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- Hours:
Mon-Fri 9 am - 9 pm
Sat-Sun 10 am - 8 pm
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Garage, Street, Validated, Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
CODY P. said: "Best spot in the area for basically everything you need... Always a fresh array of fresh home made foods, fresh fruit and flowers, 24 hrs 7 days a week, and for all your basic deli needs also, friendly staff n conveinant location....…" read more »
25 reviews for Fresh fanatic
25 reviews in English
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Review from Irm M.
1/18/2011
I'm not in this neighborhood often, but I was passing by the other day and thought it would be the perfect place to get a fresh, organic lunch. I was right. They had all the Whole Foods staples, the staff was also very friendly in that "Brooklyn" way that Manhattan can never recreate. (This coming from a Manhattan girl!)
I made my own salad from their salad bar of fresh ingredients. I also got the tomato basil soup which was really great on the cold day and not too salty like some soups can be. The location isn't the most convenient for me since I don't live in the area and there isn't much else around there. But if I'm in the neighborhood again I'll be sure to stop by. -
Review from Melanie B.
Brooklyn, NY
8/22/2011
Why, oh why why why WHY are the workers here so RUDE?? This adorable store, just literally steps away from where I reside, has everything I could ever want in one lil', wooden-cupboard clad space; as my cousin says, they have the best avocados in the neighborhood. However, while one of the cashiers is adorable and smiley, all of the other workers I have enountered here are indifferent if not downright mean. Right now I am craving one of their delicious iced coffees, but I refuse to walk under the BQE and across Park because this is what happened to me yesterday - the last straw.
I ambled in to FF looking for shampoo, the kind of which I was looking for they sadly did not carry. However, the coffee-crazed maniac in me began longingly inching toward their prepared food counter, where the iced coffee is served. No one was at the counter, so I waited a while, and finally a girl sauntered over. I stood there patiently waiting as she did something or other, and finally she turned to me and asked, "DID YOU WANT SOMETHING???"
Um, yes, I want an ice coffee [insert expletives of your choice here]. What the eff else does anyone stand around at a coffee counter for? There were no other people in line, or anything. Those were the only words said girl spoke to me, as she angrily made me an iced coffee (which btw, consists of putting ice and coffee in a to-go cup - really not a hard task). I tried to engage her in conversation but she just glared at me. RUDE.
And on top of all of this, the cute, smiley cashier was not there yesterday, so the other cashiers also did not speak to me when I checked out. Fresh Fanantic has some great selections, particularly of produce, and is a really adorable, convenient store in the neighborhood (much better than the Associated), but the workers there, with the exception of the one, are such heinous jerks that I am loathe to go back. My cousin actually stopped going for a while for this very reason, but gave in because their avocados are the best. It sucks when you have to compromise your integrity for a fresh fruit or vegetable.Listed in: Clinton Hill/Fort…
Comment from Andrew G. of Fresh fanatic 8/22/2011
Hello Melanie, This is Andrew, the owner of Fresh… More » -
Review from Karen G.
Fort Lee, NJ
Fresh croissants, coffee and mango ceviche.
Try few of their fresh made green juices or smoothies even better!; Ask for Olga and tell her to make it as for Karen. If you are into omelets, go to deli area and request Jerome for white egg omelet with salmon and spinach. This is the only place around where you can find a good quality apple, fig and walnut tartar.
Easy to find parking and MTA bus stop at the front door. -
Review from Isabella W.
Brooklyn, NY
6/7/2010
They were featured on New York Times and I was pretty happy when I got a groupon for grocery to go check them out. However, I felt a little bit sad when I walked into the store. This look like a place with a lot of potential but it's just shriveling in the corner and, and... *sigh*
I wasn't expecting a Whole Foods here but the produce section was disappointing, most of the store is packed with dry goods and jars. To give them some slack, if Fresh Fanatic isn't doing so well it is understandable that they cut back on produce since those have shorter self live, in order to cut down their loses on the lack of store traffic.
I don't know about their prices compared to other organic food stores but certainly they are cheaper than the local grocery markets' organic options (c-town, pioneer, associates).
The location is a bit off path for me so it's not really inspiring for me to go back. Yet I didn't know that Organic green tea orange soda tastes so good.... so ok.. maybe I'll stop by soon to pick up some more. -
Review from Dustin C.
Brooklyn, NY
7/5/2011
I don't know how this place has gotten negative reviews. I just moved into the neighborhood and have gone there every day. The meats are great and very well priced, the cheese selection is crazy broad. Also, the guy behind the deli counter is great. Great little salad and a sandwich will set you back just about $6. So happy they're nearby. Only thing they could do better is price their goods; a lot of things seem to be missing price tags.
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Review from Danelle D.
Brooklyn, NY
5/12/2011
I must say, having a gourmet market in the building I live in is both a blessing and dangerous. I am SO SPOILED now that this store is here..I barely have to leave the block anymore...seriously. They have a salad bar, 4 soups made daily, really good espresso, fresh juice and smoothies, fresh fish, organic meat, deli, fresh baked bread, gourmet desserts, local Brooklyn brews on tap and in bottle, big produce section and household and beauty products. I went totally vegan for a while and was very happy that they had an entire vegan refrigerated section that made it a little easier on me. Oh...and an excellent cereal selection! Fabulous addition to our lovely little neighborhood of Wallabout and The Chocolate Factory. Love love love:)
Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Briana M.
1/14/2010
I am a firm believer that a business should let you know when there are raisins in something savory.
Fresh Fanatic did not. I hungrily picked up my curry chicken salad sandwich on whole wheat, took a bit and was shocked when my teeth and my taste buds felt the mush and sweetness of a raisin. Blasphemy! The chicken salad hardly tasted of curry! AND RAISINS? Horrific. I ended up having to pick through the salad for a good five minutes before deeming it edible. Add all this to the fact that a chicken salad sandwich, on conventional whole wheat bread cost me $5.75....beneath the BQE? I was not a happy camper.
Fresh Fanatic seems to be Clinton Hill's equivalent to Brooklyn Snatch Yo Purse. It's bigger, yes, but just as expensive. They sell specialty items, health food, etc. But somehow, they lack the sensibility to carry NORMAL toiletries. I had to buy a 6.00 package of cotton tampons last minute. And those tampons suck. Pleeze believe me.
I had been intrigued by this place for a while, but am sorry to say that it's not worth my walk from the Navy Yard, and it's probably not worth buying your groceries there. -
Review from Matthew T.
Brooklyn, NY
3/28/2010
After my most recent experience with buying sandwiches from the deli I'm giving up on this place.
Before heading out for a trip I picked up a couple of sandwiches from the deli counter. My wife's tuna fish salad was inedible and the smashed together roll with two piece of genoa salami, provolone cheese and lettuce that I received for $6.99 was the poorest excuse for a sandwich that I have ever received. I would have been embarrassed to serve what I received to friends in my own home and they should be embarrassed to charge $6.99 for it. If neighborhood establishments like Farmer In The Deli tried to pass off what I received as a sandwich there would be a riot on Myrtle Avenue.
My frustration with their deli counter has been growing for a while now and the weak sandwiches that we received just pushed me over the edge. For the longest while whenever I've ordered deli meats the person behind the counter would mash all the meat together. That meant it was impossible to separate it once I got it home. Same went for the cheese. I kept giving them a chance because they were convenient but no more.
The prices that they charge, or overcharge as the case may be, is not worth it for the convenience. I'll make the trip to Fairway if I need to pick up quality deli meats and cheese from now on. -
Review from Alexandra D.
New York, NY
5/2/2010
I made the trek here to use a Groupon that I purchased (http://www.groupon.com) because who doesn't want to save on organic groceries??
I didn't read the fine print and purchased two thinking I could use them in one visit. Fine, I couldn't. Did the owner have to not look me in the eye and be so rude about it?
More than that, though, I found this place to be over-priced and under-stocked. It's not a huge space, but that doesn't mean that some of the best organic yogurts, meats and household products shouldn't be available. I found myself having a hard time finding things that I was willing to spend money on (plus, their prices are not great).
If you live in the neighborhood, it's a good stop-and-pick-up-some-essentials market. Otherwise, save yourself the time and just go to any decent grocery store. -
Review from Frankie D.
New York, NY
8/18/2009
My beau and I were fortunate enough to sneak into this place for the soft opening and we are absolutely thrilled with everything!
The neighborhood, allegedly "Wallabout", really actually Fort Greene? Clinton Hill? Fort Greenton Hill? needs exactly this! We're served by a tiny C-Town, an overpriced Associated and a piss-poor Greenmarket. Whenever I want a decent bit of grocerying, I have to drag my ass to Tops and lug a buttload of groceries on the bus. Not anymore!
Fresh Fanatic seems to be doing it right. The produce is incredibly fresh, diverse and reasonably priced. The dry goods range from the exotic to the exceptional. Every food group seems to be covered and covered well: bakery, meat, sushi. (Are there others? Oh, chocolate, they got lots of that too.)
The owner and staff are incredible, talking to the customers, asking what the customers want, welcoming suggestions and making the customer feel like they've come home. Apparently, right around the corner, they're building a boozery/gourmet foodery - under construction as of this weekend.
Plus, as a promotion, they are (were?) giving away free gelato and shopping bags! Yeehaw!
As if all this awesomeness wasn't enough, the building is some kind of abandoned factory thing with exposed brick and all kinds of other sexy architectural details. Hell, the whole experience was so sexy, I think I left a little snail trail to mark my territory. -
Review from Victoria B.
Murfreesboro, TN
6/8/2011
Terrible food and terrible service. Don't waste your time! Much better places not too far away.
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Review from Christina F.
New York, NY
1/24/2010
I finally made it down to Fresh Fanatic, and it was a mediocre experience. My feelings would probably be a bit different if I lived in the neighborhood, but for someone going out of her way to venture to this grocery store, I was underwhelmed.
I was reminded of Perelandra Natural Food Center in Brooklyn Heights, though the prices here might have been just a tad less expensive (though the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Fresh Fanatic is certainly much less expensive than that of Brooklyn Heights, so it still doesn't add up). However, I think this is one of the few food centers of this type in Clinton Hill, so hopefully, there is a need/demand being met by the residents.
The counter boys were helpful and let me sample things. Note: the chocolate croissant I had was day-old tasting, as was the red velvet cupcake.
Anyway, I found some nice teas, EXCELLENT in-house spicy guacamole (go for this, if you're a big guacamole fan), my favorite salsa that's hard to find, and a juice that a friend recommended as a mixer that I hadn't seen anywhere else yet (though I hadn't looked too hard yet). Nothing out of the ordinary. The cashier was apathetic and not very helpful with my questions (though the counter boys were, as mentioned above).
To be honest, I probably would not have purchased anything if I did not have my $35 worth of groceries for $15 Groupon. Though I might be spoiled living a block away from Trader Joe's... if you live in Clinton Hill area, try this out, but if not, it's not quite worth it.
Oh, I also agree that the curry chicken salad could have been much better. :(
Note: Yikes, I noticed on my receipt that they overcharged me for two boxes of tea (I brought another two boxes of tea, same brand, different flavor), despite the price stickers. Eeeps, not very professional... make sure to go over your receipts before leaving... -
Review from Anna A.
Brooklyn, NY
2/28/2010
Fresh Fanatic suffers from a few serious flaws.
Just like Elly's Market their shelves are sparsely populated: the store feels half-empty, while at the same time the selection is underwhelming. The produce section is very small, there are no bulk bins that you would expect in a store this size, the olive bar is just four huge casks and some pre-packaged stuff. Pickles come pre-packaged in large jars as well, so you are out of luck if you want just one. In addition, most of the things in the (again, prepackaged) section is not organic, but at the same time not cheap.
Just like Provisions, they are ridiculously overpriced. However, unlike Provisions their selection could hardly be called "gourmet," so I'm very unclear on the reason for the high prices.
It's a store to consider, if you are near-by and you need something quick (if they have it). Otherwise, stock up at Union Market (just a few G stops away) or, for a more serious organic-minded shopping spree, go to Fairway or Whole Foods.Comment from Andrew G. of Fresh fanatic 5/26/2011
Hello Anna, I am really sorry for your initial bad… More » -
Review from james s.
Brooklyn, NY
7/15/2010
Yeah, everyone's got it right here. I live just a block away from FF, so I've tried to make it work for me, but they have fundamental problems over there, such as:
1) No one is helpful. In fact, it seems like no one really works there, they're just kind of hanging out. My friend described the feeling as if the people from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia decided to open a grocery, and that's pretty accurate. Just no organization.
2) You can't find stuff. Basic stuff. One time I asked for balsamic vinegar. "Oh, it's right over here...um, over here...well, it must be...you know, we don't have any right now. But we have some great balsamic vinaigrette at the deli. I'll give you some."
The man gave me some. Then I brought it to the check-out line and explained what had happened. Then the guy who had "given" it to me told the cashier to charge me $3. WTF?
3) The prices are high.
4) The produce isn't just not particularly fresh, it's a strange selection. They just don't have green stuff that you might want.
Skip the FF. They've been given long enough and still haven't got their shit together. -
Review from Maria W.
1/27/2010
Prices are more Manhattan than Clinton Hill, ow.
That said, I'm a big fan of their red velvet cupcakes, some of the best I've had in the city. Their coffee on the other hand needs work.
Actually their barrista needs to learn his work and not sludge the bottom of the pot grinds and all into one's cup of coffee. There is nothing that ruins the experience of a hot cuppa and yummy cupcake like a mouth full of grinds when taking a swig of java.
Next time cupcakes will be take out and a pass on the coffee. Bleech. -
Review from Alex M.
Brooklyn, NY
3/9/2010
Fresh Fanatic has come great distances since its conception last fall. The food quality is outstanding. I am a person who eats a lot of meat and not only the selection but the quality and freshness of the Meat at this store is top notch. The pricing is totally reasonable and as its such new establishment I'm sure pricing will go down as they fill their much needed niche in Brooklyn.
It really is a needed store in the Clinton Hill area with everything you need, and much more for the exclusive enthusiast. I have found beverages there that I did not even know existed (one small bottle near the front of the store is literally 46 raspberry's turned into a drinkable pulp: absolutely delicious!).
The owners are always on site as well asking for input, which is a much needed customer service feel that I have found rapidly disappearing these days.
In regards to one of the reviews above, bread that is completely organic and has no preservatives must be stored in an air tight container! Tiny bits of moisture can cause mold to form quickly as the amount of delicious carbs in this bread just breed life, which is why they are so delicious!
Much love for Fresh Fanatic, Keep up the good work!! -
Review from Bianca R.
New York, NY
11/4/2010
I am a huge fan of Whole Foods and this place is like a mini whole foods. A gem in the Wallabout neighborhood. Reasonable prices, fresh produce and the selection I crave. Love it! They also have a nice cheese selection, and tasty prepared foods. A coffee/tea bar too! I wish they sold wine, but being such a small locale there is probably not room. Pick up some of their hummus and you will not be disappointed. What's not to like?!
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Review from Gee P.
Sunnyside, NY
4/21/2010
I've really wanted to like this place. Ever since I learned that a organic market was gonna open up near the Wallabout section of Brooklyn, I was super excited about another grocery option besides the bodegas and the A&P off Myrtle.
Frankly it's just depressing trying to food shop in this place, the store always seems deserted, the shelves are pretty sparse and the prices are out of control for the neighborhood.
It's also difficult to use this place as a one stop food shopping destination, they might have the weird ice cream that I'll impulse buy, but lack basics like flour or sugar. The fruit also looks kinda unappealing at the price that they charge so of course I need to plan a trip to Pathmark or A&P whenever I shop here.
The baked goods always seem to be on the verge of expiration, and onetime I choked down a nasty vegan brownie from here assuming that that's what chocolate brownies are supposed to taste like when they don't use butter, eggs and milk, but I discover later that I had purchased a brownie that was 3 days past it's expiration date. For shame Fresh Fanatic, for shame! -
Review from jess c.
Philadelphia, PA
Updated - 5/16/2011
This is the cheapest, but freshest food you can find in the area. Love the concept, love the food. Try the guacamole it is amazeballz. Also don't miss their iced coffee, it's the best iced coffee I've ever had.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/4/2010
This place is amazing!! It's my new hot jam for sure. I feel like I was walking all over Brooklyn… Read more »
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Review from Monica M.
Chicago, IL
10/28/2009
I was suspicious of this semi-new, fancy grocery but since I was over on the other side of the BQE I though I'd take a look-see. I wouldn't do the majority of my food shopping here BUT in the middle of October I found a bunch of fresh thyme, all wrapped up in the refrigerated cases, for cheap *and* it didn't wilt immediately -- in fact, I'm still using it three weeks later. So that, and the fact that the cheese case is on this really cool upper level that feels like you're walking an (extra-long) plank will keep me coming back for specialty goods, oh, and maybe those 2-for-1 dollar chocolate chip cookies...
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Review from Francisco D.
NY
2/27/2010
It's a nice walk from from where I live. Pretty decent fruit & vegetable section. They have fresh organic produce to boot. There's a really good selection of fresh food, baked goods, meat, poultry & fish. If you're looking for beans & grains they have that too. It's really laid out well & the staff is helpful. Instead of going to the Redhook Fairway, I can just take a stroll. Also it's has more of what I'm looking for than the usual big grocery store or deli in the neighborhood. I hope they just keep it the way it is.
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Review from Jeff L.
Brooklyn, NY
2/18/2010
In terms of convenience, this place is great. The meat selection is the absolute best in Ft. Greene and Clinton Hill. It feels pricey, but part of that is because they carry premium products. Someone mentioned the guac and it really is great. My one problem is the service. The people at check-out are lovely, but the baristas and people at the sandwich counter are not good. So sluggish...everything takes forever. This should be the crown jewel of the joint, the part where they can get away with charging you more. But, it's just not.
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Review from Kim J.
Brooklyn, NY
2/7/2010
I recently moved to Clinton Hill and was so excited to find out that there was an organic grocery store close in the neighborhood. It's a bit of a hike from my place, but I finally made the trip this past Thursday. I had forgotten my pushcart but it ended up not being a problem, because the store was able to deliver everything that same day. I have to say that the staff at the store was extremely nice and accommodating. Unfortunately, I can only give the place 3 stars because of how overpriced everything is. I bought a loaf of organic bread for $4.79, which would have been fine it hadn't gone moldy two days later! (Saturday morning I went to make myself some toast, and the entire loaf had little specks of mold on it.) I'm sure they would have exchanged it without question, but as I mentioned before, the store is not very close to my place, so I'm not sure it's worth the trip. Also, they have the Earth's Best jarred baby food priced between $1.19 (for the smallest jars) and $1.79 (for the biggest), which is nearly twice what Back to the Land charges ($0.89 for any size jar). I'll just have to stock up on baby food whenever I visit Park Slope.
Overall, it's a nice and clean store with a good variety of organic and specialty items and lovely staff, but I probably won't be doing any big shops here again. -
Review from andrew u.
Brooklyn, NY
1/2/2011
Fills a niche. They've definitely got more than a bodega like Mr. Cocos, and they've got better food than the Associated. Do they replace a trip to Fairway? No. Their selection isn't really THAT good, and the prices are really pretty high. That said, they're close by, and they tend to have a good selection of fresh meat and fish. I don't find their vegetables to be anything special. If you're one of those idiots who thinks that buying "organic" is important, and formerly shopped at a lame middle american grocery like Whole Foods, then you'll probably think this is fine. If you spent 10 years in Northern California, like I did, and are used to insanely good produce at insanely cheap prices (Berkeley Bowl, I worship you) then you will be very disappointed. The only thing that comes close to a real Californian grocery store in NYC is Fairway, and the nearest one is located in Red Hook. You have to drive, but it's well worth the trip.
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Review from Joaquin P.
Brooklyn, NY
11/14/2009
I go to this place somewhat frequently because it's in my building, but that's the ONLY reason. Rarely do I buy more then the occasional emergency onion or impulse snack goods. On the couple occasions I have tried to do real "grocery" shopping there I've been bitterly defeated. They are not open enough hours during the day nor do they carry enough basics to qualify as being convenient. The produce is limp and old. The meat and deli counter are disorganized and not well-staffed. It would be great to have either a good prepared foods place, or a good grocery store, nearby. Honestly I would settle for a nice bodega on this side of the BQE. The problem is this place hasn't figured out what it it is yet, and it's doing nothing really well.
Things seems to be getting worse too. There is no purpose or organization to where they put things, and just when you think you know where stuff is, they move things or stop carrying those items altogether. Just recently they moved the cold-cuts over to the where the bakery was and started selling the prepared foods up front. I finally tried the prepared foods, thinking this might be where Fresh Fanatic finally finds it groove. It is not. Everything I've tried has been spiced oddly. The prices aren't outrageous, but they aren't value either. Just today I noticed the NY strip steak sells for $1 more a lb. then off the Fresh Direct web site. FD's steaks delivered to your door are undoubtedly fresher then the brownish slabs they truck out at Fresh Fanatic.
Then there is the most aggravating thing about FF, the total lack of customer service or any real attempt to try and establish a working relationship with the customer base beyond mass mailings and a flashy web site. The cornerstone of a good business is to listen to the customers. When a customer asks why an item is no longer being carried, the proper response from a manager is not to shrug and walk away. None of the counter people seem to be trained at their jobs. Once I could not find anyone to pay for a coffee because the person who made it for me couldn't open the register. I have yet to order something from the deli or meat counter and not have it take FOREVER because the person behind the counter can't figure out how to work something. Several times I have seen people walk out rather than wait in the overly long check out line being manned by one poor teenage girl. This happens while the managers and the rest of the staff are doing god knows what. There just seems to be a general sense of disorganization in the store and an overall lack of any management on the floor. At first I thought I was just opening day jitters but a pattern has emerged and the pattern is not good.
