“Discovering the Wonders of the Local Bodega”
Before moving to New York City, I barely remembered the word ‘bodega’ from my high school Spanish class. Now, this word is an essential part of my vocabulary!
You see, bodegas are these amazing little corner stores you can find almost everywhere in the city. Imagine a place you can pop in any time – day or night – and grab just about anything. Need milk, eggs, or fixing for a hearty meal? They’ve got it. Looking for toilet paper, duct tape, or even lottery tickets? That’s there too.
Right next to my favorite bodega, you’ll usually find a van selling fresh fruits and veggies. The avocado from that guy? Top notch!
The real highlight for me is a meal I discovered at a bodega just around the corner – the delicious pollo pastelitos (chicken pastries) and a pack of Linden’s chocolate chip cookies. And guess what? All that, my perfect dinner, costs me less than $3!
The pastelitos, akin to empanadas, along with my beloved Linden’s cookies are not found easily, adding an extra sprinkle of joy to the deal. You can also grab pastelitos filled with beef, pork or cheese if that’s what you fancy.
One of the biggest bonuses of the ‘bodega lifestyle’ is the maximization of freshness. With everything so close by, I typically shop for a day or two, ensuring my food stays fresh. Need a spice for a special dish? Chances are, it’s just around the corner. And if the unthinkable happens and it’s not available, there’s always another bodega just a block away.
Though, without my go-to pastelitos, it’s never quite the same.
As a side note, I have to say, smaller grocery hauls also keep my apartment less inviting to city pests – I’d rather not deal with a cockroach party!