Trader Joe's vs Fairway

Trader Joes is great for frozen artichoke hearts and hyperfriendly, lobotomized cashiers (DID YOU FIND EVERYTHING YOU WERE LOOKING FOR??????!!!??!?!?!!!).

Otherwise it's Fairway all the way.

TJ's is for specialty shopping like kids snacks and cerial. Great for that ... daily groceries not so much.

ooh, i would like a TJ's/WF's comparison from people who regularly shop at both.

Whole Foods is cray-zee overpriced. Off the charts, and off my radar.

Apples and oranges.

I fear that TJ is going to drive Citarella out of biz - I get all meats, poultry, fish at Citarella & Green Market.

I've shopped at least a dozen times at TJ since it opened, my visits to Fairway have been cut by 50%.

My shopping list at TJ:
1) $5.99 gallon of organic milk - I've now cut my milk shopping trips to once every 6 days.
2) I buy approx. 4-5 large containers of organic yogurt weekly - $2.99
3) Organic strawberries, lemons, avocados & limes

I don't buy prepared foods - very bad for my waistline, I succumbed to temptation and bought one container of TJ hummus. Delicious but too fattening.

At Fway, still shop for:
1) Whole wheat mini-bagels, dozen every 5 days + Ben's natural cream cheese + whitefish salad (Zabar better but too far)
2) Earth's best baby food (though much reduced in #)
3) Diapers, wipes
4) fresh lemonade
5) produce/ingredients not available at green market

Citarella:
1) Meats, chicken, fish as previously mentioned
2) Grapes

WHOLE FOODS - some items are VERY reasonably priced and have similar prices as Trader Joe's. Other items are very expensive. You need to know which items to get here and then it's great! I also think their fruit/vegetables are great (sometimes better than FAIRWAY).

TRADER JOE'S - I was a HUGE Trader Joe's fan for years, even before they came to manhattan. But the upper west side store is horrible. I can't find anything that I used to get. I asked someone twice and got incorrect answers. Finally, I gave up. I also think the layout is ridiculous. I went downstairs and shopped the frozen dept (which is the farthest point from the checkout upstairs), then I went upstairs to checkout, but realized the line was ridiculously long. So, I left the frozen stuff there. It was so crowded that I didn't even bother going all the way back downstairs to put the stuff back in the freezer. It probably melted before anyone realized it was sitting there. I assume someone probably put the frozen stuff back, but who knows when... I WILL NEVER GO BACK TO THIS STORE AGAIN. I WOULD RATHER TRAVEL FARTHER AND GO TO THE STORE ON 6TH AVENUE.

FAIRWAY - I am a fan of FAIRWAY, but not the crowds. I either go at an off hour or prefer to go to a more expensive store and not have huge crowds.

Did anyone forget to mention ZABAR's??

For bulky item, I make a Zipcar trip to uptown Fway once every 6-8 weeks.

TJ also lacks some kid-friendly staples (Annie cheddar bunnies) but it has $1.29 1-pound bags of
organic pasta! Similar bags sell for $2.79+ at Fairway.

kar: it's about proximity for me. TJ and Fway are so close to me. Zabar's is more of a trek. But if I'm there, I will always get their whitefish salad, cheese & deli meats. But as I'm trying to cut down on consumption of the latter 2 things, I don't miss Zabar's all that much.

TJ is annoyingly crowded, but I go at odd hours (early morning Saturday/Sunday as well as 9:45pm at night).

I still go to WF because it's closer to my daily routine during the week and I need to drop off #5 plastics in their Gimme 5 bin.

As for WF prices, it's not that bad and I buy the stuff that's on sale & use their coupons - they always have $1 off Annie's products and $1 off Arrowhead (I buy their oatmeal).

I've shopped a Trader Joe's , Fairway, Citarella and whole foods.

Trader Joe's had great prices on olive oil and orange juice(good quality too!). Sockeye salmon was previously frozen and looked like something one would not feed a cat. Balsamic vinegar had coloring in it..WTF?

Citeralla has been getting pricey but the staff is really helpful and the fish is the best!

Fairway selection is great and they their own brands are of top quality, but the prices have been going up more than they should. What's going on are they getting greedy, or using the money to build new stores?

What is the deal with Costco on 116th? Are the prices good?

Whole Foods is a zoo and the prices are not that great.

And Rsider: this is way, way better than all those dredged-up articles.

I forgot to mention that Zabar's still totally rules the lox thing. I always buy a pound when I'm up there. Fway smoked salmon is disgusting, though I have occasionally stooped that low.

TJ olive oil may be cheap but it's probably terrible quality for salad dressing, fine for frying. They lack variety in the oils dep't. I was looking for a large quantity of safflower oil for frying, they didn't have it.

I just got back from a run to Citarella's and Fairway, and yesterday I shopped at Whole Foods and my neighborhood Greenmarket. Prices are all over the map and you've got to compare item by item. A number of items are notably cheaper at WF than Fairway where prices are going up so fast that it was a constant commentary from customers that I overheard while wheeling my cart there today.

I had my own price complaint -- I have a favorite goat cheese that I bought at Fairway 2 weeks ago for $9.98; today it was $13.98 (I didn't buy it). I can buy Bounty paper towels at my local discount store for $1 a roll but at Fairway it's now $1.69. Their new private label stuff is truly awful; the Fairway bacon is so salty it's inedible. Fairway's UWS store is also a mess; there were abandoned containers of foods, notably fish and dairy products, left around the store and when I pointed one out to a staff person her answer was, "leave it, it doesns't matter." Nice. The place was so full of customers carrying TJ shopping bags you'd think they'd do better but Fairway has new investor-owners and clearly they're pushing for better margins.

I buy fish and meat at WF (where their specials are fabulous deals and much is local) and Citarella, and produce at Fairway, WF and my Greenmarket. Service is also all over the place; the TJ earnestness can be a little bit much but better than the snarls at Fairway. I find the caliber of knowledge and responsiveness generally best at Whole Foods, but I go there often enough that I know some of the guys by name. I also buy meat at Schatzie the Butcher on Amsterdam and 87th Street -- a fabulous, REAL butcher. In a pinch, fish at Joon's on Amsterdam at 98th. And I love Zabar's for their cheese and charcuterie/smoked fish, which is hands down the best above 42nd Street.

And Trader Joe's? Too much packaged and frozen stuff for my taste, although the yogurt is very good and is said to be made for TJ's by Stonyfield Farm.

Mostly you've got shop around and pick and choose the best of each. Which takes time, and thus is a luxury to do.

Trader Joe's selection is useless unless you're into prepared meals. Both WF and Fairway have much better prices on nuts, fruits or other bulk-commodity items.

Of the three, I find Fairway consistently the least expensive option for the vast majority of things I buy, from soap (identical brand $3.49 at Fairway, $5.99 at WF, TJ's doesn't carry it) to breakfast cereal ($4.99 at Fairway, $5.99 for smaller box at WF, cheaper "generic" versions not worth buying as tasteless, loaded with sugar and nutritively valueless at TJ's available but not worth purchasing). TJ's is good for frozen hors d'oeuvres, but on the few occasions I need them I find I don't feel like waiting in the crazy lines so I buy them elsewhere anyway.

It depends on your shopping list. I don't buy breakfast cereal or soap, so I don't know the prices at diff. places.

Fway needs to ramp up fast, or it's going to go bye-bye.

Schatzie's bangers are great! The dirty brisket is also tasty.

"Mostly you've got shop around and pick and choose the best of each. Which takes time, and thus is a luxury to do."

*sigh*

yep - i wish i had that luxury 'cause TJ's is now throwing me off. the more i shop at Fairway the more i think it's gross, and WF's really is expensive (but i LOVE Ronnybrook peach yogurt and can only find it there).

10023 - what do you use to wash your dishes and laundry?

Fairway's prices have gone way up and their quality way down since they began expanding. I have had to throw away so much tasteless produce and questionable meat from Fairway. It's also gotten noticeably dirtier in the stores.
So its Trader Joes, Greenmarket, Whole Foods for me

uwsmom: ah, I see I read ev wrongly. I don't buy soap for dishes & laundry, I buy detergent :) I buy 7th Gen or another "green" brand from uptown Fairway in my big schlep. On occasion, I will buy 7th Gen stuff from WF if I'm there and I happen to have a store or product coupon (Fway doesn't accept those). Look for Ronnybrook coupons.

Next: that is the beauty of housewifery. I do have 20 minute pockets that I fill with food shopping.

I don't know about the UWS stores. But, who do I have to beseech to see about TJ taking over the empty space next door?! We need some wine in Chelsea. Thank you.

How's the wine store in Chelsea market?

There is NO wine!! That's the problem. They sell beer. But, it seems that there is supposedly some prohibition on the chain selling wine in multiple outposts?! Or, at least that's the rigamarole they tried to sell me. I don't understand why there should be any issue...I just want my wine! Aargh :(

Oops! I just realized you asked about the one in Chelsea Market. It's good. The staff is nice. And, they often have interesting tastings. It would just be nice to have a wine vendor next to the grocery store. I'm all about the "one-stop" shoppings; especially with the cold approaching.

There's a state law(I believe) that limits the ability of a Trader Joe's to sell alcohol. I think they are limited to one location in the entire state.

The crowd at Fairway isn't much to look at, but the UWS TJs crowd is just downright oogily-boogily.

Obviously, everyone has their favorites, but I'm currently doing a mix of TJ's, Costco, and greenmarkets. I don't buy any prepared foods at Costco or TJ's. I do rely on TJ's for things like their undercover brand of fancy conditioner, Cabots' dairy products, my husband's stevia addiction, Dr. Bronner's and other crunchy cleaning products, and giant bags of frozen chicken (raw - not tenders, etc.). Costco and TJ's both have amazing prices on cheese and I end up buying too much from both. Costco is great for tp, paper towels, razor blades, allergy meds, Fage greek yogurt, nuts, sugar, oil, and other basics.

I don't shop at WF anymore for political reasons, but I will say that if you stay away from the prepared and precious foods and stick with everyday stuff, the prices are hard to beat. Didn't the Daily News do a comparison where WF came out on top?

Last Sunday I was waiting at the M72 bus stop at Broadway and W. 72nd Street to go back to the UES and all I saw were people carrying TJ bags waiting for the bus and on the street. I am used to seeing many Fairway bags on the bus, but the number of TJ bags clearly out numbered the Fairway bags. Too early to tell if this is a permanent trend or it is just the novelty of a new shop.

Not having Fairway on the UES (hopefully soon), the prices seen fine to me in comparison to Eli's, Grace's Marketplace and some items at Citarella. I always buy nuts, fruit and vegetables at Fairway, but lately the quality of the produce has somewhat diminished. Getting hit by shopping carts is always part of the fun experience of shopping at Fairway.

Both Zabars and Citarella are very good. I like Citarella for some of their prepared foods, bread, cheeses, etc. Zabar's is the best for smoked fish, some other prepared foods, and the whole upper floor bargains on appliances.

I avoid Fairway because it's very crowded, food/produce/cheese not so good, service people constantly pushing big carts into you, in general feeling like being shot out of a cannon when exiting. In general, standards there have obviously gone down recently.

The new Trader Joe's at 72nd St may be OK, but why bother? Citarella, Zabars, Soutine (fabulous bakery at 70th also has wonderful pre-made dinners!), are so close and so much more convenient.

the shopping "experience" at Fairway is really starting to turn me off. I was there around 3:00 today and, as usual on the weekend, it was tremendously unpleasant. The stock people are the most bothersome, imo, since they are the ones taking up the most space. There are probably 2 or 3 items that i still like to get from Fairway, otherwise, i'm at Whole Foods. It's so much more pleasant to shop at Whole Foods or Trader Joe's, almost zen-like if you go off-peak. Sounds like many don't like TJ's. I've been in there 3 times (2 times to assess and 1 time to shop :). I liked it. Gorgeous brussel sprouts still on the stalk, dried blueberries (i couldn't find these at whole foods), a bag of organic carrots for 89 cents (that seemed cheap to me). but, they were out of ricotta and cottage cheese. huh? i was also very disappointed with their pasta selection. WF's now sells whole wheat orzo - score! i'm still waiting for someone to sell w.w. acini de pepe. eh, i'll probably continue to bleed my wallet at WF (i like the quality and selection) and Greenmarket (eggs and some produce). and yes, the TJ's staff is interesting (but very helpful). though, i HATE the staff run elevator. i so don't want to chit chat when my baby is sleeping. just shut up and push the button!

I have to to a trek to TJ's once in a while for a dozen jars of their olive tapenade: completely addicted to the stuff, and can't find another that I like as much. While I'm there I'll sometimes buy a few other specialty things, like frozen fish and low carb chocolate. Still shop at Fairway for most things, but I generally go to the Red Hook or Plainview ones, so I can't comment on the UWS store. Fresh Direct for most of the meat, and Costco for what lookingforhome mentioned, plus kitty litter and bigger bags of frozen fish. Cleaning products and protein bars from Target. It's amazing how many places it takes for a full shopping list.

I think that the crowds in Fairway are part of that whole Manhattan thing: it's not a humongous suburban supermarket, and I find it to be OK. It's a tradeoff. And on the whole, it's a normal urban experience: you buy some thing here and other things there.
Fairway: goat cheeses, orange juice, black breads, and also try their eastern nova salmon. Just try it.
Citarella: fish and ravioli (amazing!)
Trader's Joe: pasta, dairy.
Whole Foods: produce, nuts.
Shatzie the butsher: yes, absolutely.
Zabars: not patronizing them because I witnessed how they treated a person who tried to return a spoiled soup AND their quality has gone way way down Everything is salty and greasy.

have a Best Yet in Harlem close to my house... best supermarket so far! no-nonsense super fresh produce and very pleasant overall, fresh fish, good meat.

used to love trader's joe back in california, but the one in union square is so crowded i rarely want to get in. i would only go to the fairway in harlem when people are working, otherwise the crowd is crazy (not only the amount of people, but the bad manners, it's a law of the jungle type of place)

> Cleaning products and protein bars from Target. It's amazing how many places it takes for a full shopping list.

no kidding! did you noticed how totally overpriced shampoos and cosmetics are in target?

UWSMom, I totally agree with you that Fairway is a nightmarish shopping experience, but I have to say that I find WF nearly as bad. Crowded, SUV-sized strollers parked in the middle of every aisle, and a totally F-U layout. It's impossible to shop efficiently at WF. I'd just as soon elbow my way through Fairway and pay less, plus I can take a break and grab a milkshake if I'm feeling particularly cranky. Mmm.

Notadmin, yes! you're so right. I found Duane Reade charging 20-30% less than Target, which was just shocking. Haven't bothered going back since although I'll occasionally place a bulk order online for some of the truly discounted stuff.

LOVE Trader Joes. Great for organic chicken, organic fruits, vegies, nuts, pasta. I buy everything but the bread at TJ. Fairway bread still rocks. Zabars is not helpful since I buy almost all organic and they do not have that.

noteadmin: actually, I find shampoo, shower gel, shaving cream and cosmetics to be cheaper at Target than Duane Reade... maybe it's because I go to a target way out of the city (close to work). I wonder if their prices here are higher, I've never been to one within 30 mi of Manhattan.

So can the term "organic" be misapplied.
Does it always mean it is a premium product?

It just means that out contains carbon or something.

It. Stupid swype.

Ever since Sept. 20, when discount grocer Trader Joe's opened a store on Broadway and West 72nd Street, its long-established neighbor, Fairway Market, located just two blocks north on the avenue, has been watching sales decline.

“It had an impact,” said Howard Glickman, chief executive of the family-run Fairway chain. “We saw a little downturn in a few departments, but we aren't changing anything about the way we operate.”

Mr. Glickman expects to bounce back from the competition within a few months.

Trader Joe's merchandise overlaps with Fairway's in some categories, including organic products, specialty items and even staples.

“Trader Joe's pricing is extremely competitive,” said Robert Gorland, vice president of Matthew P. Casey & Associates, a supermarket consulting firm specializing in site selections. “I have seen Trader Joe's siphon off as much as 10% in sales from Whole Foods and often at the same time steal some of their employees.”

Trader Joe's is less likely to poach Fairway employees, who are union members.

Another supermarket consultant, Burt Flickinger, says Fairway's fresh produce and perishable products are of a higher quality than Trader Joe's. “Everyone is hurt by an opening, but after the initial excitement wears off Fairway will remain the primary factor on the Upper West Side,” he predicts.

Next week, Fairway will be the new kid on the block in Stamford, Ct., where it plans to open its seventh store. And in 2011 it will open another two stores, one on East 86th Street between Second and Third avenues and one in Douglaston Queens, at the site of a Waldbaums store.

“We have accelerated our growth plans,” said Mr. Glickman. “We are on track to open one store every six months.”
http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20101029/SMALLBIZ/101029834#

It is killing Citarella. Citarella is much, much quieter - which is too bad bcs the quality of the meats, poultry & fish are superior to WF, TJ & Fway.

The Fresh Fish at Citarellas and the staff that support it can't be beat. Trader Joe's is not even remotely in this area. The uptown Citarella routinely has whole porgies at $2.99 to $3.99 a pound which isn't bad either.

I meant uptown Fairway.

"Trader Joe's is less likely to poach Fairway employees, who are union members." .....

Useless troll.

I'll add another plug for Best Yet -- it is indeed excellent in terms of price and quality and willingness to order and stock items you request
We still shop some items at the TJ, WF and Fairway but as a single visit place BY is great

my bad uwsmom, next time ill just push the button.

TJ's and WF's are also much easier to negotiate with a stroller. I think this matters in this neighborhood. The aisles are much wider than at Fairway. BUT, the TJ's elevator takes FOREVER, perhaps b/c it's 3 levels instead of 2. I never thought the Fairway elevator would seem fast! Ugh - horrible options!

The elevator at TJ takes forever because it's staff-member operated. You still can't go to TJ for everything (e.g. baking supplies, spices...)

I don't live up there but have shopped in all 3. I like trader joes for the frozen appetizers, tarte alsace and frozen vegetables, pasta and dairy, and cereal -strawberry Os and their name brand cheerios. Saves me a lot of money - a yeah to the frozen artichoke hearts - I ate almost a whole bag last night. Whole foods I only buy their label. Their pasta is also good - the organic one just like trader joes, same price. I bet they have the same supplier in Italy because it seems exactly the same. Not that I need organic pasta but it's cut in the bronze thingies and I can tell the difference and it's only $1.99. Frozen apps - spinakopata and mushroom tarts are awesome. I eat this stuff for lunch. I buy smoked salmon there too. Don't like the regular frozen salmon - yucky but the frozen mahi mahi with chimichurri (s-p) is great. Citarella is way more expensive. Fairway is a zoo too.

Oh and I have a new thing I buy from TJs - the premade rice and grains. Microwave for 2 minutes and have an instant side. They are really good. I hate cooking rice from scratch

Rice is very easy to make. You are paying a huge mark up for a small convenience. Next we'll have microwave tea.

CC: WF organic pasta is not the same price as TJ organic pasta. TJ organic pasta costs $1.29 for a 1lb bag. Regular "inorganic" pasta is $0.99.

As for rice, lay off, RSer. It's easy to make if you have a rice cooker but that takes up counter space.

One cup rice, two cups of water & 20 minutes on the stove in a tightly closed pot & you've got cooked rice.

i also hate cooking rice.

couscous - boil water, 1-2 mins, bam! WF's bulk whole wheat couscous has like 8g of protein per serving.

TJ's doesn't have a good selection of small pastas. WF's and Fairway are better.

who doesn't microwave their tea?

drdrd, you fab creature you, yes it's true that once you have found the pot with the right thickness at the right temperature (given your stovetop, which is hopefully consistent and you remember to use the proper btu burner) and the right moisture for your given rice (not all have exactly the 2 to 1 ratio), and you remember to set the timer and aren't more than a minute off, your rice should be grand every time. i'm a very good cook, but not with things that allow me to wander from the kitchen during a critical two to three minute window.

i only serve rice when i have leftovers from take out. then i do a fried rice dish.

I have to agree with Riversider and drdrd on this one. Buy rice in bulk, it's a buck a pound and takes 20 minutes to make while you're working on the rest of the dish. I pay it no mind whatsoever and it usually turns out fine.

Microwaving tea? Really? People do that?

Different cooking methods for different types of rice.

1) Sushi/short-grained rice - rice cooker
2) Jasmine/Thai rice - rice cooker
3) Glutinous sweet rice - modified rice cooker (soak overnight, fry with desired items, rice cooker)
4) Basmati - same as (3) except no soaking overnight
5) Risotto - cook while stirring broth in on stove
6) Paella - hate it, never make it.

As for tea, color me old-fashioned. I never use teabags, only tea leaves in trusty Bodrum.
I used to make chai by steeping leaves in milk over low heat on stove.

The bags are a nice convenience and definitely Earl Grey.

I don't buy the plain rice - it's all seasoned and $1.99 - is that a lot? It's yummy the one with the mushrooms and the grains are with beans and a big mix and all ready to go - I think it's cheap. I never just cook plain rice. I would much rather cook potatoes which btw I make awesome but my husband likes something different on occasion. I could live without it. I don't have a rice cooker bc I don't love rice. Big deal? ita that tj doesn't have pasta variety however I only like long pasta like spaghetti or thinner. Husband hates shaped pasta so it works for us. It's spaghetti or angel hair. He won't eat penne. My daughter eats all shapes and wheats and the packages last forever. Don't ever give me whole wheat pasta - that is a sin to me

ccharley, read the label.
If you want flavored rice do it yourself.

CC, if you want flavored rice that costs only $1.99, or a third of the cheapest takeout option, that you can prepare in a couple of minutes in a household that includes a preschool kid, I say go for it.

riversider how ridiculous. I don't want to use another pot nor season the rice. 2 min in the microwave and it's done. After cooking a chicken and everything else it's easy breezy. No reason to make rice too. If I were fat I wouldn't eat it at all. You are right AR as all the other ones who buy this stuff= btw no MSG and not high sodium

And that's why supermarkets cater to those that want frozen dinners, fresh food and in-between. no biggie.

and that's why no one here listens to you. other than the troll.

who is you.

who is you?

my point.

Looks like the holy trinity are back together. Mother,Child & Holy ghost.
Good Times!

riversider....

the troll.

Matt?

oh riversider.

Carol?

watch riversider having her idea of fun.

yuck

Erich?

Rser: calm down, it's only rice. I am v. attached to my rice cooker, it's lived with me for over 20 years.

If I didn't know I was on street easy I would think this site was UB - we are actually having an argument about rice? RICE??? Is it a grain or a pasta :)

is that a serious question? Is rice a pasta???
seriously, i can't eat white carbs anymore. there's no flavor! i love the flavor of whole wheat pasta, and you can even buy w.w. angel hair w/ with flax :). Give it a try cc!

succotash goes great with fish.

10023 - what kind of hummus are you buying that's too fattening? too much tahini maybe? i just made a super yummy beet and cannellini bean hummus - to die for, if you like beets and beans :). just a little olive oil, salt, and roasted garlic. SOOOO good!!!!

and gorgeously pink!

I like the TJ "Mediterranean" with pine nuts on top. I make a mean hummus myself, with chickpeas, garlic, oil, tahini, salt but I don't use as much oil. I made a great beets-based salad the other (roasted cubes of beet with arugula, wine-vinegar-lemon-olive oil dressing).

no uws mom - it's an inside joke that only those who go on urban baby would get. I know it's a grain dahling. Whole wheat pasta to me is just gross but I buy flax stuff at tjs for the kiddo

Trader Joe's vs Fairway? - Easy: Costco.

This one is easy, Fairway all the way! (even if it is crowded)

For a number of items, Trader Joes is about 15% under, however we're talking their own label, a non-union labor force,considerably longer lines and a more limited selection of products. At days end they have been known to run out of things, like orange juice.

guess you really seem to dislike TJ. You shouldn't go bc the lines are long enough as you so agreed. Check out the 6th ave Tjs = much better btw

yeah, guess you'd have to be there. i didn't actually think YOU were posing the question cc. I can't decide if i like UB or not. For the most part, i stay away.

I totally od'ed on beets last year. need to pace myself this season. but the hummus is really good for dipping, spreading, baby food (sans salt). forgot, you need to add a little lemon juice too (half lemon).

I did Brooklyn fairway for a bit, really just got tired of it. The actual shopping experience wasn't fantastic. Prices definitely better than whole foods, and some good produce... but their prepared foods really fell off for me. It was also just annoying going through the aisles.

Never lived close enough to UWS fairway for it to be a regular destination, but I'm probably there a couple times a year and its rarely fun.

Big Trader Joe's fan. It is not a full supermarket, for sure, but what they have I like the quality and prices a lot. And, yes, it gets crowded, but they do about as good a job as anyone making that tolerable with the staff.

I go with Fresh Direct for the bulky stuff, Trader Joe's for whatever I browse and like (particuarly for things like oils, nuts, frozen, etc.), and then Whole Foods occasionally to top it off.

People used to eat to live, but on the UWS, people live to eat.

I think UWS is the worst area for restaurants in the city. I didn't like living up there. Just not my scene

Yep, basically a question of spending money for the East Side or traveling to the West Village for the casual, inexpensive but inventive faire.

"I think UWS is the worst area for restaurants in the city"

Compared to the Bronx or Staten Island, or even Harlem?

You mean the UWS is the worst area for restaurants among neighborhoods in Manhattan where predominately white people live.

Sorry I wasn't more specific - ok below 96th st and in Manhattan

the far east side from 14th to 42nd kind of sucks for restaurants

I had to stop buying produce at Fairway, the quality went down after that hedge fund bought a big stake in the company and began trying to juice the profits. (pun intended)

It's clear to me that Fairway now buys a lower grade of fresh produce. Where you used to be able to class A peaches and canteloupes, you're now getting Class B and C -- it's more on a par with ghetto grocery stores, if you've ever shopped in those.

That said, I still drop by Fairway once every few weeks for certain items -- jam, dried fruits, salad dressing, fresh-squeezed OJ.

But I got to Fairway much less often now, and when I'm there, I buy less.

Value Shopping = Western Beef

"I think UWS is the worst area for restaurants in the city. I didn't like living up there. Just not my scene"

Agreed. its gotten a little better, but so did everywhere else. You have to get out of Manhattan south of 96th to find worse.

My beef with Westernbeef - stop papering and littering my block with your flyers. We don't shop there! And I don't care what the deals are.

Speaking as the one nutbar person who carefully removes & recycles all the flyers I can get to, and I take the plastic bags to WF to recycle as well.