Key Food

Absolutely disgusting pig behind the deli counter… I’m not referring to the ham either. I’m referring to the sexist man that works behind the counter. Don’t go near there unless you want to get insulted and harassed. When I called him out on his bigotry and bullying he added his racist side to the mix.

They seem to want to get on the craft beer bandwagon, and I was excited to see the selection grow. But I’ve picked up beer here a few times without checking the dates to get it home and find it it nasty and stale. Last time I went in and checked dates, and found a number of beers over a *year and a half* old. Seriously? Who is doing the buying here?

RACIST STORE. Its 8 pm, im coming back from the gym and I have a whole foods bag in my hand with my dirty gym clothes in it. I walk in from the key foods doors, security stops me. Says «they dont like that bag here» im like what, hes saying «that kinda bag, they dont like it here», im thinking okay it must be the type of bag, so i tell him ok i’ll throw it out and put the clothes in my duffel bag is that cool? He goes, they dont like that bag too. Wow. He doesnt tell me I can leave my bag at the entrance, he doesnt tell me anything and I had to walk out. Keyfoods, before this review blows up on the internet, you gotta give your so called «security» a RACISM CHECK. Its unbelievable. In the heart of Manhattan. Unbelievable. He gets paid for this. I dont know if he genuinely didnt like me, i dont know what was wrong, but I will submit a corporate complaint about this. Same day I got in at 5pm with my backpack, only difference was I was in a suit. At 8pm I got rejected with sweatpants. I think its pretty obvious what the reason is.

HOW THEY STAY IN BUSINESS IS A MYSTERY!
The absolute worst customer service I have experienced in a long long time.
I usually buy from the more well known food markets on the upper east, but… the other
day, while waiting for the bus, I decided to go in to get a piece of fruit.
I was surprised when I walked in how orderly everything looked
There was a whole row of cut up fruit that looked so good… I bought a package of mixed berries.
When I got home, I was so disappointed when I tasted it, because the fruit had gone bad.
I had already thrown out the bag with the receipt, so I just kept it in the bag, and thought on my way out the next day, I’d return it.
This store is not near my house, so to return it, i’d have to find time to make it to the store .
When I got there, I was asking around to find someone to help me. There isn’t an area for
customer service. This young girl came over to ask me what I needed, …so I opened my bag to show her the fruit.
(which, by the way, was still in the packaging with the Key Food information on it… just like when I purchased it.) She asked me for my receipt… which I told her I didn’t keep.
She said they could not take it back without a receipt.
No conversation, no attempt to make an accommodation.
I was so put off… I mean, what?
You say, «well, we usually don’t accept merchandise without a receipt, but we can give you a store credit.» Every store in the neighborhood does that, from whole foods to fairway…
I walked out of the store, but then decided to come back in and ask to speak to a manager.
Thats when I met Jamal.
When I asked him if he was the manager, he had such an indigent look on his face as he replied «yes»
I explained to him what happened, and he matter of factly agreed that the girl told me what the policy of the store is, and that they would not take back the fruit.
More than him not finding a way to make it right… I was really disgusted the way he made me feel like he gave a damm.
I mean for $ 8.00 and a really bad attitude, I HAD TO WRITE THIS REVIEW
Petty as it might be, it was so annoying to be treated like that… I shook my head for
a good five minutes afterwards in disbelief.
So Jamal… this one’s for YOU!

One Star for very poor customer service!
I had placed my umbrella on the aisle and walked away for 3 minutes and the next thing I knew my umbrella had gone! I went to the store manager, she did not even bother to make announcement in the PA, and I also suggested that there was a security cam right above the location, at lease the store may clear out their own workers, and that was also refused.
I phoned their general office in Staten Island, even through their email system, nobody ever bothered in getting me back!
I have been a veteran shipper since I moved in the neighborhood back in the 90’s. the renovations had brought in the new management, how come I feel myself less welcomed, lost sense of warmth that used to have!!!

This store was totally renovated! It is the best grocery in the vicinity of 96^th Street. It’s too bad you have to navigate the second avenue subway construction to get there! It’s particularly hard when you are carrying your grocery bags.
They now have organic section. The weekly sales are great. The deli is great too. Get there early or you wait in line. I can say I have looked for certain brands and didn’t find them. Most of the time I’m not disappointed. I am especially pleased with the frozen vegetables. The price is very reasonable.
Check out is pretty good. Employees are not all that friendly. No nonsense types and no smiles. Thats why three instead of four stars.

Pricing is good. Fresh foods. Lots of beer. Cashier ms Mary is rude. Pls teach her customer service. The delivery Afro uncle is not nice. So I don’t wanna ask a delivery.

Loving this place especially after the renovations! The aisles are bright and there’s never really a line to check out. The staff is helpful and process check outs quickly. I wish they had more organic brands but overall this place has it all.

Their policy of checking-​in bags upon arrival needs to end. The other day, I checked in a cheap, reusable plastic grocery bag, and when I handed in my number, the young man handed over an EXPENSIVE Coach Tote my way. Thankfully, I am an honest person, and said, «That’s not my bag!» It made me think back to all the times that I’ve had to leave my workbag in the front, a workbag that contains an iPad, and occasionally a computer. How awesome would that be if he handed that over to a dishonest customer.
I hope they realize that their check-​in policy actually dissuades costumers for coming in. A number of times, my boyfriend and I just got to Fairway or Whole Foods on the way back from work, simply because we don’t want to deal with the hassle of checking in bags.

I go only once in a while. I was stunned to see the produce man sneezing in the fruits and vegetables and I will not ever buy meat there. It looks rotten. and yes, the employees think they’re doing you a favor by checking you out.

Contamination! Key Food on second avenue and 93^rd street needs to review its policy– if it has one – about product recalls. I just tried to return an AMy’s product that has been listed as contaminated by listeria. They should have known about the recall, removed the product from the shelves, accepted the product that I wanted to return and reimbursed me, Instead their only concern was whether I had the receipt marking the product’s purchase. In cases of contamination no receipt is needed. More importantly, they showed no concern for their customers, some of whom may buy a contaminated product. I hope no one gets sick. If they do it will be Key Food’s responsibility.

Been shopping at this Key Food since we moved to the neighborhood a couple of years ago. All I can say is thank goodness for Fairway and FreshDirect.
The good: They’ve been renovating so the aisles aren’t quite as cramped as they used to be. They also have a fairly reasonable selection of products, and it seems like their produce has been a little better quality as of late.
The bad: Their ridiculous policy of making you check bag at the door. Good grief — the grocery stores I used to shop in Harlem didn’t pull that crap, but apparently the Key Food on the Upper East Side is a shoplifting heaven. Seriously, no one should be treated like a potential criminal for grocery shopping. Another downside to this place is the employees. I can’t say I’d be thrilled to work there, either, but stop acting like I peed in your cheerios.
The ugly: Sweet jeezus, it smells like rotting meat all through the dairy and meat section, and it has only gotten worse.
In short, I’ll shop here for canned, boxed or frozen items — things that come sealed from the manufacturer, and sometimes produce after a close inspection. That’s about it.

Very poor customer service.
I wish there was another grocery store next block.

If I could somehow select a negative score, i would. this location is horrible.
first, let me say, very quickly, in order to dispel the ridiculousness that this place is cheap; you can actually get everything cheaper at Fairway on 86^th– and it’s cleaner there. Okay, on to what I have to say–
They treat all their customers like criminals. I was coming in to this location to get a couple of cans of soup. the young man at the front door asked me to check in my backpack. I told him no, that I had very expensive items in my backpack and I did not want to check it. Then he said that he would then have to check the contents inside when I left. I feel that this is a violation of my right to privacy so I said no. I entered the store and began to look for the items I was going to purchase. After a few minutes, a man approached me very aggressively and started to argue with me in a physically confrontational manner. I told him that to look inside my bag is a violation of my right to privacy and that I had expensive items in my bag (my laptop, iPad, and notebooks etc.) which is why I did not want to check it in. He then flashed a «badge» in my face and said «I don’t give a shit, I’m a private investigator.» Then proceeded to kick me out of the store forcefully. When I asked him if he really was a cop, and if he was, could I see his badge number, he said «I don’t have to show you shit.» He continued to by physically confrontational.
I know that Key Food is a cooperative and that likely, because this store is owned by an individual (or a group of individuals) that a corporate complaint will probably not get anything done. But I am not a thief, I work in an enviroment where I handle thousands of dollars worth of merchandise and all I wanted was to buy some soup.
Are Door Bag Searches Legal?
Yes, as long as the inspection is VOLUNTARY. No, if the bag check is involuntary or coerced. This is a rather fine legal distinction that is subject to misunderstanding and abuse. Basically, nothing in the law gives the merchant the right to detain a customer for the purpose of searching a bag unless there is a reasonable suspicion of retail theft.
Since I had just entered the store and was clear about my intentions, I do not believe that there was any behavior on my part of «reasonable suspicion of retail theft»

Very self protective, egocentric customer service. Shows lack of trust on their consumers. Micro-​management of their employees and treat most of their customers as criminals. Some products on the shelves are expired, which shows lack of respect for the health and well being of their customers. Very disappointed. Energies there are not in alignment. Huge improvement in management service is required. Will not come back.

I have been going to this Key Foods ever since i moved to the neighborhood. I usually don’t mind going here up until recently. Was that stuart little i just saw? Yep, a mouse hiding in the juice aisle. I mean, i have mice in my apartment but when you see one in the grocery store, you begin to question where your food has been. Although the prices are good, do i risk the rodent infestation and go back? Pray for Key Foods and our health!

Gross and disgusting! The health department needs to inspect ASAP!

Key Food is quite inexpensive but as a previous reviewer said, they treat all of their customers like criminals. Previously they didn’t rudely force you to check your bags. Today, I bought some new clothes in a small bag and the front door staff literally tried to grab it out of my hands.
I used to shop here at least once a week, but if you can’t stop by your local grocery store while running errands on a Saturday, what is the point? Fairway and C-​Town are a little more expensive, but are both cleaner and treat you like a normal human being.

Very hit or miss. Not an improvement since new people took ownership.
Although cleaner looking, often times shelves are not restocked, prices
are not always displayed, every time I go at least one item is checked
out at a higher price then it should be. I miss the old owners !

Super close to my daughters apartment. This is the main reason we came to this market. It isn’t half bad, we found what we needed pretty quickly as it is pretty small.
It is well stocked, prices are average. Service at checkout was A-​OK. There really isn’t much more to say except it is a good place to pick up something when you need it although other Markets may be a better option price wise.