Mexican grocery north of city

Can anyone recommend a Mexican grocery with comprehensive selection in the northern/northwestern neighborhoods or suburbs? Particularly interested in imported packaged goods.

Thanks much
Alriemer

I will look up the info.There is a place on Algonquin Rd in Rolling Meadows that I believe is now called Farmer's Pride,formerly Green Acres.


Green Acres/Farmer's Pride
1414 W Algonquin
Arlington Heights
847-394-8888

LaRosita Market
Main St. in Crystal Lake

LaRosita Market
Rt 120 in McHenry

Three Brothers (not sure about the name)
Rt. 176 (across from Dos Hermanos, east of IL53) in Wauconda

Armandos
Rt 25 east of IL-31 in Elgin

Butera's in Elgin is also pretty reliable on some imported items.

Also, Eurofresh (Rt 14 in Palatine) has *some* Mexican items among the imported goods.

Of these, I prefer Armandos but the others are more convenient to me.

Anything you are looking for in particular??

Okay, it's been nine years...time to bump this thread!

We're in Evanston and I would rather drive farther than go into the city. So the closest large supermercado I know of is:

Carnicerias Jimenez
550 W Dundee Rd
Wheeling, IL 60090
(847) 229-9295

I like the place; it's a nice store. But I can't help wondering...isn't there something closer (again, excluding the city)? I know I can pick up some Mexican things here and there, but I'm really looking for something pretty comprehensive. Am I in luck?

Thanks.

Jimenez is good but if I were still in Evanston. I'd just hit the places on Clark s of Touhy and the one on Devon E of Clark.

Clark south of Touhy is Supermercado Chapala. I've been there, it's nice, but nowhere as extensive a selection as Carniceria Jimenez. The only thing I can think of on Devon east of Clark is La Unica. If that's what you mean, I have the same thought: nice, but more a neighborhood place than a large supermarket. Thanks for reminding me of them both, but I'm still inclined to go to Carniceria Jimenez.

Hi,

In Waukegan, I'd go to Lewis Market on Grand Avenue east of 41. In the entrance, they have a small taqueria for a snack before shopping.

Regards,

I would go to MORELIA 7300 N. Western Avenue Chicago. 773-761-3291
They have also butcher, deli, seafood, hot prepared foods, counters and a full assortment of Mexican fresh fruit, vegetable, and condiments.
very large parking place.

I would go to MORELIA 7300 N. Western Avenue Chicago. 773-761-3291
They have also butcher, deli, seafood, hot prepared foods, counters and a full assortment of Mexican fresh fruit, vegetable, and condiments.
very large parking place.

. . .rousing endorsement here. Why anyone who lives in Evanston would go all the way to Wheeling (!) when this place is right there, two blocks south of Howard, is beyond me. House-made salsas, tortillas, crema , and entrees of all kinds, and not just on the weekends - and that wonderfully fragrant bakery! As noted, the produce section is great - and they always have hard-to-find staples, such as chilaca chiles, as well as red jalapenos in season, and both cebollitas and knob onions. Great place.

sundevilpeg wrote:

I would go to MORELIA 7300 N. Western Avenue Chicago. 773-761-3291
They have also butcher, deli, seafood, hot prepared foods, counters and a full assortment of Mexican fresh fruit, vegetable, and condiments.
very large parking place.

. . .rousing endorsement here. Why anyone who lives in Evanston would go all the way to Wheeling (!) when this place is right there, two blocks south of Howard, is beyond me. House-made salsas, tortillas, crema , and entrees of all kinds, and not just on the weekends - and that wonderfully fragrant bakery! As noted, the produce section is great - and they always have hard-to-find staples, such as chilaca chiles, as well as red jalapenos in season, and both cebollitas and knob onions. Great place.

Count me in also. I love this place. Some of the Michoacán stews are phenomenal, as well as the Goat Barbacoa. IMHO, the Carnitas are the best in the city. Carlos Trello, the Chef from Sol de Mexico, told me that Supermercado Morelia, had the most authentic Michoacán style Carnitas in the city. The chips they make from their freshly pressed tortillas are light, crispy and salty bits of paradise, especially when they are still warm from the fryer.

When this place was on Clark street in the 90s, it was legendary. The new Northwest side outpost lacks some of the soul of its ancestor, but the operation is immaculate. These guys take real pride in their establishments. The shelves are always fully stocked, the floors and countertops are clean and polished, and I don't think I have ever seen a wilted or bruised piece of produce. The fresh made baked goods and hot dishes cannot be beat, but the selection of Mexican staples is large, and competitively priced.

Thank you all. I don't know this place and will give it a try this morning. Looking forward to discovering a place closer by and am optimistic when three folks all endorse it. Appreciate the help! Thank you.

Crap I forgot Morelia reopened on Western! That place is great.

Trip report: not as large (meaning, not the depth of selection as Carniceria Jimenez) as I had hoped but nevertheless a very good selection for its size. Nice to know about and will probably become my go-to source for most visits. They had a somewhat different (better, I think) produce selection but for the rest, there's more to choose from at Jimenez. Was only sorry to be there the minute they opened (the day's schedule precluded a later trip) and so there wasn't much hot prepared food out yet.

Still and all, great to know about; thanks to all!

While it is definitely the house-made hot foods and the in-house bakery that sets this place apart (be sure to try the Tortillas, made fresh all day, and kept on trays atop the "to go" food case, not with the other tortillas) I think you will find that Supemercado Morelia has produce items from Michoacán that you will not find elsewhere. As to the canned and frozen items, they mostly represent the lines of the Major Mexican distributors (Goya, La Preferida etc.). However, mixed among the old standards (which are reasonably priced), there are foods that are peculiar to the Michoacán region such as frozen Mamey fruit (which they also often have fresh). They also have a good selection of Mexican Beverages. While there are other alternatives for canned Mexican goods in the area, Morelia does a great job of keeping their shelves neatly stocked. When a can is removed from the shelves, within minutes an employee moves the other cans forward to fill the hole. When you couple the pride of ownership with the excellent bakery, flawless produce, unique prepared foods and line of in-house made condiments, the place cannot be beat. It seems the inventory is not as great as other larger Markets, but I have never not found what I was looking for. They may just have fewer duplicate items on the shelves.

A good place for a huge array of Mexican spices and items like bunches of Fresh Thyme (sold at the registers), the Rogers Park Fruit Market is a must go to. Besides Mexican spices and condiments, they have a massive selection of Caribbean foods and sauces. They must have 40 different types of Jerk-Sauce.

Another place to try is Supermercado Chapala. Its on Clark just south of Touhy.

I live in Bucktown, and am unsure as to the best close Mexican supermercado. I'm about to embark on a Mexican coursed dinner party for 14, and am looking for a grocery where I can pick up all the staple Mexican items I'll need, including ingredients for mole amarillo and poblano, as well as fresh masa for tortillas and tamales. I see there is a Morelia on 4800 W Diversey; is that probably my best bet?

Thanks.

You might also try:

Cermak Fresh Market
4000 W Diversey
Chicago, IL 60639
(773) 647-1416

Armitage Produce
3334 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 486-8133

Jimenez Carniceria
3850 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 278-6769

All fine stores, each with their strengths and weaknesses. I've shopped at all 3 of them in the past few weeks and think they're each worth a visit.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:You might also try:

All fine stores, each with their strengths and weaknesses. I've shopped at all 3 of them in the past few weeks and think they're each worth a visit.

=R=

Thanks, all of these are quite convenient, so I'll be sure to check them out. Will report back should I find anything especially notable.

Carnecerias Jimenez is alway worth a visit, but the selection changes with the seasons and sometimes relates to supplier market testing.

About five years ago, I bought wonderful Oaxacan mole in a plastic bag. It resurfaced last spring with five different moles, all Oaxacan and all excellent.

I was also thrilled to find dried and granulated piloncillo. Not as pungent as gula jawa but incredibly easy to incorporate into custards.

I am now asking them to stock Tazo Mexican chocolate. Here's hoping.

Tim

I would add to the already excellent list.
Carniceria Guanajuato  
3140 N California Ave
&
1436 N Ashland Ave

Best selection of quality mole I've seen Northside Chicago may be found at
Cremería La Ordeña #2
3810 W. Lawrence Ave
---> Thread

Tim wrote:Carnecerias Hernandez is alway worth a visit

Address please? I wasn't able to find it online.

Thanks,

=R=

Sorry! Carnecerias Jimanez!!!!!

Don't sleep on Fresh Market Place (2134 N Western Ave) either. They are not a dedicated supermercado, but they definitely offer a lot of Mexican items on the shelves and in the produce and butcher sections.