El Torito

For real Latino flavored try this store! They have jarritos, pan dulce, they have a panaderia where they bake their own bread, Mexican coca cola, queso, frijoles, de todo. The best part is prices are very reasonable.

What a cool little Mexican bodega. Spices, peppers, jamaica and pan dulce! It’s all hidden up on the border of Piedmont and Kenton. Who else knew this place existed?
While living in Texas I got spoiled by the Mexican grocery stores the size of Safeway’s up here, so all of these small places are interesting to seek out and see what items that they have that remind of those huge places I used to visit routinely. I will admit, I haven’t found much agua frescas to my liking but I’m sure they are out there.
The guy running the place was very helpful, as I’ve been seeking out a certain Mexican pepper that most places don’t seem to have. He was going to check with his rep when he shows up in a couple weeks and let me know. So that was cool. This is also the first place I’ve seen with pan dulces. I will be back to get some of those. They were well under a buck each.
I will admit some of the prices were steep, but when you are getting local Mexican products all the way in Oregon I’m sure there are costs involved.
This is a cool little gem up in a neighborhood I’ve yet to really explore.
Enjoy.

I love this charming little store ! I usually go here for taco ingredients. Hot peppers, spices from Central America, taco shells and canned beans is usually what my shopping list includes for this spot.
They also have really cheap delicious smelling pastries. I live in the neighborhood and the air is always filled with the lovely smell of baked goods thanks to them. Since I am vegan I have not personally tried any of them but I have bought them for friends that cannot believe they only cost 50 cents to a dollar !

The people who run this place are wonderful, and it just feels (& smells) good in there. Also: great selection of dried chiles, and most of their grocery items are far less expensive than at Fred Meyer. The first time I went in there I was about to try my hand at making tamales, and the staff and other customers all piped in with advice and little flavor secrets. This is the kind of place that makes you glad you are a human being.

This place is so awesome.
Driving by with a friend who traveled with me way back in the day in Central America. We did a double take just from the sign and building and had to turn around.
When you walk in, it feels so authentic that you swear it isn’t rainy and cold outside. I got some awesome mexican queso fresco and my buddy got his good old mexican bakery standby — pudin de pan — or as he calls it, «pudding bread».
I also got a bag of dried cascabel chilies (a.k.a. rattle chilies, very hard to find) and made some incredible «enchilada sauce» that I used for some awesome enchiladas and also for some chilaquiles for breakfast.
This place is legit.

Full on Mexican Panaderia. This shit’s the real deal. Tongs, plastic bags, cafeteria trays… they got a whole section where each baked goodie is $.50.
They got nicer ones that are $ 1.00. But they got the fucking money shot and that is tres leche. I fucking love me some tres leche and they’ve got it. It’s probably my favorite cake ever and I’ve found a spot that sells it.
They’re also a (small) Mexican grocer so you can get some real Mexican goodies like chile flavored candies, crazy chips, all kinds of cheese, chorizo… a piñata.
Shit’s the bomb