Tzatziki Sauce in stores?

[shachi]

Has anyone seen Tzatziki Sauce (greek, gyro sauce) in any markets or grocery stores in the Chicago area?

[weinstein5]

I beleive I have seen it at Market Place in Skokie on Oakton -

[Jambajay]

I have not seen it but it sounds like something Trader Joes might carry...im guessing again but bet there are a few markets in Greek town or you could buy a pint at one of the many Greek restaurants on Halstead....Ive made it before 2 cups of plain high fat yogurt ,mash a colve or 2 of garlic to a paste with a T or so of olive oil , remove the seeds and finely dice or shread a 1/2 small cucumber maybe a bit of dill if you like mix it up... add some salt and lemon juice to taste...bring on the gyros

[Jambajay]

I have not seen it but it sounds like something Trader Joes might carry...im guessing again but bet there are a few markets in Greek town or you could buy a pint at one of the many Greek restaurants on Halstead....Ive made it before 2 cups of plain high fat yogurt ,mash a colve or 2 of garlic to a paste with a T or so of olive oil , remove the seeds and finely dice or shread a 1/2 small cucumber maybe a bit of dill if you like mix it up... add some salt and lemon juice to taste...bring on the gyros

[applehome]

Not in Chicago per se, but if you're a Costco member, they carry a brand in a jar.

But it's just greek yogurt (Total or equivalent), some minced garlic, cucumbers and onion - add some s&p and evoo and/or a little vinegar to taste - not much to it. (Make in advance to let the flavors meld.)

[Payton Chicago]

Trader Joe's no longer sells it. I was there about 2 weeks ago looking for it and they told me that they were looking for a new distributer. I just bought some at Doninick's, it's pretty good. Your best bet would be to either make it yourself or pick some up at a Greek restaurant.

[fauchon]

Easy to make per Jambajay's instructions...also, I used to buy it at the gourmet store...it was made either by Fage or Total & I'd goose it up with some cumin & fresh herbs.

[ROPA]

I agree with the other posters, just make it. The key is a good high-fat greek yogurt and lots of garlic.

[jonesybot]

Go to the Middle East Bakery on Foster at Ashland. They have Tzatziki Sauce and it is really good. They also sell lots of other goodies. I love that place. Their spicy hummus is incredible.

[Elizzie]

I make my own--greek yogurt, grated cukes that I've squeezed the liquid out of, some chopped garlic, salt, pepper, some chopped fresh dill (that's what my Greek friends use) and a little olive oil (though I've omitted this and it's fine). Definitely let it sit for a while to blend the flavors.

[MikeLM]

Yeah-
don't buy it, make it. It's easy, like Elizzie says. If you can't get Greek yogurt, just drain some regular yogurt in a strainer lined with a paper towel for a couple hours. Lotta chopped garlic, grated cuke (dewatered), lemon juice, salt and pepper, mint or parsely or oregano, and don't leave out the olive oil.
I tried Alton Brown's recipe for gyros, but it really didn't match the commercial product- probably because there's so much more salt in the restaurant version. Go to the Gyros King sandwich shop in Downers Grove- corner of Main and Ogden - for really good gyros.
Mike

[JimmyB]

Minos foods on Lake Street west of 83 has it.

[amoncada]

The Middle Eastern Grocery on Foster Avenue just west of Clark Street in Andersonville carries a lot of fresh made middle eastern food including their own cucumber, mint, yougurt sauce. This place is worth the trip. Great stuff here for dinner parties, pic nics, lunch, dinner, etc. The garlic hummus, regular babaganous, tabouleh, fava bean salad, kibbe, spinach and brocolli pies, meat pies, pita's, middle eastern bread, etc., is excellent. Everything is quite fresh here due to the quick turnover and the fact that it's made daily.

[shachi]

Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions. I will try my hand at making some...if that fails I'll check out the Middle Eastern grocery - it sounds like they've got amazing stuff!