years...now I just feel I'm getting taken to the cleaners. Who has recommendations where to order or has value? I want to put my money somewhere else..... My frustration has grown for number of years... someone else is more deserving of my money... suggestions? Savory spice house on Lincoln, thoughts? Gets better google review... I'm definitely checking this place out read more

I love the Spice House....I mean REALLY love the Spice House, and if I didn't mention it....yeah, I love the Spice House! Why? -Because they have a huge variety of spices, many you won't find elsewhere. -They grind many themselves. - They're fresh. The spices turn over often since they sell to restaurants etc. too. - Cost is often equal to or less than grocery stores, for a superior product. - Buy various quantities, either bagged or in bottles. -Staff is very helpful and friendly. -When I said they have variety...yes, huge variety. Many types of pepper, salts, extracts, whole or ground spices, a few types of cinnamon, many house blends from BBQ rubs to GreekTown blend and so many more. I cook a lot so my spice cabinet is a bit insane, and it's all thanks to the Spice House. Much gratitude read more

The Spice House - One of my favorite stores :) - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Very helpful folks and a staggering array of flavors packed into a tiny storefront. Top quality spices, great for gifts and home cooking. We cook a lot at home and for us it's worth it to pay a little extra for the quality flavors we use regularly. read more

Friendly staff members who are very excited about sharing new products with customers. They shared a taste of the product before buying anything. Great experience! read more

Spice shopping in the time of Covid...#YelpShopsLocal This year for the holidays I'm supporting as many local shops that I possibly can. The Spice House had a really fun Chicago-themed spice collection that caught my eye, so I placed an order online and paid to have it shipped to my parents. After paying and finalizing the order, a note popped up that said it wouldn't make it in time for Christmas. Oops...I guess I should have read the fine print before placing my order. Time for Plan B. I called the customer service number in the morning and explained that I goofed and completely missed the information regarding shipping deadlines. My bad. I asked if I could pick it up instead from the Evanston location. No worries! Nathan was super helpful and refunded the shipping cost on the spot and rerouted my order to pickup. He told me I'd get an email in a few hours letting me know the order was ready for pickup. Yep, a few hours later that email appeared. In the early evening, my hubby and I rushed to the shop to pick up our order before 6pm. When we arrived, the entrance was blocked by a ribbon (since the shop is closed to customers) and there was a table with a note that explained the process for picking up my order. Ring the bell! I pressed the bell and the owner came out and asked for my name and came back within a minute with my order. Wow, that was impressive. So fast and easy! I grabbed my order and was out of there in less than five minutes. Special added touch...outside next to the table with the bell was a dog bowl with treats. The Spice House thought of everything! read more

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Midway through 2020, I decided to try cooking Indian food and asked my mom to email me a bunch of basic recipes only to realize that I didn't have the right spices. Spice House to the rescue! They had almost everything I wanted (including hing) and everything is such wonderfully high quality that my Indian food tastes really good. read more

This place just changed my life. Not even joking. So collectively as a couple, my husband and I decided to use fresher spices than the ones we get at the regular grocery stores. We have been making better choices meal wise and we needed new ideas to spice up chicken and turkey. We also were making a chili. Enter Spice House. Whatchu need? Saffron? They got it. Fresh cumin? They got it. Spanish paprika? They have it! What I thought was cool about the cumin is they grind them in small batches so that it stays fresh. They make their own curry blends as well. Speaking of blends, our awesome they have Chicago blends such as "Bronzeville, Pilsen, Argyle, Taylor street". We had the most amazing man helping us, Rich. This guy really knows his stuff and I am not even sure that he knows he has changed our lives but he truly did. I am forever thankful. He explained to us the different blends, how the spices are arranged in the store, his suggestions on foods to use the spices and blends for, etc. He also offered us a few samples to take home and try, for free. Another cool thing they offer is the dried chiles as well. They are still pliable and fresh. We were making a chili that day and those dried chiles were the best I have ever seen, ever. They also have different types of dehydrated mushrooms, truffle salts and oils, and black garlic. This is the cutest little shop there ever was. Has this old timey feel with beautiful crown molding ceiling tiles. They offer different sizes for all spices which really makes things affordable. I legit thought I was going to go in there and spend like $30 on a few spices here and here. I got a ton on spices, dehydrated chilis and a few free samples to take home for under $15! What a steal. Everything here is super affordable. I enjoyed our visit here from beginning to end. They have made customers for life with us. Five star place, without a doubt. read more

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My Sicilian buddy that was an owner/chef of an Italian restaurant in Florida told me about this place. Let's face it I love eating and trying different ethnic cuisines that Chicago and the suburbs have to offer. I also love to cooking so when my friend told me about it I bookmarked it. When my sister from Long Island was here we went to check it out. The smells that emanate from The Spice House are noticeable from over a block away. When you enter the space there are a whole array of spices with samples. The staff is very well trained and very helpful in the selection process and how the spices can be adapted into different dishes. The spices have a very strong aroma and are much fresher then the spices in the grocery store. The flavors are also much more defined It's a really cool little shop that has a huge selection of spices. The ceilings are the stamped metal panels. The walls are exposed brick giving the store a rustic feeling. Overall it's a very nice store w/a great selection of spices, very helpful and knowledgable employees. read more

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I am obsessed with every Spice House location. This store has every spice you could ever imagine. They grind and jar (verb?) their spices on-site, so it's all very fresh. Their spice blends pay homage to Chicago, and such homages are creative and something you can't find everywhere. The prices have risen but are still fair, starting at about $6 for a jar. The employees are very kind and helpful. There's a great selection of sugar and other baking-related spices. Special mention goes to their entire salt-free section, showing that they keep an eye out for every type of customer. read more

I don't leave reviews unless something happens. And something[s] happened here that has lost this place another long time customer. Previously, I very much enjoyed buying from here - under old team. But after my most recent experience I'm thoroughly disgusted with the whole situation. Never thought I'd say such things about what used to be the spice house. You know what you did and you know who you are. This place is now garbage, pure garbage. Absolutely no service whatsoever, questionable practices ( weights and volumes of contents not accurate), gouging of prices, inaccurate invoices and [mis]communication you would've never received from the old proprietors. The old spice house respected its customers money and time. This new spice house does not possess the same qualities. These new individuals will frustrate you as they rip you off. These individuals are profoundly disrespectful and their customer "service" management is woefully inadequate. Who ever these new people are: you are the worst at what you do and it's regrettable you are now responsible for the whole experience of this once excellent shop. You've stripped it of its character and replaced it with your crap. Support other shops, support local shops. On the other hand I'm now looking forward to throwing away those terrible new jars and replacing my entire cabinet - 90 plus individual jars bought from this store - with much better quality spices and jars which is definitely not found with this company. Enjoy your losses. Perhaps you can calculate that, you should try it. read more

Spice House has been on my bucket list for awhile!!! Easy accessible parking, as soon as I walk in I was greeted so warmly by Marla! She helped explain and teach me so many things farther than I knew what went into spices!!! She made my visit 10/10! I can't wait to take my family here! read more

Love love love the Spice House! They have various Chicago neighborhood blends like Bronzeville Rib Rub or the Pilsen Spicy Adobo that pay homage to the culture of those communities. Great for gifts. Love getting dip and soup mixes. Lots of variety. read more

My favorite place to purchase spices. Love the ambiance of a "serious spice store" (reminds of the Spice Bazaar in Istanbul) but with the added benefit of people to help you who...LOVE SPICES. I learn something new about a particular spice or herb each time I go, and come away newly inspired to try a different cuisine or recipe with my new purchase. I can't recommend The Spice House enough, read more

Oh Central Street how you make me feel like I'm in a Hallmark movie! This little gem is right on the strip of Central, the mini "downtown" of Evanston. The Spice House caters to many fresh seasonings and other essentials when it comes to cooking. I love the packaging of the glass jars, but they also offer flat packs or bag options in case you want to refill your own. Yesterday evening my sister and I stopped by as she needed some paprika and chili seasoning- she's going to make some chili! My eye was caught on the Fireside Collection, basically Fall and Winter all in one package! It has cinnamon, hot cocoa, chai, and mulling. I just made some hot cocoa and added some cinnamon and boy, was it delicious. So rich, but not heavy and very delicious definitely recommend! I will be stopping by again to buy the hot cocoa collection. These also make great gifts as well! read more

The Spice House - Fireside Collection - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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I am a big fan of cooking. I LOVE going in and buying spices and ingredients. I'm the gal that will spend hours in a gourmet food store. The Spice House was a drive for us. We went to Evanston directly because of this store. The products seem to be high quality with a large variety. The store was fairly big. Where I felt they fell short was service. I am not going to come down too hard on these guys because I'm their defense it was s busy Saturday and there were quite a few people in the store. It wasn't totally clear how I was to request spices that weren't prepackaged. I asked one person who told me he was with someone else and would take me next then forgot about me. Then I approached a 2nd individual that did get me what I wanted but very much rushed me and seemed to want to move me through fast. Which I appreciate speed and efficiency but this was done with what felt like a little annoyance. All I wanted was one item. I would give these guys a second chance but I might order online next time. read more

The Spice House - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

I found The Spice House because I was desperate to find Amchoor Powder to complete a recipe from Samin Nosrat's book, "Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat." Google quickly informed me that The Spice House was the only place that carried it in Chicago. On my way I went... as soon as I entered the store, I knew I'd be getting much more than just Amchoor Powder. There are spices galore and all sorts of exotic blends. You can taste it all & the staff is so incredibly helpful and friendly. I asked about several different spices & they were able to help me with everything! I picked up many goodies, but today I decided to try out the Friday Fish Fry blend. On the surface, the ingredients seem simple enough: kosher salt, pepper, lemon peel, garlic, and onion. Let me tell you... the flavor explodes in your mouth and it is simply exquisite!!! I don't know how to describe it but it is soooo good. Almost too good, because it taste better than the fried fish from the restaurants!!! I'm not exaggerating yal - it's GOOD. Now I'm heading to the store to buy some chicken wings - I want to try the Jamaican Jerk seasoning on them tomorrow! I'll definitely be returning! read more

I went to Evanston spice house today. The price is more than doubled. I do understand that it's Covid. However it's ridiculous I will not be coming out anymore. I do realize that nobody really cares about my opinion. . I care and it is definitely ridiculous. It's called price gouging. I realize somebody new bought the place but you are going to lose your old customers I guarantee it. Whether my opinion matters or not I just had to let you know that I was extremely dissatisfied. The man who waited on me was amazing but the cost is ridiculous I will be finding another place. I can say that change is not always good and how you have done things there for many years Isn't always a good thing isn't always a good thing. It is really really sad. I know my opinion doesn't matter. read more

The Spice House (TSH) is not to be missed. I am a long-time customer of over 20 years and this is a great place for all your herb and spice needs. It is a small but mighty and quaint shop with endless rows, barrels, bins, and baskets of herbs and spices. Whatever your culinary desires, TSH has a seasoning that will enhance the greatness of any culinary creation. There are a plethora of the typical herb and spice suspects (basil, oregano, red pepper flakes, etc.), however, there is so much more to explore in this herb/spice kingdom. You will have the option to taste and smell the vast majority of the products, just to ensure that you know exactly what you are buying. The greatest thing and what I recommend most is to step outside your comfort zone and indulge in some of the EXCEPTIONAL "all-in-one" seasoning blends. Some of my favs are: -Milwaukee Iron Seasoning -Back of the Yards Garlic Pepper Butcher's Rub -Chicago Steak Seasoning -Quebec Beef Spice -Sweet Chile Garlic Seasoning -California Seasoned Pepper Blend -Italian Herb Blend -Lake Shore Drive Seasoning -Brisket of Love -Italian Sausage Seasoning -Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Pizzaz -Japanese Seven Spice All products are available in various quantities, not just what you may see on the shelf in the store, therefore ask if you would like a smaller or larger quantity. The quantification and pricing structure is typically located on each herb/spice jar. Note: Many of the seasoning blends have an interesting creation story that can be sourced on the website. It's always great to understand the origin of a fantastic product. Note II: There are many "sodium-free" blends to try that are spectacular. TSH is a great place to visit ONLY if you adore great flavor, exceptionally fresh herbs and spices and want your meals to become even more memorable. Carve out some time and stop by to explore. Commit to trying something new that is guaranteed to take your meal from ordinary to extraordinary. Your taste buds will surely thank you...again, and again and again! read more

The Spice House - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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A beautiful store with incredibly helpful and knowledgeable sales staff High quality and broad selection of spices and blends.

I do not recommend having items shipped from Spice House. Not only did we receive 13 bottles in a box marked 12 jar shipment, with only thin paper as packing material, some bottles were shattered. Accidents happen, but after being cut, and having spices spill all over the counter and the floor, which we just had professionally cleaned, I wrote to Customer Service as directed and they were less than helpful... a lot less. Joe was aggressive, dismissive and rude. Also, per Joe, apparently he doesn't have a supervisor or anyone he reports to. Ouch! read more

What a horrible experience. I used to love this place and recommend it to everyone. Not any more. Everything is in packages and you can't smell a thing ! It is like being in a sterile room ! How can you shop for and find new spices if we can't smell ? What a miserable depressing experience. And the prices! How many people need a half cup of one spice ? We used to be able to buy one ounce. I might as well find a mail order company since I can't smell and shop the spices anyway. At least somewhere else I can find smaller quantities. And I don't want to hear the brainwashing about covid read more

I have been going to this local store for 12 years. They changed their business model in the last few years. No longer worth going to. They now only have prepackaged jars/big bags. Most are over $9 for ~2oz. They used to serve 1,2,4 etc oz, and there was a very wide selection. Selection is reduced and now have mostly 'house blends' or standard spices. Seems very corporate, not the local specialized shop of the past. They have a special if you buy $50. I was at $49.47. They said "sorry. Why don't you buy some $3.50 item just to get over $50" No longer a local, friendly store. read more

Just need to add bigger bulk packages they had a while ago, now just seems to expensive.

If you're a fan of cooking, this will be your heaven! So many wonderful, exotic, and high-quality spices from which you can choose to make any dish imaginable. Prices are great, and if you sign up with your e-mail you will receive offers and discounts on spices and collections. I'm a huge fan of the blends. Here are a few of my favorites: -Back of the Yards Garlic Pepper Butcher's Rub (love to put this on sliced zucchini and red peppers with some olive oil and roast) -Peri Peri (use some yogurt and add this with salt and pepper on chicken thighs, then grill) -Jamaican Jerk Seasoning (use on chicken with some canola oil and grill) -Trinidad Lemon Garlic Seasoning (use on white fish with lemon and cook with some parsley) I have about 20 of spices from this store and each one is really incredible. I'm excited to expand on my collection as I learn new recipes as well! read more

Had a great experience here! I was looking for a spice blend that isn't available in my typical grocery stores (Whole Foods and Jewel)... but of course The Spice House had it! I visited earlier today - so, on a busy Sunday afternoon - and was able look around with no pressure at all. I took my time enjoying the layered aroma of fragrances from around the world, and soaking in the shop's cozy-warm atmosphere. When I was ready for assistance I approached a salesperson and was met with a friendly smile. Everyone I interacted with was not only kind and helpful, but they knew their stuff. (The spice blend looked a bit different than I was used to, and they were able to explain what was different - the ratio of each spice used - and what I could add more of to make it close to what I was used to, if I wanted.) Loved, loved, loved that staff offered to let me taste different options! The location is a bit out of my way, so I was pleased to pick up a catalog and hear that they are also online with shipping for convenience! read more

The Spice House - Herbs & Spices Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

This is one of the few places that I would truly miss if I ever moved away from Chicago. Sometimes I come in here and just pretend to shop for about five minutes. The smell is amazing; somehow the sweet, hot, pungent, earthy, bitter, salty, unctious, multi-flavored aromas of the hundreds of different spices and blends all combine into one alluring scent which hangs around the building for a one-block radius. I never buy spices anywhere else. I come here for staples such as oregano, cumin, and peppercorns, as well as for their proprietary blends, which are good for just about everything. Try the Asian Sesame on steamed vegetables, the Milwaukee Iron on meat and the Bridgeport on popcorn. They sell many of their blends in salt-free versions. All of the loose containers and some of the package labels give a neat history or wealth of background information about that specific product. It's great to know where your food is coming from, right? I keep my home and office stocked with their crystallized ginger, which kills my chronic post-meal sweet tooth without putting a bunch of fat and sugar into my system. Pleasant people, wonderful smells, sample shakers, nuggets of culinary education, extremely reasonable prices...this place is a treasure. read more

If you cook, and enjoy cooking, but haven't been to the Spice House, what are you waiting for? Everyone else has said most of what there is to say; so why should I repeat their reviews :) I will encourage you not to be shy about asking questions about spices that you aren't familiar with- and please please please take advantage of the "tasters" so you can become acquainted with their texture and tastes. When you're there ask for a catalog- it makes very good late night reading; who knows, it might spice up your love life. read more

I despise Evanston. I hate the attitude and the vegan hippies and the cops that have nothing better to do than pull you over for going 38 in a 30. Evanston can fall into Lake Michigan and I wouldn't even shed a single tear. However, my job required me to be in Evanston once a week. I was driving around and spotted this place, had heard about the Wicker Park location and decided to stop in because I had time to kill. Sigh. If I could pick this place up and move it to Andersonville, I would be in there weekly. As it is, I will frequent the Old Town location but I cannot venture back into Evanston. It hurts me. My life has been changed by the Vulcan Fire Salt. It's a perfect blend of flavor and heat. I pretty much put it on everything. I also scored a big bag of dill there for a fraction of what it would have cost me at Jewel. I also purchased a bag of their spiciest habanero ground pepper. Yum. Just a sprinkling spices up your plate. I love their premixed flavor combinations and think that their gift boxes are a great idea. Christmas is coming up after all... But Old Town. Never again, Evanston. read more