Patel Brothers — Local services in East Windsor Township

Hello, Its time to finally switch to another Indian Grocery Store (Patidaar, Apna Bazaar) after being a customer of Patel Brothers (North Brunswick and East Windsor) for over 14 years.

My prior experience with online order: When this pandemic began and options were limited, I have placed an online order amount to $500 approx. One of the items in the order (Toor Dal 4lbs) was incorrect. I have ordered a quantity of six (6) 4lbs of Toor Dal and the store has packed 6 packets of 2lbs. When I went back to the store, there were two people in the so called "Office" inside the store -- one Elderly Person and one Younger Person. The elder one doesn't believe my word, calls for the lady who packed the order and verified that the item was incorrect. At that point, the younger one tells me to go back and bring the incorrect items and only then they can give the correct items. in order to avoid too many trips and refrain from going into the store, I've had to pay for the incorrect items and then took correct one that I am supposed to receive. I THOUGHT THIS INCIDENT TO BE A ONE-OFF AND KEPT GIVING BUSINESS TO THESE GUYS!

My experience in store today: I've spent around $500 approx today as well but in two orders since the cart was full each time....

My first order was approx $350 and the lady at the register was very kind and helpful.

The second round, I had to stand in a DIFFERENT line and that was THE MISTAKE! The lady at the register was so rude that despite looking at me unloading items onto the belt from the cart, she kept cleaning her register area with a feather duster and did not bother to ring the items. it got to a point where the belt area was full and I still had more than half the cart to be emptied and the lady could care less. I've finally had to ask if she will be ringing my items or should I go to another line and finally at that point, she started. To add insult to injury, the weighing machine that's used to weigh produce broke down and this lady had no clue. Thankfully, another senior lady (senior by way of # years working at the store) has come to the rescue and fixed the issue. Finally when it came time to use my reward points, I have had to ask the lady twice and she was so reluctant that she was actually suggesting that I use the rewards next time.

I personally feel that the quality of service, off-late, has been going from bad to worse and think that it is about time I give my business to others rather than these...

As a regular at this delightful Indian grocery store, I've consistently enjoyed their vast selection of vegetables, groceries, and the recent addition of freshly made chapattis and rotis. A recent experience further solidified my fondness for this place, highlighting their exceptional customer service and attention to detail.

What sets this store apart is not just its array of traditional Indian groceries but also its charming corner setup offering sandwiches, Mumbai chaats, and beverages like tea and coffee. While these items are a bit pricey, akin to restaurant rates, and only available for takeaway. The taste justifies the cost??

A testament to their outstanding service was a personal encounter with an employee named Vaishali. I'm a fan of a particular snack, Swad's sesame balls, which had been missing from the shelves for several months. Upon inquiring about it a month ago, Vaishali assured me it would return soon. True to her word, just yesterday, she remembered my query and took the initiative to inform me (from the next aisle while i was checkingg out from another attendant) about its availability. This gesture of personalized attention was truly heartwarming.

In summary, this store is more than just a place to buy groceries. It's a community staple where the quality of products is matched by the warmth and attentiveness of its staff. Highly recommended for those seeking a slice of Indian culinary delights coupled with a friendly and caring...

Update: Changing my review post covid. First, many Indian grocery stores have jacked up prices 100% beyond the inflation rate, e.g., 25 Rotis are now 9.99 instead of 7.99. Dosa batter is double 6.99 for the same quantity; Bhindi is 4.99 instead of 1.99. This particular store, though convenient, lacks varieties by a lot compared to stores like Patidar on rt 27: Farshan is 1/10th of Patidar, some examples: Jabson snacks are nearly nonexistent, only Sikander roasted peanut. Same with other grocerry items e.g. limited "mukhwas", no Oak flour, and minimal Khakhara selection. Quality is also lacking, store made locally packaged turmeric is salted like hell, These are just some random examples.

This is not bad for a quick grab, but if you are picky about your groceries, drive further a few miles north.

Owners are great and helpful, but they need to expand their distributors to continue offering a one-stop shop for all Indian grocery needs. Locally made roti tastes better for breakfast compared to "Patidar" made.

Old review: These stores (Patel, Patidar, Subzi Mandi, Apna Bazar) are great ways to try out excellent ethnic food. Think of these as a mix of trader joe's and local farmer's market with an Indian twist. Prices of some of the items are far lower than in the supermarket, e.g., here you can get dates as cheap as $2, okra for...