Question is, how does it stack up in other areas? Is the lettuce fresh? Are the deli workers surly? Etc.
Re-reading the reviews here I noticed something very interesting--the really negative ones are before late 2009 and 2010...
Managements change in places like this and the more recent views are much better..
Still--looks like this store builds up expectations it doesn't meet a lot of the time! But read all the reviews and make your own conclusions
Food Emporium
1331 1st Ave
(between 71st St & 72nd St)
New York, NY 10021
Neighborhood: Upper East Side
(212) 794-8866
(between 71st St & 72nd St)
New York, NY 10021
Neighborhood: Upper East Side
(212) 794-8866
- Nearest Transit Station:
- 68 St - Hunter College (4, 6, 6X)77 St (4, 6, 6X)
- Hours:
- Mon-Sun 7 am - 12 am
- Price Range:
- $$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
27 reviews for Food Emporium
27 reviews in English
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Review from John C.
Carlstadt, NJSlightly overpriced even considering the snooty upper east side area. Its still a decent place to get a quick bite. Its definitely convenience over value for me. A quick shopping trip for a quick bite for two always comes out around $30. To me this is expensive. -
Review from Kate T.
When I'm short on an avocado or a chili pepper I hope to god that Food Emporium will finally come through for me and I won't have to go 14 blocks up to Fairway. FE, you let me down every time!
All of the fruits and vegetables (what limited selection they do carry) are marred an picked over, like they took what no other store wanted. It doesn't matter what time of day or day of the week you go.
The fish counter reeks, the meat is either of cheap quality, or grossly over-priced, and really I have no reason to go here except to get odds and ends like ketchup. -
Review from Suresh D.
Brooklyn, NYI came in here yesterday for some lunch and some beer yesterday. They have a wing bar as part of their hot and cold salad bar. Choices included fired chicken wings, Buffalo wings, and a few others. I opted for the Buffalo wings. All the wings in the wing bar are $7.99/lb. I snagged 10 wing pieces which came up slightly under a pound. TO me it's like ordering the wings in the bar at the price which is fine by me.
The only thing I didn't like about the wing bar is they are kept cold, not hot.
The check out line was quick and short. -
Review from Jason S.
In terms of Food Emporiums in Manhattan, this location is on the smaller side... Which means there are a lot of popular brands/items that this store does not carry, and smaller isles that can make shopping a hassle when the store is crowded. Also, parts of the store layout will remind you of a maze.
Considering this location is closest to my apartment, it's where I shop the most. However, there is a larger and better Food Emporium located at 68th & 3rd. When I've run into situations where this location did not carry the items I was looking for, I have always found them at the 68/3 location.
Overall, a clean store with fresh products. Other than a small footprint that can impact sku selection, not much to complain about. Finally, Food Emporium is not a budget friendly grocery store, so don't expect much in the way of bargain shopping. -
Review from Cheyney M.
Manhattan, NYThis Food Emporium has a special place in my heart. Yes the selection is small, yes they are overpriced, but I love the people who work here. There is a lot of colorful characters, and most importantly they will do any and everything to help you. I don't just come here because its the closest grocery, but because its part of my routine: Gym, Tanning spray, Food Emporium. -
Review from Anastacia S.
New York, NYIt seems many of the reviewers giving the low marks are confusing this Food Emporium with the one located at 1st & 59th Street under the Bridge (the "Bridge Market"). This is not that Food Emporium. This is located on the corner of 72nd and 1st Avenue and is a great market with very fresh food, easy store layout to get around, and great deli for fresh cut meat and cheeses.
The UES has a lot of families so expect, on Sundays, long, long, LONG lines and maneuvering your way around strollers and kids running around in the very small, tight aisles. All in all though, this is the best market in the neighborhood! The neighborhood which is not the bridge market location :-) -
Review from Michael F.
New York, NYI bet you this food emporium would be pissed off that I called it a grocery store. That's because they think of themselves as a "Bridge Market", as if they're this quaint upscale elitist grocery store. Which they are.
I live right across the street from here and I rarely go here. Don't get me wrong, it's really nice inside. Really, really nice. The ceiling is actually the underside of the bridge and there are these big pillars, making it architecturally stunning. There are sampling areas for their chocolates and breads. There is an upstairs eating area, salad bar, buffet area, and a pretty large selection of beers.
So why don't I come here unless I have to get a last minute item? Because everything literally costs $2 more that the food I buy from Trader Joe's. I'm all for a joyous shopping experience, but I'm not going to pay $50.00 more a week to do that. They have never had a sale in that place since they remodeled it and got all elitist.
You should take your mom and grandma here to show them how you're living the glamorous manhattan lifestyle. Then return all your items when they leave and go buy from ghetto Gristedes. -
Review from Lei P.
New York, NYThe food can vary from expensive to affordable. Unlike other Food Emporiums, I guess because it's under the 59th Street bridge, this one has alot of hard to find gourmet items like live scallops still in shells or Lemon verbana sea salt from the island of Capri. So it can vary from expensive to affordable depending on what you get.
I don't like it because of the service I received. I went to the seafood section and asked for 1 pound of sea scallops. The guy looks at me and sneers, puts 2 tiny pieces of sea scallops in a container and gives it to me while giving me a dirty, leering look like he didn't want to give the rest of the sea scallops away. So I actually had to use hand motions and ask by the piece because neither English nor Spanish worked.
The environment is part of the overall ambiance and experience. The place is nice and airy. I got shoved aside repeatedly by tall, modelesque blonde snotty super model types with their Italian boyfriends.
It's not an environment I'd want to shop in again because you shouldn't feel unwelcome at your neighborhood supermarket--and this place definitely makes you feel unwelcome.
Out of sheer laziness, I went there yesterday (June 1, 2009), after complaining about it two years ago, ordered French ham from their "gourmet" cold cuts section, came home, and realized the little black dots studded inside the slices of meat were not pepper, but instead, mold.
The Food Emporiums on the UES are even worse---everything is spoiled---fruits, meats, etc.
Definitely, steer clear. -
Review from Catherine A.
Manhattan, NYSmall and freezing but has a great selection of grocery needs. A little expensive so make sure you only need a few items when you go. -
Review from Aaron H.
New York, NYWe only go to this Food Emporium if we are in a HUGE rush and need the closest thing. Unfortunately, Gristedes went out of business at the location closest to us, so we have to use FE instead.
I think the food is fine, albeit a bit expensive, but honestly, the service is absolutely terrible. The cashier folks are rude and they open one or two registers when there are clearly LOTS of people waiting. The other employees just mill around and have no desire to open up a lane to help with the flow.
I guess my Midwest experience taints this review. Our big grocery chain's motto in Iowa is "A helpful smile in every aisle." That is NOT Food Emporium's motto. :-) -
Review from Bobby C.
This place is pretty decent. Their produce is relatively fresh, their employees are friendly and helpful and they carry a wide variety of products.
Needless to say, this isn't the cheapest supermarket in the world but hey, when you need eggs, you need eggs.
They have delivery too so if you feel lazy or weak, you can have stronger people carry your groceries for you. -
Review from Chisai S.
New York, NYThis is an astoundingly bad market. Their vegetables cost a fortune and their quality is questionable at best. Far better to go to Agata & Valentina a few blocks up on 1st where the veggies are great and way cheaper than FE. Actually, that also holds true with meat and fruit.
The quality of the food, the prices and the staff are what let me to start using Fresh Direct years ago. I only go there for emergencies now..
While the staff here is dreadful, there is an exception. There's an early morning cashier who has worked there forever, on that shift, and she's a sweetheart. -
Review from Amy O.
I like the concept of this store as it doesn't feel like a "mini" supermarket. It has character. There are no aisles, but more displays and kiosk type shopping. It feels like a treat to shop here.
I came here to grab something to eat, and ended up at the salad bar. I got a great sampling of pre-made salads and then went upstairs to eat it. The ceiling of this place is astounding.
Only complaint -- the express lane cashier was sooooooooooooooooo sllllllllllllllllooow. Hello? You are working the Express Lane.
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