La Criola Sazon?

My father-in-law is addicted to this stuff. He lived in Chicago in the 80's and got hooked. He now lives in Troy, OH so we have become his "dealer." I've always been able to stock him up with a quick trip to any Jewel or Dominicks. Anticipating a visit from us this weekend, my mother-in-law reminded us to bring some. Where has it gone? It seems like the Goya brand has become the Coke/Pepsi of the supermarket Mexican spice shelf wars! Goya does not cut it with the father-in-law. I also checked my local produce/fruit market that has a pretty extensive Mexican dry goods section. No luck - Goya only. Anyone seen it lately? I'm going to try my closest Supermercado Jimenez on Wed., but would appreciate any confirmed sightings. We're with the in-laws for 2 dinners and a lunch this weekend - without the Sazon we actually might have to pick up a check!

I am almost positive Tony's on Elston stocks more than Goya and also has it in bulk.

Kafein- thanks! Tony's was a hotbed of all things La Criolla! FYI, for anyone interested, their Sazon is a special blend of salt, garlic, onion, annato, coriander, and "other spices."
We stocked up, so somewhere in Troy, OH there's a man that owes you a drink!
Thanks again, we're so close to Tony's and had never been in. They seemed to have a pretty good produce selection - we'll be back.
Lynn

FWIW, that's more of a Puerto Rican/Cuban jack-of-all-spices, so it might be most easily found in Humboldt Park or La Unica, in addition to Tony's.

Glad to be of help!

Tony's has great produce, a nice deli, and good meat (the homemade chorizo is outstanding ans they will gladly cut ribeyes to your desired thickness if you don't see what you like in the case).

The parking lot there drives me crazy, but it's tough to beat the selection and prices.

I understand maintaining your "power" of being an exclusive "connection", but my curiosity was piqued, so I did a little googling and found that you can buy La Criolla Sazón by the jar (three varieties) online at Boricua Produce (no sign of bulk)

Actually, it's really not a "power" thing at all. I guess it never occurred to me to google it because in the past it was no big deal to pick it up at Jewel. Thanks for the info - I'll happily pass it on to him.

LynnB wrote:Actually, it's really not a "power" thing at all. I guess it never occurred to me to google it because in the past it was no big deal to pick it up at Jewel. Thanks for the info - I'll happily pass it on to him.

I was just playin'.

It's kind of a tough search, since "criolla" is used so much out of the context of a brand name.

(Is there a "useful stuff" thread on online markets? I didn't see it. I am no expert in buying food online, but it might be interesting to see what people have up their sleeves.)

JeffB wrote:FWIW, that's more of a Puerto Rican/Cuban jack-of-all-spices, so it might be most easily found in Humboldt Park or La Unica, in addition to Tony's.

Was at La Unica today, Jeff's right, La Criolla is available. There is also a wide selection of La Criolla available at Los Cuatro Caminos on Milwaukee.

Enjoy,
Gary

La Unica Food Mart
1515 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL
773-274-7788

Los Cuatro Caminos
2722 N Milwaukee
Chicago, IL
773-276-3505