Review: Super Mercado De Guanajuato

Oh how I love Chicken Enchiladas with green sauce from an AUTHENTIC Mexican restaurant, and who would ever believe that I found such an establishment in Ionia, Michigan of all places?  Enter Super Mercado De Guanajuato on Main Street and step into a little Mexican grocery store.  Mexican DVDs on display, a Spanish soap opera on the television, those little packages of gum the kids try to sell you when you cross the border, corn tortillas wrapped in paper, it's like you are THERE.

I had driven by this place several times and never stopped.  One day, being particularly hungry for some good Mexican food, I noticed the sign had "tacos" on it and thought how tacos aren't the kind of thing you normally find in a grocery store.  I stopped in and inquired, in my most convincing Spanish accent, "Hola Senor, que est de word 'tacos' ona tu sign?  Dos tu serva de lunch ora justa groceries?"  Pointing to the rear of the store he said, "de restaurante in back".

What a pleasant surprise.  Indeed, in the back of the store was a smallish eating area which I would commonly refer to as a "hole in the wall."  It's not fancy.  Several booths and tables filled the space and on one wall was a dry erase board listing the day's specialties.  Next to the menu is a pass through window where you place your order directly with Alberto who does his best job at understanding your first year of high school Spanish (in my case it was Latin).  Just like in Mexico, you don't order chicken fajitas here, you want real Mexican food.  "Enchiladas de pollo con green sauce, por favor."  Alberto understands my pathetic attempt at his language and nods a confirmation, then we sit down and watch Spanish music videos for 20 minutes.

Since I'm only pretending to be a restaurant critic, I won't go on with impressive descriptions of how wonderful the food was.  I took pictures!  It is seriously the best Mexican food I have had north of New Mexico and highly recommend it.  I went there twice last week on consecutive days.  The Cokes are even bottled in Mexico, so you know it's the real deal!

Now don't go there and order chicken fajitas and post on here that they aren't anything like Don Pablos.  Well, duh.  They won't serve you chips and salsa when you sit down, and nobody seats you and asks for your order.  Keep your orders to the cook really simple unless English is your second language, and take my advice:  stay away from anything that sounds like "Lengua" or "Tripas".

Comments

[margaret Winn]

Why should we avoid tripas, dearest? Please, do tell! I'm sure it would make a most interesting blog entry...

[Carrie]

I had cow tongue as a child and it was the most delicate & tasty food ever. But, since adulthood I just can't eat it. When I see it in the grocery store, I can see the taste buds on the tongue and no way can buy it. Ewww. But, I know it tastes good. Wish I could have some without knowing what it was I was having. But, I suspect I would figure it out by recognizing the flavor.

[Scott]

I get a shiver just thinking about trying to eat cow tongue!

[Carrie]

Pickled cow tongue was even tastier. Ymm. Just have to eat it blindfolded so you don't see all those little taste buds.