Morton Williams

Thank you so much for your response, Avi. As I was an avid Morton William’s shopper for the past 12 years, I beg to differ about all of your prices being «the same in all of our stores.» As you can see by the pictures posted below taken today, the Morton Williams located on 57^th and 1^st avenue location sells the baby bok choy for $ 2.49 per pound. The 48^th and 2^nd street store, which I pointed out on my review, sells the same item, baby bok choy, for $ 3.99 per pound. Obviously, this is not the same price charged for the same item. I am not upset that Food Emporium has closed. I am upset by the fact that your prices on many items are above every other food store in the area, including D’Agostino, Gristedes, and Amish. If all your venders/​markets are so high priced where you have to charge this amount of money, why don’t you respect the consumers and go to a different «market» that could possibly be a lower price? This could be one of many instances, I don’t really know, but since I am a huge bok choy eater and saw the that the price rasied for $ 1.99 per pound to $ 3.99 per pound within the same week, it raised a lot of concern on my part. I hope this enables you to see why this review was posted.

$ 4.95 for a head of ice burg lettuce. $ 7 for tiny bag of jellybeans. Why is beer the standard price yet other items are 3x what they should be. Such a rip off. I feel cheated every time I walk in.

This Morton Williams is now the lone general supermarket in this part of town, as the Food Emporium nearby is going out of business. The store is generally clean and the shelves are stocked, but their selection of items is so limited! They don’t offer a deli section, so there is no option to get freshly sliced lunch meat. They charge $ 9 for a dried up roast chicken. Lastly, they dedicate an entire wall of product to canned fish, but fail to offer many other staples I would expect a grocery to carry.
I’d rather order my groceries for delivery and pay the delivery fee than walk to Morton Williams.

I bought two large packs of cut fruits and one sushi. One of them –watermelon – burst open when I ripped the seal. The phenomenon was rather like a little bomb exploded and what was inside turned out all rotten. It was way before its expiration date so I was not sure how to make of the situation. The only indication was the big burst. I figured the rotting process compressed the air to the extent of its pushing the lid open as it actually did. Now with this science experiment, I was one watermelon pack wiser. But this scientific dawning on made me feel even resentful. Now I know what happens when watermelon goes bad. But what am I going to do with this new knowledge? Becoming more of a discerning consumer and not to grab a bad pack again? Sure I won’t but I had to discard the entire pack because I was too far from the site already to go complain or ask for reimbursement.
I certainly won’t go back so no more watermelon bomb. Regarding other packs, the sushi’s freshness was questionable but I did not get food poisoned. Should I be thankful for that? What a rotten shopping experience. More importantly, what a rotten store.

It’s pretty gross, feels rather dirty, I’d be scared to buy sushi here, but this supermarket has the best prices (mostly when you shop on sale) by far in the neighborhood. Thanks for not ripping people off Morton.

I have to say, the people the work here are the rudest, most unfriendly, unhappy employees i have come across. the women at the checkout do not even look you in the eye or say hello or goodbye. they are just nasty. horrible.

Nastiest man behind the cold-​cut /​deli counter! Seldom do I walk out of places and this was a first. After finishing a joyful chat with patron in front of me, a worn-​out Santa Claus doppelgänger proceeds to shout (although I’m right in front of the counter). When I ask him about making an Italian sub (for reference that includes: Grande Pepperoni, Hot Dry Capocollo, Salami Natural Casing, Picante Provolone Cheese) he informs me that b/​c he does not know how to make it he will charge me $ 9.99. Yes what a fantastic suggestion! There is nothing more that I enjoy than paying a premium for ignorance.

Not too long ago, I started to notice a changed employee attitude… in the hot food section. There are many buffets springing up in midtown. Some are a little too expensive; some have tables and some don’t (this one doesn’t).
But overall, the quality has been uneven. This particular in-​supermarket buffet didn’t have seating quarters, but usually had a nice variety of fresh fish I would enjoy in my car while on the job. If you can’t cook — like me — this is the closest thing to home cooking I experience, although my late mother — RIP– was an Old World supremely fine cook.
So I was very disappointed several times in the past few months when the leftovers were clearly re-​heated and allowed to stand there in the open, like a festering sore — especially the salmon, with what seemed like pond scum floating in the liquid. More than once, I had second thoughts when fear overcame me and I threw my entire tray into the garbage can — even food from the green salad section.
I once ate the steamed vegetables that had become one single mass, that the «attendant» had been turning over with a spatula, and got the predictable results. big «D» diarrhea.
Yesterday, a ham and cheese sandwich had a definite «freshness date”-change — the date was later than on the other heroes, but the bread was near-​rock hard, and the ham was dried, clumped, curved, salty and discolored on the edges. The container of coleslaw was also flat and somewhat gross, whereas it had been tangy and fresh at other times.
Updated to two «YUCKS!»

It’s super hit or miss with the cashiers. Maria is so nice but sometimes you can get the rudest people who don’t respond to casual pleasantries and throw your produce on top of each other with no concern for bruising. Also word to the wise– ALWAYS check what you buy. I frequently notice items on sale that I have to correct because they ring up incorrectly. You’d be better off going to the food emporium on first. When their products ring up incorrectly they give them to you for free.

I like their prepared foods section. They even have a fresh sushi bar, made to order, if you are there when the sushi employee (s) are there. I usually get their «green spicy roll sushi» and kale salad, which includes mixed fruits and seeds. Yum! The décor may need updating and I caught some of their Ghirardelli chocolate still on the shelf in mid-​late April, despite expiration date being Dec. 31, 2014. Also, some rice and whole grain cakes in a basket were priced incorrectly and the manager honored the lower price. Overall, I walk there from 5^th Avenue to get what I want. It’s a perfect lunch spot for great prices! I am going back. It happens to be right next to a red mango, so it’s nice to get dessert there right after. Heehee!

Nice upscale neighborhood grocery store. Lots of goodies you won’t find at standard stores. Meats and veggies are fresh. Lots of different choices in most categories.

So the sign states 24 hours 7 days a week. And yet they wouldn’t allow me to enter at 2am. Very rude and obnoxious irregardless of the time you enter. Stay away if you want courteous service

This place is extremely racist and needs to be exposed!!!
I work not too far from here and would go in after work if I needed light groceries before going home and have been meaning to write a review. About two years ago after work, dressed very professionally, I went in for spaghetti sauce and noticed a short man, presumably security, following me around the store. He followed me around every aisle and turn I made and was very conspicuous about it. If I was stopped within an aisle, either he was standing within the aisle or outside the aisle watching my every move. I was so upset and uncomfortable that I told the store manager who acted surprised and indifferent about the incident. I did not go back in that store for about a year.
Then I went back a few times last year (due to being desperate for groceries and not remembering the earlier incident) It happened a few times again and I even looked around at other black and brown people and noticed he did the same exact thing. I stormed out after about the 4^th time last year of being followed and did not go back in until a few weeks ago when the SAME short security guy did it AGAIN. I was I there buying nuts and he followed me around and every aisles.
This type of profiling from a business is unacceptable and unjust. With the amount of black and Hispanic employees, I would think they would take a stand against the treatment of consumers that look like them. I will NEVER shop at another Morton William supermarket.
I encourage ANYONE who has ever experienced or witness this to stop shopping here and leave your experience here on Unilocal so this location can be exposed for its racial profiling tactics and lose business!

So before I moved to the Joizee Shoa this was Associated Supermarket. After I returned to NYC earlier this year, I found Morton Williams. Same difference, really.
My re-​introduction to MW began with a yuppie waiting for a green light speaking on his phone to (assumingly) another yuppie: «So shall I go to Wholefoods or the cr@ppy supermarket?»
Go to Wholefoods. You deserve to get scammed and overcharged.
MW is fine. Moreover, if you are any sort of ethnic or a daughter of a well-​travelled diplomat, you will think ««SCORE!» more than once. Being close to the UN and, therefore, to apartments where UN employees and diplomats live is not lost on the store’s buyers. Good job.
German? Indinan? Brit? Chinese? French? Eastern European? You will find the basics here to (at the very least) tide you over till the week-​end trip to your ethnic grocery of choice.
The ethnic goods are spread throughout, but the bulk is in the cubbies off the fruits.
Where we belong. :)
Well-​organized store, albeit the customers tend to be very self-​important. Just smile at them. Freaks them out and they freeze trying to adjust and find an appropriate response (they’ll likely return your smile 10 minutes later in a different aisle).
Always sufficient check-​out. FAB delivery staff. Tip them heavily. They’ve earned it. But they’ll not treat you poorly if you don’t (Karma will, though).
Deli people are great. I *heart* them. They always accommodate, and remember your preferences. Deli stuff/​salads are yummy (except for cold cuts — see below; not the quality, the company). Chopped chicken livers is deeeeelishuzzzzzz. Pork loin mmmmmmmm.
The carrots rule (the one-​huge-​orange-​one-​to-​feed-​your-​horse — not the one in my avi, but close).
Why 4 then?
(A) no discount program. They need a «club card», particularly as they carry LOTS of ShopRite stuff.
(B) no online ordering. I hate no online ordering. No online ordering seriously p’s me off.
© deli lacks non-Boar’s Head stuff. Seriously? You carry Schaller & Webber pre-​packaged meats, but can’t carry their deli? Or Pulaski? (Can’t stand Boar’s Head)
(D) a bit reluctant on trusting labels. I saw a walnut cheese that was about to expire, next day saw same piece re-​labeled. Not happy about that.
(E) brown organic eggs (jumbo, please) should come in dozens as well as half-​dozens. Seriously. Me no likey «medium». JUMBO.
And a personal note — half&half should be available in half-​gallons. Meatloaf blend meat should be available in smaller portions. In general, a «2-​people» meat section would be great.
To summarize: no store is worth my going any further than across the street. I have been very happy shopping here.

The older man in the back in the deli is a bully to his younger co-​workers. Horrible! The younger guys behind the counter were nice and kept on smiling serving us even though there were unfairly being berated by this grumpy worker

Supermarkets in Manhattan are tough. They are cramped, overpriced and have a limited selection. The upside is that everything can be delivered in a short period of time.
This Morton Williams isn’t bad, by Manhattan standards. Prices are competitive for the area and the produce is probably the best there is in a 5 block radius. Household good selection is ok — not great — but ok. Decent specialty and international selection and medium sized butcher.
The staff is pretty efficient and friendly.

Decent grocery store in Midtown East with good prices! The layout isn’t as confusing as some other groceries in Manhattan, and the prices are good compared to other stores in the area. If you need stuff for an office party or something along those lines, skip the bodega and stop here.
Cheers,
Wilkie

Morton Williams is my secondary supermarket. When I need a large shopping trip to last me a week or so, I go to Fairway. If I need enough food for a meal or two (or a few ingredients, even) I come here because it’s on my way back from work (and Fairway is a way’s away from where I live).
Pros: I can select the size of many veggies, for example there’s a green bean basket, so I don’t have to commit myself to buying a 5 lb. bag of beans. This isn’t the case as much with meat (which mostly comes in standard 1 lb. sizes, too much for a bachelor in the City), but I do give them props for having good cuts of meat. I’m able to get things like antibiotic free or more premium cuts like oxtail.
Their fresh mozzarella is, well, surprisingly fresh, and you can buy it in different sizes (i.e. a $ 3 ball is perfect for a pizza for one).
Cons: pricier than Fairway for most of my daily staples (like copious amounts of Greek yogurt). Less variety for more exotic items like tahini.
Most importantly though, the biggest drawbacks for me are store layout. The hallways are very narrow, making it difficult for two people to share a hallway (can’t imagine what it’d be like for me which my foldable grocery cart that I take back to the apartment). Also, there are not that many checkout lanes. As a side note, the cashiers are never particularly friendly, but it may just be because I only go here if I need something after work.
MW: Adequate for what it is.

Why I’m breaking up with Morton Williams —
It just goes to show that years of satisfactory service can be washed away by one angry birthday boy behind the deli counter. Typically, encountering a deli counter worker enthusiastic enough to scrawl birthday quotes all over his hat would lead me to believe I was happening upon the an uncharacteristically cheerful guy. Apparently not.
After doing his best to ignore my presence at the counter for a solid two minutes, birthday boy eventually threw me a glance of utter distaste followed by a thrown towel, audible curses, and a genuine understanding that this guy would rather do anything else in the world but slice up my order of cold cuts. Look birthday boy, I didn’t want to go to work on a Monday after a summer weekend either, but welcome to real life.
After doing a pull up or two (seriously) on the meat rack, he finally decides to find that gold old boars head deep in the back. Now appreciate it as I may that you chose to constructively use your anger instead of wield that game of thrones sized knife they give you, you’ve got to be joking.
After spending some time with the sealed package, I see what I can only interpret as an attempt to stab himself with the deli knife and proceed to bleed all over the turkey. He then called someone to take his place in what must have been the most elaborate attempt to get out of work I’ve ever witnessed. Game over.
I’d say «it’s not you, it’s me»…but it’s you. Never again.

I work nearby and come here all the time for cheap lunch options.
They have a really nice deli and consider this the best cheap sandwich option in Midtown East. I usually get a roll (that I pick myself from the bins they have set up), which will run you less than $ 6 if you get meat with lettuce, onion, etc. Their roast beef is really good, as well as their chicken cutlets. Be sure to ask for a card at the register since every 8^th sandwich is free!
I’m a huge fan of their soups. They have 6 soup options every day, one is always chicken soup. Not every soup is that great, but they usually have 1 thing I like. A pint of soup is only $ 3.50. So far I love the Italian Wedding, Chicken, Yankee Bean, Split Pea and Shrimp and Rice soups.
Their hot buffet looks good, but I never go for it — I’m not good at picking out a meal based on weight.
The only thing I wish they had was a way to check out which soups they have before I walk over there. Every so often they don’t have one I like, but then you can just get a sandwich.