At the literal center of Farmingdale, you will find a grand parking lot that brings you to the…read moregrocery store that defines this small town.
Brand: 4/5
Shop n Bag is the small grocery store at the center of Farmingdale that is within the Foodtown brand. From the sign to the interior, the Foodtown brand has the standard grocery store appearance with the large, easy-to-understand font and discernible color contrast. Shop n Bag brings itself up to speed with technology with their digital food advertisements on the glass wall in the front. I give the Brand score four stars, because the distinction can prove confusing to anyone unfamiliar with Farmingdale.
Website: 5/5
Despite the confusion of the brand, the website does function well, with menus that lead you to either the available items or the weekly circular. You do need to specify your Foodtown's specific location if you wish to peruse the item selections of that particular Foodtown brand.
Ambiance: 5/5
I do not engage in hyperbole when I say that the ambiance of Shop n Bag saved me. There is just something about the white tiles, the cool interior, the classic rock playing over the radio, and the down-to-earth humdrum of the establishment that always brings a sense of tranquility to me. There is enough space between each aisle, and plenty of space at the deli.
There were plenty of sections for fresh fruits and vegetables, along with the meats in the refrigerator aisle. The clearance rack always has new products available, and is situated within the same aisle, ensuring that the cool, dry environment makes sure that the products last a lot longer. The overall food selection I would describe as resembling traditional chain food-stores in a miniature scale.
Service: 5/5
The staff in the deli readily accepted my order without any issues.
Wait Time: 5/5
Throughout the duration of the wait time, the meat and cheese sliced for a major part. I will say that for a Saturday, the sandwich came quickly without any serious interruptions.
Food: 5/5
I ordered the New Jersey Devil Sandwich, which consists of ham, provolone, balsamic vinegar, and sweet peppers. I have to say that just like any other Jersey-based dishes, they have a hearty presentation and the right amount of tangy flavor. Indeed, the balsamic vinegar and sweet peppers bring a tangy flavor to the packed meats, despite having no prior familiarity with them. The ingredients came out fresh without any dryness or sogginess. The fresh bread retained its form throughout the time I ate it.
Worth The Money?: 4/5
The food that Shop n Bag offers reflects clearly the ones available on the website with every specific search. The food also reflects the brand of the shop, and New Jersey as a whole, as the New Jersey Devil Sandwich does. Indeed, such a devilish treat encapsulates New Jersey between two slices of bread. The peruse within the store, looking at the food, can make the ambiance worth it. The staff know how to make their sandwiches, and the wait time matched the finished sandwich perfectly.
The ambiance reflects the Foodtown brand perfectly, since the small town grocery store matches the Foodtown motto of "Locally Owned, Family Operated," from the aesthetics to the website itself. The employees match the ambiance with the down-to-earth demeanor. I also found the wait time tolerable within the ambiance of the store.
Since it is a grocery store, I would consider this establishment my first choice for any food I need, ranging from ingredients to sandwiches; though I would not be too sure about shopping for the monthly pantry. Mostly, I would consider the price worth it.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
I find Shop n Bag to be a decent grocery store to go to, especially if you wish to support smaller, localized businesses.
Recommend To...
If you need a handful of things in town but do not want to negotiate through traffic to a Shoprite.
