The New Compare Foods is the best supermarket in the PH/CH area

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The New Compare Foods is the best supermarket in the PH/CH area

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wr
getting it
Joined: Jun '07
Posts: 94

We stopped by this morning. I had heard they had opened recently. Wow amazing produce. Not wrapped in packages like in other supermarkets in the area. Why do they do that anyway ? Wonderful bunches of mint, basel etc etc. It is super clean and they have everything. And it is HUGE. Rivals the Key Foods in Park Slope and much bigger than those on Vandy and Washington. Very happy that they are so close by - no need to go to Prospect Heights/Vandy anymore ! Good prices too.

They are on St Marks between Classon and Franklin..between a bunch a warehouses....open daily 7.30-9pm

# Posted 2 yrs ago
NostrandPark
Crown Heights Blogger
Joined: May '09
Posts: 120

@wr - How does it compare to the Foodtown on Fulton?

A friend had purchased some oxtail from there yesterday and it was a beautiful, well-butchered cut of meat. The nicest cut that I have seen around - from Keyfood, to Foodtown, to even the local farmer's market. So it seemed promising.

I'll definitely head there to check it out myself, but I'm curious what others think.

The one problem that I see is that the block feels like a bit of a wasteland. Intimidating for nighttime excursions... Hopefully they will add some pedestrian friendly improvements to that block.

Nostrand Park. Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Experience the Renaissance. http://www.nostrandpark.com

# Posted 2 yrs ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,021

We've been doing lots of jabbering about it here:

http://brooklynian.com/forum/crown-heights-and-prospect-lefferts-gardens/anyone-know-when-the-new-compare-foods-supermarket-on-st-marks-and-classon-openi/page/3#post-727211

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Cool The Kid
We out this mother effer
Joined: Jan '07
Posts: 1,385

I'm so jealous, seriously

I wonder how rents have been/will be affected

All that block needs is a half decent yuppie bar and it will be the best block in the neighborhood

[
Mamacita said:
I <3 CTK

# Posted 2 yrs ago
xlizellx
rocking it
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,579

Cool The Kid said:

All that block needs is a half decent yuppie bar and it will be the best block in the neighborhood

The block is not nice -- It has nothing on it but this grocery store.
The store is nice - certainly felt like I was visiting my parents - but some prices are not good. Avocados were $2 each! Additionally, since it's not on an Avenue it's a "trip to the grocery store" not a "I need to grab xxx on my way home to make dinner tonight".

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Urbanexplorer
ProCro Ono
Joined: Dec '10
Posts: 116

I've heard that a diner is being built on the corner. The block also has an affordable housing building under construction. I suspect the ISHI condos located on the he same street will eventually become rentals unless sale prices are severely cut, just a hunch. Like western beef, compare foods has a parking lot. Also close to the park place shuttle stop. Seems like a nice block to me.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Jack Krohn
My Baby's Gone Shootin'
Joined: Dec '05
Posts: 1,060

Please, people, stop referring to Vanderbilt Avenue as "Vandy".

Sincerely,
The Management

# Posted 2 yrs ago
wr
getting it
Joined: Jun '07
Posts: 94

@ Jack, last I heard, it's a free country. Mostly.
Thanks

# Posted 2 yrs ago
xlizellx
rocking it
Joined: Jul '08
Posts: 1,579

Here's where they update their weekly sales: http://www.comparesupermarkets.com/showSales.php?SID=68

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Cool The Kid
We out this mother effer
Joined: Jan '07
Posts: 1,385

xlizellx said:
The block is not nice -- It has nothing on it but this grocery store.
The store is nice - certainly felt like I was visiting my parents - but some prices are not good. Avocados were $2 each! Additionally, since it's not on an Avenue it's a "trip to the grocery store" not a "I need to grab xxx on my way home to make dinner tonight".

Sure it's not tree lined or pretty, but w/a bar it would have transit, laundry, entertainment and food all right there.

[
Mamacita said:
I <3 CTK

# Posted 2 yrs ago
grantsquare
rookie newb
Joined: Aug '10
Posts: 25

Also went to Compare for the first time last night. Big, beautiful store with a selection that definitely beats nearby Keys and Foodtowns. Still some items that I'd like to see there, but they have a whole isle of organic foods, great produce selection, a bakery section, and it looks like a seafood counter that is getting ready to be stocked. I don't know of anywhere else to buy fresh seafood in the neighborhood, so fish alone will make Compare a go-to place. Will be interesting to see how Fisher's stock compares to Compare when they open.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
catwalkertexasranger
above average
Joined: Jun '09
Posts: 483

been about 5 times now. They are still doing a great job during the honeymoon. Asked each time I check out if there is something I buy that I didn't find, the check out people write it down and promise to try and stock it if possible. The deli people are going all out with samples and smiles. The wide isles are easy on the cart crashes of Keyfood and NSA. Yo Compare where is the bike rack out front? Prices are below or at average for the area

# Posted 2 yrs ago
eastbloc
comprador bourgeois
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 901

Cool The Kid said:
Sure it's not tree lined or pretty, but w/a bar it would have transit, laundry, entertainment and food all right there.

Why would you want all that _on_ your residential block? Those belong on the commercial strips on the avenues.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
CLAYFILMS
getting it
Joined: Oct '07
Posts: 212

Urbanexplorer said:
Like western beef, compare foods has a parking lot. Also close to the park place shuttle stop. Seems like a nice block to me.

PARKING LOT EH?? nice

# Posted 2 yrs ago
WhyFi
I'm Urban - recognize!
Joined: Jul '05
Posts: 5,268

This just in - the fish is in.

That is all.

...not that there's anything wrong with that.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
eastbloc
comprador bourgeois
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 901

CLAYFILMS said:
PARKING LOT EH?? nice

That's useful, actually. I drive down to the Key Foods on 5th Ave and Sterling now. I find it's the best grocery store within a mile, and it has a parking lot, too.

I'm more likely to check out the Compare knowing I can park there.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
eastbloc
comprador bourgeois
Joined: Jul '09
Posts: 901

Is there bakery bread?

# Posted 2 yrs ago
wr
getting it
Joined: Jun '07
Posts: 94

And the fish is excellent. We just made a linguine mixed with with their fresh calamari --- yum yum yum. I am very happy that they are here.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Urbanexplorer
ProCro Ono
Joined: Dec '10
Posts: 116

Yes, there is bakery bread. I picked up a delicious semolina twist loaf the other day. good stuff!

# Posted 2 yrs ago
Cool The Kid
We out this mother effer
Joined: Jan '07
Posts: 1,385

eastbloc said:
Why would you want all that _on_ your residential block? Those belong on the commercial strips on the avenues.

So I don't have to leave my block. Give me some soundproof windows on a high floor and I'm good to go.

[
Mamacita said:
I <3 CTK

# Posted 2 yrs ago
WhyFi
I'm Urban - recognize!
Joined: Jul '05
Posts: 5,268

I picked up three items items from their bakery this morning. Unfortunately, they were all good. I now see either more bicycling or more fatness in my future.

...not that there's anything wrong with that.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,021

Finally, we have a good reason to hate this place:
It's proximity and quality are detrimental to our health and sex appeal.

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
WhyFi
I'm Urban - recognize!
Joined: Jul '05
Posts: 5,268

I tried making the fat look work for me, but I was never successful.

...not that there's anything wrong with that.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,021

I think the only answer for me, is to once again move to a neighborhood completely devoid of anything I want to eat. Afterall, that's why I moved here about 10 years ago.

....then these damn new stores and restaurants came. They all seem to focus on quality and selection, and I am slowly becoming a lard ass as a result.

Since our pathetic government isn't going to protect me from the health effects of these new stores, I'm beginning to conclude I have no other choice but to once again move some place safer.

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 2 yrs ago
AP
Brooklyn-born, California-grown
Joined: Mar '09
Posts: 160

We enjoy shopping at Compare Foods but because it's not right around the corner, we only make it there 1-2 times a month. By contrast, Bob & Betty's is only a block away and has the added benefit of being between the train station and home, so we shop there several times a week.

Problem is, we figure Bob & Betty's ends up costing us $15-$20 per week more than we'd spend if we went to Compare Foods all the time.

Case in point...these two recently-procured packages of sunflower seeds. Bob & Betty's = $3.99 for 6.5 oz., Compare = $2.15 for 9 oz. Sorry Tony, we like your store but you're not exactly competitively priced!

# Posted 2 mos ago
whynot_31
Former Lurker
Joined: Mar '06
Posts: 16,021

I do not believe B&B is trying to compete with Compare on the basis of price.

As you point out, its strengths are location and service.

Even if it wanted to, I do not believe that any store as small as B&B could compete with Compare. It lacks the economies of scale.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economies_of_scale

For better or worse, the change on Nostrand is going to make the change on Franklin look minor.

# Posted 2 mos ago
pulpandbean
getting it
Joined: Apr '10
Posts: 54

Hello again. While I never claim to be the cheapest, I can claim I am among the freshest. Although I see the comparison between the two packages, I wonder what grade type they are offering. I think the public doesn't know like meat, produce, etc, nuts also come in Fgrades. Nut packers (not being funny) often sell stores grade b or even broken nuts at a steep discount. I do not do this. Like anything else I strive to offer the freshest product to my customers. I appreciate feed back. I am very open to suggestions from customers and wish to maintain great relationship with all. Thanks for your support.

# Posted 2 mos ago
pulpandbean
getting it
Joined: Apr '10
Posts: 54

(Mistyped) grades, not fgrades. Don't hang me.

# Posted 2 mos ago
tateinbk
above average
Joined: Jun '11
Posts: 498

I love the customer service at both places. I get the majority of my food from Compare even though it's a hike, or Met Foods on Nostrand and then I fill in with treats such as dairy free ice cream sandwiches and (non gerber) baby puffs. Yeah, B&B is more expensive, but they've been so good about taking requests and filling them if they can. Everyone is just so stinking nice in there too. The proximity to the 4,5 and late hours only help. The cashiers at Met are also really nice, but that store smells a little more than I prefer and there aren't tons of options. The wide open aisles of Compare make me think I'm shopping in the 'burbs.

I just love having all these grocery store options filled with nice employees. Then throw in the great veggie/fruit markets on Nostrand and the Crown Heights CSA.... It makes me really happy.

# Posted 2 mos ago