2017 Guide to Latin American Markets in Connecticut
The diverse cuisines that the cultures of Latin America gave the world are well represented in Connecticut. Markets in our state serve more than 540,000 Hispanic residents---and foodies of other ethnic origins who pass over Ortega taco kits for more enlightened fare. Whether you’re making corn tortillas from scratch, seeking beautifully ripe fruit at a great price, looking to pick up a luscious pastry, or preparing your grandmother’s mole, these stores are well worth the trip. Here’s your guide to Connecticut’s best Latin American markets.
Fairfield County
Bridgeport
Bull Boi
bullboi-bridgeport.com
827 North Avenue, 06606
(203) 366-5945
Located where the Boston Post Road (Route 1/North Avenue) crosses under Route 8, Bull Boi is a great source for meats for churrascaria (Brazilian-style barbecue) as well as pantry items. Has own parking lot (something of a rarity for small markets).
Food Bazaar
www.myfoodbazaar.com
500 Sylvan Avenue, 06606
(203) 683-3740
345 Huntingdon Turnpike, 06610
(203) 610-6995
This supermarket with two Bridgeport locations carries products from a number of Latin American cultures, including Mexico, Peru, Guatamala, and Brazil. Both locations also have a truly astonishing produce section. On a recent visit, a fellow shopper introduced me to cilantro macho, used similarly to the regular variety but more pungent in flavor. If you like to cook fish whole, the Sylvan Avenue store’s seafood section, which features a seemingly endless variety, is a must-see.
La Flor de Mexico Bakery (and surrounding neighborhood)
1666 Park Avenue, 06604
(203) 333-9088
One of the traditions of Mexican cuisine that deserve to be better known in this country is that of the panaderia (bakery). La Flor de Mexico, a highlight of the shopping area at the intersection of Rt. 1 (North Street) and Park Avenue, is one such place featuring not only a variety of freshly baked rolls, but also prepared foods such as tacos, with a small eat-in section.
Mi Rancho
2754 Fairfield Avenue, 06605
(203) 696-0201
Mi Rancho, located on Fairfield Avenue in the Black Rock section of Bridgeport, is a grocery store that, like so many such markets, houses a very popular small restaurant as well. It earns particularly high marks for its breakfast burritos and lunch sandwiches.
Danbury
Amigos Deli and Grocery
amigosdeli.com
130 West Street, 06810
(203) 790-7683
The parking lot at this popular spot, adjacent to a blind corner on West Street, is tricky at busy times of the day, but locals regularly brave it for the delicious prepared foods as well as the small grocery.
C-Town Supermarket
www.ctownsupermarkets.com
45 North Street, 06810
(203) 748-5466
Although not advertised specifically as such, C-Town, a supermarket chain with locations all over Connecticut, is a primary source for ingredients from Latin America and the Caribbean. It’s strongest in pantry offerings, though the produce section is also worth checking out; at this writing, the Danbury location had beautifully ripe guavas.
La Mexicana Bakery
137 White Street, 06810
(203) 790-9962
Directly across from the courthouse on White Street, in a busy section of Danbury, La Mexicana appears modest, but don’t be fooled. Park on nearby Moss Avenue and walk over for delicious pastries, the best featuring the chocolate that may well be Latin America’s greatest gift to world cuisine. Has several tables for eating in.
Mais Brasil
213 White Street, 06810
(203) 743-4433
This store (formerly Bem Brasil and now under new management) has a good meat counter carrying, among other things, picanha (a cut of beef known to fans of Brazilian churrascarrias) and garlic sausage. Pantry goods include doce de leite, the Brazilian version of dulce de leche. Has own parking lot. Very friendly and helpful staff.
Pague Menos Supermarket
107 Triangle Street, 06810
(203) 628-7729
This Brazilian market has a meat counter, small produce section, pantry items, and household goods. Service is friendly.
Norwalk
Key Food City Super Market
http://www.keyfood.com
717 West Avenue, 06850
(203) 956-0241
This comprehensive market, with an array of pinatas decorating the produce section, is especially strong in produce, dairy products (including crema, a type of sour cream with several distinctive national variations), and pantry goods. Although the place is smack in the middle of downtown Norwalk, parking is easy in the adjacent lot.
Los Portales Mexican Food
49 Fort Point Street, 06855
(203) 854-9283
This spot within walking distance of the East Norwalk train station is both a restaurant and compact grocery.
Produce Market
235 Main Street, 06851
(203) 642-4400
Located in a Walgreens plaza between the Merritt Parkway and downtown Norwalk, Produce Market has, as the name implies, an excellent selection of produce, as well as the essentials for cooking any of the cuisines from Latin America. Staff are friendly and helpful.
South Norwalk
C Town Supermarket
www.ctownsupermarkets.com
5/7 Washington Street, 06854
(203) 838-0888
See entry for Danbury, above.
Stamford
La Marqueta
432 W. Main Street, 06902
(203) 504-2426
This market, with convenient access to I-95 in all directions, is your best bet in the Stamford/Greenwich area. The meat counter carries many difficult-to-find cuts such as smoked pork chops cut to order. On a recent visit, I saw several different kinds of chorizo (Guatamalan, Peruvian, and Mexican), household goods such as tortilla presses, and limes priced at 5/$1. Friendly staff.
Stratford
C-Town Supermarket
www.ctownsupermarkets.com
360 Boston Post Road, 06460
(203) 375-8987
See entry under Danbury above. The Stratford location, close to the Bridgeport line, is one of the cleanest and best organized, with wide aisles featuring everything from blue-corn tortillas to dried spices to different types of rice.
Hartford County
East Hartford
C-Town Supermarket
442 East Main Street, 06118
(860) 568-2221
See entry under Danbury (above).
Enfield
Karina’s Mexican Grocery
99 Pearl Street, 06082
(860) 741-9003
Karina’s, convenient to exit 48 on I-91, has good basics for fans of Mexican cooking in the northernmost part of the state. Ample parking is available across Pearl Street.
Hartford
Casa Brasil
1863 Park Street, 06106
(860) 206-3653
This small market, on a section of Park Street within a few minutes of I-84, carries mostly pantry goods from Brazil. On a recent visit, I found doce de leite and teas flavored with anise and mint (the latter two for under $2).
C-Town Supermarkets
www.ctownsupermarkets.com
165 Wetherfield Avenue, 06106
(860) 247-4411
1744 Park Street, 06106
(860) 236-5520
394 New Britain Avenue, 06106
(860) 525-5984
See entry under Danbury above.
El Mercado and surrounding neighborhood
704 Park Street, 06106
(860) 560-7677
El Mercado (“the market”) is located in Parkville, a neighborhood just northwest of Trinity College. A mini-mall of grocery stores and carry-out places, it features most of the major Latin American cuisines.
Panaderia Pan del Cielo
340 Prospect Avenue, 06105
(860) 233-0170
This pastry shop, popular for breakfast, has a wonderful assortment of sweets, including flans, custards, and Mexican pastries. Staff are friendly.
New Britain
C-Town Supermarket
www.ctownsupermarkets.com
47 Main Street, 06051
(860) 223-3800
See entry under Danbury above.
New Haven County
Meriden
C-Town Supermarket
160 Colony Street, 06451
(203) 235-7000
See entry under Danbury above.
New Haven
C-Town Supermarket
325 Ferry Street, 06513
(203) 777-3998
482 Greenwich Avenue, 06519
(203) 773-8998
See entry under Danbury above.
Tlaxcala
964 State Street #1, 06511
(203) 497-8361
This grocery, on State Street between Bishop and Edwards Streets in a shopping area adjacent to Yale grad-student land, is tiny but carries the essentials, including tortillas and chiles in bulk. Parking is best on the side streets.
Windham County
Willamantic
La Mexicana Grocery and Taqueria
385 Valley Street, 06226
(860) 423-2821
La Mexicana is the best option for Windham County foodies looking to cook Mexican. Popular with local students, it also features a substantial carry-out menu with tacos, tortas, quesedillas, and burritos.
