Antojitos Mexicanos (Supermercado Carreta) in RP

Supermercado Carretta is a middle of the road family-owned corner Mexican store. It carries most of the major Mexican brands, and has an OK carneceria (with good house-made Chorizo) , but I am afraid that the newish and flashier Frascacasita up the street is probably really cutting into their business (especially since it has a parking lot). A while back, Supermercado Carreta opened an attached restaurant with the mundane name "Antojitos Mexicanos". It was probably a good idea since it seems popular and gets people into the store (I did a little shopping while waiting on my food).

Anyhow, I found myself looking for a quick dinner to go last night and was almost headed for the <<"shudder">> Mickey D's around the corner. Luckily, I decided to pop into the Supermercado instead. The restaurant is fairly large and takes up about 1/3 of the store. It is a clean and open space with cafeteria type booths and absolutely no decor other than over-saturated photos of the menu items against the back wall. It is probably misnamed because it is much more than the usual Supermercado Taqueria, and carries full dinners, as well as Tacos, Gorditas and such. The menu was about 1/3 breakfast items (I was happy to see my favorite papas y chorizo on the menu), 1/3 Antojitos (including pambasas, tortas, gorditas, sopes etc.), and 1/3 dinner entrées (bisteck, lengua en salsa, costillas de res, pollo en mole rojo, Tampiquena etc.). The first thing that struck me was how inexpensive everything was. I ordered a Carne Asada dinner to go, which cost an astoundingly cheap $6.99. At that price I was not expecting much, but when I got home I found that I was happily mistaken. Admittedly, the steak was thin split carne arachera, but it was tender and tasty, and the portion was more than adequate. The dinner came with moist rice and flavorful beans, avocado slices, lettuce, tomatoes and soft steamed tortillas. The steak was covered in really sweet and crunchy grilled onions and a blisteringly hot grilled jalapeno. A surprisingly good meal for the price. I will have to go back soon and try their breakfast (no more egg mcmuffs for me).

I am sure it looks better arranged on a plate (and before the car ride home).

Antojitos Mexicanos
6906 N. Clark
Chicago, IL

Supermercado Carreta
6908 N. Clark
Chicago, IL

IDK, d - that's calling my name right now.

This seems similar to many of the Jimenez grocery stores around town- the ones that have the taquerias in them that serve a full array of taqueria staples, along with a host of guisados and typical restaurant "platillo" offerings at very good prices. These types of spots are very good "go to" joints for take out that can net you an absolutely stellar meal for the around the same price as a boring sub par fast food type meal. I'm a huge fan of the Jimenez in Wheeling or Buffalo Grove up by where I work. For those who venture in, and find the little taqueria in there, a very affordable treasure awaits.