Wood

If you happen to pass by the new Z&H space on 57th Street you will be hard-pressed not to notice the entire facade in now plywood. Lots of plywood. We removed the old, outdated, and generally sad storefront over the weekend and are waiting for the installation of the new storefront. We continue to move forward on all fronts, as with any project there are always surprises, and we have had our share. As we move closer to opening day we will let you all know our progress.

We will be having a 'soft' opening initially, which means that we will just unlock the door one day and not have balloons and people dressed as huge sandwiches and cups of coffee (in foam suits, don't think we have not contemplated this). More information to come.

Finally, the 'Marty' sandwich shirts are available for purchase. We love them, there is just something wonderful about an eggplant, a DeLorean, and a guy in a puffy vest.

Z&H 57th Street Update

Work moves forward on the 57th Street space, progress continues. Our info is in the hands of City Hall and we wait for the well-oiled wheels of our City bureaucracy to turn in the efficient manner that we all know so well.

As many of you know, we have, for the most part, self-financed Z&H up to this point. It has been creatively rewarding and challenging, but it has given us the ability to craft a business built around the idea of quality, value, long-term success. As we close in on the opening date of the 57th location we have looked at the idea of bringing aboard a few investors that would be interested in coming along on our adventure. Hyde Park is the community we choose to live and work in and we know our neighbors value of the worth of quality neighborhood businesses, a goal we work toward achieving each day at Z&H. Something that people often overlook when they visit us at the MarketCafe, is that we currently employ 15 people (10 full-time) and will employ more than 30 people when we open on 57th Street.

If an interest-bearing investment in Z&H is something you would like to know more about please contact Sam or Tim at the MarketCafe, or send us an email at info@zhmarketcafe.com.

Finally, the long anticipated 'Marty' Shirts will be arriving soon. We sold out of the 'Pig on a Pretzel' shirts quickly and we think the 'Marty' shirts are even better. Remember, .1.21 gigawatts of deliciousness is the right amount of deliciousness.

Plantain Chips

We have our Grab'em Snacks plantain chip for $2.50 a box simply because they are delicious. As the man behind the curtain says, 'while supplies last'.

Spring has sprung

We love this weather, sun, warmth...a sandwich outside.

As we are open longer and longer we get more and more reviews on line. the vast majority are supportive, which is great, but we get a few, and it is few, very bad reviews. All feedback is valued, but some reviews puzzle us. Here are two from the same day, posted on the same review site.

#1:

Can't tell you how glad I am to have a place like this in my neck of the woods. I use it more as a grocery store than a sandwich or coffee shop. Friendly staff, nice selection of unique & everyday items. Great to have owners that not only care about every thing that is on their shelves, but also in the store almost every hour they are open.

Top notch guys, can't wait for store #2

Here is #2:

I really like the "concept", especially since I am a foodie. However the service leaves a bad taste in my mouth - no pun intended. One two separate occasions the same person - clearly with a chip on her shoulder - was rude and dismissive. Today, I stop by to get a smoked turkey sandwich and she was way too much -- that I cancelled my order and walked out. DONE! So note to owners - not matter how fab your products, treating your customers -- all your customers -- with courtesy is a requirement not an option.

Seems like two different stores. All we can ask is that you visit our store and make your own decision about what we do. We endeavor each day to make the best tasting items and offer them in a friendly and respectful way to everyone. If you are ever in the shop and you feel that we are not living up to our end of the relationship please let us know. We can and will address any and all issues. We take what we do seriously and want each person who visits us be more than satisfied. Talk with us. Thank you.

With store expansion comes...

Staff expansion! If you're a foodie, coffee addict, or just plain fun (and hard working) type looking for a job, let us know! Email jobs [at] zhmarketcafe [dot] com or stop by the store for an application. Come soon though, spots will fill quickly!

From Yelp

"The manager/owner is rude, sarcastic and disrespectful. I will no longer give my money to this cafe."

That is the entire review. It is the only review that "Mika A" of "Chicago, IL" has ever posted about anything ever in Chicago. They have no strong feelings about anything that has ever happened to them other than a seemingly singular experience in our store. This seems doubtful to us. We would love to know the details. This is the reason we feel people should not put a lot of faith in sites like Yelp and other review sites. Listen to your friends, visit yourself, listening to angry strangers with hidden agendas is probably not the best way to choose a delicious sandwich, beverage, bottle of olive oil, or jar of spice.

We hope everyone has an excellent day.

Food Thoughts

"An understanding of what food is and how cooking works does no violence to the art of cuisine, destroys no delightful mystery. Instead, the mystery expands from matters of expertise and taste to encompass the hidden patterns and wonderful coincidences of nature."
--Harold McGee