Photo: Fuzheado via Wikimedia Commons
It’s a popular practice to show friends and family around to your favorite local spots when they come to visit. A drop-in at Smoke Jazz Club for some tunes, then perhaps a slice at Mama’s Too—there’s a swath of Upper West Side culture to dole out for trips long and short.
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“It’s easy to envision yourself as a New Yorker doing your weekly grocery shopping at this Upper West Side landmark founded by Louis and Lillian Zabar in 1934,” writes USA Today about—obviously—Zabar’s, located at 2245 Broadway between West 81st and 82nd Street. The sentiment echoes what Kevin Bacon recently said about Barney Greengrass being his family’s go-to local restaurant—a place he recommended if you want to feel like part of the neighborhood. USA Today also noted Zabar’s star-studded history of appearing in TV shows and movies, though it didn’t name any. So, let’s include one of the lesser-known examples: The West Wing (Season 7, Episode 6), when Janeane Garofalo’s character, Louise Thornton, says, “We can’t run a campaign for editorial writers. We’d have 12 votes, half of them within walking distance of Zabar’s,” in response to concern about the New York Times endorsing a Republican candidate. USA Today did mention the Vampire Weekend music video being shot on location, though.
“This four-generation, family-owned business specializes in roasted coffee blends, artisanal cheeses, caviar, and smoked fish,” wrote USA Today of the brand that recently celebrated its 90th anniversary on February 6, when New York State officially recognized the date as Zabar’s Appreciation Day. “It’s also where you can order from a Jewish appetizer counter or pick up black-and-white cookies or fresh-baked rugelach, along with Zabar’s signature mugs, totes, and apparel—all of which make perfect grocery store tourism gifts.”
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We’re still keeping our Zabar’s skate shoes fresh, and their collaborations with Coach and The MTA also brought some special short-run offerings to the public. Zabar’s isn’t just a delicious place to pick up a plethora of items in a one-of-a-kind setting—they’ve also done wonders keeping their name top of mind through brilliant marketing.
If you haven’t yet, you should definitely make time to listen to The Zabar’s Podcast by Willie Zabar, from 2021. We still have our fingers crossed for a second season.
You can read USA Today’s Top 10 grocery store destinations list here.
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They “haydey” of Zabar’s was 1957 to 1996, when Murray K owned a third of it and ran it.
It probably peaked in the 1980s.
It’s gone down hill significantly, especially in the last 12 years. Selection down, prices relative to other stores up. Still very good for cheese though.
Tourists beware.
If you are a local, and know what you need or want (i.e., know what you are shopping for), Zabars is not nearly as expensive as some other stores. I have been doing 75% of my weekly shopping there for years, and since I know what I want and need, I can get a week’s worth of groceries (5-7 dinners, plus 3-5 lunches) for between $60 and $80. And I have checked: even if I could get most of those items (which I can’t) from Broadway Farm or other local stores, it would cost far more than this. So while places like Pioneer and Key Food can be cheaper overall for average shopping, Zabars CAN be a good place for locals to shop. You just need to know what you are doing.
Key Food’s not cheaper.
Pioneer is, but only for certain items, same with Fairway, but Fairway is disastrously managed.