Several reasons why I like this place... Inexpensive snacks, fine by me. ATM in case of emergency, AKA, no time to stop at a real bank before hitting a club, fine by me. Quick essentials from gum to ketchup, fine by me. Men in line who compliment on how young I look with my baby face when I buy wine, fine by me. BOOZE downstairs from my apartment, FINE. BY. ME. Some reasons more than others... read more

My local bodega!! I am quite a fan. The employees are all nice and get to know you, and there's a cat which (the owner told me last night) only likes girls. Sweet. The cat followed me to the beer fridge and meowed. Made my night (can you tell I wish I had a pet?). Surprisingly decent wine selection, and all the ice cream you could want. They also have one of those sketch ATMs, which has been broken recently, but I would assume will be back later. UPDATE 12/5/06: The ATM is back. read more

Great wine selection! Prices are really good. The guys at the store are SO nice and helpful. Really happy they are in the neighborhood.

Down in the basement close to the corner of Mass ave and Columbus you will find a nifty little store. They have a lot of stuff crammed into the place but it's not overwhelming. In the back they have lots of wine and beer and they are extremely reasonable. I was able to find some imported beer that I have had difficulty finding elsewhere, and it was one of the cheaper places to get it. The wine is a similarly good deal as well. The workers are also really nice. I went up to pay for my beer (thinking it would be over 10) and it was only $9. You have to spend over $10 to use your card but he said it wasn't any big deal and didn't charge me the extra dollar or make me go get something for a dollar. I rarely find that here in Boston and that was cool. I'm really glad to have found this place because it's so close and convenient! read more

Location is everything. After just having moved into my dorm on Columbus, a search for a cup of coffee lead to the Uptown Cafe above this perfectly located, tiny grocery store. At breakfast I'd commented I needed laundry detergent. As we left, we noticed the Food Basket and thought it'd be worth a shot to see if they had in. In fact they did, even the kind I buy at home (Tide w/ Color safe bleach). They even had a small box of dryer sheets - prefect. I was able to get both for 11 dollars and on the way home. I will be back. read more

When I first moved to Boston three years ago, I had no idea what my options were when it came to groceries and this was the first establishment I came upon, thinking this is what Boston grocery stores must be like! Eventually, I would discover Shaw's and Whole Foods, but I still remain loyal to the Food Basket for the bare essentials whenever I needed them in a timely manner (e.g. toilet paper, water, etc.). The cat that resides there always seems friendly (I live with two of them) and gave an eclectic touch to the place. There's a rather impressive selection of wine, but I would still recommend going to the Wine Emporium down the street for the quality stuff. The staff never fail to check my ID regardless of the fact I've been going to the same place for the last three years. Be sure to bring cash to avoid those damn ATM fees! read more

Ah, the local convenient store...high prices tempered by good, friendly customer service.. Only not here. I have watched this guy toss customers out and just been a total jerk to everyone over the last few years. So, I buy a bottled water and this dope is counting money and points me in the direction of another cash register and I wait and wait. He still doesnt even glance upward... Now there are probably more places in the city of Boston to buy a water...and I realize the following Why am I patronizing this guy?.... read more

It is what it is... a convenient little bodega with a selection of beers, cheap wines, candy, snacks, and other essentials. There is also an ATM that comes in handy. They also have a selection of newspapers for those lazy sunday mornings...including NY papers. My only gripe is that they don't take credit card as I almost never have cash on me. read more

The attitude of the cashier was extremely off putting. I've never felt more uncomfortable in a store. Firstly, the guy at the register acted as though he did not want to speak to me. Upon being asked if they had an item I had to then ask where I could find it. A question he seemed to have an attitude answering. Which is honestly like, it's a large store and I'm looking for a specific item why not tell me where it is. Then he was rattling my items together on the counter as I looked for cash because my items didn't meet the credit card minimum. Not as though I was holding up a line or anything. He didn't even bother to put my items in a bag or ask me if I wanted one. First and last time I will ever set foot in this place. read more

I love this place. It's a cute local convenience store, with pretty much everything you'll ever need. To be fair, I'm a local and a regular, so I can't speak for someone new to the area or just stopping in. That said, I go here almost on the daily. The selection is great, the prices are fair, and most importantly, the people that work there are amazing. You won't find a friendlier lot than these folks. Always happy to chat, always recognize you (If you're a regular) and always professional. I work in customer service too, and I have no idea how these guys stay so cheery, but I go there almost exclusively because I love the service and the conversations. I highly recommend this place. read more

This is the closest grocery store to where I live, and it's so nice that they have some basic foods and also beer and wine. 6-pack of beer was $10.50. They have staples like sugar, salt, baking soda, and a large selection of bottled and canned drinks. I just moved here from wine country of California, so I noticed the prices of wines were definitely marked up compared to home, but that's to be expected. I haven't been to other wine stores to notice if the Food Basket is similar or higher priced than others in the area. I'll be back, especially since it's so close to our home. Very convenient and good service. $10 credit card minimum. read more

Yeah, their prices are high, their selection isn't limitless, and they have a $10 minimum on credit cards. But I can stop in here after a long day at work, find what I need (usually a bottle of red wine) and leave with a smile on my face from the guys who work here. They are ALWAYS in a good mood, always friendly, and always able to make me laugh. Where else do you get service like that in a freaking convenience store? I feel really lucky to live nearby and have the opportunity to patronize this business so often. read more

Friendly neighborhood bodega. They're open until 11pm, which is later than any other alcohol selling establishment in the South End. Perfect for a last minute beer run. Unfortunately, the beer we purchased was skunked. read more

Small unassuming convenience store in Columbus but this place is awesome. I live around the corner and I see these guys every day and they're great. They have a great selections of wine and beer and totally appreciate your business read more

This place is great, speaking as a neighborhood regular. They realize good beer and food (in particular ice cream and wraps) are of utmost importance to the locals. I love going in after my runs and finding out which beers they decided to pick this time. read more

Great little store! Large selection of snacks and food. The staff is nice and they only toss out weirdos who are there to buy 40 ounce beers and scratchies while they are high. They have decent selection of wine and beer at below usual boston prices. They even have my favorite the Newcastle mini keg for $18 a great deal. Oh and the store has a sweet little cat that follows you around while you make a selection. The cat has a great life just hanging out with all these new people. read more

It's a convenient store with a huge selection of booze. I once went there to buy some diet coke to calm the tummy and had to pick up a bottle of wine due to the credit card minimum. The guys insisted on checking my ID and I begrudgingly showed him. After which he apologized profusely and said that I didn't look 'that much'. I thought us Asians had an understanding. They recently lost their liquor license for a month so I guess they are not too consistent on the ID thing. read more