La Michoacana - Cana get a pig toe? Yes you cana.

La Michoacana



La Michoacana is a Mexican supermarket just off of North Beckham and Line.  It is right in the middle of what I consider the "hispanic" part of Tyler.  There are always day laborers looking for work in the parking lots of various adjacent businesses.  La Michoacana is a chain that specializes in serving the hispanic community.

The spread:  In addition to a very good meat market, good prices on fresh veggies and plenty of Mexican/Latin American specific cooking ingredients, there is a little taqueria inside the place.  You have to order at the cash register, then bring your receipt over to the taqueria where they make your order.  BE PREPARED, you will most likely have to speak a little Spanish and have a working understanding of the menu to get what you want.  They offer a tacos with varying kinds of fillings, pozole (pork and hominy soup), Menudo (on weekends), tortas, pupusas, etc.

The verdict:  Well I ordered some pozole and a couple of tacos - one with barbacoa and one with cicharones.  The barbacoa was tender, juicy and great.  The cicharones consistent of cooked down fried pig skin and some sort of WICKED HOT sauce/gravy.  I took one bite and then just about cried for five minutes.  If you like pain, give it a try.  The pozole was the star of the show with tender chunks of pork and hominy floating in a rich spicy tomato based broth.  The only odd thing is that occasionally I would pull out a little piece of pig hoof/toe, which disturbed my gringo sensibilities.  Overall, it is worth grabbing a bite to eat when you are shopping for the special Latin American ingredients.

Edible Tyler Roses: 4 out of 5, don't be afraid, Hable some espanol and get some good food.

Super Mercado Monterrey

Super Mercado Monterrey



Super Mercado Monterrey, which is basically a Hispanic super market just off the loop and Highway 31 on the west side of town.  If you are looking for any ingredient for authentic Mexican and/or other hispanic type cooking, this is the place to go.  The vegetables are fresh and cheap.  They have a real butcher shop.  You may have to be able to speak a little Spanish to get through a shopping trip.  They also have a little restaurant in one corner of the store that puts out some good food.

The spread:  They offer tacos, tortas and burritos with different kinds of meats.  They also offer rice and beans, combo plates, enchiladas, tamales, and different kinds of soups.  They have multiple large containers of aguas frescas - which are Mexican style fruit drinks of different kinds: pineapple, mango, etc.

The verdict:  This is another one of my favorite holes in the wall.  The prices are cheap, the food is good and the service is friendly.  You know it is good food when you are the only non-Hispanic in the place.  Avoid the tamales, as they are set out early and tend to be dry.  I will occasionally make huge batches of salsa and can them and I love to come to Super Mercado Monterrey to get the ingredients as they are always fresh and cheap.  Give the restaurant a try if you are in the store.

Edible Tyler Roses:  4 out of 5.  Worth the hassle of having to speak a little Spanish.

FRESH - it's okay to get FRESH with me

FRESH by Brookeshire's
6991 Old Jacksonville Hwy
Tyler, TX 75703
Phone: (903) 747-3503
http://freshbybrookshires.com/

I can't believe I haven't taken time to write about one of the biggest food happenings in Tyler in recent history. FRESH is a concept grocery store by Brookeshire's. It opened in early 2011 and has had a hug impact in my personal culinary experience. First of all it is located just south of Town off of Old Jacksonville Highway and looks great from the outside. It is perched on top of a hill with beautiful stone walls and ample parking.

FRESH is Brookeshire's effort to bring a high end grocery store to Tyler. They try to focus on Texas made products as well as other high end goods. The produce section is always fantastic with a large selection of unusual and hard to find fruits and vegetables. There is no other place in town where you can get these kinds of goods. The meat counter is fantastic and ranges from a variety of live lobster, fresh fish, outstanding cuts/type of beef (They even had some Wagyu steaks there for a while). The meat counter also offers a wide range of prepared meats (sausages, excellent hamburger patties, marinated selections, etc.). Moving on, the deli meats/cheeses counter is also outstanding with many different types of cured meats from all over the world (think prosciutto, sausages, pancetta, etc.) and the cheese section is crazy good with a healthy amount of Texas made and foreign made cheeses.

They also have a 'lazy' foodie section with a wide selection of prepared dishes where you can select what you want and go eat it on the patio (or at home). The Gelato counter is also a nice addition that you simply must try (as you can't get it anywhere else in town). Another favorite is the large bakery section that makes many different types of breads and desserts daily. In fact, one of our family's favorite meals is getting a couple loaves of bread, some cheeses and meats, a couple of veggies (olives, artichoke hearts, etc) and washing it all down with some Kiepersol estates wine. The main grocery section also does a great job of offering a great selection of hard to find products. Of course, the selection comes with a price, but it is well worth it.

It is also worth mentioning that the staff is well trained, friendly and has a great attitude of helping the customer. I have always been treated well with my unusual requests. So, give it a try and be prepared to drop some cash.