Have you tried the deli inside Country Fruit Market?
One of my favorite things to do is help spread the word about “secret” places to grab a meal, and here’s one that’s long overdue: Country Fruit Market, which includes Cakes ‘N Lace Bakery and Country Florals and Gifts, has a deli counter that’s open seven days a week.
Hours for the store and deli are both 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The store is at 1695 S. Schuyler Ave. in Kankakee, making it one of the few places to grab food once you head south over the river.
The menu features a variety of sandwiches, from the basic (turkey, ham or roast beef), to traditional (Italian Beef and barbecue pork), to subs and clubs. They also serve hot dogs, Polish sausage, tamales, daily specials, soups and salads.
Owned by Dick and Sharon Panozzo, the store is an eclectic mix of edible, smell-able and plant-able items, plus home decor and gift items. Besides the deli, notable offerings in the edible category include fresh and dried fruit, a large selection of cheeses, smoked salmon, gourmet jellies, and confections. In the latter category, I recommend the chocolate-covered cashew crunch, which tastes very much like English toffee.
If you’ve never been to Country Fruit Market, Sunday (April 19) would be a great day to go, as that’s the annual spring open house. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be an orchestra, petting zoo, barbecue and samples of their food products. You can also stock up on garden goodies, of course.
