Tropical Fresh Supermarket — Attraction in City of Poughkeepsie

Where do I begin?

First, the entire building reeks of fish and not in a pleasant way. In fact, the odor is so pervasive that anything you buy from here that's even slightly porous will also smell this way and then you'll be wondering why there's a foul smell in your home after you bring your groceries in.

Buying any cut of meat here is always a gamble. Numerous times I have purchased a package of meat and gone to cook it for dinner that same night only to have to throw it away because it's rotten despite only purchasing meat marked with the most recent packing/ expiration dates.

They will tell you that you must leave your reusable shopping bags up front, completely unattended and directly in front of the exit where anyone can grab your belongings and walk/ run out. I have even asked if I could leave my bags with a cashier, behind a register and they just pointed to the unattended counter by the exit. This especially bothers me because I live locally and don't have access to a vehicle at this time, so if I have other shopping to do in town on any particular day and am already carrying items purchased from a different store in a bag, then I feel someone should be willing to either watch my bags or allow me to carry them on my person. You don't trust me but I should trust you? Nah.

Almost everything in here is ridiculously overpriced and they have an extremely limited selection of items in each department.

If it weren't for local people who have no choice but to do their weekly grocery shopping here due to limited ability and/ or resources, this place would be out of business. No doubt in my mind. If you have other options, don't waste your money, time or energy on this place... unless you're looking for a frozen goat head. They have those. I've never personally bought one but if all of the other meat is rotten that often, I wouldn't trust the goat...

Ah... I remember Tropical Fresh, though not fondly since it only lived up to half the name. It was definitely "tropical" - it was as humid inside as out, but not fresh.

Entering in, I was immediately bag checked on entry. The person next to the cashier, whom I presume is either the owner, security guard, or grocery bagger since they were the only other people I saw in the grocery store, started getting agitated after only a few seconds and saying that I was getting him "worked up", though he didn't make it immediately clear that he wanted my backpack.

So I gave it to him, and did my shopping. While shopping I noticed a fishy odor, as well as a fridge door that was left open. Additionally, several overhead lights were turned off, and one of them was flickering like an asylum. The amount of "smile you're on camera" signs is heavily disconcerting, not to mention disingenuous since I didn't recall seeing many cameras in the place. The place didn't exactly wow with prices but I bought a few things. Once I did my shopping the person who grabbed my bag tried to explain things but I really just wanted to get out of there.

Overall, it's disappointing to read the other reviews and conclude that foul odor issues haven't been worked on. The place could use a new coat of paint too. Overall I'd say go to Market Fresh down the road, at least you won't get...

My go to, must visit shop, whenever in town! The entrance is tight and unwelcoming, but walk-in and immediately the fresh pungent scent of herbs and colorful variety of produce envelope and welcome you! Great variety of fresh produce and herbs from Caribbean/Tropics, like the name suggests (and more). The herbs are fresh and well priced with rare items like ajecitos dulce and recao. The Great variety changes so they may have 3 avocado, 4 mango, and 6 malanga/tuber types, and few days later fewer or greater. They even have whole breadfruit/pana! Staples items from Cuba, Jamaica, US Virginia Isles and Puerto Rico. Everything is fresh and food is being stocked throughout the day. They carry regular market produce and dry goods in addition to the large selection of Imports, one stop shop. Why the praise and 4 stars? The staff. Perhaps the reserved unsmiling nature that push customers out of the way to stock is normal for NY. Parking plentiful, paid street and free private rear lot where...