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| - Good grief. Good, wonderful, awesome grief.
I've been to the El Rancho on 19th in Phoenix. I was all smiles then.
Even more-so here.
Screw the groceries. Head to the left towards that smell of stewed meats, seafood salads, sweet stuff, and salsas. That is where 'its' at, whatever 'it' may be for you.
My second time at this location, and...I still wasn't able to magically learn Spanish upon entering the place, like it seems like I would be able to. So trying to find out what a specific meat in a specific sauce actually is, that's kind of an adventure in its own. I go there mainly for what I FINALLY found out is cueritos, but I STILL don't know what to put it in or how to serve it. So I just grab a fistful of it out of the bag and down it. Works for me.
Ceviche was new to me until I was given a sample by the nice lady who noticed me staring at it (first visit)...second visit I went to purchase two pounds for our work potluck. Both first visit lady and second visit lady were helpful and friendly...only second visit lady spoke English regularly. I felt like taking her around the store with me to answer me every time I said "What IS that?"
The reviews show that people really like the place, but they love the atmosphere... Is it just that its different? So...why don't we embrace PEOPLE that are different in the same way we embrace a friggin GROCERY STORE that is different? Coming here makes me want to get to know more about this different culture...the people, the food, and the food again. You don't really want to leave.
So what if you can't speak Spanish, like the other folks here say, just point and nod. Start at the first tray in the long cases of food and try a different one each visit. Why not? Everything is priced for those who got pocket change. To heck with Taco Bell...I can get a whole package of tostada shells, the meat, and some salsa for less than a doggoned 'Bel Grande' combo.
Also, when I look over yonder to parts of the store yet explored (can't get out of that food section), I see the freshest looking meats I've ever seen in any store's meat section. I can see how red and fresh the meats are from across the store.
That brings me to the pride you'll find here. Pride in preparation. Pride in what they put on their shelves. Pride in presentation. Pride in their store.
So go. Just go.
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