10 Reasons to Shop at a Mexican Supermarket

Do you live near a Mexican supermarket? Here in Phoenix we have several.  Food City is kind of scattered, and El Super & Los Altos are mostly in the older area of Mesa & downtown Phoenix. I love them all. I really don’t have a favorite, because I like certain things about each one. I think my husband loves Los Altos the most though … he loves to eat there.

We make a trip once a week, sometimes twice, but if they were closer we’d probably be there every other day. 

If you haven’t ever shopped at a Mexican supermarket, it is such a wonderful place – I can say the same for Asian Markets too. You can find a lot of GOOD stuff you may not find at the regular supermarket, you’ll leave feeling full, and your pocketbook likely lighter if you are going to pick up produce.

Mexican Supermarkets don’t usually spend as much money on advertising like the traditional supermarkets do – you won’t see them all over the television or radio, you won’t see billboards on the freeway, and you won’t see them spend too much on marketing studies – their prices on produce and many other items may tend to stand out so boldly that it draws people in.

Those Wednesday Produce Specials at Food City, Los Altos & Food City are an amazing way of showing people enough to get them to come in the store – once you shop, you’ll likely keep going back. Here are TEN reasons why you should consider shopping at a Mexican Supermarket ~ 

Photo via Flickr via David Boté Estrada

#1 Fresh Tortillas 

You can buy bags of them – still warm from the store’s own machine.  Nobody goes to a Hispanic market to buy Guerrero or Mission Tortillas. They just don’t.  (Did I tell you they have fresh chips there too? SO MUCH better than the bagged chips at other stores.)

#2 Practice your Spanish

It’s important to be able to speak another language, and why not Spanish? Learning how to communicate in a second language is a PLUS – we are proud to be a bilingual family.  A second language helps open up more opportunities, encourages influence and can result in profit too… that’s 3 reasons to learn. And what better way to practice than at a hispanic supermarket. Most of the Employees are bilingual, and you will see signs and store announcements in Spanish, too.

Everyone I have ever ran into has always been helpful when you at least try.

#3 Great Produce Prices 

If you don’t shop at the Mexican Market, then you have NO idea what you are missing out on…. produce is INCREDIBLY cheap. Not to mention they have a HUGE selection. 

In fact, you name it and they probably have it, for MUCH less – try their Wednesday Produce Specials for even lower prices on all of your favorite produce items.  I can find Chiles there, without having to drive store to store to Walmart, or Fry’s, even Safeway. And I can get Guayabas. Not to mention … they have Nopales – the paddles and fresh cut in the bag. I have a husband and kids that love Nopales with their eggs, even more with their beans.

#4 Different Meats

If you haven’t been to the meat counter in a Mexican Market, it’s unlike NO other.. they have everything, ON display. And by everything, I mean they have it ALL. 

In a Mexican Supermarket has cuts that other stores may not have. While you may not find T-Bone Steak there, you will find Marinated Carne Asada, Lengua, and Milanesa pounded thin.

#5 Freshly Prepared Foods 

Not only can you pick up freshly made tortillas, many of the hispanic stores have small restaurants or seating areas with freshly prepared foods… Beans, Rice, Tacos, Gorditas, and more. How can you NOT want to stop and eat as you shop?

You’ll also find Pan Dulce, and fresh Salsa too.  They have the BEST bakery. Try it. You’ll agree.

#6 Tamarindo & Champurrado

Every Mexican Market has fresh Tamarindo and Champurrado ~ something that the regular stores just don’t have. If you haven’t had either, then you should think about making a trip.

#7 Upbeat Music

I once heard someone mention that they don’t like going to the Mexican Market because of the music they play – hard to imagine someone who doesn’t enjoy the upbeat music. My kids love going there FOR the music alone. It sure makes the shopping experience that much more exciting.

#8 Tamale Classes

MANY local Mexican Markets offer classes on how to make Tamales – which is GREAT… after all, who doesn’t love tamales?  They offer the classes in both English and Spanish, so check your local store to see when their next offering is so you can sign up.

#9All that Other Stuff

Including Queso Fresco. Chiles, Queso Oaxaca, fresh Masa, Salsa Verde, Tamarino, Chayotes, Nopales, Chicharrones, and Ibarra Chocolate.   The list really could go on – we love the Spices, and my kids go bonkers for Paletas too. 

#10 Liquor & Beer

Don’t miss this area – they usually have quite a huge selection. Hispanics are more likely to be adventurous when it comes to beer selection and 80% of Hispanics drink imported beer over domestic. 

The Latin market is HUGE for beer suppliers so you will always find a WIDE variety of beers to chose from, sales to pair, and sometimes even bonus promotions!

Have you been? How often do you go? What do you buy? And do you like it as much as WE do? Let us know, we’d love to hear!