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Learn How To Find Wild Mushrooms on MeztiSoy's 'Shroom Hunt Sunday

By Chloe Riley | October 25, 2013 8:54am
 Rob "The Mushroom Guy" Poe will lead the mushroom curious on a trek Sunday into the Illinois woods.
MeztiSoy Mushroom Hunting
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PILSEN — For those who dream of finding mushrooms in the wild, the ultimate 'shroom hunting trip awaits this Sunday.

Pilsen resident Rob "The Mushroom Guy" Poe will lead a trip of would-be hunters on a voyage to the wilderness that leaves from Pilsen grocer MeztiSoy.

Poe, who has written a 'shroom-hunting blog, has been bringing wild mushrooms to MeztiSoy three times a week since September.

“He’s been dropping them off, and the results are these mushrooms have been flying out the door,” said MeztiSoy co-owner Sonia Yañez.

A portobello would feel inadequate standing next to many of Poe’s mushroom finds. There’s the bizarrely named bright orange “chicken mushroom;” the somewhat diseased-looking but delicious Maitake mushroom; and the literally as-big-as-your-head Pom Blanc Puffballs.

Many of these, along with other native Illinois mushrooms, could be among the bounty during Sunday's trip.

Poe, Yañez and her husband Victor Perez will meet at the shop, 1757 W. 18th St., at 9 a.m. From there, they’ll pack everybody into two vans and head out to an undisclosed location in the forest, returning back to the city around 2 p.m.

The trip is $35 and includes transportation and all the mushrooms you can carry. MeztiSoy will also provide lunch and hot, non-alcoholic punch. Poe recommends bringing a small water bottle, small knife or scissors for 'shroom-digging, and some small paper bags with handles for proper storage.