John Leguizamo explores New York’s iconic bodegas

John Leguizamo unearths the hidden history of a New York urban institution. The bodega, whose name originates from the Spanish word for “storeroom,” took off in the late 1940s after Latino immigrants recognized the need for products that were authentic to their culture. “Bodegas filled your belly and your heart,” Leguizamo says, adding, “If you’re from New York City, there’s only one place you’re getting half a gallon of milk and a lottery ticket at 2 a.m.”


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#LeguizamoDoesAmerica #NewYork #JohnLeguizamo

[albertomartinez]

Yes, Sir, I love our beautiful country and all the different cultures!!!! That surrounds the city's and town's

[johngonzo]

Lol hes not Puerto Rican, even his family said he Colombian with European roots. I dont know why he keeps trying to be Puerto Rican 😂

[axelgear]

In Costarica, the bodega stores are called pulperias. Only way to get some eggs, powdered milk, plantains, sausage and coffee beans was at a pulperia.

Small mom and pop bodegas is the heart of all latin America

[heru-deshet]

I was born and raised in Williamsburg, Brooklyn 70 years ago (left in 1974). The neighborhood was all PRs, Jews, Poles and Italians. My family is of Franco Spanish descent. Puerto Rican bodegas were everywhere in the neighborhood. Every PR that came from the island with money would put one up and did well. When I hear the term Bodega now owned by anyone not PR, and not just a grocery store anymore it seems strange. Funny thing is that I have vacationed in PR many times and have never seen a local grocery store called a Bodega there by the locals. They're called "Colmados".

[nancygomez]

I really miss my bodega. I moved to upstate New York no more that great coffee or breakfast.

[douglasreagan]

Dr. Jildo thanks you for not mentioning Joe's dementia.

[willow-yr]

Leguizamo for President!!!
Vote por El, quick.

[amgooder]

I miss the Puerto Rican🇵🇷 owned Bodegas, cause it was like visiting family.🫶
Dominicans...always following ...Ricans🙄🤣

[earlclue]

during pandemic (2yrs)NY state made 200 million from lottery, wonder where that money came from & who?

[marmac]

Oh IC some of you magas watched it too! How WONDERFUL! Well, keep watching, you just might learn something? and to even care about them!

[t.a.k.palfrey]

This video confused me. Having travelled extensively both in Spain and across many Spanish-speaking countries, I was expecting a tourist video of vinyards and wine cellars. Instead I was shown las tiendas de conveniencia! 🤔

[oppressedspeakeroftruth]

New york us looking rough. Democrats have beaten that once great city down into what it is now

[davidmhale]

A guy that walks the streets with armed security

[brandon]

do they sell breakfast tacos? - Jill biden

[marmac]

I really enjoyed this Episode & look forward to the remaining 5 EPS, & perhaps more later?! :0)

[jennyjenny]

Jose Alba would have a different opinion of NYC bodegas.

[cme]

I watched this episode of his documentary and it is really informative..😃 If anyone can find a place that can make a chopped cheese sandwich, it will be worth it..😊

[cultureal]

I remembered Delancey street with Jewish people selling pickles from barrels ... the original storefront ... the original immigrant who started storefront grocery stores

[carloscarlos]

Why was Jackson heights not a " easy place to grow up " ? What a BS drama queen Leguizamo is .Jackson heights was a good neighborhood when he grew up there

[heathermetz]

2:08 "Chopped cheese!" Looks delicious.