"4"^^ . . "0"^^ . "2013-05-13T00:00:00"^^ . . . "0"^^ . "This store has a fun atmosphere and is huge! Definitely make a visit here at some point if you have never been here. \n\nI was a little nervous the first time because I saw the ads were in Spanish, and my Spanish is not great. I wasn't sure if I would feel funny in this store (I'm half Latina but didn't grow up speaking Spanish, so my Spanish is not great). Most people working here speak both English and Spanish perfectly (although many cashiers began our transactions in Spanish, since, well, I look like my Spanish SHOULD be good!). I recommend this store to everyone, even if you don't cook Mexican food often and don't speak Spanish.\n\nPros: \n- Amazing produce section with super cheap prices. The first time I went in here, I was thinking, \"Wait, 3 lbs. for $1? Maybe they mean 3 plums for $1? This can't be right!!\" It is that cheap. You think there is something wrong with the signs, because you are getting a huge bag of fruits, tomatoes, etc. for under $1. It is awesome. You can get a ton of produce for low prices here. The low prices let you shop to your heart's content in the produce section - no more skipping mangos, avocados, etc. because they are too expensive. Everything here is cheap! \n\n- Meats - The marinated chicken is amazing here. It is called Piernas Locas when you get the leg/thighs that are marinated. It is great for grilling. Get it for a party - you won't regret it! The meat section is overall really impressive. The wait for a person to help you at the meat counter, though, can be long. But they have a lot of meats ready to go, pre-packaged, including some marinated ones without waiting at the meat counter.. \n\n- Cheeses - If you have kids, you must try Oaxaca cheese. It is like string cheese, but not in a shrink wrapped, individually wrapped portion. This is a great place to go if you want to try some Mexican cheese you haven't tried yet. \n\n- Beans - I recently bought some Peruvian beans here in bulk, and they were tasty and cooked much faster than black or pinto beans. I love that this store encourages me to branch out and try new foods.\n\n- The salsa/deli area is really good. I love the molcajete salsa, which is roasted jalapenos with lime juice and salt. Some of the other salsas are a little too onion-y for me, but the molcajete is so good on breakfast burritos or other meals if you like hot salsa. I didn't love the pre-made tamales with pork from here, but the chicken and green chile ones are good. \n\n- Not part of the store, but the lady in the parking lot who sells tamales has really good traditional pork tamales, if you catch her. (Not an official part of the store, of course, but if you can find her...) \n\n- Bakery - This is like an old fashioned bakery - you pick up some cakes, some cookies, some fresh sandwich rolls, all around $.33 to $60 each. I really liked their large flan, which I bought for my birthday, and the cakes here are also very good. My kids love the pan dulce here. I discovered this coconut candy roll called a \"rollo de coco\" that is really delicious sold between the produce and the bakery. I joke that all the money I save in here on produce, I spend on cookies, cakes and tortillas.\n\n- Tortillas - I am not a fan of the flour tortillas here. I think they are disappointing for a \"tortilleria,\" personally. But the blue corn tortillas (awesome for enchiladas!) and the sopes are really great! \n\n- Restaurant - I have only eaten here twice, but both times, we enjoyed the food. The aguas frescas are yummy! (Sweetened water with fruit, flavors like watermelon, for those not familiar with them.)\n\nCons \n \n- The lines can be long. I never know if I will be in line for 5 minutes or 15 minutes. Most people don't have that kind of flexibility. Cardenas Market, open more registers and speed up the process for coding fruits/vegetables! Many people here buy huge carts of groceries with a lot of produce (slower to ring up). They must do something to get people out of here faster. \n\n- The parking lot can be difficult to maneuver, if you come at a busy time.\n\nOverall - I love this store. I used to go here weekly, but I cut back due to the long line issue. I don't always have the time and energy for it. I am still a big fan though."^^ . "1"^^ .