Foodtown

With the completion of gentrification in Harlem; it bring with it major upgrades. My previous review of this food supplier was a solid (2) becuase of its poor quality of food and lack of choices. Well no more; this place has experienced a major make over in offerings and aesthetics. The produce section is fesh and well attended to, the stakes have been raise on their organic/​vegan game and the beer selection is plentiful. They have redesign the look of the facility with wider aisle and exposed brick throughout. I am stil a little confused on the crowded unorganized checkout line (s) set up but I am sure they will sort that out eventually. Ironically, all these great changes are happening as I prepare to relocate to a more affordable area. I am just glad I was able to experience the change for the good before I depart

Jose is such a nice manager and tries to accommodate my needs! One of the best beer selections in the city. I’ve never had a problem with a return.

The manager here is surprisingly nice, and tries to cater to the locally changing demographics. For instance, there has been an uprising of organic veggies and even a decent amount of vegan things like tofu, tempeh, vegan cheeses etc.
The store could use some work in renovation, but per my last trip here a couple days ago when they were knocking down a wall by the veggies (hopefully expanding the selection) this is already underway!
Looking forward to the changes yet to come.

This grocery store is average or below, and it’s all too common around my neighborhood. The produce is limited (and somehow doesn’t last very long) and costs more ($ 2 for a small head of lettuce for example). Many items are put on the shelves without prices, and the pricing for certain items is unclear. I frequently look at the product, think I’m going to pay one price, and find out upon checkout that the actual price is more (the most visible price being a ‘discount price’ with your ‘club card’).
They are currently doing construction with the store still operating, so the products are covered with dust from the ceiling. Did anyone check to see if the ceiling materials being dismantled are safe to breathe? I doubt it.
I want to have a neighborhood grocer, but I fear that a ‘grocery gallery’ will be opened before this one improves. I am shopping elsewhere more and more.

Honestly, see the picture and be the judge. People around have no choice but go there. They charge regular prices for some really crappy product, and the quality never changes.

I love love love Foodtown. This teeny tiny market is a gem in the neighborhood. They are cheap and I eat very well and very healthily shopping here. I supplement with visits to other stores every other month or so but this keeps me going.
Incredible selection of vegan food items including go veggie cheese products, soyrizo, prepared falafel, tofurky sliced deli meats and your usual veggie dogs/​burgers.
There is also an incredible selection of gluten free pastas if you’re into that kind of thing and bobs red mill products!

Shoddy produce options but excellent craft beer selection.
You can also count on Foodtown for Flaming Hot Cheetos, and Pop! Gourmet Fire Corn (from Chicago, IL).

Good solid option for basic supermarket needs in Harlem. I agree with Nathan M… Foodtown is a step above most supermarkets in the neighborhood.

Super cramped! Went in for the first time today to pick up some pantry essentials (rice and beans) and was kind of overwhelmed by the small space. The aisles are maybe 4 feet across (enough for you and a cart) and the shelves are packed! The overall experience was great though. The cashier was quick and efficient (no inane chitchat) and I appreciated that because I was in a rush.
Two points off for the small size and cramped, unkempt store appearance. If you can stomach it then head to Foodtown. Better than the gross Pathmark down the street.

Much more variety and better looking produce than the C-​Town! I’m coming back.

This is a great local supermarket. They have a great selection including organic food and the staff is really nice. Always fun music playing in here too. The manager is happy to special order items if you want to.

Anyone giving Foodtown a negative review has clearly never lived in the hood and been forced to deal with an actually bad grocery store. Okay, we get it, this is no Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s, but shit, this place is leagues above a C-​Town or a Fine Fare or a Bravo.
Foodtown is small, sure, but they pack a lot into their little footprint. They have an extremely legit beer selection, a respectable selection of produce, good meats, and somehow they even manage to pack in a little deli in the corner. The prices are good and if you don’t have a card the ladies at the checkout hook it up by swiping their store card so you get the deals (I hope I don’t blow up their spot by saying this).
That said, it’s time to call out Unilocal Poster «Joey R» (see his review below). Joey, I really feel for you that you have to walk vaguely near «these people» trying to make a buck or two by redeeming their recyclables at the little kiosk right by Foodtown. Man the fuck up, hoss. So sorry you have to live uptown. :(:(

Oh Foodtown. Your poor coma induced zombie staff needs a pick me up… or maybe some better lighting?
Its the only gig in the area and right off the train stop so convenient yes.
I do suspect some of the items on the shelves haven’t been touched/​dusted/​acknowledged since the late 70’s. That includes some of the perishable items. There are most definitely aisles people don’t even walk down.
The bottle recycling machine outside is the most happening spot with a constant line of can redeeming enthusiasts. Give that poor machine a break! Foodtown must give out hundreds of dollars a day to these people.
I will admit Foodtown has remotely cleaned up her act (new signs and new windows) since I have lived here, but it’s a far cry from anything good. (It is also not the WORST grocery in Manhattan) The prices are not great either and I rarely find anything on sale. (either sold out or just not for me)
The gourmet items they do carry have quite the price tag too.
Produce is on the up and up and improving, and for anyone thats wondering they DO have clam juice.

This is an ok place to shop if you’re in the area. If you want better quality and are willing to go the short subway or bus ride up to 168^th for a nicer — though far more expensive — experience at Gristede’s? Knock yourself out.
But compared to other Associate’s & Fine Fares that I’ve been to in Harlem, Washington Heights and Brooklyn, they keep this store relatively clean and well-​stocked. Price tags can be hard to locate. But the staff are, in general, helpful. The produce is usually quite fresh, as are the meats. They have decent — if only comparable — prices and a variety of circular deals.
My only qualm with them happened this past weekend when they had a misprint in their circular but wouldn’t give me the discounted price. That’s bad business, y’all. But I’ve been shopping there for years and it was my first time having an issue. And that’s really a situational problem at best.
They’re definitely worth checking out, at least to see what the circular has to offer for that specific week.

I always forget to shop at this store, forgoing it for larger treks to Fairway (which is of course wonderful and dreamy) or getting Fresh Direct when I am in a hurry. That’s a big mistake that I am going to stop making!
The people are super nice, polite, and helpful. There is a machine that makes (pretty good) fresh coffee, for $.75 a cup (but you’ll need to put quarters in) and the guy at the sandwich counter might give you some real milk for it if you ask nice (powdered creamer is next to the machine).
This is a very very good place for shopping sales and stocking up on basics for the pantry. The meat is often very reasonably priced and the quality is fine (not Fairway, but totally fine, and there are decent prices on things like oxtail, lamb breast, etc).
I am always surprised how great and varied the selection is. The produce is good, and there are many choices.
Read the circular and be amazed how much you will save on your pantry basics.
Ok, don’t forget that you can check out the circular on line at
. Then you can know if anything really important will be on sale. Also, free delivery with purchase of $ 35 (in the area).
Also, Steven is right: the music is awesome.

I wonder what position the Dept. of Health would take on placing consumible items in the same aisle as cleaning products?
Is that even legal?
This place grosses me out in every aspect.
I rather get the b/​f to chauffer me to a more sanitary grocery store, trek it on the train myself or just pay a cab– but at least my mind is at ease knowing that my cereal isn’t laced with Mr. Clean.