New reports confirm that **Forty Acres Fresh Market** in **Chicago** has just launched **Mabel’s Meals**, a hot bar dedicated to honoring the culinary legacy of a family matriarch. This development not only enhances the grocery shopping experience in the **Austin neighborhood** but also reinforces the market’s commitment to offering high-quality food in a community that desperately needs it.
**Forty Acres Fresh Market**, the only **Black-owned grocery store** in the city, is owned and operated by **Liz Abunaw**. Since its inception as a pop-up in **2018**, the store has expanded significantly, now featuring a brick-and-mortar location that opened in **September 2025**. Abunaw’s vision is rooted in history, as the name references **Union Army General William T. Sherman’s Special Field Order No. 15**, offering “40 acres and a mule” to freed families post-Civil War.
Abunaw is determined to compete with larger chain grocery stores by providing exceptional food options. “When I eat from other grocery stores, it is okay, it’s edible, it’ll get me by,” she stated. “So I knew that if we had really good food, it would set us apart.” Mabel’s Meals offers a variety of items, including the highly sought-after **fried chicken**. “We’ve had people come in to look for the fried chicken, and if it’s not there, they will walk out the store,” Abunaw noted.
Customers can grab a hot meal, with fried chicken available for **$5.99** for a four-piece order. The hot bar also features **Mabel’s jerk chicken**, a Caribbean-inspired dish, and the **Morning Glory breakfast sandwich**, a savory blend of flavors for just **$6.99**.
Beyond the hot bar, the store showcases other delicious offerings, such as the **Coco Bowl**, which features a coconut curry sauce over rice, and **black-eyed pea fritters**. “I would love our signature item to be the rice bowls,” Abunaw expressed, emphasizing the importance of community and quality in the food served.
The name “Mabel” pays homage to Abunaw’s late great-grandmother, who was known for her culinary skills. “My dad always talked about how good nana could cook,” she shared. Mabel’s legacy continues through the store, which aims to redefine the grocery shopping experience in a city grappling with food accessibility issues.
Forty Acres Fresh Market has become a local hub, attracting customers from surrounding areas and giving residents a place to gather and enjoy nutritious meals. “What we can offer that no one else does is a shopping experience,” Abunaw stated. She is focused on creating a sense of community, moving away from the narrative of food deserts.
The market is open daily from **8 a.m. to 8 p.m.**, with Mabel’s Meals available from **8 a.m. to 10 a.m.** for breakfast sandwiches and **10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.** for rice bowls. With prices that cater to a wide audience, Forty Acres Fresh Market not only provides sustenance but also promotes a sense of belonging and pride in the community.
As it continues to grow, Abunaw is also working on expanding their services, including a liquor department and an upgraded website, to further enhance the customer experience.
For those seeking quality food with a rich cultural heritage, **Forty Acres Fresh Market** is a beacon of hope and community spirit in **Chicago**. This innovative grocery store is transforming the way residents think about food, making it a must-visit destination for anyone in the area.
