Vitelio's Marketplace — Attraction in New York

This 1-star rating is only regarding two rude cashiers. I’ve been going to this market for over 30 years, beginning when it was a C-Town. Most employees and managers with whom I’ve interacted are courteous, until recently.

Today, I purchased $1.78 in produce and told the cashier, Mirurgia, that I would like to get rid of some small change. I gave her two $1 bills, 1 dime, 1 nickel and 13 pennies and told her exactly what I am handing to her. She gave me a look of disgust and threw the change into her drawer without even counting.

Instead of two quarters which I was hoping for, she purposely gave me 5 dimes, including one which was all black. I asked if she can give me 2 quarters which is more manageable, and her reply was “No, I don’t have any quarters.” I find it hard to believe that she didn’t have two quarters in her drawer, particularly since it was 3-1/2 hours until closing.

I asked the service desk clerk if she had quarters and she pointed at Mirurgia. The manager heard the encounter and offered to exchange her two own quarters for the 5 dimes. At least she made it right.

A similar incident occurred last year when I gave change to another cashier. Instead of taking a few seconds to count the change, she ran to the manager to complain that I gave her the dollar something in change, wasting several minutes.

In my opinion, these two clerks are either lazy or simply incapable of counting change. I want to stress that these two clerks are outliers. All of the cashiers have been gracious...

I love Vitelio's Marketplace for their meats (generally fresh) but avoid the deli salads!! It may look good in the case but quality control, I learned to my regret, is terrible. I just returned a pound of curry chicken salad because there were bones in it! I had eaten only a quarter cup when I found two bones - a fragment from a drumstick and a thin bone from another part of the chicken. Thank God I didn't choke on it as my teeth detected it and I spit both out before it could do any harm. Not only that, the salad was tasteless - no curry taste at all though it was dyed yellow. I also felt a little nauseous after eating it and had to rinse my mouth with Listerine to get rid of the taste. This incident reminded me that, about three weeks earlier, I had also bought their pasta salad and after having a few bites, it gave me a terrible stomachache. I didn't return that because I wasn't sure it was the salad - but now I wonder. In the past I've also had their antipasti salad - way too much vinegar on the mushrooms and nearly inedible. Yuck! Whoever makes their salads needs to be fired. When I returned the salad, the clerk didn't look surprised and was quick to refund me - apparently there must be a lot of unhappy customers out there. I sure miss Garden Gourmet in Riverdale - they had the best tasting...

Although, this supermarket is always cleaned and organized very well. I gave it 2 star because for 1 have been shopping for 2 weeks now daily still no fruit punch Gatorade or Goya Piña colada mix. Strawberries are the most expensive I have ever seen in any supermarket. When it comes to fresh vegetables sometimes there’s is little to none after a certain time. Very limited also on certain veggies. The only meat I will purchase from this place is the chicken wings and drumsticks. I have purchased ground beef and steak very poor quality for the amount paid.

I do like the bread selection and cheese selection there is different varieties. The managers could do better in communication skills. Anytime, I approach one or ask for questions they point or Nod like if I am a mind reader or work there. Very rude and dismissive! Lastly, the cashiers rush customers and just pack groceries any way. Speaking for myself I like to pack my own groceries bc I like to pack a certain way bread with eggs, etc….. For an overly priced Supermarket in the neighborhood I think it can be better. It starts with the staff they can be more welcoming and greeting.

Moving forward I will be going to Stop and Shop in Metropolitan which is not to far at a way better price and always...