Buday Meat Market - New Brunswick, NJ (Grocery Store)
52 Robinson St
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
732.247.4334
Hours:
M-F 9-5
Saturday 9-4
Sunday closed

Overall: Overpriced, undersupplied, too much attitude

This old corner market in the midst of a neighborhood appeared to filled with the charm of days long gone. Small is the norm for most Hungarian grocers, and that's rarely a real issue since there are a finite numbers of products available in the USA, but otherwise not found in standard grocers. Our goal was to buy a few things in support of a small shop, even though we have a great Hungarian grocer in our own backyard (Bende, Inc.).

The problem: We found the owner embittered against modernity, and, not pleased that one of us grew up in the USA. He went on to criticize a fair amount of things. This area of New Jersey once claimed a great number of Hungarians, but many either left or have been so enculturated in the American lifestyle that they have lost the language and the ways. Frustration with that is understandable, but he went too far for our tastes.

The shop itself was the size of a small 7-11. Short shelves, no particular artistic layout. Very functional. However, the selection was minimal. Few spices, few noodles, few canned goods. Also a butcher, the meat counter has a reasonable selection of ordinary meats, which in turn, were not especially tasty.

One thing we treated ourselves to was hájas. Pretty good. Pretty expensive. We won't list the price here, as portions and prices are subject to change in a mom and pop grocer.

The solution: Have a list of things you like and live nearby? Give them a call, and compare. If you live down the street, walk on in, but be ready for an earful. He might have that one thing you can't find locally, and you'll pay the price. However, it might be that mail-order or a longer drive will get you what you need.

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