La Plaza Supermarket

We love to visit La Plaza Supermarket. They have the best tacos and great religious gifts! Today's visit consisted of a trip to their delicious bread bakery. The sweet breads are perfect with a hot coffee on these chilly mornings. The kids love to try a new candy, we purchased the chocolate mazapan and they were so good. Like an even better reeses cup. The atmosphere and employees are always friendly and inviting.

Being asked to bring the chips and salsa for a Browns game watch party, I tried to think of someplace a little different to source my assigned snack. I thought about the usual suspects: Giant Eagle or Marc’s, but I thought that’s what everyone was expecting. I got a little creative in my thinking and thought about Taco Bell. No. I wanted to make a big splash. I ended up at La Plaza Supermarket. Stepping into LPS is like finding yourself suddenly transported into another country. You will be immediately overtaken by the unexpected. I was greeted by a small convention of Virgin Mary Statues, their hands upheld with a blessing, their heads emanating gold rays of light. Shoppers murmuring in Spanish, discussing their shopping lists. Pinatas, blessed candles, a display of Mexican pottery. I almost forgot I was in a grocery store. Some of the other unique items you’ll find is a wall of dried chili and hot peppers – more varieties and names than I thought existed. On another wall you will find herbals, tonics, and powders for everything from low libido to better digestion. Oh yes, LPS DOES have food. All items are labeled in Spanish with English subtitles, although you may still not know what you're looking at. They have pieces of cactus – edible – with the needles removed. I’m not sure how you prepare cacti. I hurriedly paged through my “Spanish for Idiots” book looking up “plantains” and “tomatillos.” They also have an interesting selection of Mexican candies that are more hot than sweet, made from the fruit of the tamarind tree. The bakery is full of fresh pastries and breads - sopapillas, tres leches, flan, pan dulce, Conchas, sweet empanadas, Cuernos, and Periquitos or marranitos. Don’t know what any of that is? Visit and find out. Waiting for you at the back of the store is the meat department with everything you’d expect from a grocery store – and more. Forgive my Spanish – las chuletas de cerdo, las salchichas, el tocino, el lamon, el lamon cocido, and pollo. I finally got around to picking up homemade tortilla chips and salsa. The guacamole especially was a hit at the watch party. If you’re looking for the taste of Mexico and don’t want to get on a plane, visit La Plaza Supermarket at 13609 Lakewood Heights Blvd. Hasta luego!

Stopped for lunch today with my husband to try a grande burrito and it was amazing and big enough to share! Fast service and the girl at the counter very helpful! Way better burrito than anything chipotle could make! The meat was amazing! The chips and salsa are also great, just spicy! Would highly recommend!

Sunday afternoons have quickly turned into a prime time to explore new places with friends. I had been eyeing this place for a while, so after church one day my friends and I ventured there for lunch. This is one of the most authentic places I have been. Not for the faint of heart, it really helps knowing your Spanish. The store is filled with authentic Mexican produce, spices, meats, cheese, dry goods, baked goids, and treats. In the back is where you can order food to either take with you or dine inside. It isn't pretty: it was a bit dirty. This place focuses on the product, not the aesthetics. I am willing to sacrifice that for a taste of authenticity. The staff are very friendly, and I get the impression they appreciate it when adventurous people venture in for the first time. For my lunch I enjoyed Chorizo and AlPastor tacos with a Guava soda and Elote. The tacos were spicy and delicious. There is a condiment bar so you can dress them however you would like (Cilantro, Pico de Gallo, Guacamole, etc). The soda is sweet and refreshing. I was disappointed with the Elote. It was canned corn in a cup with the Cheese, Butter, and Mayo. Not particularly good. I would much rather have fresh. Too often I feel people settle for the comfort of standard texmex restaurants with massive margaritas and Americanized food. For those who want a real, authentic taste of Mexican food and culture, this is the place!

A great Hispanic supermarket with pretty much anything you could reasonably be looking for. But let's be honest, the real reason to come here is the prepared tacos and burritos. During a trip to San Diego I had a life changing Taco moment when eating REAL tacos for the first time at a small chain based in Tiajuana. After returning home I knew I had to find authentic tacos in Cleveland. After much searching I found La Plaza. These tacos are so good with freshly grilled meat, toasted soft double corn shells, a toppings bar with all the onions, cilantro, lime, guac, and salsas you could ask for. After adding some house made tortilla chips or chicharrones and a Mexican soda made with real sugar, I don't know how it could be much better. The prices are pretty reasonable as well. Get the Tacos El Pastor, you won't be disappointed. As an added bonus, in the summer they move a food cart out in front of the store and grill up everything there in the fresh air and sunshine.