This place hit the spot for Taco Tuesday! A coworker of mine here in Merced recommended I head over to Cardenas for the $1 Taco Tuesday special. If you buy 4 tacos you get the 5th free when you add a coke to the order and you're out the door $7+ tax. I'm always looking for budget friendly places and this was just what I needed to end the trip. I only tried the asada, but I love me a good street taco. The line was a bit longer like a lot of locals know this is a good spot on Tuesday's. read more

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This place has the worst customer service anywhere. I stand waiting for help for a good five minutes and no one even acknowledges me. Now, if I was more Mexican or Hispanic and spoke the language better then perhaps I would get the attention other people get. Very biased here. Take care of customers because customers pay the bills. read more

Worst customer service !!!!!!!!!! Cashier through item like she was mad !!!!!!!! read more

I was the only customer whose meat package was withheld instead of being handed to me like everyone else's. Other customers received their orders immediately, but I was required to go to the front cashier to pick up my meat only after I had already paid over $60. Treating people differently is racism. Why treat me like going to steal it? The difference in how I was treated made me feel singled out, judged, and treated as though I was going to steal my purchase. From my perspective, the disparity in treatment compared with other customers reflected prejudice and bias based on race and socioeconomic status. The cashier, Naidalin, apologized, and I appreciate that she acknowledged the situation. However, an apology does not erase the fact that I was discriminated back in the meat department. All customers should be treated with the same respect and fairness. read more

Flies inside the cabinets sweet bread and the tall lady with a chongo not friendly .she had a long line instead of help the customers she proceed to acomodate the pieces of cheese and not even acknowledge the customers waiting. read more

We went in to the market to get some lunch. We went to stand at the order here sign with another man. A short lady worker finally turned and saw him and helped him and saw us waiting. Before she came back to take our order, another lady walked up and asked the lady for something and she went to help her, leaving us waiting. She saw us leaving and said she'd be with us next. We left, and we will not be back. Instead we went to La Casita, got quick service, and great food. read more

I went to buy meat , as I was cooking it I was smelling it and it smelled weird so I waited until it was fully cooked and tried it and it was spoiled it was disgusted I almost threw up it was (carne adobada) prepared meat for tacos I was so mad I had everything ready for dinner I had to go back to the store put it in a bag and explained to the cashier why I was returning it she did told me I was the 3rd customer that day returning spoiled meat , never again will buy from Cardenas read more

Update 2/16/2024: All cleaned up. Customers were trashing bathroom. The two most serious violations from a Jan. 24 inspection at Cardenas Market included not keeping potentially hazardous foods such as sausage, cheese and yogurt in a display case cold enough to inhibit bacterial growth; and out-of-order public restrooms for on-site diners. The inspection report notes that on-site dining has been suspended until the restrooms are back in working order. The concerns added up to 18 violation points. Merced County's Environmental Health Division maintains a database of restaurant and food inspections online for public viewing at its web page, www.countyofmerced.com/597/Environmental-Health; click the "Food Inspections" tab along the left side of the page. https://www.mercedsunstar.com/news/local/article285526527.html read more

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Used to be more selection of items in the store and good quality. Lately, they're running out of items and some are in poor condition/quality. Too bad, some staff are very friendly. read more

The worst service. 4/12- First impression as I walk in through the doors I am glared at by emotionless clerks in what looks like a self checkout area? No customers in sight so you assume they'd make you feel welcome. Cashiers were rude and just threw my items in the bags and damaged anything I had in a box.. No people skills whatsoever and the 2 people helping me just carried a conversation with one another the ENTIRE time (glared at me when I made a joke about wanting paper bags) would recommend they have better attitudes and more approachable... beside that all the aisles were a mess but had what I needed. Went to the meat department and it took them 10 minutes to help me with 3lbs of chicken!!! and the workers seem to care more about what they look like rather than helping customers... not sure what high horse they sit on but I assume they are on the counter to help people not fix their hair multiple times and snap selfies, not sure if it was because it was about 7pm but their was no manager in sight read more

The customer service I received from Laura today was amazing she helped me save $ by offering to buy the cardenas gift card..Thankyou so much Laura. read more

The already cooked food at the hot bar is amazing, the fresh tortillas my favorite being the ones with cactus added and the meat section had fresh meat and great products read more

I love their desserts, lots of different spices to buy, beautiful flower arrangements and good deals in the meat department.

The lady who works in the hot food deptment had the worse a Attitude if only I could remember her name because I wouldn't want any of the other employees to have anything pending all i rmember is her name tag saying front end but anyways she made a big deal over some salsa however these tamales sucked it didn't have no cheese in it and the jalapeños just Masa the whole thing very disappointed on the food and the service read more

Cardenas Markets - Tamale queso - Meat Shops Near Me - Merced, California

Would give zero stars if I could. Came here right before closing. Group of little 10yr old kids stealing candy. There's two employees berating the fat little kid calling him "n***a" over and over again saying the MOST unprofessional stuff that they are gonna beat his a** and all kinds of other crap. The most troubling part was the girl doing the most cursing and yelling looked to be a manager. I will never come back. Not to mention their house made chips are fricken hard as a rock I'd rather go to rancho San Miguel. I understand the kids were in the wrong but the adults in the situation could have handled this 100% a different way instead of trying to get all hood with a 10yr old kid who looks like the dang kid in a Christmas story read more

I ordered a large amount of tacos (125) and rice (2 small trays) for gathering after a memorial service. I ordered on a Tuesday for the Saturday of the same week. Wasn't sure if we would be able to get without more notice than 4 days but was not a problem with that. The staff were friendly and very accommodating read more

Love the kitchen here! The best Tuesday taco deal in the area (currently $1,25). Asada, pastor & carnitas with Limon y Mas salsa were perfect everytime. Carnitas for $6 lb on Monday are tender and juicy with the crispy ends. Yum The produce and butcher sections and variety are so much more affordable than the competition read more

My favorite grocery store. Need I say more?! Staff is amazing, and produce is always fresh. It's my go to store for everything. They have the best deals in town. read more

Great place for meats. Some of the issues I had with the place before was that it the line was always too long but since they've implemented self check out the lines are no longer any issues. Now it's my go to for meats. read more

Great supermarket offering Mexican and Latin food products. They keep the store very clean inside although the parking lot is a little sketchy. They have an HUGE meat department with everything imaginable as well as marinated meats, fresh cheeses and creams. The bakery has delicious cakes and freshly made Mexican bread daily. The produce prices are pretty reasonable and they have a ton of spices and chiles to choose from. The hot good/deli counter has pretty good carnitas and offers Tacos on Tuesday's for $1.25, sometimes the line will get long so plan accordingly. read more

Cardenas Markets - Taco Tuesday - Meat Shops Near Me - Merced, California

Horrible customer service ever Rude and at service desk. VERY SLOW had a horrible attitude. Most of the time most of the folks are polite and professional. But was very dissapointed today at her snob behavior. read more

Although this a predominantly Latin store in terms of inventory, they do a great job in properly stocking items that will appeal to all shoppers. When I shop at this store I notice that they don't necessarily focus on one area but instead they maintain diversity, especially by having a fresh meat counter, full service bakery and fast food eatery complete with dining area (Pre-COVID). I love both the selection and freshness in the produce and meat departments, I shop them both regularly without issue, but at this store I am always drawn to the hot food area as their chicharonne is always on point. This guilty pleasure is fried fresh daily and has the perfect mix of texture and flavor. My only suggestion is to buy your hot foods earlier in the day as they become dry and tough as they get closer to closing. read more

Cardenas Markets - It's always a good time to grill - Meat Shops Near Me - Merced, California

I order from Cardenas and food was nasty and old Worst aver I spend 38.00 for this I read more

Cardenas Markets - Cárnitas - Meat Shops Near Me - Merced, California

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These guys hours suck when it comes to Agua Fresca. It's a couple minutes after the kitchen closes. they have all the agua frescas still out and they tell me that he cannot sell me any Agua Frescas, because the other registers can't charge me for it. How the heck does that work? I can pay for my groceries at any register, but I can only pay for Aguas Frescas at one!!!! read more

me encanta que cada dia tienen especiales a precios muy bajos ! especialmente para comprar para toda la familia ! ami familia le encanto la taquisa facil pudimos comer 4 y biene con una bebida de 2 litros menos de 20$ siempre que boy me dan la carne fresca read more

Beware! Was shopping for about thirty minutes with a cart full of groceries, they called the cops on me in the middle of shopping. Cop was cool and told me personally he wouldn't shop there, that must tell you something. Left the groceries in plain sight for some employee to handle. I would stay clear of this place if your not Mexican, especially if your black. Way better Mexican spots to shop at around the area with better cleanliness, customer service, judgement and food than this dusty store. read more

INSANELY DELICIOUS tacos. Came here on Taco TOOSday and had four carne asada tacos topped with cilantro, onion and salsa that left me speechless. In my opinion best place to get local tacos in Merced and definitely worth it for the price of $1.00 on Tuesdays. read more

Cardenas Markets - Carne asada tacos - Meat Shops Near Me - Merced, California

My mom was asking then if she can get oregano and they said it to my mom And they say It in a bad mood that there's every thing and I gotBurrito Supreme and I ask them no sour cream and they gave me sour cream read more

Cardenas is a store that was built from scratch in this city. Head departments have experience, but the rest are people who needed the job from Merced, who are doing their best to learn the system and customer service. I am proud of what this store has done to 150 people, giving them an honest employment. You can get the meat marinated right away, get the most inexpensive green juice in the city, tortillas made from scratch without GMO's, authentic Mexican products, like the delicious fresh guacamole, and you can eat there if you feel like it. read more

Went today to get the shrimp ceviche and a guy in the deli didn't want to serve me because he didn't have a ladle even tho he works in the kitchen I'm pretty sure they have plenty. He then told me I can get from the grab and go and when I told him there was no shrimp he just stared at me. Thank y'all for your service smfh Also shout out to Alejandra at Rancho San Miguel who still served me ceviche and went to get the ladle from the deli. Take notes Cardenas Deli read more

I love this store... they lowered the prices to suit The Valley, their produce is so fresh, the meat department always get good quality meats... and pastry, they are great, they have a vast variety of slices and their pineapple upside down cake 10" for only $5 I always have a desert! read more

Cardenas Markets - Great variety, I love the way their case looks - Meat Shops Near Me - Merced, California

Great selections for all kinds of stuff. Great bakery. The kitchen has very good food if you don't mind waiting 35 minutes for a burrito literally every time you come here. Very disappointed with the service here. They have some very very good employees and some very lame employees. Hopefully things change here. read more

Quaility in meat is not what I expected, paying more than any other store. I bought some arracheea meat when I was cooking it the meat was thick hard. I also got cilantro and radishes next day were rotten I don't think I'm coming back to this store read more

About a week ago I went there to get my self a carne asada burrito. I was aspecting the Type of burritos Mi Pueblo used have. To my surprise the meat didn't have any flavor and it was mostly fat, rice and beans were dried and I almost paid 10 dollars for a bad lunch. That was not it! I did some grocery shopping. I got Pepsi 2lt that were "on sale" at .99 got 2, also some Gatorades. When I was about to pay they charge 1.99 per soda and 1.79 per Gatorade. I guess I didn't read the fine prints in the AD we it said I needed to buy 5 sodas in order to get the .99 price and 15 Gatorades. I felt cheated and left all the groceries in the store. Plus all the thing are regular price were very expensive. Never again! read more

I being on this store 3 times and being disappointed every time, I don't think they will get an other chance... they have the most rude and unprofessional employees it's ridiculous, now they have the self service which is not optional you have to used because there is not a cashier to help you, I ask for a cashier and a rude person told me "it's only a self service". Rude rude! read more

I went here to grab ingredients to make ceviche. I'm not a fan of their tostadas but their other food is great! I also love their tamales!

I just went to this Cardenas market to buy some of the "queso de Puerto picoso" last Thursday and I got the "" special"" Because one of the girls workers that work there recommended me to buy the ""special "" so I did 2 days later it was bad that meat I bought from Cardenas market it was bad.!! So I went to Cardenas today 12/11/21 to tell what happened, they at the meat section the "girl manager" didn't care about my complaint.. she and the other girl worker didn't care.. yup it's NOT THEIR MONEY.! I was thinking after the compliant to buy something but because they shady attitude and THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT THEY'RE SELLING MEAT ON A "" SPECIAL OFFER" WITH YELLOW TAGS.! That meat you buy on "special offer" it won't last you 2/3 days it's going to be bad and disgusting.!! So based on my personal experience.! I highly recommend you do not go to Cardenas market at Merced California to buy anything and I said anything but if you want to go that's up to you... read more

It is a sad day, when the best meat option is the chicken. We were having our own, at home, Taco Tuesday. Went by Cardenas for Carne Asada, Al Pastor, and Pollo. The Al Pastor reminded me more of chorizo, with random chunks of pineapple and a measly slice of onion. To say I wasn't pleased would be an understatement. The Carne Asada, my usual favorite and go to taco filling, was bland and unimpressive. Last, but certainly not the least, the Pollo. The Pollo was perfectly seasoned, and with my cooking was the meat that didn't require endless toppings for additional flavor. We not only were disappointed by the carniceria options, but found their tortillas to be gummy and impossible to fry. Just because it's closer to me, doesn't make it better. Not a business that will have me coming back for more. read more

I lobe that they have a lot of produce selections from Mexico that you can't find at other stores. Bakery is great too. Hot food and tortilla section is also amazing. The only reason I gave it a 3 is because like many other reviews here, the staff move like molasses! Like they take their time in getting to you and you could stand there for a while, if you don't call for them. Management is the same, because twice I had a problem come up with the register or payment and the lady waiting on me had had already called management to deal with it twice and she took 10 min still. When management finally came, she was walking with no sense of urgency. She was talking to another employee like I hadn't been waiting there and she hadn't been called twice. II was on lunch so I was pretty frustrated. If they work on that, this place would have my 5 stars. read more

Place has good produce and deals. But this morning I went to buy marinated taco meat, and half a pound of it was just fat. The worst part, I ended up finding a piece of plastic in it. Safe to say I will never buy meat here again. read more