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He said it has a Hispanic name when he asked "For what is a bodega?" That's the way I read it.
When I walk into a store with a Spanish sounding name, it usually has Latin American products, and is usually owned by Hispanics. I wouldn't walk into Ali's Roti shop and think "Hey, I'm in a bodega."
Aren't they just liquor stores? At least from the description of what they sell, that is what we call them in SoCal. I'm referring to places like this: California Liquor - South Park - San Diego, CA | Yelp Though, they don't make their own sandwiches or anything like that.
For more Latin American oriented, you would probably have to go to small mercados in Hispanic concentrated neighborhoods like East LA, Boyle Heights etc.
In Kentucky they are called hillbilly hangouts, where the bourbon and whiskey at Jethro and Kooter.
Even in the cities? Because here they serve the neighborhoods. Generally, the wealthier areas have markets that look nicer and carry more quality foods (and craft beers/cheese/meats) than the ones in the bad areas (lottery/cheap beer/cigs).
Space is at a premium, so in my neighborhood you have to go several miles to hit your first "real" grocery store (though there's a hippy/co-op grocery a mile down the road) - these are places people walk to.
They are all over the Twin Cities. We just call them corner shops or convenience stores.
In TN they are not called bogeda either, just a store, convenience store. Most small stores here sell gas too. The word bogeda must be a northeastern thing.
Location: NYC based - Used to Live in Philly - Transplant from Miami
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There are alot of bodega in Philly. We call it papi store down here. Although some of them in SOuth Philly are also operated by Indonesians. Yummy Idnonesian snacks!
Same in Miami, we have alot of Cuban "bodegas". There was one that I always frequent near my neighborhood because they always give me discount for arrepas.
Bodegas is not unique to NYC. AND NYC is not the center of the universe of all things unique.
- Philly is flooded with them -- end to end. They really contribute to a feeling of continuous urbanity, even in a row house community. As you move from section to section within the city they are owned by differing ethnic groups...adding their own flavor to the experience.
- I get the vibe that what the OP is referring to is more of a NYC - Phila - B'more - parts of DC kind of thing. It's something about how the stores are integrated into the fabric of the row house communities -- providing a brief commercial destination within a dense, old, urban city. Might have to post some images to properly relay the feel/vibe/swagger I'm hinting at.
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