Bow down to your bodega

If you’re really down and out on your luck financially, and you’re starving, look no further than across the street to satisfy your hungry.

That’s right. Your friendly neighborhood bodega will save the day!

“What is a bodega?” is probably a question some out-of-towners have.

According to UrbanDictionary:

bodega:

A Hispanic/Spanish/Latin mini-mart, kind of like a 7-11, but usually smaller and more like a liquor store atmosphere. Commonly used term on the east coast, especially in the New York City region, where you will find many of these. The word came from the actual Spanish word for “grocery store” – la bodega.

One of the many things I had to learn when I moved to New York was to stop saying “corner store”. They are BODEGAS.

Bodegas are awesome, because they’re so. damn. convenient. Out of toilet paper? Need a quick dinner? Looking for booze for a last-minute date? Your bodega’s got you covered. And if you’re scrimping on money, you can feed yourself for dirt cheap. (Pro tip: You’re going to have to scrimp nutritionally as well, no way around it.)

College staples such as ramen noodles and Pringles are readily available, and as cost as little as you remember. Lots of bodegas also have a deli section, and you can have a huge sandwich made for $5-$6. Ration it! You can get a couple of days out of one bodega deli sandwich.

And most bodegas have cats. Why? They catch mice and insects. They’re also super-friendly, and hang out with you while you’re shopping, rubbing against your legs and begging for a belly scratch. I love bodega cats.

Also, get to know your bodega guys. Not only can you get the latest in neighborhood gossip, but sometimes they’ll do you a solid, like running your debit card for a $9 purchase when they have a $10 minimum.

However, I’m going to let the masters of the bodega take it from here. These guys are the Mr. Miyagi of how to exist on a bodega diet: