Polcari's feels as though it belongs to another time, when people headed down to the corner shop to pick up their dry goods and shoot the breeze with their neighbors, rather than jumping into the Land Rover and heading to Whole Foods. At Polcari's, you can find almost every kind of spice, loose teas, coffee beans and dried fruit, and so of course it smells wonderful inside. The prices are also from another time -- rates are per pound and you get a lot for the money. The counter staff are incredibly helpful and patient, despite the fact that it can get crowded on busy weekends -- especially with their older customers, with whom they converse loudly and politely in Italian. I sincerely hope this plays stays in business forever, which is why I try to patronize it every time I'm in the North End -- which is regrettably not often enough.
Pros: Reasonable prices, wide selection, friendly helpful staff
Cons: Can get crowded
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