Tastebud's Natural Foods

"Amazing location for organic and vegan ingredients they are the only ones who carry this amazing vegan Primal brand Alfredo sauce no one else has definitely a great store for all your health food and health goal needs"

"So I've been going to tastebud's for years and years, I grew up five minutes drive away and when I started really getting into holistic living in my 20s it was a point of interest when moving back to Staten Island. There were and still are issues with the store, for instance a lot of their perishable foods are spoiled. I can't count how many times I've purchased vegan cream cheese or other such similar products to that, that they had mold on them. I never brought back the items because I appreciated it was a small business and the owners and staff were generally kind to me, I could also afford to throw away a spoiled item or two at that point. About a month or so ago that all went out the window. I came in from the hospital where my mother had been in and out of for weeks, she couldn't eat solid food and wanted something more nutritious than the hospital food sludge they offered so I wanted to get my mom a smoothie and bring it back to her. I walk in at 5:30 PM. Note their closing time is 7 pm. I walk to the smoothie area where I see a customer hand the smoothie maker behind the counter a crisp $20 bill. I thought nothing of this initially and went forth and asked if I could have a smoothie waved. This small older man behind the counter seemed irritated that I had come up to ask him for something at all, and he condescendingly waved me away saying they weren't making smoothies anymore. But the guy whose smoothie you just finished making for a sweet $20 tip was the exception? Closing time was 7 pm and there was no explicit sign anywhere that smoothies would not be made anymore by a certain time, I couldn't imagine why they would stop making smoothies at 5:30 pm if they close at 7 pm in any case. I call my sister on the phone to let her know they won't make me a smoothie and if she knew anywhere else open now that would make a smoothie. She ordered a smoothie at Better Gourmet for me to go to pick up. But then I looked at the man who had shood me and he was leaning against the wall casually scrolling on his phone laughing having a great time doing nothing. I was incensed to say the least. I couldn't help myself but to let the owner know who was behind the front register as I was leaving that his employee in the back was being unprofessional. He kept me from leaving and asked me to tell him what had happened. When I did he was kind enough to say to go back to the smoothie counter to the back and he would personally make the smoothie for me. For that I will say he was very kind and understanding, but when he explained the situation to the employee, the employee got really annoyed. The entire time he made the smoothie the guy was cursing me out in his own language (I could tell he was mocking me because he was imitating my voice, had a mocking expression on his face) while the owner was telling him to stop and calm down. I thought about declining the smoothie but this place was so close to the hospital I wanted to just get my sick mom the food she needed as quickly as possible. I paid, thanked the owner and left. I will no longer be giving this place my business unless they have something I can't get anywhere else (which sadly they have this amazing raw stone ground almond butter that nowhere else sells). I no longer want to overlook their stale produce, their freezer burnt deserts and their expired foods. The new owner and his family seem nice but you're only as good as the employees who represent you. I'd never had a problem with another employee before this and he honestly didn't look familiar but apparently he'd been there for a while. Get someone with a better disposition and work ethic to be the face of your small business, it will make a big difference. Best of luck to them!"

"Not what I expected mostly a foreign foods items very pricey you don’t see how the drinks are made because of a counter hides the person behind it, the green drink was good but the smoothie wasn’t I had to throw it out. Very friendly people there’s an aroma of food from their country. I’m not familiar with it. You have to try on your own."

"Firstly, it is a bit expensive but what Natural food store, isn't? Now that I got that outta the way, let's discuss the staff and their respective knowledge. The staff is mega helpful and on point. For instance, one gentleman assisted me with obtaining the right herbal formula for my husband's medical problems, and he said "don't buy it if he isn't going to take it as it's expensive." I appreciate that level of honesty and one on one service. The gentleman listened to my concerns and assisted me. It was a great experience."

"The Best Health Food Store on Staten Island, also might be only one. Fresh hot food daily and a juice bar to hang and eat. You get regulars eating at the counter all the time, I’ve had some great conversations with some really healthy people. Everyone is willing to help and the store is super helpful if you’re looking for something particular. Good on pricing. If its healthy chances are they have it."