So you’re really wanting an authentic meal – real flavor – without breaking the bank? Ethnic grocers can be a huge savings when compared to your standard grocers – and every community has one nearby – be it Hispanic, Asian or Russian. Why not pull out the trusty cookbooks or even your favorite take out menu and decide to try something like Mexican food at home?
What better way to cook something truly South of the Border than to head to a grocer that specializes in just that? I recently went into Del Valle in North Highlands to see if I could not only cook up something tasty but save a buck.
The Butcher the Baker and Bimbo®
Ok – I’ll be honest – this isn’t my first trip into a grocery store where you hear the tropical sounds of samba over the loudspeakers and over half of the labels are in a language I’m not fully fluent in. It’s always an adventure but here are the basics:
Any great ethnic food store has not only meat but fish (sometimes live) Del Valle has a wonderful meat and fresh fish for what is incredibly affordable.
Beef Shoulder 2.99/lb
Chicken Fajita 2.39/lb
(Meat with onions and peppers already seasoned)
Whole Tilapia 2.19/lb
(They’ll fillet it for you)
White Shrimp 4.99/lb
(Deveined)
You have to know that every Hispanic grocer has an offering of “pan” or bread – hence the term panaderia, Spanish for bakery, painted on the window. Some are plain like dinner rolls – others come in conic shapes iced with pink, yellow or cream colored glaze. And the store shelves are lined with tortillas, cookies and breads, most famous is the Latin food line Bimbo® (no it doesn’t have the same cultural connotation as the American slang).
The produce department is just as affordable – with offerings of bright yellow bell peppers for only 89 cents each!
Avocados were 1.09 a piece….
Red, round tomatoes: just 1.59 a pound.
Limes were 8 for a buck – much thriftier than most of my brand name stores.
What is pleasant is also having offerings of exotic fruits and veggies like yucca, plantains, and mangoes (only about a dollar each). Want to save money in your spice rack? Packets of spices are sold for 99 cents each – far less than you’ll spend on McCormick’s or Schillings.
This is a small store but clean and the employees are friendly and speak English so don’t feel intimidated. Stop by, save money and go on a tasty tour in your neighborhood!
Del Valle is located on Walerga Rd just north of Elkhorn Blvd. in North Highlands.