Tastebud's Natural Foods — Restaurant in New York

So I've been going to tastebud's for years and years, I grew up five minutes drive away and when I started really getting into holistic living in my 20s it was a point of interest when moving back to Staten Island. There were and still are issues with the store, for instance a lot of their perishable foods are spoiled. I can't count how many times I've purchased vegan cream cheese or other such similar products to that, that they had mold on them. I never brought back the items because I appreciated it was a small business and the owners and staff were generally kind to me, I could also afford to throw away a spoiled item or two at that point.

About a month or so ago that all went out the window. I came in from the hospital where my mother had been in and out of for weeks, she couldn't eat solid food and wanted something more nutritious than the hospital food sludge they offered so I wanted to get my mom a smoothie and bring it back to her. I walk in at 5:30 PM. Note their closing time is 7 pm. I walk to the smoothie area where I see a customer hand the smoothie maker behind the counter a crisp $20 bill. I thought nothing of this initially and went forth and asked if I could have a smoothie waved. This small older man behind the counter seemed irritated that I had come up to ask him for something at all, and he condescendingly waved me away saying they weren't making smoothies anymore. But the guy whose smoothie you just finished making for a sweet $20 tip was the exception? Closing time was 7 pm and there was no explicit sign anywhere that smoothies would not be made anymore by a certain time, I couldn't imagine why they would stop making smoothies at 5:30 pm if they close at 7 pm in any case.

I call my sister on the phone to let her know they won't make me a smoothie and if she knew anywhere else open now that would make a smoothie. She ordered a smoothie at Better Gourmet for me to go to pick up. But then I looked at the man who had shood me and he was leaning against the wall casually scrolling on his phone laughing having a great time doing nothing. I was incensed to say the least. I couldn't help myself but to let the owner know who was behind the front register as I was leaving that his employee in the back was being unprofessional. He kept me from leaving and asked me to tell him what had happened.

When I did he was kind enough to say to go back to the smoothie counter to the back and he would personally make the smoothie for me. For that I will say he was very kind and understanding, but when he explained the situation to the employee, the employee got really annoyed. The entire time he made the smoothie the guy was cursing me out in his own language (I could tell he was mocking me because he was imitating my voice, had a mocking expression on his face) while the owner was telling him to stop and calm down. I thought about declining the smoothie but this place was so close to the hospital I wanted to just get my sick mom the food she needed as quickly as possible. I paid, thanked the owner and left.

I will no longer be giving this place my business unless they have something I can't get anywhere else (which sadly they have this amazing raw stone ground almond butter that nowhere else sells). I no longer want to overlook their stale produce, their freezer burnt deserts and their expired foods. The new owner and his family seem nice but you're only as good as the employees who represent you. I'd never had a problem with another employee before this and he honestly didn't look familiar but apparently he'd been there for a while. Get someone with a better disposition and work ethic to be the face of your small business, it will make a big difference. Best of...

I have never been in a store where I felt more valued as a customer in my life. The owners and staff at tastebuds are kind, genuinely caring and helpful people. I had been struggling for a long time with my glucose, nothing was working. When I came In the owner of the store was genuinely knowledgeable, taking the time to recommend me supplements that actually legitimately helped me. I was shocked at how much better I was feeling. I was never a big believer in vitamins, not that I didn't think they worked, but I didnt realize the power of them and how much they can help you naturally. I was on medication to lower my blood sugar for a long time and with the help of the recommendations I got, I'm managing my blood sugar naturally now and I couldn't believe it actually worked. It changed my perspective on so many things I blindly do, and or take on a daily basis. not only are the owners kind and attentive but they also have very reasonable prices for a small business. I'd much rather pay the same price as a big name store and know im helping a local business, instead of a big company who profits off of you. The owners remembered me even after a few months of not seeing me and that's a true small business feeling, and when you come in for your restock they remember what you talked about last time and have recommendations on what to do next. I feel more cared about here then at my actual doctor LMFAO and I'm seeing a positive difference within my body. I recommend all my friends and family go to tastebuds, they also have a great selection of organic...

I have been going to this store for years as a faithful customer. Not only did I support this business through thick and thin , but I have tolerated their absurdly outrageous prices for years just because I respect what they do. The convenience factor does not make up for the price difference on the actual market. You’re better off ordering online or going to the nearest vitamin shoppe. Unfortunately,they did have one item that I really needed , regardless of the price.

As an essential worker during these difficult COVID times , I find it very difficult to make their new schedule for 6pm. I called the store and told them that I would be late within a 5 minute marker. The guy told me he would wait on the phone. I showed up literally ONE minute BEFORE closing time at 5:59 PM, which was earlier than I told him. All I needed was one item behind the counter which would take less than 1 minute to process. I met the guy who told me he would wait for me and the rest of the coworkers outside of the store as they lingered for 5 extra minutes waiting for someone, but what they told me was that the store was closed.

I never made a bad review for any company , but honestly that is one the most disrespectful things anyone has ever done to me. Absolutely disgusting. I will never support this business again and dissuade anyone from...