This is now a PERSIAN grocery store. They still have some Mexican things but not what I was expecting at all.
Jessica Q.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Coquitlam, Canada
I have been going to this store for about 6 years now and there are only 2 reasons for that: — they sell Harina Pan(which is a traditional ingredient from my native country Venezuela to make arepas). — it has the best price for that product in the lower mainland(believe me, I have looked in other places for years!). No service at all, however they have plenty of international products that are hard to find in Vancouver, their prices are reasonable and locationwise, it is right on The Drive! Sometimes they happen to have good deals in fruit and vegetables and they take credit card(without a «fee»). It is right on Commercial Dr and 1st!
Alice I.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Vancouver, Canada
The fact that this place sells fresh large tortillas alone makes El Sureno indispensable in Vancouver. The tortillas in the clear plastic bags taste so much better than the mass-produced tortillas and this is one place in the city i have found them. On the other hand, the avocados here are usually unripe or well past their prime, but that goes for most any avocado sold in Vancouver so what can you do.
Geoff a.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Vancouver, Canada
This little grocery has an excellent variety of dried spices and Latin specialty products. It’s absolutely the best selection of Peruvian ingredients in Vancouver I have come across. If you’re looking for aji amarillo, aji panca, rocoto, queso fresco, or even purple corn to make your own chicha; they have everything! They also have a great variety of other Latin American products. I’m always excited to try out a bottle of pop from Brazil or Colombia. And of course… Inca Kola! Which I recommend buying the cans over the 2 litres(they can be a bit flat, probably due to staying in inventory too long)
D Y.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Austin, TX
The only place I’ve found in Vancouver for dried chili peppers at a decent price.
Jessie J.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Vancouver, Canada
I always enjoy shopping at El Sureno. Want to know what happens when an Indian family buys a Latino grocery? Come here! The prices are definitely variable — some are great, some are not. So check out your other options nearby if you’ve got time. I frequently get mangoes, limes and avocados here as well as lentils, rice, and corn tortillas. I’ve never tried any of the empanadas on display at the till, but they look homemade, so they’re probably worth a try. The kids who tend to run the place are pretty funny. All in all, a neat place to shop.
Victoria R.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Vancouver, Canada
Stopped by since so many of my latin friends recommended it. Lots of great goodies if you’re central american — and for those of us who like to make empanadas, they sell the pastry dough so you can make them on the quick. They don’t sell any meat — which I was hoping to find(I dream of buying morcilla here) — but they have a couple argentinean brands of dulce de leche, and some chimichurri!
Roanna Z.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Vancouver, Canada
You get the feeling you are in a family’s house in this neighbourhood grocery market. The kids are playing hide from mom in the isles. She’s a real slave driver ;-) you can hear her calling out job orders. I find many product prices to be surprisingly high for what they are and given the casual atmosphere of the store but one thing I consistently find here that is better in quality and evenly priced is the Halvah. I love their friggin Halvah so much !
Marc D.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Vancouver, Canada
* Latin-Indian fusion!!! Only in Vancouver! * I’m not sure what the story is behind the selection in this store, but I’m sure it is an interesting one. They have a large selection of groceries from many parts of Latin America which a heavy focus on products from Mexico(fresh and packaged). But there is also a bunch of stuff from Guatemala, Argentina, and Paraguay among others as well. Ok. Got it. Latin American store. Categorization completely understood. Ok. But wait — there’s more. They have a selection of Indian spices, curry leaves, and paneer! I want to know the story behind the store — but I was too enthralled with the selection and reasonable prices to ask! Next time!
Jenn W.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Los Angeles, CA
This independent grocer is good for most of your Indian and Mexican ingredient needs. They stock a wide variety of lentils, curry leaves, paneer, and Indian spices as well as masa harina, fresh masa, fresh tortillas, crema fresca, queso fresco and other Mexican cheeses. They even have a little steamer of fresh tamales next to the register most of the time. The first time I stumbled in here I was so visibly overjoyed at finding ingredients I hadn’t seen since San Francisco that I think the owner gave me a discount!