<![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega - Gawker Comments]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega - Gawker Comments]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> you really wanna impress the locals? refer to it as the "colmado". "co-bo" my ass. aside from that misnomer, excellent post.

captain_underpants

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> in the bronx:

the older hispanic men drinking beer in the back of the store, sitting on crates, swapping half-drunk beers in and out of the fridge... no air conditioning... ciggies still allowed!!... dogs allowed (as long as they don't try to kill the co-bo cat)... $15 laundry detergent...

accomodatingasian

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> living in a neighborhood that is "in the process of gentrification" i.e., heart of bed-stuy...we have a fabulous co-bo that serves my husband his weekend breakfast sandwiches. they're really nice there; however, the bottled water is always opened where people have taken a sip out of it and then PUT IT BACK INTO THE FRIDGE! ewwwwwww... oh, our co-bo also has pantyhose as soon as you walk in-- queen size--

thenicechubbygirlintheoffice

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Here on the edge of Prospie/Crown heights (Alright, Crown Heights) we have quite the assortment of Bodegas. I've got one bodega for the best coffee (always 50c medium 1 dollar large), one for the best beer/malt liquor, one for the best selection of junk food.

Also, the Corner Bodega rounds everything at least to the quarter. No tax, and no 99 cent crap either.

Also, Bodegas can be home to rediculously good deals on craft beer. For example, the "candy store" on Franklin Avenue here sells $1.25 singles of Stone's IPA. Needless to say, I've bought him out many times.

Matt

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Damn, how can you write about "Co-Bo's" (ugh, it's either "The Bodega" or "Corner Store" for me) and not mention Beef Patties??? (what happened to the Cocoa Bread btw?) True, I can't mess with that questionable meat inside the pastry until after a night of drinking and I find myself a couple of $$ short for a run at Crown Chicken (do a story on that place!)

For the person questioning the logic behind looseys, it's like this: Cigs cost a good $6.50-$7.00 pack at the bodega (in NY metro area)and at 3am, the avg. Joe/Jo-ane is just trying to cop a Newport. Thank God I don't smoke...

Also, don't forget to mention how flirting with papi or habib can come in handy ;)

Gadgetgirl

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Having grown up in El Barrio, back when it was working-class and broke-ass families, I never saw Haagen Dazs ice cream anywhere north of 86th on the east side. Maybe that Gristede's that opened on the south side of 96th/3rd had it... but who shopped there? And what bozo came up with co-bo? Not all bodegas are on corners, and even the black kids mom used to watch after school could say bo-DAY-guh! Sorry, TAN, but it seems you're a little behind the gentricurve on this one.

micnyc80

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Two words: Coco Rico.

smashirony!

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Not sure if it qualifies, exactly, but Homestyle Deli on 63rd and First is awesome. They always have the Yankees game on, they make disgustingly huge and delicious hot subs, and if you buy more than ten 40s at once they give you a bulk discount. Also, TAN, I think "CoBo" is genius.

Twizzlers For President

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Tropical Fantasy and quarter-waters are good calls.

I am not a black hipster, though I am still "questing."

My apologies to those who feel exploited. The bodegas are starting to stock Mike's Hard lemonades and other telling items of gentrinventory , so methinks it was just a matter of time. Better TAN than Anderson Cooper.

The Assimilated Negro

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> you forget to mention the thin layer of dust the sits upon all of the inventory that these bodegas never move.

the layers are particularly dusty on the products that line the store windows - usually boxes of detergent or REALLY expired Nila Wafers.

You can also find individually priced bottles of beer at bodegas as well as a fine assortment of do rags and imported pantyhose from the dominican republic.

During the summer, be sure to pick up "quarter waters" (grenade-shaped bottles of sugar water that require poking your two front teeth through a metal seal on top).

Lastly, every quality bodega has an entire fucking AISLE dedicated to Goya.

love you, TAN.

ellagood

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Nobody is Spanish at the Corner Bodega. We could be Puerto Rican, Dominican,or some other Latino variety, but the Spanish are in Spain Bro.
You can't live in the ghetto and not know this. It like referring to Haitians as the French.

LayLaD

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> ChupaCaBrooklyn: I know you're not suggesting the opposite idea at all, but New York has a slammin' mix of Black folks. Heads up Gawkers, we're not all just stereotypical hip-hop heads and honeys.... I myself am a downtown fashion junkie my damn self.

And TAN, I was with you on the Chinese food spot, but I have NEVER heard anyone call the Bodega a Co-Bo... it's the "corner sto..."

But you are right on some points: all bodegas have some old-assed man hanging out inside ALL DAY, and many are definitely drug fronts.

astralgirl01

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Some photographer should put together a coffee table book of bodega cats (the four-legged kind). They do give the places some personality.

Smitros

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Rogadelic is right. Outside of Center City, University City, or Mount Airy, there are no Wawas, unfortunately. Yet, not many Philadelphians would refer to it as a bodega, as much as a corner store. This probably has more to do with the lower Latino population, relative to NYC.

The corner store, in Philly, is far less significant, in the community, than the "taproom."

TRG

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> I refuse to call my bodega a Co-Bo. TaN sounds like he could one of those rare species: a black hipster.

ChupaCaBrooklyn

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Caps -- welcome. I agree, there's definitely not much over your way. But North, West, and South Philadelphia -- ie, multi-culti Philly, where the vast majority of the population resides -- are replete with bodegas and other mom & pop enterprises. I live at 17th and Spring Garden, near you, but work mostly in North Philly, so I've thankfully gotten to peep a side of the city far far off the hipster/penn/yuppie beat. But I totes agree with you on one point: FUCK SEPTA.

rogadelic

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> CoBos tend to have products from the home country too - a few years ago I went to my local Bodega and almost wept when I saw they had plaintain chips (a favorite of my youth.) Now I can find them almost everywhere.

riahekans

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> don't bite Ego Trip's Race-O-Rama VH1 special too hard now, TAN...

dutchtwista

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Tropical Fantasy soda, anyone?

Rachel

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> TAN, will you marry me?

Sally Tomato

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Rogadelic, I must respectfully disagree. Philadelphia's bodega selection is pathetically weak / nonexistent, especially over here on 16th and Parrish in "Francisville" (worst neighborhood name. evar.) The few that do exist (a) smell ok, (b) keep weird hours (read: not open 24 hours) and (c) don't even sell beer. I'm a New York transplant, a recent arrival in Philadelphia, and one of the only things that makes me more homesick than the thought of a decent public transportation system (fuck you, SEPTA) is that occasional whiff of cat piss I catch in the Philly steets. One nostril-poisoning inhale is all I need and I'm right back in Greenpoint, wandering the aisles at three in the morning, picking up a six pack, a vanilla Dutchie and a turkey sandwich. I miss home.

caps

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Sounds similar to the British 'off-licence' which is on every damn road in London, usually run by Pakistanis/Indians or old Jamaican dudes like you see on Eastenders. If you're lucky, you'll chance upon a Polish one, always a barrel of laughs, when you walk out with a huge jar of pickled onions or some random vegetable.

This 'looseys' idea sounds amazing. Except once you pop, you can't stop, so you may as well buy a whole pack, if like me, you have no willpower.

clashcityrockerkat

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Mine is a tru blu back in the day CoBo. Nuff respect to Three Sisters in Crown Heights!! I don't even live in NY anymore but they still know me when I go back to visit. (wipes tear). They have THE BEST turkey, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, mayo (no salt and vinegar) heros. *sigh* See you next Wednesday Papi!

SpecialKay

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> TAN: nice going! it's a fine line between social commentary, satire, and informational prose, and you walk it, dude.

This reminds me of the scene in Crooklyn--which itself is very nostalgic--where RuPaul is dancing all up in the bodega with her huge-ass afro wig and booty shorts.

josh speed

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Finally, I get to read about my neighborhood up in here. ae38 maybe I'll see you there. It is a slammin' Neo Co-Bo.

pseudopsych

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> wow -- many apologies for the edit-revealing double post.

rogadelic

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> I'm a fan of my bodega at 11th street and Avenue C

Scott Kidder

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> um, except that habibi means sweetheart, something you definitely don't want to call a stranger or anyone older than yourself.

RobotsonCasiotones

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Oh, wow. I havent bought a loosey since high school.
Bless your Negro heart.

ConnPossible

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Philadelphians, don't even talk to me. Y'all have Wawa...I miss that place. Also, don't forget the NYC Korean-variety deli with its attendant ginseng delights.

Mary Mouse

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> I'm sympathetic to The Real JR. Even though I'm white as rice myself, I can still recognize the culture-vulturism here. One nice thing about Philadelphia is we have many of the same urban jewels, such as the corner bodega (which, btw, we call "the store"), but they haven't been overrun by hipsters looking to get their check in the box. Sure, go there to buy your cigs. Just don't congratulate yourself for it.

rogadelic

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Yknow, my Co-Bo sells looseys, but I've always been a little... paranoid.

Still, I like the place. Sure, it's not exactly Whole Foods, but if I need to get a pint of Rocky Road at 2AM, or need a quick six-er for the basketball game, that's the place I'm padding to in my slippers and draws.

InfoMofo

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> One plus about Philadelphia is we have many of the same urban classics, bodega, but they haven't been overrun by shitbird hipsters looking to get their check in the box.

rogadelic

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> LMAO!!

Big up to my corner bodega at 137th and Broadway (of the habibi, not papi, variety)!!

ae38

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Another useful hint: if you're looking a bodega where you can score some "non-standard goods", check the soda refrigerators. If they are (1) totally bereft of dairy products and (2) warmer than the nearest train station in July, chances are they're holding more than Swedish Fish behind the counter.

Fortunately or not, the chances of the proprietors selling their special wares to your average gabacho Gawker reader is relatively low. Even if you dust off that semester's worth of continental Spanish you picked up in your freshman year.

smashirony!

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> No newspapers over 50 cents (get your Times elsewhere), Chunky Soup for $4 a can, smell of cat piss... not to be confused with the deli/liquor store hybrid.

TRG

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> Why you telling the world our business? Can't we keep nothing to ourselves, yo?

No, I'm actually serious.

The Real JR

]]> <![CDATA[Ghetto Pass: The Corner Bodega]]> My favoritist Gawker column. And I only had to look up one word this time. Bravah, TAN.

ExTexan

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