Smile Deli

I was so sad when smile was closed for renovation. I love this place. Im pretty much there every day. Very friendly staff and great variety .cant beat it. It looks so much nicer now and ill definitely continue going to smile. :)

Smile Deli reopened and it’s a whole new store. Bright, clean, new furnishings, new refrigerators, new floor, and I was pleased to see they retained the original staff. Good luck Smile — I’m sure the great renovation will attract customers.

The one time I went in this place it smelled like cat litter. There were empty/​broken freezers, the lights were dim and I couldn’t imagine purchasing (let alone eating) anything in that place. It was dirty and scary. Just go to Jin’s.

This place gets 3 stars because it is open 24 hours, has a decent variety, and for what it’s worth — better prices than Jin’s Super (expensive)ette a few doors down. I wish the vegetables were cheaper, but at least they are fresh for the most part and «do the job» when I’m in need of a few last ingredients to finish off making dinner. I can’t say all the workers greet me with a smile, despite what the name depicts.

This place is overpriced. Strawberries for $ 4? I guess it’s better than $ 8 at Jin’s. Did you know you can get decently fresh produce like STRAWBERRIES for $ 1 on the street on broadway? The other produce is overpriced as well, and some of the vegetables and herbs are moldy. I also got turkey at the deli and it tasted horrible. Not only that but the guy at the deli had a really bad attitude when I asked him if he could get me the sliced turkey
The cheese selection is mediocre. Most if the staff doesn’t speak English and they rush and stare you down until you pay at the register.
Overall this is a convenient spot to get most groceries you need, and nothing more.

I used to live around the corner from Smile Deli. The only reason I give it 3 stars is that is as located very conveniently from where I was living and they sometimes had some good sales on fruits.
The prices are outrageous for where it is located and the deli department was rarely in use. The veggies which you could find inside was rarely any good.
You can get the basic that you need, which is why it is there. But I do not see this Deli as any better or worse than any other Delis I have encountered.

This place has EVERYTHING. Just try to stump them. And open all the time. They could keep their fridge a tad bit cooler. We do over half our shopping here.

I think the only reason this store has a door is for climate control cause it’s not really needed as it’s ALWAYS open. Leaving home in the early morning, open … getting home late at night, open.
Whether you need some milk for your cereal or some fresh fruit, this «corner store » has it all.

They get a bonus for being open 24 hours, definitely a plus.
Decent selection of items, but you definitely pay more for the convenience.
Overall the staff is pretty friendly and helpful if you need them.

First, what these reviewers say is true. Very nice variety, rivaling that of Mr. Jin’s up the street, although Jin’s is a touch better. Smile is cheaper, and I must thank the fine folks here for teaching me that just because it is cheaper, it is not necessarily the better choice. The produce is questionable at best. Eating it won’t make you sick, but it will make you ponder the sorry state of the world today.
Here’s a replay of my last experience at Smile, about a month before I moved out of the ‘hood.
I was in a rush one day, flew off the A train, stopped at Smile on my way home and bought the first loaf of bread I spied. I get it home, open up the package. Oh, wait, it is already open! Oh wait, someone already felt it up and mushed the bread together.
I take it back to the store. «I want a refund,» I say, still disgusted that someone put this back on the shelf and these people were selling it, maybe knowingly, and trying to give them the benefit of the doubt. I had gotten screwed a few times in the Heights, so I was a tad wary.
«This bread is, um, used. And stuff.»
Checkout chickenhead, between smacks of gum: «Ain’t no body heah to give jou ya money back, OK? Why don you juss keep it, OK?»
Lady behind me, hair in curlers: «Yah, jou can steel use eet.»
I put the bread on the counter and left. There was no telling what else I had consumed from there that had already been «felt up» by nasty people. The thought of it made me ill.
I decided to continue to help Mr. Jin become a rich man.
So while everything may seem peachy keen, especially if you’ve shopped here for months or even years, watch your back. And your bread.
Damn, I loved this neighborhood so much. But Smile was a sign that I just had to go. Proof positive that the further east you get on 181^st, the more things change, and not for better.

They sell oatmeal bread here… who knew?