Cinco De Mayo Mercado

Feliz Navidad! They are open 10am to 7pm today! I was able to pick up the chicken I needed. Credit cards accepted and need not speak Spanish. Shop and support local!

This corner of Nicollet continues to provide me with gustatory delights. After a quick trip to Finer Meats, I realized we need one onion but I didn’t want to drive to Kowalski’s just for that. I noticed Cinco de Mayo Mercado next door and figured we were all set. They sold onions but so much more.
The air inside smelled strongly of masa. We had just played ultimate frisbee for two hours in the windy cold so my hunger immediately zoned in on their take-​out counter.
«You wouldn’t happen to want a tamale,» I asked Sam in the tone of voice that wasn’t going to accept No’s.
We ordered two pork tamales for about $ 2.50 each — they were out of chicken and I wasn’t feeling vegetarian at the moment — that came in a waxed paper tray and covered with a thin plastic bag. There were also a lot of other food items that looked great too: chile rellenos, barbacoa, other things that would be great to take home and eat.
The tamales were great. I love the taste of cooked masa and the pork was flavorful and moist due to being encased in cornmeal. I felt really full after one, they were huge!
Cinco de Mayo Mercado earns a spot on my list of places to visit in Kingsfield, good job guys!

I love the take out food options! The pork tamales and refried beans are delicious. They also have pastries so I’m going to have to go back some morning and try those out too.

I love this place. Several have mentioned it feels like being in Mexico — that is so true. I love buying carnitas, an avocado, fresh tortillas and make a simple meal for myself. There meat is good and the ambiance — the best. The staff is lovely and prices right. Oh — and don’t forget the fresh chips!

If this place ever closes or moves I’m leaving with them. I love going here with my son to pick snacks and making last minute dinner runs for authentic food.
New staff all the time but everyone has the same great attitude and kindness — sign of good management, good hiring etc.
This continues to be a gem of our neighborhood. Affordable, friendly, great product and service

What other reviews have not spoke of is the gadamn luciousness that is Cinco de Mayo green salsa verde. Its a thin and (damn) hot salsa that goes perfectly with their fresh tortilla chips. I can’t really buy any other chips around here and be happy. Cinco de Mayo chips are the best save from frying some up yourself. And if you have a shitty little Rival deep fryer like I do, you know that you only want to pull that crapbox out when absolutely necessary. Forget not also the salsa roja (red) salsa. Its got s great smokey flavor, but it doesn’t kill it like the verde. Really, trust me, the other aspects of this shop are not tip-​top, but the chips, salsas, and guac are worth a visit.
I haven’t frequented the hot food bar save for a couple pork tamales. These were great and leave me wanting to test out their other offerings.
The produce section is a bit lack-​luster, but if you need the basics, its all there. They, as expected, have a pretty good pepper selection.
And, you can’t forget the selection of Bimbo snack products! I can’t wait till the next time I can get a sweet Bimbo in my mouth! There are plenty of other fresh-​baked goods available, but I admit that I haven’t tried them and can not comment.
Just get in here and try chips, salsa roja/​verde & guac. Then see if you want to try out more.

Cinco De Mayo Mercadeo = Pretty dope Mexican Market located on Nicollet Ave. I think a pros and cons list should do:
Pros
+Tons of awesome cooking goodies such as canned salsas, powdered milk, daily pressed tortillas, and affordable and fresh produce.
+Prices resemble other mercados, even though the neighborhood is a bit more expensive.
+Plenty of parking available on Nicollet Avenue.
+Nice red (fresh) meats, especially their selection of beefs.
+Pinatas, FTW!
Cons
+Their deli, with tortas, tacos, and other goodies, aren’t so tasty.
+Could use a better system of getting people in-​line during rush hours.
More pros than cons, hence the four stars. I would also consider coming back in the future!

You know what none of the local co-​ops have? QUESO FRESCO.
This place obviously has queso fresco, and cotija cheese, and prettyyyy much everything else you need to make a bang-​up meal. Their baked goods are a-​ok (personal preference– conchas have never done it for me) and their produce is fairly priced and widely varied.
It’s also incredibly convenient, being that between Lyn-​Lake and 60^th there’s a dead zone of grocers. It’s a clutch little spot to pick up the necessities or a forgotten dinner ingredient, and a great way to take in/​practice some Spanish.

For those who’ve lived in Mexico walking inside is a familiar sight. There are a lot of products from Mexico including the wonderful Mexican Coca-​Cola sans HFCS (which tastes *much* different from US Coca-​Cola).
As a Mexican grocery store Cinco de Mayo doesn’t really stand out from others (product, produce, meats, and prepared food) other than it is conveniently located for those in SW Minneapolis and one other important factor. They make fresh corn tortillas *daily* and a stack of them cost less than a cup of coffee.
For those who have not had fresh corn tortillas, fresh corn is (in my opinion) far superior to flour. If you are lucky enough to go at the right time you can get yours pulled off of the line as they are made.