I've been in this place a time or three, and I was initially entranced by the amount of religious candles, pinatas, and quinceanera preparation stuff. Literally, it feels like you cross the border and are in Mexico proper when you enter the store. For a white guy like myself, it's fascinating, if not a little disconcerting. Oh, how I prayed for an aisle of lucha libre masks. The time I broke down and had to pick up something from the store, which in shortening the description, was a "cluster". I don't know what happened, but it had the full Mexican grocery store packed to capacity vibe I had experienced in Tijuana shops. I've never had to fight so hard to move around. I had to buy some cough drops, and asked one of the floor staff. He turned to me and smiled, letting me know that he had no idea what I was saying. But he took me to the front, so I could talk to a cashier. He said something to her in Spanish, and she looked at me. Apparently, English wasn't her first language, either. Bear in mind that when I talk to someone who doesn't primarily speak English, I'm not one of those jerks who speaks to someone slowly like a small child, or a mental case. Nor do I need to needlessly raise my voice, because obviously, speaking loudly is a sure way to get someone to understand you when they wouldn't otherwise before. I kept it simple, clear, and to the point. "Hi. I'm looking for cough drops?" Silence. Her smile forms. "Cough drops?" "Cock drops", she responded a little too innocently. .... Okay, what place serves "cock drops"? Really. And whatever does, I don't want to know. We all stood looking at each other, confusedly, before I tried again. "Cough drops. Medicine." "Maybe in there," she points at this locked cabinet, which had 1,000 different medicine types that I've never heard of before. And no cough drops. You're right there within better visual range than I am. Can't you tell? I had to pick up another thing or two. I couldn't get help because no one seemed to understand English. I understand it's a Mexican market, so I'm walking into non-gringo territory, but if I can learn a few basic phrases in Spanish, at least have employees who can understand some basic English for when that random white dude walks in. Bottom line, if you want to get some authentic Mexican foodstuffs, this is the place. Prices are average to a little overpriced, but they are stocked with some unique food choices bound to make you a hit at the next barbecue. But go on a quieter day or I guess bring a translator if you're non-Hispanic and can't find things on your own.
Is this review positive or negative?
negative