Veggie Monster in Woodside

[elbev]

The old Irish deli on 61st between Roosevelt and Woodside, which closed a few months back, is set to reopen as something called Veggie Monster. According to the banner, they will have groceries, sandwiches, juices and discount healthy products of some kind (vitamins? - I do not remember the precise wording). The place looks a bit like a small-scale chain, but it is hard to say. Any insights from fellow local hounds? In any case, it will be great to have a local option for various 'health food store' products previously unavailable in Woodside. .

[Justpaula]

I have returned since my first visit and they now have their bulk bins filled with quite a variety of nuts, grains, legumes, etc. As well, a good offering of dried fruits.

[Mike V]

I stopped by yesterday and they were giving out samples of sandwiches and coffee. The place is not large but seems to have a little bit of everything you would expect in a health food store.

[Justpaula]

I stopped in the other day. They were giving out samples then, as well. It is not large, but it is clean, well-stocked and organized. Some of the products are available around the corner at Jin's, but this new place seems a little less haphazard ad stocks a variety of products, instead of just one kind of everything. For example, they have about three brands of organic canned tomato products, while Jin's only has Muir Glen. There is a lot of packaged organic and natural foods,many of the familiar brands. Some of the things that caught my eye were the nutritional supplements, a nice variety of teas, a section with items for Asian cooking, spices - it is nice to now I can get saffron here now! Dried porcinis and shiatakes. Fresh herbs and produce (small section). Prepared macro/vegan meals in the fridge section. Oh - and about 7 varieties of Ciao Bella in the freezer as well as Stonyfield, Rice Dream, and a few others. Finally, Ciao Bella in walking distance from my house! I don't drink coffee, but some may be interested in the availability of a variety of Fair Trade Beans - I don't recall the brand. They also serve it brewed to go. There is a deli counter with standard Boars Head products. They have quite a number of bulk bins and dispensers, but only about four were filled, with a few types of granola, the day I went in (they had just opened). I am looking forward to see what else they will offer. In addition to the edible products, they carry a number of items from the Seventh Generation and Ecover household product lines and a good amount of health and beauty products. All in all it is a lovely, refreshing and needed addition to the area. I hope they keep up quality and inventory and do well.

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Veggie Monster
39-86 61st St, Queens, NY 11377

[saharasarah]

Have you been to Nourish NYC on Queens Blvd and 43rd (ish)? They are small, but have some interesting items. A couple of blocks up from there is another small HFS. Both worth checking out.

[Justpaula]

Thanks for the heads up! While I do not purport to be a health nut, I have been waiting for something of this type to open up in the nabe. It will be a nice change of pace from the usual fare around here. And I will keep my fingers cross that come Summer I may even be able to score a smoothie there!