You Don’t Choose the Bodega; the Bodega Chooses You
From my apartment, I can see three different bodegas.
The stress is astronomical.
When I was in college, I had my bodega. Alan's, right on the corner across from my campus, provided at least half of my food intake for the four years of my college life; usually, either a cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese, a #6 (chicken, gouda, sundried tomatoes, and honey mustard), or a salad when I wanted to pretend to be healthy. I was on ridiculously good terms with the Bodega guys; it got to the point where I would walk in and they’d get my coffee ready.
There is something truly magical about a New York Bodega. From the music choice (at Alan's, always early 2010 pop hits) to the smell (some weird mix of meat and cleaning product) to the random array of items available for purchase (shaving cream, birthday candles, and rat poison all on one shelf).
Especially magical are the Bodega Cats – the strange once-strays seem to own the Bodegas, and owners accept that they no longer have full ownership of the deli. There's an Instagram account dedicated to these magnificent creatures (@bodegacatsofinstagram) if you don't believe me. Befriending one of them probably grants you 10 years of good luck – you cannot convince me that Bodega Cats aren’t witches in animal-disguise.
There are several things to consider when choosing your Bodega.
Firstly, you need to find your food staples. You'll need a breakfast item, hopefully a combo deal of a bagel and coffee for 3 dollars max. You'll also need your go-to sandwich. Nothing is worse than having to painstakingly list the ingredients you want. Your order should be as simple as "Number X" and nothing more. And, of course, you'll need your drunk food options. This step is more subjective than anything – whether you want a plate of fries smothered in hot sauce or a box of double-stuffed Oreos, you need to make sure that you can get them from your Bodega at any hour.
Secondly, you need to establish an accord with the employees. Whether or not this results in the occasional free coffee or discounted panini, you want that over-the-counter banter.
Thirdly, you want a Bodega that is as close to your residence as possible. While it may be relatively nice out at the moment, January will be filled with snow, sleet, wind, and crippling Seasonal Affective Disorder. The last thing you want to do is trek more than a block or two for that sweet, sweet Bodega goodness.
In my opinion, these are the three most important factors, but there are plenty more. Price of course (the cheaper the better). A small selection of booze is always a bonus as well. I also look for basic food staples in case I'm too lazy to go all the way to Trader Joe's. And, of course, you may be inclined to find a Bodega with a Bodega cat. The world is your oyster (and by 'world', I mean a large city, and by 'oyster' I mean Bodega).
So currently, I’m on a mission to pick my Bodega and hope that it accepts my love. I found my coffee shop, narrowed down my bar options, but the amount of bodegas from which to choose is still overwhelming. But I'd rather have more options to choose from than fewer.
If only New York had Waffle House. Then I’d be truly happy.
