This place is certainly special. Like one of the reviewers mentioned, it should not be considered as any other grocery store. The selection of Eastern European charcuterie, kosher bakeries, Greek spreads, Turkish coffee/snacks, etc. etc. makes my life certainly richer. Each and every one of my visit is a treasure hunt in this shop. Go to this deli with an open mind, and you are likely to come across a food item that'll make your day. Babushka is one of the many one-of-a-kind stores/shops in Boston that adds a little to mainstream variety, and therefore deserves the fifth star. p.s. Babusha is consistenly cheaper than alternative Russian markets like Berezka International, I have checked with several items I purchase regularly. read more

No prices listed and everything is marked up a lot. It's open late so if you need something it's good in a pinch, but with this price point you might as well just go the extra block to Whole Foods for better quality that is also cheaper. read more

I have frequented this location often, however, there is now an employee who is constantly requesting that I "drop my mask". This is highly inappropriate and unacceptable considering the age that we live. I should NOT have to remove my mask in order to purchase a soda or AT ALL in fact. I hope that the owner sees this and speaks to this employee. This has happened SEVERAL times with this individual. He was working today 11/10/22 @ 9:45AM. Please speak to him or I will no longer be going to this store. read more

Expired items covered with new sticker to misguide customers. Never ever ever ever go to this store. I have reports from people who used to work at that store. The owner would ask them to cover up expired items with new sticker. read more

Excellent service, great variety of drinks and ethnically diverse food and grocery. Friendly staff!

When the new owner took over it was a huge improvement. Very clean, stocked well, and had many more options than the previous owners. I've been shopping there for years, supporting small business over chains like 711, etc because I believe it's ok to pay a little more to help support small businesses. Sadly after yesterday I will not be returning and neither will my neighbors and friends. I've bought expired beer here before and now had come to checking the dates before buying so it didn't happen again, it took them 4 visits over a week and a half to remove expired beers that still had Patriots logos on the can from this past season. I told them Everytime I went in. And yesterday my wife bought a bottle of Cabernet and when she opened it, it smelled terrible and tasted like vinegar. I went back with it barely missing anything and was told " sorry they're is nothing I can do, but you can buy another one" also told "your wrong, it's not expired I sell this stuff all the time" I told him to keep.it and you have lost my business moving forward. The simple thing to do would have been too say sorry about that, grab another bottle, and we will see you soon. But no, this guy for really cocky the past couple of years and I'm done with his expired products and you should be to. read more

Babushka Deli - Avoid this store and it's expired products - Delis Near Me - Brighton, Massachusetts

If you are Russian and want something that resembles home cooking, or you are just adventurous and want to try new food, I would suggest starting out with a different Russian store, such as Bazaar (Coolidge Corner or Alston) that has a larger selection and much better customer service. Babushka Deli has the staples, a decent selection of European deli meats, prepared foods, various fishes, caviar, chocolates, jars of fruit, mushrooms, olives, pickles etc... Customer services is very Soviet..i.e. don't expect anyone to be friendly or helpful. The store is dirty, unpleasant and poorly organized. On a side note, a Russian "deli" does not make sandwiches. It is more like a deli within a grocery store. read more

Considering Natasha was the one who brought me here, it's probably not surprising that I agree with her entirely on the quality and experience at this "deli". Everything seems a little old and stale, and the harshness of the service (even if you speak Russian, which is pretty much a must in places like this) is unpleasant. I am here to give you my money, at least pretend you want it. And as Natasha mentioned, it's a Russian store, not a deli, even if it says deli in the name. read more

I agree with other comments about the customer service. It is "HORRIBLE"!!! I will never frequent that store. Dirty ,unpleasant odors. Also i used my credit card to buy liquor & 2days later my bank called & said there was suspicious activity on my account. Someone in the ukraine was trying to access my account. Just saying!! read more

Althought this place has the basic Russian staples, and sometimes you can even score some good bread and/or cheese, this place is unsanitary. And by unsanitary, I mean, you take more dirt with you then you brought in. Umm, I am not a clean freak, but eating here may result in a five hour cuddling session with your toilet. Go to Bazaar or Berezka or Baza. Hmmm, all of the russian stores names start with B. Whats up with that? read more

OK, so it's not a deli. The partially liquefied vegetables at the cash register are the only unpleasant part of the Babushka Deli (I'll retract this statement if I ever find out they're composted). The Babushka is still my #1 spot to pick up just-baked, preservative-free bread (whole and sliced loaves, rolls ... from super-soft to crusty). The cheese selection is broad and they've got a ton of Kinder brand chocolates and individually wrapped Russian candies (make a great gift). Also, have you ever seen a quart of Nutella? Babushka's got it. Produce is inexpensive, but don't go with a recipe in mind. Let the varying freshness of the inventory decide what'll be for dinner tonight and what'll be rotting in front of the cash register tomorrow. They take credit cards, but will hassle you if your purchase is under $5. Note, they hassled me in English. There was no language barrier as others have suggested. read more

They just extended their selection of beers which is nice. Prices are slightly higher than at the local supermarket, but still very reasonable. For anything else, I wouldn't go here. Most other prices seem pretty steep. Also, customer service is completely absent. On the other hand the people who work here are also not unpleasant, just don't expect any interaction. read more

Recently this place start to be amazing when owner has been changed. So much fine vine and much more. Deli section is amazing and fresh. I would definitely come by for a beer, vine and fresh deli. Store looks so much better with a new owner. read more

It seems many of the Yelp reviewers of Babushka Deli don't understand that this is an authentic-as-one-gets-in-Boston Eastern European style market. I propose the sole reason why Babushka receives such poor reviews is that patrons visit Babushka assuming they'll find something comparable to standard American chain grocery stores. Not so. Babushka offers everything one might hope from such a market: Russian chocolate, Polish and Eukranian dumplings, smoked herrings and mackerels, eastern coffees and teas, pickled peppers of various sorts, Georgian and Balkan semi-sweet red wines, Baltic sprats, etc etc etc. Having spend rather a lot of time in post Sovjet countries I can speak to its quality and authenticity, and this is precisely why a five star rating is warranted. read more

Babushka Deli offers the best experience if the shopper wants Soviet customer service. The person at the deli counter had her back to me for a good minute after I came in. I come every Saturday to get lunch for my elderly relative who lives in a rehabilitation center near by. I don't buy a lot and this person pointed out that she was not happy to sell me "a few slices". In a word unacceptable. read more

You know, I've lived across from this place for almost two years now and I love it. The employees are all excellent and they have a wide variety of items. Even the produce for such a small market is impressive. I just love it. read more

I like it. I had a much different experience. Even though i know only a few words in Russian, i thought the lady went out of her way to be patient and helpful at teying to explain what was what read more

The place is now under new ownership and it's starting to show , it's cleaner , there are more things in the store now , like cereal, water , soda,chips and much more . It is also organized now . read more

They dont let the customers to try their cold cuts, before purchasing it. So dont bother to try the new stuff.

Horrible service. The owner is rude and obnoxious towards customers. In this economy I don't think he has a luxury to lose any customers. The place overall in not appealing either. First and last time there. One star is way too much read more

I live close to here and absolutely love this place! Go in and be patient, explore and try something new. It's worth it.

I hate to write bad reviews, but this store is awful. Check the expiration day on all products. Plus the place is not clean. yukee

This store is... an experience. I will say in recent months they've cleaned up a bit and invested more into their coolers and have a larger selection of staples.. but I still find they sell expired beer, both room temperature and in barely cold coolers. Also, I've had a few interesting run ins with whom I presume is the owner, a tall Russian man in his 50s.. not the most pleasant man to deal with. read more

Check your product very carefully and checkout your dates of exp... Make sure your cell phone is near by if you buy and eat their deli product so you can call your doctor if you will get sick! read more

Everything was great. I loved the products especially finding Polish ones made me happy. The young and beautiful girl that works there on Sunday is amazing. I worked in a deli and i know how it feels with unpleasant people.She handles it great and still tries to anything possible to satisfy them. What i hate is when people hate the worker for something the boss is responsible for. Products are good and top shelf. They have everything i want from a deli. (Wow even alcohol) I agree with the last review and i like how it reminds me of Europe. If you're out shopping on Sunday stop in Babushkas deli. read more

I have always gone to Bazaar, but I went in there for the first time today after walking past for 2 years and always wondering. While browsing, I was a bit dubious and skeptical, given that I noticed a lot of the canned/jarred food and the packaged food that has a long shelf life (i.e.. the junk food and whatnot) had "sell by" dates from 2010! I still went ahead and picked out stuff that was dated well into the future (or at least a few months in the future)...and that wasn't dusty. Not sure why I did, though. I have yet to taste the Halva that I bought. It was within date and had no signs of separation or anything, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it likely won't be the freshest I've ever had.... Yes, the prices were decent, but still on par with that of Bazaar. If only because of the fact that they would actually sell clearly outdated food (!!!!wtf????), I will opt for another Russian grocery store next time. And, yes, the comments about "soviet style" service, etc. made me guffaw. They guy at the cash register was stone silent and seemed to look at me with what seemed to be a mixture of curiosity and suspicion while he rang me up. He only mumbled, "Thank you" when I took my stuff and said thank you as sweetly as I could. I was thinking, "What did I do??? Is he offended that I kept checking the dates and putting stuff back??" It doesn't bother me if I know that's just their style, but the people at Bazaar have been very warm and friendly. read more

This little store underwent a change in ownership around a year ago, and it's been transformed! There is still tons of Russian and Eastern European groceries, plus the deli, but the range of other groceries is way bigger now. The staff/new owners are incredibly friendly and I really feel like it's a whole new store. I highly recommend the fresh bread and fresh samosas! read more

*A man walks into a grocery store with a notebook. "Do you have sausage?" "No." He makes a note. "Bread?" "No." He makes another note. "20 years ago, they would have shot you for making notes like that," says a woman waiting in line. "No bullets either," he writes* Just a few very important reasons why you should avoid this store: -- Once I came along with my girlfriend, who wanted to buy chocolates from that store (it was her 1st and last time shopping at Babushka), We got to watch the scene of a horrible mistreatment of an elder customer. There is no knowledge of customer service in that shop - period! -- I took my American friend to see what it's like to be inside a hard-core Soviet store. The first thing he pointed out to me was a brand of most of their sausages and kielbasas. It is called "Alex's Meat" and has a picture of a cute baby Alex's face in the center, It is very disturbing to anyone who doesn't like to eat babies! (picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/39718079@N00/3187500745/ ) -- The store is filled with dirt, flies and it has a torturous smell. (even non-vegetarians can't stand it for longer than 5 minutes) -- There are no pretty Russian girls behind the counters, like in Bazaar or Berezka (the other 2 Russian stores in Boston). There is just a very grumpy tall man in his 40's. It seems like he just ran away from Soviet prison. Incredibly rude, unwelcoming, depressed. He hates the world, and he looks like he was the one who murdered poor baby Alex for his meat. read more

Over the last year this store has become one of my favorite things about my neighborhood. The store has continued to improve with the new ownership - from the friendly and helpful staff to the expanding range of products. I love that I can shop here for my basic kitchen staples, but there is always more to explore (the fresh samosas are simply wonderful!). read more

My Mom almost got ripped off there. She swears that she would never go there again. She paid cash. The cashier neglected to give her a check and charged $27 for two cucumbers two tomatoes and a can of pickles. Upon recount it turned out she owned 17.50. Old Soviet habits die slow. Hopefully the owner will get a wind of what is going on in his store. read more

This place is the closest Russian store to my house, which is why I go there. Don't be confused by its name: it's a grocery store, not a deli, although they do have a minimal selection of prepared products such as pirozhki, olivye and soups. This is not the finest Russian store I've been to, put mildly, but they have a markedly improved since an expansion in real estate about a year ago. Their salamis/kolbasy are decent, as are their cheeses. They have a strange selection of fruit/vegetables; they are always very reasonably priced but it's a struggle to pick out something that has not partially decomposed. I have been known to pick up dollar packs or raspberries/in the summer to eat right away. The services can be good to downright unpleasant, I speak Russian and I found the owner (who also sometimes mans the cash register) to be extremely patronizing, unpleasant and smarmy. The ladies behind the counter have been both brusque at times and very nice at times. All in all, I go because it's nearby, and I've found good quality Russian groceries (tea, candy, even ready-made kulinaria - I've gotten good soup here, sausage, cheese, even barley & flour). I've bought a jar of birch juice and was able to exchange it because there was something funny floating in it (no fault of the store, goes to speak for crappy Russian manufacturing). I think the reason this place still exists though is because it is right by an old folks' home and the low prices appeal to the elderly Russian community. There's no pride in ripping old people off, though, with less-than-fresh goods. I hope the owners take this to mind, throw out the rotten produce, get rid of the stuff that's past the expiration date, the owner changes his attitude and it can be a really, really great store. They certainly have the real estate/space and shelves for it. read more

This is the worst Russian store in this area. Dirty with very limited selection. The service is so awful that it is a surprise they are still in business. The owner of the store is practically always at the register and he is so rude and inconsiderate that after seeing once you do not want to come to this store anymore. He even swears right in front of his customers. Do not go to this store!!! There are good Russian stores in this area. It is to bad that there is no minus rating because that what I would rate this place instead of one star. read more

Prepared foods are horrible. I bought several things, most of which were not fresh. The fish in one of the dishes was rotten, and there was mold on the cake. Also, when I got home I realized that the seal on the Kefir jug was broken. The fruits and vegetables are not fresh either. Finally, the ladies who work behind the counter are very rude, but you will find that at most Russian stores. read more

These people should not be in business. Not only do they sell completely rotten food but they act as if they are still in soviet Russia (even in soviet Russia people would act more decent to a 90 year old person). The conditions of the place are terrible, I have personally seen ants and other bugs in the place. On 5/30/13, my 90 year old grandfather purchased a sealed bag of potatoes and bread. The bag right away smelt routen, you could smell it from a mile away. And potatoes are something that don't go bad easily. My grandmother called me and I drove her over there a few hours later, she explained to the clerk the situation and the store clerk refused to refund my grandma her $3 until the owner came, even though you could smell the roten patatos from a mile away. The store owner came 20 minutes, while my grandma who barley walks, stood there waiting for 20 minutes. He eventually refunded my grandma but blamed her (or actually my grandpa) for picking out the rotten potatoes. The conditions of this place are unsanitary and they don't even try to hide it ether. Most of the food they sell is rotten and spoiled. Take a look at the place, it won't be to difficult to see exactly what I am describing because like I said, they don't even try to hide it. The owner should also not be in business because of the way he treats senior citizens, its' despicable. read more