Homewood's Dunning's Meat Market Featured on 'Chicago's Best'

A Homewood staple will step into the spotlight, during an episode of WGN's 'Chicago's Best' set to air April 13. 

Dunning's Gourmet Meat Market, 18436 Governor's Highway, will be featured on the show, a fan-driven food mission that seeks out the best eats in the Chicago region. Host Brittney Payton and crew stopped into the market on March 18 to film the segment. Owner Maureen Mader served up homemade chicken Italian sandwiches, chicken dijon and chicken salad sandwiches. 

The show was focusing the episode on Southland spots for grub, and the Dunning's name "just kept popping up."

Mader, who went from loyal customer to owner of the shop, was thrilled at the attention paid to the business of 50 years.

"Everything we make is fresh, made to order," Mader said, of what makes the market stand out. 

The Crown Point, Ind. native moved to Flossmoor and began shopping at Dunning's for meal prep for her family. When the original owner fell ill, they suggested she buy it.

"So I did!" Mader said. And so begins her success story of the last 15 years. She moved the shop from its original location on Dixie Highway, to its current home. 

"It's been an evolution of what I like, what I want to sell, what I like to cook," she said. 

Short a butcher one day, she even taught herself to slice meat. In addition to its meat market, Dunnings also offers a deli, catering services, and a small eat-in area. Mader is beaming with pride and anticipation over the shop's appearance on WGN. 

"I'm very proud of us."

The segment airs April 13, at 10 p.m., on WGN.