Taza Coffee & Deli

Bad service. Pathetic breakfast sandwiches. Better off going to McDonald’s.

The quickest deli around. Get the falafel platter for a nice, generous lunch under $ 10.

Run away — there are plenty of better places to eat. I found something black and carbon looking in my salad today and my stomach hasn’t been keeping well since. The quality is downright awful — how can you poison your regulars? Serve them crap

Nothing quite like a CRUNCHY egg omelette in the morning because of SHELLS left by a sloppy egg prep batter. I consistently get crunchy eggs from these guys, its disgusting and I dont think I can return anymore. The only reason I have gone back multiple times is because its the one deli extremely close to my work, and our company’s in-​house cafeteria is closed for renovation. Adding a star because it’s a nice crew of people behind the counter, and their fresh-​made juices are reasonably priced for this area. But come on guys with the f’ing egg shells, that has really killed it for me.

This place is everything you want in your average midtown deli. The staff manages to be friendly, even while quickly and efficiently managing the breakfast and lunch crowds. Their sandwiches are surprisingly good, including some items you wouldn’t expect (pulled pork sandwiches? Burritos?). Also, it’s just about as cheap as lunch gets in this neighborhood.

Average deli with lots of sandwiches and wrap options. Nothing that really stands out in making you want to come back for. I usually come in for a reuben, or philly cheesesteak or even a gyro wrap. The staff is nice though and preparation is quick.
I would come here if I run into meetings all day and need a quick bite.
Their iced coffee is pretty good at times, however there has been some inconsistency on this.

I used to think that waiting 15 minutes on line for a salad and then spending $ 10 was okay. NYC, right? Then I found Taza! Not only were the lines minimal right after the lunch hour, but the prices were a dream and the staff was nice. Even during the 12 – 1, the line was bearable and fast-​moving. My favorite part? Fresh, delicious chopped (or regular) salads with all the fix-​ins (up to 6) for less than $ 7! There is some price variance, but nothing too crazy. And if you have a sweet tooth like me, definitely try the red velvet, or even the original, chocolate chip cookies. Can’t wait to return!

It’s unfortunate this place is right next door to my office, because it’s too easy when you have a day full of meetings and need to grab something quickly. Every time I leave, I keep saying to myself I will not give them anymore of my money. The food as well as the prices are super inconsistent. They have a sub-​par salad bar which is only $ 6.95 (and sometimes comes with a bonus hair or piece of hard plastic), but other than that all the prices are made by the sandwich maker. This morning, my food was marked at $ 3.45 and I ordered a large Iced coffee. The total at the register was $ 7! Which means I was charged over $ 3 for a large (16 oz) iced coffee. Reading through the reviews, the inconsistent prices seem to be a running theme. I am gong to try to avoid this place, as you never know if your sandwich will be $ 5 or $ 15.

I ordered a dozen bagels, cream cheese and a coffee carrier and the order came out to $ 60+. The manager seemed to be testing the waters when we quoted me the price. I thought it was odd that the cashier, who works there every day, didn’t know the price for a dozen bagels and cream cheese. It almost seemed like they were making up the price on the spot, and I noticed another reviewer has experienced this fluctuation in price day to day. In general, prices are a little too high, and the food is okay. Egg sandwiches are okay, but sometimes the eggs are made ahead of time so that when the cheese is put on, it doesn’t melt and just tastes dry. The best values are their large iced coffee which is $ 2.50 and their juices, which are cheaper than the brand name juice places in the area. I was a loyal customer of Taza and a familiar face to them until I came in one day just looking for a side of dressing, and they tried to charge me 75 cents. They’re trying to compete with Just Salad down the street– which only charges 50 cents for a side of dressing, and usually gives it to me for free. I was shocked that they would charge me such a high price, and even charge me for an ounce of dressing at all when I spend at least $ 75 in there every week and they see my face every day. To me, that’s bad customer loyalty.

I am so over Taza Deli and I hope to never have to give them money ever again. I’ve been coming here nor for a solid 7 – 8 months. I work right next door to them and in a world where I oftentimes don’t get a full hour lunch, their location is king because they’re sooooo convenient being right next door.
The lines here around lunch time generally aren’t too bad. They move rather quickly and the sandwich guys whip up orders in lightning speeds… in fact, they prepare orders so quickly that in the past 3 weeks they have gotten my orders wrong 4 times. 4 TIMES. WRONG. IN THREE WEEKS. Since I’ve been coming here they’ve also managed to mess up my former boss’ orders at least 3 times as well and in my 7 – 8 months of being a regular customer here it’s been about 6 or 7 times that they’ve messed up overall… but 4 times in a little short of a month? That’s just plain RIDICULOUS!
Aaaaaaaand I know what you’re probably thinking — «Hey Steph, if they keep messing up because they’re clearly not very bright, why keep going?» — well again, they’re right next door. Coworkers often go. I sometimes walk over with coworkers and I pray that don’t get my order wrong (it’s usually the same damn things too! I’m a creature of habit!”) because when they don’t get my food wrong then it’s usually great stuff.
I’m not a complicated person with my lunch orders. They generally involve 3 – 4 ingredients max. I don’t understand the disconnect when I’ve placed my orders in both English and Spanish.
Today was the 4^th time they made an error. I only went back to them once to complain about there being iceberg lettuce and tomato in my wrap when I specifically asked for arugula and NO tomatoes. The other 2 times I threw out the items I didn’t want (but sadly enough probably got charged more for) and just dealt with it.
Today (being time #4 damnit) I went downstairs and back to Taza. I demanded to speak with a manager and instead was given an assistant manager — that’s fine. I don’t care, but the last time I had an issue and went back to speak with them, I went to the sandwich guys so that they could remedy it and not get scolded by anyone. I’m angry now. I hope they get scolded. If you can’t understand customer’s orders then you should get a new job. One you’re actually skilled at.
The assistant manager offered to have a new wrap made. One that didn’t have mushrooms or avocado when I simply wanted spinach, egg whites and cheddar cheese on a whole wheat wrap. You see that — it’s only 3 ingredients inside of a wrap. I fail to understand where the difficulty was. I asked for a refund and after I adopted a more stern tone I was given one. I decided to take my money elsewhere and went to Eddy’s Eats (located across the street and one block over towards uptown) where I got a grilled chicken, cheese and pesto mayo wrap (3 ingredients! Lol) for LESS MONEY and with FREE «Deep River Snacks» POTATO CHIPS. Their error cost me 30 minutes of my lunch hour. Sigh.
As the assistant manager was getting my refund together, I muttered that maybe had I ordered in Spanish there would be less mistakes. He nodded enthusiastically at my suggestion and said that I should because they all speak Spanish… BUT THAT’S NOT EVEN THE POINT, WHAT IF SOMEONE DOESN’T SPEAK SPANISH? Is a customer not given the right to pay only for food they want if they can only speak English or don’t speak Spanish? That’s ridiculous!
Pricing here is also NEVER consistent. Salads (which are a great deal here…), sandwiches and wraps are always a different price even when I order the same exact things repeatedly. Sometimes they’ll give you a free cookie — but that’s never consistent. Nothing here is consistent in terms of customer service, food quality, pricing and food preparation wise. Don’t come here unless you’re getting a grilled cheese. They MIGHT be able to handle working with a 1 ingredient sandwich — I’ve never tried though and I don’t intend to.
Definitely 1 Unilocal star and that’s only because I can’t give 0.

The staff is great and the food is average. The frustrating thing about this place is you can go here and order the same thing 5 days in a row and pay 5 different prices. Not just a few pennies off, but more like 10−15% different each time.
I keep going back because it’s so convenient and then hate myself after going.

i want to like this place because it’s so darn convenient. i’ve tried three different espresso drinks (i threw them all away half drunk) spread over several months, and it’s 3 for 3 on being significantly burnt. it tastes like a comparable starbucks drink that’s been cooled and microwaved.: /​
i dont know if they use crappy espresso or if the machine needs some love, but i’m done trying. sigh.
i’ve heard the sandwiches are pretty good. maybe they (or you!) should just stick to those.

Lots of options for a fast lunch, especially in the hot sandwich category. There is also an unpretentious salad bar. For $ 7, the pulled pork sandwich with avocado was very tasty and ready in less than two minutes. They have quite a variety of choices, with half a dozen in the pulled pork sandwich category alone. Will definitely be back to try out some of the other options.

I can’t speak to the whole menu, but I have had many a delicious bacon, egg, and cheese here.
They are efficient, polite, and clean.

best deli!
they actually care!
the way that local delis used to be
quick, competent and good.
love this place. never change or close please!

I work across the street, so Taza is a convenient place for a quick lunch when there’s no free food floating around. I usually just get a half wrap and small soup combo, which comes out to $ 7. Pretty decent deal, but the sandwiches are cold. Soups are okay though.

I really want to love this place, conveniently located just around the corner. But, whenever I come here, I feel ripped off. The prices are ridiculous. Everything is extra.
Want a little slaw on your sandwich? Extra. Want a piece of club bread? $ 1.50 extra above the already exorbitant price for soup and ½ sandwich. $ 17. Soup alone? $ 8.
Ok the mushroom barley soup is great, but it’s soup!!! Just soup.
I’m going to have to walk up Third Ave a few blocks and go to Sarge’s where the food is better, the service is better and I don’t feel like I have been just mugged.
And, on your way out the door, no one says Thank you! or So long, or anything.
So long Second Ave. Deli.

This place is not only a rip-​off — they also are very rude. I only mentioned that the price of a sandwich and a bag of chips should not be $ 15, to which I got an angry rant of «go shop somewhere else»
Yes sir, I will do just that.
Thank you.

I have been here a couple of times as it is right across the street from where I work. I have never personally stayed and eat in here as the place has a small sitting area. The food is pretty standard deli fare. They offer a lot of deals and promotions but you just have to know where to look as they have tons of papers advertising prices littered all over the counter and usually it is the same thing over and over. I usually get a sandwich or when I am needing some comfort food — a cheese sammie and a cup of soup which cost around $ 6. If you do want to try this place out, be sure to go around a Friday where they will give you a free cookie with your lunch.

It always looks like the line will take forever, but the counter staff here gets stuff done fast.
The deli itself is pretty nondescript, and they have all the typical lunch options. The burger deluxe is decent, and their bagels are better than the bagel carts on the sidewalk.
I primarily come here since I work right by it, but it has impressed me more than some other delis I used to work near!