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Smile Deli
Rating Details »
- Nearest Transit:
-
181st St (A)
181st St (1)
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
7 reviews for Smile Deli
I think the only reason this store has a door is for climate control cause it's not really needed as it's ALWAYS open. Leaving home in the early morning, open ... getting home late at night, open.
Whether you need some milk for your cereal or some fresh fruit, this " corner store " has it all.
Better prices and wider selection than Jin's , I'm not sure what to think of the meat counter.
They get a bonus for being open 24 hours, definitely a plus.
Decent selection of items, but you definitely pay more for the convenience.
Overall the staff is pretty friendly and helpful if you need them.
First, what these reviewers say is true. Very nice variety, rivaling that of Mr. Jin's up the street, although Jin's is a touch better. Smile is cheaper, and I must thank the fine folks here for teaching me that just because it is cheaper, it is not necessarily the better choice. The produce is questionable at best. Eating it won't make you sick, but it will make you ponder the sorry state of the world today.
Here's a replay of my last experience at Smile, about a month before I moved out of the 'hood.
I was in a rush one day, flew off the A train, stopped at Smile on my way home and bought the first loaf of bread I spied. I get it home, open up the package. Oh, wait, it is already open! Oh wait, someone already felt it up and mushed the bread together.
I take it back to the store. "I want a refund," I say, still disgusted that someone put this back on the shelf and these people were selling it, maybe knowingly, and trying to give them the benefit of the doubt. I had gotten screwed a few times in the Heights, so I was a tad wary.
"This bread is, um, used. And stuff."
Checkout chickenhead, between smacks of gum: "Ain't no body heah to give jou ya money back, OK? Why don you juss keep it, OK?"
Lady behind me, hair in curlers: "Yah, jou can steel use eet."
I put the bread on the counter and left. There was no telling what else I had consumed from there that had already been "felt up" by nasty people. The thought of it made me ill.
I decided to continue to help Mr. Jin become a rich man.
So while everything may seem peachy keen, especially if you've shopped here for months or even years, watch your back. And your bread.
Damn, I loved this neighborhood so much. But Smile was a sign that I just had to go. Proof positive that the further east you get on 181st, the more things change, and not for better.
24 hours, and nice staff. Decent selection overall, though the milk can go badly quickly. They carry a wide range of groceries and sundries, and a bunch of asian supplies you don't usually see uptown, including fresh yakisoba, udon, and miso.
I usually go here or to Jin's for most of my groceries, unless I'm motivated to walk to one of the bigger, more distant supermarkets.
If only they'd carry flowers!
This store carries a lot of items that some other stores don't.They have a very limited variety of kosher products so people still have to go up to 187 St and B'way-Key Food to get their kosher items. They do have kosher milk and they have the lowest prices on eggs and many fruits and vegetables are a little lower in price but some are poorer in quality than anywhere else in the area. The people working there are not too friendly,especially if you are not hispanic. They have dirty workers setting up the vegetables on the stand and do not like to take back bottles for deposit refund. Buyer beware! They do come in handy if you know how to shop and compare.
they take credit cards. they sometimes have blue chips for sale. if you need microwave popcorn, double stuff oreos, and juice, they have it all. and if you like cheap fruit, they've got the best cheap fruit in all of washington heights (you get what you pay for though - it won't make you sick but it's not ambrosia either).
