Key Food Fresh

Key Foods is that magical combination of more expensive than you’d expect and less clean than you would expect. As one of the few full grocery stores in the area, Key Foods seems to not have a great incentive to step up its game.
Produce is hit or miss, though there are clearly more misses than hits. Basic staples are also more expensive than one would expect (for example, $ 6 for a gallon of milk is not out of the question here).
On the plus side, it is conveniently located near the 145 stop on the 1, and as previously mentioned, it is a full grocery store (as opposed to a bodega) so there is a higher chance of you finding what you need (even if it is more expensive). I would recommend taking the 1 down to TJ’s on 72^nd instead, but if you don’t feel like traveling, Key Foods will do in a pinch for necessary items.

With this Key Food, the «Fresh» in the title is definitely a misnomer. The vegetables are unreliable at best, the customer service is shoddy, and the overall experience is a bit of a hit or miss (normally miss).
Why do I give it three stars? There’s something in me that wants to believe in the best of this place. They offer a few vegan options, tofu, have a decent selection of soy/​almond/​rice milks (although I make my own, it’s good to have the option), and occasionally organic options.
I normally go to TJ if I don’t mind the schlep a few stops away, or to Fairway a few blocks away but in a pinch for time, Key Food «Fresh» will do fine.

This place has overpriced EVERYTHING. Whole Foods, Trader Joes and Fairway Market in New York sell almost everything this store has at cheaper price. Simple things like Tapatio hot sauce (Normally $ 1.50) cost almost $ 5.00. Rice Pasta (Normally $ 3.50) is almost $ 6.00. Coconut oil which is fairly cheap these days goes for $ 11.00!!! Robbery. The fruit and vegetables are usually rotting and there is a horrible selection of produce.
I don’t know who is in charge of pricing at this place, but they need to re-​evaluate their pricing strategies. The staff is lovely and keeps the shelves stocked well. The store has a good selection of items but the prices are just outrageous for the quality of meats, produce and fresh items from the deli. There needs to be a mother supermarket in West Harlem!

Just all around HORRIBLE!
I went to the AT&T store across the street then I decided to stop in here. Ughhh bad idea!!!
All I wanted was broccoli, parsley, penne pasta and lemon. Now, I thought it will be a quick stop because there’s about 10mins on the meter!!! Well I thought wrong. Upon entering the supermarket there’s an area for customers to check bags. Now wait a damn minute, which supermarket doesn’t allow you to bring other shopping bags in. The person there stopped me and said I need to check my purse, I told him no. he then explained my bag is big enough to store items. Right away I was annoyed, I not so kindly let him know my Michael Kors bag is worth more than the items I’m picking up. Then I walked away!!! Ridiculous!!! I know he’s doing his job but that really absurd.
The vegetable and fruit section was horrible. Everything looked old, nothing fresh at all. When I got down to the section with the herbs, that area wasn’t labelled at all. Thank goodness I knew what I was looking for, which by the way they didn’t have!!! At this point I’m getting frustrated and my times on the meter is ticking away. Then I decided ok whatever find the penne at least that’s boxed. Ohhh I entered into an aisle where items weren’t on the shelves neatly. The pasta brands were out of order and just my darn luck they didn’t have penne. I’ve NEVER been to a supermarket and they are out of pasta. Most of the time they have so much the darn things are on sale.
At this point meter was down to a minute. So I stormed out, annoyed I wasted so much time and still didn’t get what I wanted.
I learned from this experience that LOCATION matters!!!

Words alone can’t express how much I hate this place, except that every time I go I want to leave by punching all the employees in the head. They have sales on overpriced items, and then when you get to the cash, there are always some cryptic requirements – that are never written in legible print – like a minimum $ 25 purchase, just to save 3 bucks. The place is run by idiots, and the prices went up dramatically after the Key Foods «upgrade», even though none of the products actually did.

«Sigh. This is all the neighborhood needs — ANOTHER supermarket!» I said as I was led into the store.
Welp, it turns out that Key Food Fresh is *exactly* what the neighborhood needs. This is a really nice supermarket! They offer a great selection of products at decent prices. It’s clean, bright, and spacious — or at least what you would consider spacious in Hamilton Heights. You can fit more than one person in an aisle!
The fruits & veggie area isn’t as big as C-​Town, but I think it looks much better. Good selection of cereals too. And honestly, it’s nice to see a meat freezer without leaky animal odds-​and-​ends. There’s even a solid dairy section with lots of options — I’m talking soy, almond, and milks of various percents!
Key Food Fresh is a definite upgrade from C-​Town (More like D-​minus-​Town, amirite?). I kid. KFF is a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I’m sorry for ever doubting you!