The Food Emporium
“It's definitely cheaper than Trader Joe's, with more variety "normal groceries."”
“I live uptown but was passing through with my husband and decided to get a few groceries while we were around the area.”
“But because I'm a poor college student, I usually only come here for the stuff they don't have at TJ's.”
The Food Emporium
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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Expensive. Weird. Small . Dull lights , weird exit. Outside the establishment are a bunch of homeless people and the vicinity near the entrance smells like urine. Yuck
Although this Food Emporium is conveniently located by the Union Square station, this franchise is not conducive to a good shopping experience.
I just moved near Union Square for the summer and needed to pick up some essentials for my apartment. The selection here wasn't bad- a lot of fresh produce and basic groceries, even organic- but the true problem lies in the customer service and checkout. I had a question about where a product was located and couldn't find anyone helpful enough to assist me. When I got to the self checkout, one of the four kiosks was already out of order, and another began to malfunction as my friend was in the middle of checking out. We went to check out the employee-manned lines, but they were going slowly so we waited to use the two remaining self checkout kiosks.
I used to associate 'cheap' with Food Emporium, but this place was surprisingly overpriced. For two small bags of groceries- no fresh produce- I paid $110. I'd rather spend that money at a better store.
I can deal with a mix of employees (some friendly and helpful….some slow but nice…others not trying to help or communicate with you in the least…) for a nice, clean, well lit store with lots of selection and tons of space. And that's what you get here.
As others have mentioned, this is a mediocre and expensive option for the area, considering alternatives. Still, it remains a dependable choice for many, and has been for me for some time. When you need something quickly, for an impending meal perhaps, you cannot get in and out of any nearby market as quickly as you can Food Emporium.
The produce is on-par with Trader Joe's or Safeway, adequate but expensive and of average quality. For most market items, the offerings are comparable with that of Safeway/Vons/Albertsons but the prices are more on par with a premium market. For the premium experience, however, consider Whole Foods or Fairway here in the city. The staff aren't intolerable but often make mistakes or simply come off as uncaring. The bakery is lackluster and the meat aisle is over-priced. Sales are few and far-between. On the plus side, the location is convenient, and one can easily incorporate the market into a trip also including Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and/or the Union Square Greenmarket.
Food Emporium (FE), like every other grocery store in Manhattan, is ridiculously expensive. You question why you're even getting groceries, when it's more cost effective to just order food. But we continue to purchase raw materials, in an effort to feel like mature adults, not selfish piggies.
Which brings me to my many visits to this FE. Certainly not the worst store. Very expensive but they have things on sale. I shop here because hey sell things Trader Joe's does not. They also sell Goya products such as dry beans and lentils. This stuff is my lifeblood, so I'm grateful.
Customer service is hit or miss.
Pro Tip: Food Emporium has a policy that if an item scans at a higher price than what it is marked as (eg a price sticker or shelf label), you get one of those items for free. So be advised and check receipts.
I do not get the grocery stores in NY. I miss my Safeways and Wegmans back home… the only good thing about this place is that they have wide aisles (obvi unheard of in Manhattan) and they have some good sale stuff.
However, the last 3 times I have come here.. the entrance is blocked once you walk in(at 9:00pm on a Sunday) and you THINK they are closed… but really they are not. Two people in front of me left and walked the other way prob to go to Trader Joe's simply because they thought they were closed. Nope, they just shut their doors when they're open so they don't make any money…. MAKES SENSE TO ME. NOT.
You have to walk through the "exit" area to enter the store because they decide to shut down their doors. Looks hella ghetto.
I'm not really a huge fan of Food Emporium on 14th Street, but have visited this location many times nonetheless. The store is clean, stays open relatively late, has a eating area, sushi bar, hot bar, and an eating area in the front of the store. In comparison to the Trader Joe's down the street, their prices are high for no good reason though, and that's with value taken into account.
They do however shine in one spot. This one item is a homerun hit, a gift and a curse, and a mighty will power stunner. The item I'm referring to is located in the very back of the store near the bakery, and sitting on a shelf of an opened refrigerated cooler.
Unlike the other things in the store, this item is of great value. Heck, it comes in a four pack for only $3.99. I would value a single hit of this item easily at $5, $6, perhaps even $7. So yeah, I'm getting at least $28 of value for $4.
Did you hear something? …yes, you heard "Winning!"
Next to Molly's, yes that famous cupcake place on Bleecker, these Vanilla Bean Cupcakes I'm referring to are the best cupcakes in NYC. They pair perfectly with a nice cold glass of almond milk. Of course said almond milk is always from somewhere else. Like I said, Food Emporium is expensive for no good reason. Alright, back to the cupcakes.
Did you hear that again? …yes, it was "Winning!"
Well it would seem that way at first. That is until you consider I have to take four of these home and put three in the refrigerator, …if I even make it to eating just one when I first arrive home. Then, on top of that, even if I manage to eat one I have three delicious cupcakes terrorizing craving appetite until they are no longer there. It would really be great if the Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with their cool sweet filling came singular or in doubles. But no! SMH This is my beautiful plight. (sigh)
3 stars because I like Food Emporium's 5 star (cup)cakes.
My experience at the grocery store was not the most pleasant. But after reading the reviews, I must agree, the customer service or moral needs a boost – especially at the register–
For the record, the produces looks fresh and they appear to have alot of options for shopping. I was shopping at 11:30 during lunchtime and was able to get in and out no problems. I purchased 2 boxes of arugula, a bottle of olive oil and 4 granny apples.
I proceeded to check out and as they rung up my apples, i gasp and stated under my breathe, 7 dollars for 4 med apples. Unbenounced to me, the associate at the register heard me and all i remember is her going off on me and started demanding if i was going to buy it or not. I had to pause, take a breath, and kindly ask her to lose the attitude and please bag my grocery's so i that i can return home to eat.
Listen we all have bad days, some people hate their jobs but having a piss poor attitude in the mist of these possible situations only exasperates the issue.
UGH. I won't be back again…who needs this energy