Mexican Grocery & More

This place was definitely a surprising find around the corner. I never would have expected a store to be found in this specific location… but I like it!
I spent all day trying to find tostada shells (read my review for Zaragoza in Alphabet City!), and while I paid for overpriced shells at Zaragoza, I found the exact same ones for cheaper! (Zaragoza — $ 4, Mexican Grocery — $ 2.50). I did not try their food, so my review is for the grocery section.
When I walked in, I was thrilled to find Mexican pastries (the colorful boxed ones), as well as a small selection of Mexican cheeses. I can’t remember which cheeses they had, but I was looking for queso fresco and Chihuahua cheeses and they did NOT have them. Disappointment… but, they had a somewhat decent selection of canned beans, salsas, mixes, and spices and herbs. Their refrigerated section has a small selection of produce (limes, cilantro, tomato, cactus).
Overall, I will definitely come back here for tostada shells, as well as the Mexican spices and herbs. I did not see a menu, nor did I try the food, so I can’t really talk about pricing of what the food was like. Maybe next time!

This is a tiny market, around the corner from the main street, about the size of a studio apartment. That said, it’s 100% fully focused on Mexican specialties, so if that’s your thing, put this place on your radar.
There’s nothing being cooked or served, nor seemingly much else when it comes to «ready to eat» fare. In fact, I’m not even sure if there’s any «take away and cook later» fare. Rather, it’s more a place for basic staples if you happen to like cooking Mexican grub. Kicking cumin, dried smoked poblano chiles and other spices, a small cooler full of cheeses and chorizo.
It’s nothing like many markets in the Southwest, but then again, Brooklyn hasn’t been a typical entry point for Mexican migration. This place caters to those wanting some of the easily preserved/​dried flavors of home. In time, I hope we’ll have more access to fresh chiles (beyond jalapenos), unique herbs, avocados, etc. Until then, make do with what we have — and this place is kernel that will grow.

A very under-​the-​radar type of place in the midst of popular businesses. It’s a tiny Mexican grocery store which also seems to provide fresh, but limited butcher-​on-​premise meats, vegetables. More importantly they have a small grill in the back in which they cook pork and beef tacos. Very delicious pork tacos. Moist and easy to chew pork skin with slivers of fat attached, add some cilantro, seasoning and the right amount of hot sauce, and you are in serious business. Although the beef is juicy and shredded (not ground, thank the Lawd), I found it a little underwhelming. I can’t put my finger on what it’s missing during the cooking, but certainly the cilantro and hot sauce act as a nice compliment. Both meats are cooked to perfection. Moist and meaty. Not having seasoned beef isn’t a deal breaker for me, I will still order it.
I also bought a pound of chichirones (sp?). Nice fried out and airy crispy skin with mealy fat attached and a little bit of salt added. Sinning Jew Heaven. Along with the half pound of head cheese made with pork tongue, spleen and cheeks, house mole-I’m looking forward to the feast.
To elaborate more on the meats and veggies: I’m giving them a thumbs-​up. Admittedly I didn’t buy any raw meat or veggies. I’m going by aesthetics. There isn’t a trace of rotten smell anywhere. The chicken and red meats looked perfectly colored and the veggies looked crisp with no wilting what so ever. I will buy some chicken feet and pork soon.