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| - I love most items at Monastery Bakery and regularly buy many types of breads (my kids love the "knot buns" and cheese sticks, love when they have fresh easter breads and cinnamon loaf), as well as deli items, cheese, pasta and canned goods, coffee, jams, hot table items, some frozen items -- and quite regularly give into the baked treats in the front display. While I rarely take advantage of the free coffee, I do like the idea of it being there. They always have lots of samples, for those who enjoy sampling while they shop. I don't usually partake and sometimes find the sample people a bit annoying and loud. I also *really* appreciate that they are open on many holidays when most food stores are closed. The staff are generally good -pleasant, efficient, consistent and cleanly uniformed - and lots of them! Even a long wait at the deli counter isn't too bad because there are sometimes a 1/2 dozen staff there, and I see the same faces week after week. Their prices are often better than large supermarket chains (e.g., they sell the same fresh mozzarella for $4.99 while Fortino's sells it for $6.99).
I have been disappointed with pre-packaged *fresh* meat and produce items, to the extent that I have thrown out pre-packaged chicken breasts without cooking them because they smelled so foul and sometimes find that pre-packaged produce (e.g., bell peppers) have mold if I don't use them right away. I now carefully check dates on pre-packaged meats and/or buy from the counter, and take any produce items from the package before storing in my fridge at home. While I like their Italian-style baked goods, I'm not so crazy about others sorts of cakes/cupcakes. I wouldn't order a birthday cake for my kids there. We used to really enjoy their dark chocolate-dipped white macaroons, but I haven't seen these in a while. Parking is sometimes an issue when they are busy, but I always find a spot in the lot.
Despite some rare bad experiences, I still have to give them a 5/5 because I continue to shop there at least weekly - sometimes multiple times weekly and instead of a big supermarket shop when I can.
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