Sahadi's — Attraction in New York

I love this place and have shopped here for over 20 years. Lately I've been coming weekly, because there are a few items in bulk foods which I apparently cannot live without.

That said, I feel there has been a drop off in service in recent years. For one, the cashiers are the most depressed group of people I've ever seen. It seems that it is a HUGE BURDEN to check you out and they can't wait for the second that you are no longer standing in front of them, apparently bothering them. I come frequently, so it doesn't appear to be just one of them, or particular days, but they clearly all hate their jobs -- with a passion. Even if I've had a great experience in the store up to this point, I leave with a pretty negative feeling.

The bulk food area could also use some better organization. The number system isn't always in use, and the number on the wall when I go (weekday afternoons) typically doesn't match the number available on the next paper ticket - usually by about 30 numbers. It's generally ok as people are polite and keep track of who is ahead of them, but not everyone is this aware or polite. On a recent visit I had been standing there for almost 10 minutes while the one staff in this area was helping a male customer who was already there. No problem, I patiently waited. Then another staff person came in to work and meanwhile another customer (male) had also come in and was waiting. When the new staff person asked "who's next" the customer who came in behind me shouted 'ME' and immediately started his order. I shouted twice "IM NEXT" but no one, seemed to 'hear' me. As the only woman surrounded by 4 men, none of whom seemed to even 'see' me standing there, it was quite disappointing. So...sometimes the environment in here can feel a little strange - also one day I witnessed two of the staff having a huge shouting argument with each other - also in the bulk food area.

It's still getting 4 stars but that's on the strength of the product...

I have been going to Sahadi for the last 40 years. During early years Sahadi used to be a novelty, nothing like that store around there or anywhere near there, may be Zabar's in Manhattan? Sahadi had a good selection of cheese, coffee, jams, and dry foods at very reasonable prices then. With Whole Foods (WF) being a serious player, Sahadi's cheese advantage is gone now, I think, since a bigger selection is available at WF now, French sheep/ goat gouda etc. I still use Sahadi for coffee since their coffee suits my pallette the best and cost effective, especially the Sumatra, Kenya brands. Their Tunisian olive oil is a steal compared to anywhere else. It is also really top-notch quality, excellent flavor, texture etc. Their dry foods are of decent quality but not competitive in prices anymore, since I can get 'Wonderful' brand pistachios that are as good and better packaged ( no hand in the jar!) for almost half their price elsewhere. The store has character, I like the owner - the Father then and the son now, the tall guy, both such nice people, well mannered, they are always smiling, answering my 'Why this and other Lebenese oriented' questions. They are genuinely good, decent people. So are most of their workers, the blue uniformed manager, the servers, are all well behaved, all the time, a tall order for any store. Only once, one of their cheese guys snapped at me slightly for my unending queries, my bad, obviously. But that was a while back. After that, I stayed away from their cheese section because of an uneasy feeling. All in all, it is a good store. It has been around there for over 100 years, I think. I recommend it, a classy place to visit...

Sahadi's is an absolute treat. It is a pleasure to live nearby and be able to shop daily at Sahadi's. My girlfriend and I do not even shop at Trader Joe's (across the street) anymore. We get everything we need at Sahadi's, Atlantic Fruit and Veggies, Damascus and Amy's (all a few shops up the road). (Yes it is a treat living in this neighbourhood!)

We take our own containers and mason jars to Sahadi's and stock up on nuts, coffee, olives, cheese, oils, jams, breads (the list goes on).

The coffee comes in huge barrels that one can scoop from. You can try different olives and other treats before you make a decision. You can get an array of grains and dried food without generating any packaging (If you bring your own containers!). The dairy options are lovely, varied and well priced. Well the milk is pricey!).

The halva is legendary and for good reason.

You can also grab all sorts of meal type options as well as pastries and savoury pies.

We love Sahadi's and wished that this sort of food and grocery shopping was more the norm. America would be...