Since I continue to shop at Caputo's I figured it's time to revisit my review. The remodel has been a welcoming change and the newer section of the store looks very nice & roomy. Oh, and they have a coffee & liquor bar with seating and a much larger and improved prepared food section (sushi, pizza, etc) though the only thing I've ever bought is a pizza slice and by the way, I'm no longer a fan..Tortilla station is new as well.
2 main reasons I shop here:
1. Italian products
For example: Chellino ricotta (seriously the best kind), imported prosciutto salami & parmigiano cheese, focaccia & Italian breads, house made bocconcini (also the best kind. If you've been buying other brands, you should really try this), great selection of canned tomatoes, olive oil, pasta, etc and produce Italians get into: Melrose peppers, Sicilian cucumbers, rapini, etc..you get the picture.
2. Fish
The above items are typically fresh and I have no complaints with the exception of rapini or various produce on occasion. Produce and fruit is more often than not hit or miss which is my biggest beef with Caputo's. It all boils down to freshness. Fish is always fresh because I know when it comes in (9am Wed & 2pm Fridays) and they have what I like (fresh mussels, clams, skate fish, octopus, squid, cod, merluzzo, snapper, etc). I eat a lot of fish, so I appreciate their selection.
I also appreciate the honesty of staff when I ask if something is fresh or not.
I've been coming here since I was a little girl tagging along with mom. Back then I didn't pay attention to these things, but since I've been cooking I've seen the ups & downs of Caputo's. Even with the remodel, what hasn't changed is this store still feels dirty to me. Could it be the expired perishable (& non perishable) items I seem to notice on the shelves? The slowly aging produce or fruit that should've been removed? I had a bad experience more than once with their meat years ago and I just can't bring myself to buying it again, so anything red is off limits for me. If the poultry is a non Caputo's brand, I'm fine with it. Obviously I have trust issues here. Some items on the shelves are dusty and unclean. The selection of dairy (milk, creamer) is limited.
The selection of ethnic products and produce is average and not as impressive as other markets, yet they've introduced more items since remodeling. I've purchased imported prosciutto on sale that only remained fresh for two days. Deli dept. is sometimes haphazard and unorganized, but staff is always kind. Meat and fish counters could use more help.
This store could be so much better if it didn't constantly fail on consistency. It may not ever be a Mariano's or Pete's and that's ok...For me, Caputo's will still be a convenient one stop shop for all things Italian in the burbs. read more