If you live in NYC the chances are that you can’t go more than 2 blocks without encountering a dry cleaner. If you are fortunate the dry cleaner who is the closest may be good, but how can you tell? And what is good dry cleanig anyway?
If the dry cleaning shop looks like a disaster it probably is. I can never figure how people can drop of clothes and expect them to be cleaned in places that are filthy.
Speak to the counter staff, do they seem knowledgeable? If they aren’t, how comfortable are you going to be when you need to have a delicate garment cleaned?
Ask questions, ask around and see what kind of reputation they have. It’s probably not best to choose the cheapest dry cleaner around. As in everything in life, you generally get what you pay for.