Shout Outs
Maria's Deli
The name was Maria’s Deli. But I called it Julio’s. That was the owner. A lover of baseball and the Cleveland Indians. A game always on the top shelf tv. We’d talk about him having the cheapest six-pack in the hood ($6), playing the lotto and tickets he’d cashed, and his cat. Sometimes the cat wasn’t there and I’d ask. Julio would say he’d sent him off to his brother’s farm for vacation. Couple weeks later, the cat was back. Julio’s isn’t on that Graham Ave corner any longer. But I still text my old roommates every time I walk by. Thanks, Julio.
Will - Brooklyn
New York Deli & Grocery
When I moved into my first Brooklyn apartment, I had never even see the neighborhood before. Coming from LA, where were all the grocery stores? Everything was small. Were those little “corner stores” what everyone used to buy food? Were those what people called “bodegas”? Yes, and yes. Mine was called “New York Deli & Grocery” and it was run by two twin brothers. They were always there when I needed a snack (usually a pint of ice cream), carried legit craft beer, and made killer sandwiches. But the best part was whenever they rung people up at the counter, they announced the price in pennies. So they’d say “That’ll be 2000 pennies” but kind of swallow the “pennies” part. I could always tell the new patrons when I’d be in line and someone would inevitably go “Wait, how much!?” And then they’d chuckle and take the $20 bill from the customer. When it was my turn in line, he and I would share a knowing smile as I stepped up to the counter. It was everything I hoped my first neighborhood bodega would be.
Ryan - Brooklyn
K & K Deli
K&K deli, LES, hit it up before and after every session at the skatepark across the street. Gil (the owner) would always greet me with, “when’s the next skateboard event” as those were his big money days. After the session he always has a Kit Kat in the fridge for me (as we all know most delis are too hot and those kit kats are ½ melted) Nothin’ like a crispy, chilled kit kat and cold water after a session. Thanks Gil!
Steve - Manhattan
Jenesis Grocery Corporation
The name is Jenesis Grocery Corporation. I don’t really know the owner’s name. It’s a few people that rotate in the bodega. It’s always a chill vibe. They don’t speak much but they are always jamming some Latin music. On Friday nights, it gets pretty wild in the area because there are people hanging out inside or outside. Everyone’s super nice though.
Orlando - Brooklyn
Dawa 91
If I need to grab a quick beer or some chips or something, I’ve got a few options. There are several bodegas near me but only one of them has earned my loyalty forever. I was making my way home from the bars one night that had turned into a morning, on 2nd ave. On those kind of nights there's a point where food goes beyond a craving and becomes mandatory for your health. If you could see a doctor at that moment, they would actually prescribe you a bodega sandwich because it’s what your body needs to survive. That’s exactly what Dawa 91 gave me; a medicinal turkey club that pulled me back from death’s door. They piled it extra high, an adjective which also describes the man who made my sandwich, because they could tell I needed it. They were there for me in my moment of need and that’s how they became my go-to bodega.
Ryan - Manhattan