Joe Amabile on his Italian roots, Chicago, and his future endeavors

If you are a “Bachelor” or “Bachelorette” fan, you probably remember Joe Amabile, aka Grocery Store Joe. Amabile is currently the host of his own YouTube show, “What I Eat,” and is co-host of the podcast “Click Bait.” Amabile currently resides in Chicago.

Where did you grow up and go to school?

I grew up in Melrose Park. I went St. Vincent Ferrer Elementary School and then Holy Cross High School. Holy Cross High School closed in 2004.

What was your life like after high school?

I moved to the city and I was a trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange for five years. Then, I got back into the produce business. The business has been in my family since I was born. My dad was a police officer and he had a side job where he would deliver produce to restaurants in Chicago.

I heard you were discovered for “The Bachelorette” while walking through a store. Is that true?

Yes. I was walking through Whole Foods and got approached to go on the show.

Were you a fan of the show? Did you ever watch it?

Yeah. Of course, I heard of “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” and I had seen it. I wasn’t an avid watcher. I knew what it was but I didn’t know the extent of the craziness of it.

You became so memorable with fans! When did realize you were a popular contestant?

I had heard that when you get eliminated night one, no one really remembers you. After I got eliminated, people were talking about me on Twitter and I was growing a social media following. I assumed it was going to fade. Then, I was asked to go on “Bachelor in Paradise.”

Was it hard coming back to Chicago after living in L.A.?

There was zero transition. I have my friends and my family here in Chicago. I thought L.A. was great. I still can’t believe I split the time between a warm city and a cold city, because Chicago winters are brutal.

I love your YouTube show, “What I Order.” Where did the idea come from?

I had initially moved back to Chicago because I wanted to open up a pizza place. Then, COVID hit. There wasn’t anything else to do, so I thought I would do a food vlog. The content I was putting out was for myself and it helped local restaurants since many were struggling in the midst of COVID. I’ve always been in the food industry, so it made sense with my brand.

How do you find the restaurants?

I know the city pretty well. I follow certain chefs on Instagram. That’s how I find the restaurants.

You also have your own sauce called Sundays with Joe. Where did you get the recipe?

My friend and I were kicking around some ideas during COVID. I always made a red sauce and different pastas. The first sauce we have is the sweet marinara. We will have an arrabiata sauce coming out in a month and then we have hot and mild giardiniera coming out in about two months. We’re trying to build an entire brand.

What part of Italy is your family from?

Naples. I have been to the Amalfi coast, Naples, and Rome. I was only in Italy once and it was for two weeks.

What’s next for you?

I’m a co-host of the podcast “Click Bait” with Tayshia Adams and Natasha Parker. That is going well. Our podcast is all about “The Bachelor” and pop culture. I plan on growing Sundays with Joe and would like to expand to pasta. If that leads to opening up a restaurant — great!

Have you found love?

I’m still single.

How do you ignore hate and negative comments as a public figure?

I don’t read the comments. I never let myself read a lot of comments, good or bad. They go hand in hand. The harsher comments always seem louder and they stick more. I just keep a distance from reading comments.

What’s it like working with Tayshia Adams?

She’s a great friend. She’s lovely to work with.

Joe’s Guide to Chicago:

Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Cubs

Favorite Restaurants: The Loyalist (177 N Ada St #001, Chicago) and Monteverde (1020 W Madison St, Chicago)

Favorite Suburban Restaurants: Johnnies Beef (7500 W North Ave, Elmwood Park); Abruzzo’s Italian Restaurant (1509 Division St, Melrose Park); The Original Nottoli & Son (7652 W Belmont Ave, Chicago); Cucina 3 (4630 N Cumberland Ave Suite 1, Chicago); Paradise Pup (1724 S River Rd, Des Plaines)

Favorite Date Spot: Monteverde

Favorite Dessert: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams (908 W Randolph St, Chicago)

Coffee Order: iced americano in the morning, espresso in the afternoon

Favorite Day in Chicago: Going to a Cubs game and riding my bike around the city when it gets warm