Key Food

I’ve been coming here for about 4 years now and it’s been clean and cold ever since, which is good but, when you’re paying close to $ 8 for 2 broccoli heads one must say: «Ummmmmm, it’s broccoli miss. Are you sure about that? Basically, they’re saying: How much could we rise prices before people stop coming? I’m wiling to pay a little more for the convenient location but it’s no longer a «little» more. BTW the aisles are too cluttered with displays. I guess it’s a cool way to meet girls though because they almost have to look at you if you’re trying to get by (I need an emoji here)!

I have climbed the highest mountain up to Journal Square and have run through the fields of Lincoln Park, but I still haven’t found a grocery store in Jersey City that meets my needs and tastes as much as Key Food. It is a proper grocery store; it is larger than the friendly Korean-​owned markets, but smaller than a supermarket. Key Food has a great range of products and brands in a compact footprint. It has a good-​sized produce section with both organic and non-​organic selection. Its club card does provide some decent savings on products on sale. When the Van’s waffles and fresh mozzarella logs go on sale, I stock up. I have been to Shop-​Rite. I have been to Hudson Greene Market. I have been that one in Newport. I have been to Target. I have been to Apna Bazar. I have been to the ugly, disheveled bodega on Brunswick (nice people, though). I have been to both Korean-​owned markets. I am too scared to go to Pathmark. But I keep coming back to Key Food.

I just had to write a review because of all the other complainers who are giving this store less than average reviews. Yes, it’s a slightly cramped store and yes, you don’t shop here for the bargains (welcome to the 6^th Borough.)
I’ve shopped here on and off since moving here in 2012. I’ve seen the store grow and mature since then, attempting to cater to the ex-​NYC crowd including granola-​crunchy types and hipster-​yuppies. I myself have been most excited for the expanding selection of organic/​clean eats options, including several shelves of organic veg/​fruits, grassfed beef, wild fish, and dark chocolate. They even have epic bars, which are huge in that Paleo-​eating world. They also still carry the multicultural staples like plantains (3/​$ 1, if you’ve never cooked with plantains you are missing out!) and huge bags of rice.
They are very open to suggestions– one of my friends was looking for saffron (which they didn’t have at one time and he asked the mgr for it.) The next time he went in there was multiple types of saffron (to his inner chef’s delight.)
I do not shop here weekly, but I think it’s a more than decent option around here and
needs some love and support sent its way.
The cashiers are super nice as well.

From reading previous reviews, it would appear that this place had improved and ameliorated their olfactory issues.
I had a pleasant experience here. Produce was well stocked and healthy looking. Shelves were also well stocked. The place is fairly small and a bit cramped but I found everything I needed.
Veggie burgers are so expensive here though, 5+. They have a good selection of bottled smoothies which is exactly what I was looking for. Happy to have this place within a short walking distance.

This store allows people to bring in dogs. I have mentioned it to staff and their response is there is nothing they can do about it. Pets in grocery stores is a health violation. Today I mentioned to the customer that she is not supposed to bring her dog into the store and she said the dog is a Christian and will be in heaven with all kinds of animals. SMH

Oh Key Food, how I hate you but need you.
This place is way too expensive for random regular items like canned goods and snacks. The produce is above average price, and even worse, is not very good quality. Lots of bruised/​gross fruit. You’re better off at P & K Market.
The stuff in the deli (meatballs, mac n cheese, rotisserie chicken) is mediocre. I usually just come here for uncooked chicken and rolls on the way home from work. Honestly, I’d rather go to Shoprite, but don’t have the time on weekdays. The cashiers are all very nice girls though.

First time other reviews have sparked me to write one in rebuttal.
Yes, its better than C-​Town and that lingering smell of decay wafting from its meat department.
Yes, it is indeed convenient to have it at our disposal in Harsimus Cove. (that is the one star above — and that’s about it.)
However prices are as rapacious as CTown was once (when it only preyed on the inner city car-​less rather than the now baby stroller and two income NY white collar households who choose to go sans voiture). I’d go to the green grocer fer most stuff in the main aisle — and mostly because of pricing as opposed to quality (which was CTown’s historic problem) .
I would invite anyone to compare pricing.
Lets say you forgot to feed your cat — AGAIN! Now you need to run out after work– Organix cat food is $ 17 at Petsmart for 4lb– at KeyTown it is $ 33! Reaching for the Wellness? 18.00 against $ 14.00 online. Or you could get some of that terrible dry stuff that looks too much like cereal for now and hope against hairballs in your favorite kicks.
And, yes — thank you for the gourmet products. Someone needs to school the buyers in cheeses, but overall its gone from a Sears or JC Penny to Old Navy/​Gap. And a far cry from the Whole Foods, which is like Barneys.
Pricing is equally obnoxious but the bigger problem than greed is indifference for those in Hoverround™ wheelchairs. The shelves that they use to fit in more food choices means the aisles are very likely per se Americans with Disabilities Act violations.
(I wish I had standing to sue, but if you know anyone who does please let me know!)
Finally — check the expiration dates. I’ve gotten meat that was past due, and I’m not sure that the owners aren’t using the Food Lion method of scheduling meat rotation.

A couple of years ago, it completely changed over to a nice enjoyable shopping spot. It used to have an awful smell when you walked in.
Now, totally different!
Most noteworthy for me is that they sell humanely raised chicken breast. Their meet selection is fair, not excellent. The seafood could use a makeover to have a larger selection.
The fruits and veggies are decent — they have an organic section. Oh, and they sell no GMO soy tofu. Yay!
This is my spot for groceries (well this and PK Market) — forget Pathmark and Shoprite. They are way too crowded.

I’m un-​impressed with this grocery store, even after the improvements. It’s conveniently located near me, and that is about the only reason I go there. Normally I stop by one of the little Korean grocery stores on my way home.
The staff at the cash registers are sometimes not very professional — they don’t greet me, or they simply chat between themselves in another language whilst serving me. Often they look downright glum. However, the floor staff are very courteous and helpful.
Because of the size of the store, the range of food is somewhat limited, but you can get all the basics. The range of junky, processed foods is quite large. So if you’re after Wonder Bread, Fruit Loops, frozen desserts, etc., this is the place for you. The deli options have increased in the last year or so, and are not bad. The prices are higher than at Shop Rite.

I’m very thankful to have an all around good grocery store walking distance from me. when I can’t make it Trader Joe’s (I got wheels)
It’s just the right size for a local grocery store while still having all the basics — and then some. And it’s CLEAN!
Their produce section is pretty good considering the rep I have heard about Key Food (I’m from Florida — ever heard of PUBLIX!?!) and their meat section seems pretty decent.
I’ve always been able to find what I’ve needed. And everyone who works there is super nice and it never seems to be super crowded despite the smaller size.
All this means I never have to go to Shop Rite (that place is too big and crazy for me) when I have to shop in JC.

Simmer down friends with those four star reviews. I know it probably seems 4 stars coming from C Town but, guys, this place just recently lost the horribly gross bleach/​cat pee scent that it still had for quite some time. And comparable to any other nice grocery store, this place is just not that nice. We are so tainted from C-​Town.
I haven’t really been shopping here as of late but, normally I would purchase anything/​everything that was already expired. Milk, eggs, meat. Gnarly. But now, things are a little bit brighter with the remodeling. The product line here is limited though and doesn’t feature that many sort of higher end even middle of the road brands. I come here for last minute items and the ‘ish I forgot to pick up at other groceries: a quick lime/​lemon/​garlic or even a pint of ice cream or beans/​tomato sauce. I would never mess with the meat/​seafood/​deli counter here. Ever.
The staff is nice enough. The place is never crowded. They just started selling rotisserie chickens (suspect).