Some grocery stores still have a real butcher behind the counter, a deli slicer that never seems to stop, and shelves stocked with things the big chains never carry. New York has held on to more of these places than you might think, from Buffalo and Rochester to Arthur Avenue in the Bronx.
This list covers eight markets that still run the old way, with family ownership, counter service, imported cheeses, handmade sausage, and the kind of specialty items your grandmother would recognize. Some have moved over the years, and some have stayed on the same block, but all of them prove that New York has not handed every good thing over to self-checkout.
Each stop below comes with practical details like hours and parking, so you can plan a trip instead of just reading about one. Bring a cooler bag, an appetite, and maybe someone who remembers how shopping used to work.
1. Chanatry’s, Utica, NY
Ask anyone in Utica where to buy a good roast, and Chanatry’s tends to come up fast. The meat department is the main draw here, with butcher cuts that keep regulars coming back week after week.
It still runs like an authentic New York neighborhood grocery. You will find a bakery, prepared foods, a pharmacy, and strong produce under one roof on French Road.
The shelves also carry regional products and items you will not spot at the chains. That mix makes it a smart stop when you want something a little different for Sunday dinner.
Hours are generous, 7 AM to 9 PM every day of the week. Afternoons and early evenings get busy, so mornings are the easier window.
Curbside pickup is available, and there is on-site parking. I would save this one for stocking up before a family gathering.
2. Cardona’s Market, Albany, NY
Shoppers who grew up around old Italian neighborhoods often find something familiar on Delaware Avenue. Cardona’s Market is an Italian market and deli with the quality and selection of the classic shops in places like Providence’s Federal Hill.
The traditional butcher counter is a big part of the appeal. Gourmet cheeses and specialty sandwiches round out the reasons to stop.
There is also a bakery section, prepared foods, and good produce. It is a compact, quick-visit kind of place, which suits a lunch run or a weekday errand.
Hours are 9 AM to 6:30 PM Monday through Saturday and 9 AM to 3 PM on Sunday. Sunday morning is typically the quietest time.
Free street parking nearby makes it easy. Delivery and in-store pickup are offered too, if you would rather call ahead.
3. Rubino’s Italian Foods, Rochester, NY
Some Rochester families have reportedly been shopping at Rubino’s for around 60 years, going back to when the store sat on Portland Avenue. That kind of loyalty says plenty before you even reach the counter.
Today the family-owned Italian grocery and deli is on East Ridge Road. The handcrafted sausages are a signature, and the fresh subs make it a reliable lunch stop.
Beyond the deli, you will find a bakery, organic products, prepared foods, and a salad bar. Produce gets solid attention here as well.
Hours run 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM Monday through Saturday and 9 AM to 2 PM on Sunday. Weekends and weekday afternoons draw the biggest crowds.
There is a free parking lot on site. One small note: the store does not have a public restroom.
Curbside pickup and delivery are available for busy weeks. Still, picking out your own sausage is half the fun.
4. Nichols Supermarket, Liverpool, NY
Walking into Nichols is a bit like stepping into a grocery store from another era, in the best way. The Liverpool supermarket is long-standing and family-owned, and it has kept the old setup intact.
That means a real butcher department, a traditional deli, and a bakery. Those three counters are exactly what many shoppers miss at bigger stores.
You can also find organic products, prepared foods, and good produce. Check cashing is offered too, a small service that fits the neighborhood feel.
The store sits on 1st Street and is open 7 AM to 9 PM daily. Weekends get busy, while Wednesday morning is usually the calmest.
Parking is easy with a free lot and free street parking. Delivery is not offered, so plan to shop in person.
5. The Broadway Market, Buffalo, NY
Butter lambs are the first thing many Buffalonians think of when this East Side market comes up. Malczewski’s Butter Lambs is one of the vendors, and those little butter sculptures are a Buffalo tradition.
The Broadway Market is a longtime market filled with small shops. Butchers, fish sellers, bakers, and food vendors serve both raw and cooked items.
Babcia’s Pierogi is another stop, with options like stuffed banana pepper pierogi. You can also find candy, clothing, jewelry, and odds and ends you will not see at a regular grocery store.
Hours are 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Saturday, and it is closed on Sunday. Late-week mornings and afternoons are typically the busiest.
Parking is simple, with a free garage, a free lot, and free street spots. Security staff walk the market, which helps it stay comfortable for families.
Live music sometimes adds to the experience. It is the sort of place people visit once a year and talk about all year.
6. Di Palo’s Fine Foods, New York, NY
People who grew up on Grand Street in the late 1940s still talk about Di Palo’s. That is a long memory for a shop, and it fits the place well.
Di Palo’s Fine Foods is a family-owned Italian shop known for artisanal cheeses and cured meats. Pasta, sauces, bread, and pantry items fill out the rest of the store.
Expect a line at busy times. The wait can be long, but most shoppers treat it as part of the visit.
Hours are 9:30 AM to 6 PM Monday through Saturday and 9:30 AM to 5 PM on Sunday. Monday evening is usually the quietest stretch.
Delivery is offered if you cannot make the trip. Outer-borough shoppers heading to Little Italy will want to bring a list and some patience.
7. Sahadi’s, Brooklyn, NY
Olive lovers, this one is for you. The olive bar at Sahadi’s is a highlight, and it sits alongside bulk spices, coffee, oils, and cheeses on Atlantic Avenue.
Sahadi’s is a Middle Eastern grocery with bulk and prepared foods. Shelves and counters hold items like taralli, whole wheat couscous, labneh, and jarred eggplant salad.
There is a bakery section and a salad bar too. Gift baskets make it an easy stop before a holiday visit.
Hours are 10 AM to 7 PM every day. Thursday evening tends to be the quietest time to shop.
Parking is paid street parking, so transit may be easier. Curbside pickup and delivery are available if you know what you want.
8. Teitel Brothers, Bronx, NY
Arthur Avenue has plenty of famous names, and Teitel Brothers is one of the historic ones. This Italian grocery is a genuine Bronx neighborhood shop.
The store offers a wide selection of imported cheeses, cold cuts, and pantry staples. Regulars have been coming for years for the meats and cheeses.
It is friendly and well stocked. Product quality is a big reason families keep returning.
Hours are early, 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Saturday, and it is closed Sunday. Weekday mornings are generally quieter than Saturday.
Parking is paid street parking, so give yourself time on a busy day. Delivery and in-store pickup are offered as well.
Pair a stop here with a walk down the avenue. It is an easy way to spend a Saturday morning in the Bronx.
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