I’ve been on a mission to find the best mangoes in New York, and let me tell you, Labay Market in Brooklyn is where the magic happens! This hidden gem has become my weekend ritual, drawing mango enthusiasts from across the city with its incredible selection. Whether you’re a mango aficionado or just someone who enjoys the occasional tropical treat, this place will transform your fruit-shopping experience forever.
1. Rare Mango Varieties You Can Actually Find
Labay Market in Brooklyn is a well-known destination for Caribbean fruits, where you can expect high-quality, fresh tropical produce that reflects the owner’s Grenadian roots.
Mangoes like Julie or Haitian Madame Francis are sometimes available when in season, and those alone are enough to draw Caribbean food lovers from around the borough. The selection isn’t always massive, but it’s curated with care, depending on what’s fresh and available through their import channels.
Unlike big supermarkets in New York state that rely on mass-produced Ataulfos or Tommy Atkins, Labay sometimes stocks mangoes with more complex flavor and less stringy texture – perfect for people who grew up eating fruit right off the tree.
While you probably won’t encounter varieties like Alphonso or Nam Doc Mai here, the mangoes Labay does carry are celebrated in Caribbean households, and that authenticity makes all the difference for shoppers who know what to look for.
2. Ripeness That Actually Works For You
If you’ve ever struggled with mangoes that never seem to ripen or go bad too fast, you’re not alone – but Labay Market does a decent job of stocking fruit at different stages of readiness.
While they don’t have a high-tech ripening room or a special technique from the Philippines, they do offer honest advice and know how to help customers choose the right fruit depending on when they want to eat it. Staff might gently press the mango and suggest whether it’s best eaten today, tomorrow, or a few days later, and that simple guidance can save a lot of disappointment.
Some fruit arrives green and firm, while other mangoes on the shelf are soft, fragrant, and ready to slice that same day. It’s not an exact science, but for people tired of second-guessing supermarket mangoes, Labay offers a more trustworthy option.
The focus here is on good, seasonal produce – not gimmicks – and that’s often more valuable than hype.
3. Seasonal Tastings and a Welcoming Atmosphere
The market is known for its warm, welcoming vibe and genuine community spirit. On busy weekends, it’s not uncommon for staff to offer samples of fruit or other tropical treats, especially when something seasonal and exciting arrives.
The store prides itself on highlighting quality ingredients from the Caribbean, and during the summer months, when mangoes are at their peak, staff may share ripeness tips or let curious customers try a slice before buying.
The market doesn’t have formal tastings run by the owner, but McDonald “Big Mac” Romain, the charismatic founder, is often present, chatting with regulars and sharing stories about his farm in Grenada. His passion for produce shines through, and it’s clear he takes pride in what ends up on the shelves.
While there aren’t mango-eating contests, the real reward is finding something that reminds you of home – or makes you curious to learn more.
4. A Few Mango Products – Not a Whole Line
While Labay Market is first and foremost a fresh grocery, they also carry a few mango-based products that Caribbean shoppers often seek out. You’re more likely to find imported dried mango, mango nectar, or bottled mango sauces than anything made in-house, and there’s no official line of Labay-branded chutneys or weekly mango ice cream batches.
Still, the products on their shelves reflect real customer needs – not food trends. A bottle of spicy mango pepper sauce, for example, is a common pantry item for West Indian cooking, and Labay typically has a few options in that category. You might also find mango juice blends popular across the Caribbean.
It’s not a gourmet boutique – it’s a neighborhood market – and it succeeds by delivering the real, familiar tastes that matter most to the Caribbean families in New York State and beyond.
5. A Neighborhood Market With Strong Roots
What really sets Labay Market apart is its deep connection to the Caribbean community in Brooklyn. The store serves as a gathering place where culture, food, and stories naturally mix.
The market is rooted in the experience of its owner, McDonald “Big Mac” Romain, who sources many products from his own farm in Grenada and maintains close ties with growers in the region. Customers often chat in the aisles, trade cooking tips, or share memories of fruits they ate growing up.
There’s a strong sense of cultural preservation here – the feeling that food is more than just sustenance, but a link to identity and heritage. The store’s Facebook presence helps keep shoppers informed about new arrivals, and regulars often alert each other when hard-to-find fruits like breadfruit, soursop, or Julie mangoes come in.
It’s less about events and more about community – and that’s something you can feel.
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