Shopping - New York City Free and Dirt Cheap - page 154

May Wah Healthy Vegetarian Food, Inc. Sometimes a vegetarian needs a break from the bean sprout and tofu
regimen. The Chinese are fake meat experts, and this little Chinatown shop has a massive selection. A big pack-
age of frozen unchicken nuggets is only $4.15, and my personal favorite, citrus spare ribs, are only $3.45. 213 Hester
St., btw. Centre St. and Centre Market Place. 212/334-4428. www.vegieworld.com . Subway: J/N/Q/R/Z/6 to Canal St.
Park Slope Food Coop This Brooklyn legend is as much a lifestyle as a grocery store. Members have to share
in hard labor (almost 3 hours every 4 weeks) for the privilege of shopping here, but their reward is the healthi-
est and most affordable food around. Most produce travels less than 500 miles, and markups are capped at 21%.
I'm a member and find the pricing transparency fascinating: You learn that supermarkets aren't so bad on some
dairy products, but they really put the screws to you for cheese and spices. (See p. 138 for information on free
community lectures and screenings.) 782 Union St., btw. Sixth and Seventh aves., Park Slope, Brooklyn. 718/622-0560. www.foodcoop.com .
Subway: R to Union St.; 2/3 to Grand Army Plaza; B/Q to Seventh Ave.
Sahadi's This brightly lit and perennially mobbed Brooklyn grocery store is a great source for Middle Eastern
cooking staples. Dozens of varieties of olive oil are available, as are nuts, dried fruits, olives, lentils, chickpeas,
and of course top-quality mahleb (the Lebanese seasoning made from the insides of cherry pits). 187-189 Atlantic Ave.,
btw. Court and Clinton sts., Boerum Hill, Brooklyn. 718/624-4550. www.sahadis.com . Subway: 2/3/4/5 to Borough Hall; A/C/F/R to Jay St./Metro Tech.
Trader Joe's Few new arrivals in the city have been awaited as breathlessly, by Californians and non-Califor-
nians alike, as Trader's. This legendary grocery store sells its own brands, eliminating the middle man and his
attendant price premiums. Beyond the great prices are great products, with fresh, often organic ingredients.
Somehow the Hawaiian-shirt-wearing staff stays California-friendly, despite the hordes of hard-core New York
shoppers. The wine shop next door carries legendary and quite drinkable “Two-Buck Chuck” (though in New
York, Charles Shaw's finest runs us 3 bucks). 142 E. 14th St., btw. Third Ave. and Irving Place (wine shop at #138). 212/529-4612.
www.traderjoes.com . Subway: L to Third Ave.; N/Q/R/4/5/6 to 14th St./Union Sq. Other locations: Chelsea, 675 Sixth Ave., btw. 21st and 22nd sts. Subway: F/M to
23rd St. UpperWestSide, 200 W. 72nd St., at Broadway. 212/799-0028. Subway: 1/2/3 to 72nd St. CobbleHill,Brooklyn, 130 Court St., at Atlantic Ave.
718/246-8460. Subway: R to Court St.; 2/3/4/5 to Borough Hall. ForestHills,Queens, 90-30 Metropolitan Ave., at 73rd Ave. 718/275-1791. Subway: E/F/R
to 71st Ave./Forest Hills.
Buying in Bulk for Less at Costco
New York City boasts four Costcos, and the warehouse club finally made its way to Manhattan with great fanfare in 2009.
The rest of the country has long headed to Costco for bulk everything, but it takes a little more savvy to get a member-
ship's worth if you're taking your stuff home to a NYC apartment and don't want a giant package of paper towels to replace
your couch. What makes the investment (starting at $55 a year) a good one in the city? Some people share the member-
ship with friends, and split their hauls in the parking lot (and some use their Zipcar memberships for trips to stock up at
Costco). Others take advantage of the discount pharmacies and opticians in stores, and book their travel on the Costco
website. We get all our paper goods and cleaning supplies at our Costco (Long Island City), and take advantage of the
deeply discounted coffee, vitamins, and high-quality meats and fish (we might freeze most of a package of a dozen or so
boneless, skinless, chicken breasts), and organic milk. Their Kirkland house brand stands up well to the major national
brands that are also on the (huge) shelves and is frequently a better bargain. And, there are always tasty samples on
offer: which is how we got hooked on the Santa Barbara Mango Salsa with Peach. Costco is also a great place to buy
inexpensive but good-quality party foods, ranging from prepared trays of snacks or veggies to cases of beer and soda,
chips, dips and fruits and veggies. Manhattan, 517 E. 117th St. 212/896-5873. Other locations: Queens, 32-50 Vernon
Blvd., Long Island City. 718/267-3680. Queens: 61-35 Junction Blvd., Rego Park. 718/760-6470. Brooklyn, 976
3rd Ave. 718/965-7603.
—Kathleen Warnock
Electronics