Pros
Most of the people you work with are moderately cool and talented. You get an hour lunch break, and a discount. Most of the food offered is delicious and at reasonable prices. Some of the customers are really fun to chat with, humorous and interesting. Decent starting wage. Moderate benefits package. Tasting allow for you find out more about the quality of products and what you can par them with. You learn quite a bit about cooking, food, and dining from coworkers and customers. Yes, all of the signs are made right at the store. The tasting station is open as long as the store is and always has something new to try.
Cons
Management is totally disorganized, and under qualified, never expect praise for the work you do. You get the feeling that you can always be replaced at any time. Taking a bathroom break is almost a sin against god. Yes managers do play favorites with part time people. You are constantly called off your break to resume 'register' duties. 10 or 15 minute breaks are non existent, which might be illegal in NY? You have no idea what to tell people about the food they are eating, I still have no idea where our dairy comes from or produce or anything really in the entire store. Everything just says Monrovia, CA on it. Which can't be possible, Its a warehouse building. No one seems to know where the stuff comes from. The little stories in the Fearless Flyer seem totally shaddy and almost distracting to the point. The wage is not ground breaking, considering how much money these stores are making on daily basis in NYC. Most of my co-workers are collecting public assistance, in some form or another. You do get benefits working on part-time, but you wont be able to afford them if you only work part time 20-25 hrs per week. Also you are part time even if you work up and including your 39th hour of work. Which I am sure is some kind of shady lingo tip toe around employment regulations.