Went to a Mexican Supermarket yesterday . . .

[pbs911]

..

[Moneyguy1]

We go to one here in Tucson for meat and some vegetables. Found the same thing. The only non Hispanic grocery here that comes close is Sunflower.

[vash]

compare the price of spices between the two. mind boggling. example: chili powder 99cents versus, $4.

i do the same, but in the bay area, we also have huge chinese grocery stores that are even a bit cheaper.

i do enjoy buying the occasional aged steak from a high end place, tho.

[lendaddy]

Originally posted by pbs911


The only catch is I found no one who worked there that spoke English, so you better know your Spanish.

Oh they speak english, they're just not stupid

[kach22i]

There are some Arab grocery stores in Dearborn where you can get great deals to. I suspect you need large populations of immigrants to make the ethnic dividend thing work.

[Moneyguy1]

A few words in Spanish here and there get thepoint across. All it takes is a little effort.

[tabs]

U JUST DISCOVERED it's cheaper...LOL....

I try and buy ALL my Produce at the local Mexican Market, I find the Chinese Market is better for Fish....but in general the Chinese market is a bit higher in price... try Shallots for $1 a pound...vs $2.39 at the local Super....

Also there are Grocery Outlet Stores here...which buys close outs, and overages....or a Dented Can Store....you can save mucho money..for example....Name Brand Pure Vanilla
Extract....at $.0.50 a bottle...or Barrilla Pasta at $.0.39 a box...

I also check out the damaged basket at the Supers...I once found 7 botltles of Far Niete Chardonney for $4 abottle vs $40 a bottle regular price......or Pio Pica Taco Sauce for $0.25 a bottle.... I took all 16 bottles...

[EdT82SC]

Originally posted by tabs
U JUST DISCOVERED it's cheaper...LOL....

I try and buy ALL my Produce at the local Mexican Market, I find the Chinese Market is better for Fish....but in general the Chinese market is a bit higher in price... try Shallots for $1 a pound...vs $2.39 at the local Super....

Also there are Grocery Outlet Stores here...which buys close outs, and overages....or a Dented Can Store....you can save mucho money..for example....Name Brand Pure Vanilla
Extract....at $.0.50 a bottle...or Barrilla Pasta at $.0.39 a box...

I also check out the damaged basket at the Supers...I once found 7 botltles of Far Niete Chardonney for $4 abottle vs $40 a bottle regular price......or Pio Pica Taco Sauce for $0.25 a bottle.... I took all 16 bottles...

ROFL. Tabs, you remind me of my grandmother (god rest her soul). She used to buy anything on sale, and stock up in huge quantities. Every time we went to visit we would leave with several bags full of the latest food she found on sale.

[pbs911]

...

[red-beard]

My wife would be P.O.'d at me if I sent here there. I used to go to Food for Less in San Diego, because it was about 30% less than Vons or Ralphs. Here in Houston, Fiesta and Foodtown are the cheap places. She refuses to go.

Know where to fight the battles. She will go to Costco, but hates Samsclub...

[Moses]

I'm guessing the rent is less in little Mexico. Also I wonder what the checkers make.

I like the atmosphere in the smaller Mexican markets, but I'm not your typical shopper. Most soccer moms want grocery stores to be as clean as an operating room. And they will pay for it.

[jyl]

Also try Ranch 99 or a similar Asian supermarket. Great for seafood - pick out your fish, have them haul it out, whack it on the head, clean it, and wrap the still-quivering body in paper for you. Pretty darn fresh.

[craigster59]

Living in an agricultural area with a large Hispanic population, we have no shortage of small "Mom/Pop" stores and "Super Mercados". They definitely have a better and cheaper meat counter with carne asada, chicharrones, fresh salsa, etc.. My wife tends to shop there more than I do. The produce is good and cheap, but we live in an area with alot of fruit/veg stands. My only complaint with the mercados is very limited selection on the "Gringo" food ( example: 2 types of cheese, cheddar AND jack...WOW)

[84porsche]

Originally posted by kach22i
There are some Arab grocery stores in Dearborn where you can get great deals to. I suspect you need large populations of immigrants to make the ethnic dividend thing work.

Here in Anaheim they have quite a few Arab grocery marts and the vegetables are remarkably cheaper than your conventional stores. Usually go to the Arabic markets for healthy stuff and to the conventionals for the unhealthy stuff and the stuff I want right now because the other stores are about 15 miles compared to 1 mile away.

[TerryBPP]

Funny, i went into a all italian supermarket this weekend and it was all 100% higher than the supermarket.

[kach22i]

Originally posted by TerryBPP
Funny, i went into a all italian supermarket this weekend and it was all 100% higher than the supermarket.

They have been here too long...........had you went there 40 or 50 years ago, that would be a different story. Although the supermarket would actually be a neighborhood with seperate meat markets, bakeries and fruit markets strung along a street or several block area.

[COLDBASS]

Hmmm, Northgate Gonzalez perhaps?

They are a former client of ours, got to know one of the owners (family members) very well. Their father started the business some time ago. Typical immigrant success story, long hours, dedication, etc. I think that they currenty have 14 stores in the LA and North Orange county areas.

Employee wages arent great, but they seem treat everyone like family...

Interestingly, I went to one of their markets in Pico Rivera. I wanted some fresh tortillas. I walked thru the meat section and didnt like the fish smell. Called the owner and gave him a heads up. They addressed it immediately...

Overall, I do save a substantial amount there. Although, these places may be too enthic for some folks here...

[tabs]

I have found that among Asian Grocery Stores the Ranch 99 is the most expensive... I sometime literally spend hours in the Asian stores checking out the various sauces and condiments...half the time I wonder how they are used?

[Joeaksa]

I go to one from time to time and great deals there. Used to live in Mexico eons ago so like the food a lot.

Also go to the .99 cent stores all the time. Loads of stuff sold there that is just as good (spray brake cleaner etc) for 25% the price of a normal store. Did not buy food there for a long time but got hooked on some of their hot links and the stuff is as good as a regular market IMHO.

Joe A

[JavaBrewer]

My wife does all the shopping so everything comes from Ralphs or Vons. We went to a Ranch 99 years ago but she stopped dead in her tracks at the door - the smell of fish and chickens was overwhelming. She wouldn't shop there even if the food was free.