Find steak empanadas and more frozen delicacies at Wild Fork's Chicago stores - Axios ChicagoLog InLog InAxios Chicago is an Axios company.
Find steak empanadas and more frozen delicacies at Wild Fork
Frozen canapes and empanadas at Wild Fork. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios Last year I noticed a bunch of mysterious "meat and seafood" stores called Wild Fork popping up around the Chicago area, including one on Belmont near home. After passing by for months, I recently stopped in for a peek. The intrigue: I was amazed by the offerings from this Brazilian company with a U.S. base in Florida. Beyond meat and seafood, it offers high-quality plant-based proteins, desserts, pasta, appetizers, vegetables, side dishes, spices, sauces and grilling supplies. Also there are frozen cassava, plantains and Brazilian cheese balls. The big picture: Everything here is what they call "blast frozen," which is supposed to keep food super fresh. I don't know much about freezer technology, but I do know most of this stuff tastes great. In addition to mainstream meats, Wild Fork offers yak, ostrich and venison. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios The highlights: ($22.98/lb) that seared up nicely in a cast-iron pan and gave us two days of tacos.Juicy ($4.48) that paired beautifully with peppers and onions. Fun, Argentine-style on a stick ($9.98).Buttery, skin-on salmon steaks ($7.78/lb) that make dinner easy. Rare surprises: Elk, bison, ostrich, yak, foie gras, blood sausage and A-5 wagyu beef. Yes, but: A slightly gritty flan and dryish eggplant parmigiana were both just OK.Wild Fork offers meaty products but also vegan meals. Photo: Monica Eng/Axios Between the lines: As a half-Latina whose partner lived in Argentina for years, I'm thrilled to find a place that lets us host a South American grilling party in a snap, but also so much more.For those looking for dry-aged, grass-fed, pastured, organic, heritage or antibiotic free meat, Wild Fork has your number. What's next: I'm trying to avoid visiting Wild Fork too often, because there's a lot more that I want to try but that won't fit in my freezer. Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member. More Chicago stories
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