Whole Foods Market
“It also doesn't go from unripe to rotten in 24 hours like Fairway – a true wonder of science!!”
“I can't even explain how happy I am to see a whole foods open up on the UES!”
“PROS:
– Lots of prepared foods of high quality, an electronic kiosk-style ordering system, and a ground floor pretty much devoted to grab and go items.”
Whole Foods Market
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Accepts Apple Pay: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range Moderate
8 reviews
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I hadn't the slightest clue that Yelp had so many architects and urban planners. Sifting through these reviews of the new Upper East Side Whole Foods feels like getting trapped in a large crowd of torch baring plebeians on their way to overthrow their King. For the interest of efficiency, a little pros and cons list:
Pros
— Delivery from 8AM to 8PM.
— Pick-up system for front of house ordering (tacos, salads, pizza, etc.).
— Organic produce in abundance.
— Great meat and fish department.
— Whole Foods bars style counter in back of house with separate cashier.
— Incredibly friendly and welcoming staff in all areas I've conversed with an associate.
Cons
— Poor winding layout, likely a product of the buildings plan prior to Whole Foods inhabiting it.
— Pizza has decreased in quality or is poorly made in comparison to other locations.
— The back bar seems to always be lacking trays at the dinner hour. Some food looks like it's been sitting for a long period of time even though this time should be seen as a rush hour where there's higher turnover.
— Long lines at back check-out.
Conclusively, this Whole Foods is a nice addition to the neighborhood but likely won't be your go-to grocer…. Nearby fresh fruit and produce bodegas and Fairway are cheaper (although I would say there's far less madness in here than the aforementioned). Unlike some of the other reviews here have suggested, you can shop here without having a raging fire lit in the depths of your soul.
There is no need to hate on this Whole Foods. It's like going to a maze, without all the shrubbery. The signs are definitely not well done, small print on small signs. The few times I've been here I've been spinning around, even with some directions from the staff. Take your kiddies,and teach them orienteering. Split up during the busy hours and if you can't find them again, console yourself with the fact you've saved on college education. You might run into aggressive shoppers and their carts, defending their right to cut you off. Would you rather face a grizzly defending her young or a shopper rushing to the cramped checkout area? Forget REI classes, you can learn urban survival skills for free here. The layout makes everything seem congested and confusing. I didn't have a problem with the freshness of the produce or helpfulness the staff. Indeed, the staff I asked for help from were more than friendly and efficient-they get 4 stars. The last time I came in was to find roses and found nothing I liked. The selection of fresh flowers here, by the way, is far smaller than at other locations; even the smaller original Chelsea spot has a larger fresh plant/flower area. I know Nina L. said many detractors aren't urban planners. However, I don't need to be an architect to know when I have a easier shopping experience from one Whole Foods to another. They really can change the signs to make them bigger. This is one location I'd prefer not to patronize.
The store is tight- which is to be expected in NYC. What I am surprised by repeatedly, is poor attitude of the staff. More than anything, this is why I try to avoid shopping here, despite it's convenient location.
The layout is kind of weird… It's hard to get around and it requires a lot of hunting to find what you're looking for you as everything's stacked on top of each other.
The salad/hot bar isn't super extensive and could have more options… More simple options.. Not every salad needs 10 ingredients. They do have a really huge area for seating on the second floor which is nice.
The people behind the counters are really friendly though! And everything is clean…only real downside is its outlay is a little hard for chasing, I mean finding, people in the store.
I'm giving them another try after my original review. It's close to home to pick up a couple items on my way. The prepared foods are pretty decent. I like to get coffee and have a seat too….to be continued.
Firstly, it is nice to have a Wholefoods in the neighbourhood and I have shopped here many times as it is close to me. Unfortunately this is easily the worse Wholefoods I've been to in New York.
In fairness I think they were very limited on the UES, finding a large enough location but the entire store is incredibly cramped and the winding layout takes getting used to. It is difficult to navigate your way around as there is almost no room in produce and many aisles.
Other cons:
– Some seriously apathetic staff, encountered on a regular basis
– Frequently long wait times at the checkout (not sure if this is a staffing issue)
– Small produce selection, compared to other WF
– Extremely frequent running out of stock
If you live remotely close to the Upper West Side Wholefoods, it is a much more pleasant shopping experience and I recommend going there instead.
This Whole Foods is annoying. Although it's great to have it in the Upper East Side it's just not that great of a whole foods! The set up is awful. It's a labyrinth. You mistakenly go up and down the same aisles wondering where the hell the bread is. It's just not comfortable. Their seating area doesn't include the actual cafe (which is instead located downstairs) with the entrance to the seating area being near the exit, often guarded by a security guard, and the cafe at the opposite side of the store, at the entrance. Like what? Who designed this place?
The actual cafe that serves coffee and smoothies is quite inconsistent and sometimes your smoothie is right on point and sometimes someone doesn't know how to make a smoothie and you'll get a smoothie that tastes just like ginger but your smoothie didn't include ginger.
I can't stand inconsistency especially when serving food and beverages so I've decided to no longer frequent this spot. It isn't free.
The salad bar is also SUPER inconsistent and when they had electronic ordering (they've removed it since) those making my salad oftentimes did not actually include the ingredients I paid for. This inconsistency probably contributed to the demise of electronic ordering (being that you can order and not have to hover) as you have to totally hover so they can make your salad right.
Okay- my rant is over. This WF sucks. Why couldn't it have been a Trader Joe's damnit!
Let's be real guys, shopping at WF is always a little stressful. Sure, I wish this one was a lot more spacious and easier to maneuver, but hey, what can you do?
As always, great products and I almost always find what I'm looking for. Sometimes you find some stuff thats actually cheaper at Whole Foods than at other places (like the pet cleaning spray and garbage bags I buy? Surprisingly cheap at WF!) You just have to aim to go at a not as hellish time and take a look.
One gripe I do have is that their sale items are not properly noted as advertised on their website/flyers. Like I missed out on a reaaaaally tasty looking slice of dulce de lece because I wasn't sure if it was really on sale or not (it said it was on the website but there were no stickers or anything today). Please be consistent!!