El Condor

Stopped here on my way back to O’Hare after renewing my Peruvian passport at the Peruvian consulate downtown. Where I live, most latin markets only carry Mexican ingredients and are often missing key ingredients like ají amarillo so I thought I would check out this place while I was in town. They are conveniently located a few blocks from the blue line so it’s a quick stop along the way. Anyways El Condor did not disappoint– I stocked up on my ají and other foods I haven’t been able to find at home. Let’s just say I had a very interesting conversation with the TSA agent who scanned my carry-​on at the airport ;) Next time I’m bringing an empty suitcase!
I also had a nice conversation with the owner. Apparently part of her business is ordering extra items which she then ships to the small stores in the Midwest who otherwise wouldn’t be able to have an order big enough to get certain things. When I told her where I was from, she told me the names of a few stores near me that she occasionally ships products to that I hadn’t tried yet. Sure enough when I got home and visited them they had what I needed. Now I’m the family hero who ended the Huancaína shortage!

I had printed directions to two stores that were suppose to carry Peruvian goods but I couldn’t remember which was which. BUT the bright store sign made it easy for me to find once I got on the right street. I lucked into a close parking spot, which was great when I had to have help carrying out all that I bought!: o
The website for El Condor was super helpful in giving me an idea of what to expect.
When I went in, I was the only one there and the sweet lady behind the counter probably thought I was lost. Before I left, there were 7 – 8 guys that had come in, all speaking Spanish and talking like they have been here often. It definitely had a neighborhood market feel to it… I would easily come more often if I was closer in proximity.
While the shelves were packed, it was easy to find things. I started with a Peruvian flag, and then spices (there were a LOT to choose from), and aji amarillo… and crackers, cookies and they even have frozen goods but the cherry on top was the Inca Kola in glass bottles. I’m SO SO SO excited! If I knew what to do with the dried corn, they have it but some things are over my head!
I have a few recipes I want to try, to reminisce on my time in Peru, and thanks to El Condor, I think I will have an authentic experience.

OMG…
I wish I had one of these at home… aka Colombus… and L. A!
All kinds of Ecuadorian, Peruvian, and Latin American products. I just made a trip to DC and bought the entire store. But here we found some Ecuadorian cheese and I can’t wait to get home and make some Cunapes!
yay!

I found out about this little gem earlier this year. I decided to check it out since I am of Peruvian descent. I didn’t know what to expect because I did find other south american stores who thought selling nothing but Inca Kola sodas clasified them as authentic south American. Psssh. Well, when I got there, I sort of got disappointed quickly. There was like security fencing on the windows and the store was small. All of my fears soon disappeared. When I walked inside, they had everything any Peruvian could want! Peruvian flags, keychains, food, music, dvd’s, and yes even Inca Kola. Besides that they also have tons of Ecuadorian merchandise, and Columbian, and other south American country stuff. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that not only did they have the Peruvian criollo music I was looking for, they also had Peruvian Corn «Chocklo» and Inca Kola in cans, two liters, and GLASS BOTTLES! I was there today by the way and bought 4 bottles of Inca Kola in bottles. They do taste way better than in the can. And since shopping there a few short months ago, they have remodeled and increased the size of the store. Not a whole lot but definitely a bit larger. Para Todo los Peruanos en Chicago, I reccommend this little store highly. I almost forgot, they also carry lots of herbs and spices that many Peruvians cannot find anywhere else in Chicago for their cooking needs. Like the ingrediants needed to cook «pap a la Huancaina, Lomo Saltado, Cau Cau, Aji De Gallina» and Mazamora morada! And even CHICHA! Go here fast. I’m sure you will go crazy buying up almost everything in the store.

South American Store.
WoW! This place is so small but carries a lot of stuff, i was looking for a few latin american flags and when we enter the place they were packed with so many things:
Soccer t-​shirts (all of them)
sweets, Ecuadorian chocolates
Peruvian Ollucos
Inca Kolas
Hot sauces from guayaquil
ETC
The people were so nice to us, my husband got a small glass bottle of inca kola, (it taste better than a can). We didn’t buy much but boy these people really have the right store, so much stuff, it reminds me of places in italy, rice, pasta, bread, it is worth to check it out, if you are looking for south american products or soccer t-​shirts, i prefer the italian soccer t-​shirts.
Great Service!