Tastebud's Natural Foods

I love Tastebuds! I go there every Saturday and Sunday for lunch and to shop. The cook is phenomenal and everyone is so warm and friendly like family with big hearts. The fruits and vegetables are fresh. Love them! The same people are in there every weekend and its called Cheers without the booz. I had surgery recently and the love and support through my whole experience was wonderful! I highly recommend Tastebuds, you will go in there and never leave.

I almost didn't go to Tastebuds because of all of these bad reviews, but I am very glad I went.

To address the person who complained of the smell: that is no longer the case at all. The smell of incense is present as soon as you walk in the door. The place smells fresh and welcoming. Nothing was dusty (and I was reaching onto a bottom shelf, so if there were going to be dust, that would be a prime locale), and there were no flies.

I was greeted by friendly employees happy to answer my questions and help me find what I needed. I was looking for vegan marshmallows, and they were the ONLY place on the Island that had them.

This is an “okay” place if you need organic produce (I hope they really are!) but can’t get off the Island. Service is fine but awkward. All other commodities are overpriced, which is typical for most organic grocers.

The only reason we ever go to Tastebuds is out of desperation. The odor when you first walk in punches you in the face. This is always. There are flies all over. With all this in mind I said ok I will only purchase prepackaged products out of health concerns. I can't tell you how dusty some of the products are, or how outdated either packaging. But the scariest is the expiration dates. Know I can understand missing one or two, but listen to this story. Two weeks ago I went in to get my nephew Hemp milk. There was a brand for $3 and change and one for $4 and change. The one that was $3 and change had about only 2. I only purchased 1 because both had an expiration date of the end of October 2012 and this was around October 1, 2012. I went back today, 10/17/12. Now there were 4 (more than 2 weeks ago) of the same brand that was $3 and change. All 4 had an expiration of May, 2012. WTF. Do they not check what is on their shelves? How can something just put out be older than what was out 2 weeks ago. I really don't understand how after all these years it hasn't been shut down. It truly is one of the filtest stores I've ever walked into. The owners and workers, as nice as they are, should all be asshamed of themselves. I will spend the extra subway fare or gas money and go to Whole Foods in manhattan or Brooklyn than have to deal with that filth and odor. I really do not recommend this place or anything than the Health Department shutting it's doors. It's a real shame. Some other products I went to purchase but they were expired (and I mean by more than say 6 months) gluten free baking soda, Tempt Ice Cream, gluten free bread crumbs. It's bad.

How an organic store can look like this? Leaking ceiling , unwashed old refrigerator in the juice bar. Odor. Horrible place. Never come back.