01/19/09

bakery items are the only edible thing

by stella005

this store is way overpriced for the quality of the food. $12.50 for a small package of chocolate chip cookies? the prices i wouldn't mind, however, everything i have purchased there beyond the bakery section, has proved to be inedible. The soup tastes worse than that from a midtown lunch spot, and the sushi is completely disgusting. It left the after taste of antibiotics in my mouth, AND stunk up my apartment the entire day that i had eaten it. Another time, i got a pre-made entree (chicken stuffed with spinach) and it made me ill. After eating half of it, i felt sick for a week. They should stick to the breads.

07/10/07

way too expensive, but good bread

by laurainnyc

I will only return to Eli's for bread. There is a great selection for reasonable prices. But the rest of the store is extremely overpriced and not that clean. I don't mind spending a bit more for good food at Whole Foods, but it's very clean and reasonably priced there. I was shocked to find a very small package of crackers for $8. This is just one example. I dont' recommend it.

• Pros: bread
• Cons: price

Eli Zabar got it just right in his Upper East Side food lovers haven.

by Liz Zack

The Scene
If you've frequented Zabars on the Upper West Side, you know that the quarters can be tight. At Eli's, that problem has been solved. Two levels of space with beautifully presented food make this shopping experience feel almost suburban.

The Goods
Enter through the flower shop, packed with Technicolor stems from all over the world. A flat fee of $35 allows you to take your pick from gorgeous vase arrangements. A trip down the escalator brings you to the produce section, where veggies are displayed like gems. There's a great selection of ready-made food here, much of which is available in the attached cafe. Blond-wood bookshelves span the perimeter of the store and house imported pastas, truffles and, upstairs, the baked goods. If you're looking for a food item of the highest quality, chances are you'll find it here.

07/27/06

Bad customer service

by nice1guy

On 7/13/06 I pick up a package of refrig. blintzes for $7.99. Others charge $4.59 for the same item, but this is Eli's, you expect to pay more. Bring it home, heat it up for dinner and take one taste and we notice it's spoiled. Call Eli's that night and a guy name Chu says "no problem, return the packaging and receipt when you can". We were away for a week and on 7/26 I go to the store with receipt and packaging for an exchange. I pick up 2 packages and a manager name Michael and I notice they were moldy also. He says they have been having these problems with this product. It's getting close to dinner time and I said just give me my $7.99 back. Michael said we can't do that. You only get a store credit. I said you guys already ruined one of my dinners, I come back and I am more than happy to use store credit but the product I want to buy once again is moldy, I have lost my appetite for this place, I paid cash, have the store receipt and original packaging and just want my money back. He said that is not store policy and he will not make an exception. This is a store that prides themselves on quality and customer service, they charge 50-75% more than other stores for the same or similar products and they won't give me my money back. The next day I call the store and speak with Ross, the head manager. He said you do not get cash back, only store credit. I will never, ever go to this store again. Any other food store would have given me my cash back, but not at Eli's. They repeatedly sell moldy and spoiled food and won't give cash back on a cash purchase. Shame on Eli Zabar, owner of Eli's and his entire staff.

• Cons: Poor customer service.

02/08/03

Amazing

by PigOutNYC

Some of the user reviews on this site complain about the prices at Eli's. You know what? You get what you pay for. If you can't deal, go to the Food Emporium and stop complaining. I thought the prices at Eli's were perfectly fair and not much different from Citarella. Maybe marginally higher, but then I think Eli's is a nicer store than Citarella, so I'm not going to split hairs about it being a touch more expensive. The store, by the way, is incredibly spacious and relaxing to shop in. Everything they sell is superior quality. The only thing that didn't impress me was the fish. Decent, but nothing great. I guess with Rosedale's and Citarella right near by they figured why bother.

• Pros: Top-notch quality, Huge selection, Spacious and relaxing
• Cons: maybe a touch pricey, fish not spectacular

12/18/02

WAY TOO EXPENSIVE

by kflam

Although you can find obscure items, heirloom tomtoes, handmade Kosher Matza, exotic fruits and custom-butchered meats, you WILL PAY DEARLY for all items here. This is one of the only places that carries Green & Black Organic Chocolates, though - so we forgive. The fresh florist in the front of the store is also EXCELLENT (and, of course, pricey). They had fresh, sweet smelling stick and English Freesia - straight from heaven.

• Pros: High Quality, Variety, Exotic Items
• Cons: Expensive, Pricey, Trop Cher

10/19/02

Can you say overpriced?

by Danieljay

$5 for an apple, $3.50 for an orange, I'm going to the green market! Worst customer service even Eli himself was arrogant & rude.