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    El Jalapeno

    4.1 (21 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican, Grocery
    Closed 12:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    El Jalapeno Photos

    Business Info

    EL JALAPENO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - El Jalapeno

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    Tamales Selection and Price: 12-23-22
    Cross S.

    First off, Yelp and other social media gets El Jalapeño mixed up as being the restaurant next door. El Jalapeño is a STORE. The restaurant is just to the left of the store and it's called Los Tamales. Once again El Jalapeño is the place to go to get Mexican groceries. Getting authentic Mexican groceries is a real chore in Washington because of lack of diversity. So this place is the place to go. We come here mainly for the Tamales. They have a self service tamale bar where you can pick and choose the tamales that you want. They are priced individually or by the dozen. They also have a nice selection of Mexican pastries. Unlike most places that I've been to theirs are fresh. Like most really good Mexican store, the place is no thrills. Meaning to real decor. Just stock. This is how they keep their prices reasonable.

    Gazing at all of the options at El Jalapeño in the bulk area.
    Alden C.

    It's kind of a crime that I haven't gone to this grocery store up until recently. The handful of times I have been in here the last several weeks have been great! There is a lot packed into this space but at the same time the layout is pretty easy for me to get a grip on to find items. This grocery store definitely caters towards the Hispanic population of Tacoma so you will see brands, produce, spices and other foods that you aren't used to seeing in mainstream stores. They have a self service hot case with five different kinds of tamales. This is my first place I start when I come into El Jalapeño and I just dive right in by grabbing some tongs and putting a tamale of each in a plastic bag. I can't say which one I like the best. They are all great but you can pick from a sweet corn tamale, chicken tamales and pork. I then take them home and enjoy them there. Fortunately I don't live too far from this store. Another thing I simply love with El Jalapeño is their fresh salsas! I have a major Achilles Heel for chips and salsa and the salsa from here is so fresh and delicious I have to come back once I run out. There used to be these salsas near the produce section but you can also find the salsas by the fresh meat/butcher area as well in the back in a small refrigerator. I have had a very spicy red salsa which was great and a more milder salsa verde. I can't wait to try more of the salsa options as there are a few more from those two. They have a fresh pastry case up near the registers in which I brought a few home on one trip here. Very moist and flavorful! Definitely recommend those too! I feel like there is a lot more to discover here as there is a lot packed in here. There seems to be a small deli of sorts by the tamales and produce that would be worth exploring and Steve can't wait to buy some produce for some of his recipes at home. Coming to El Jalapeño has been a great experience every time and I can say with a lot of confidence I will become a regular here!

    two burritos on a table
    Polly C.

    Food was great!!! Had lots of flavor and the girl at the counter was friendly. Definitely coming back.

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    3 months ago

    Best tamales and chicharonnes! Cheese and jalapeño ones are my fav. Go early cause they sell out quick! Staff is very nice and personable.

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    11 days ago

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

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    11 months ago

    They sell Dubai Chocolate Strawberries Good customer service, and great prices. They sell all sorts of food and fruit cups as well.

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Delicious TAMALES and SALSAs-a-plenty cooked up FRESH herefor you and for meand fiesta and parties.

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Love all the different types of Tamales and the back counter for ice cream and elotes. Will definitely be back!

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

    This is traditional style. Loved it we will return great service. Very popular with Hispanic community

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Love the environment! Felt very authentic and warm . I really enjoyed the tamales and fresh bread...

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    15 years ago

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    8 years ago

    On the weekends they have fresh Tamales, and fresh tortillas. We can find so many dufferent Mexican products. Definitely our to go place.

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    8 years ago

    Cool spot, the ppl were friendly, the prices were good and the selection was decent. Would go back again.

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    12 years ago

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    Ask the Community - El Jalapeno

    Review Highlights - El Jalapeno

    always buy them by the dozen (way better deal).

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Whole Foods Market - This soap smells so good and clean!

    Whole Foods Market

    3.6(221 reviews)
    6.1 mi
    $$

    Came here with a friend and ate from hot food bar. I love that I can just pick out a little bit of…read moreeverything, I felt so good after this meal too the variety is great. Also I didn't get a pic but they had PICKLE KOMBUCHA it was so good. Whole Foods you literally have my whole heart.

    I've been a loyal Whole Foods customer for the past seven years, ever since we lived on the East…read moreCoast, and I've always enjoyed shopping there. However, I've noticed that this particular location has been consistently lacking in customer service--especially in the bakery department. This year alone, I've visited the bakery four or five times, and each time the experience has been disappointing. No one acknowledges customers, there's little to no eye contact, and the staff often appear disengaged or busy with tasks in the back of the section. When I do finally get someone's attention, the interaction feels rushed or noticeably unwelcoming. On one occasion, after waiting about 15minutes for my cake to be packaged, the staff member simply set it aside without letting me know it was ready. Situations like this have made it the worst bakery customer service I've experienced at any Whole Foods. I understand they have other responsibilities to manage, but a consistent lack of basic courtesy is concerning. On the other hand, I want to highlight the meat and fish department--they are always friendly, attentive, and hardworking, and it truly makes a difference.

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    Whole Foods Market - Omg have you had this Rosé? I had it in Portland and it was the bestest Rosé ever. And so happy to see it again  here!

    Omg have you had this Rosé? I had it in Portland and it was the bestest Rosé ever. And so happy to see it again here!

    Whole Foods Market - Morning!!!

    Morning!!!

    Whole Foods Market - Smells so good. Warm Oatmilk & Toast. I've been standing and sniffing for 5 minutes its $29.99

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    Smells so good. Warm Oatmilk & Toast. I've been standing and sniffing for 5 minutes its $29.99

    WinCo Foods - Open self check out and lines in the only two open checker lanes.

    WinCo Foods

    4.1(17 reviews)
    6.6 mi

    The strange, older man in the Santa hat, apparently working the self service area, spent most of…read morehis time "helping" the female customers (who clearly didn't need help) rather than performing any real service to anyone. When my checkout stand failed (as per design) I found myself standing by, waiting for this person to finish his creepy interactions. Of course he was very put out for having to do actual work (although at least he did eventually do it) before returning to his strange, female-centric, close talking. This Santa hat fellow was the replacement for another person who was too transfixed by his phone to do anything at all, so I guess Santa Hat was an upgrade?

    First thing is this is my Favorite location! And I love the 5am time! It offers an opportunity to…read moreshop in the early mornings before it gets too busy. It is clean and very organized. The restrooms are very clean and fresh. The cashiers and most employees you encounter are very sweet. They appear to be happy to help. This is a good place to pick up bulk items without the club fees. It offers my favorite meat to prepare picadillo. I love their tamales. The cooked chicken here is delicious on days when you do not feel like cooking. I do not feel so overwhelmed shopping here when it early in the morning. I am able to navigate through and finish fairly quickly with a list. Without a list, it takes longer and end up with things that we shouldn't have but very tasty to eat. This place is a good place to come if you have to plan trips to park or a road trip. It has most things you need to be well stocked. I also like to stock "my Mommy bag". Well if you have children or grandchildren or even a grumpy spouse when they have been out and have munchies. I don't carry diapers but I pretty much have to keep snacks and wipes in my Mommy bag. This store gives us a variety of things to put in my Mommy bag. It is a life saver on long days of running errands. This store has a different vibe than all the other Wincos. I have a favorite one and this is it. The other ones seem to be a bit different . Well I will suggest anyone who comes to bring their reusable bags or bags with handles. I have a few paper bags with handles so they are good for bread. And bring a cold bag for frozen things like ice cream. The bags they offer in store do tear easily . Yes! You will have to complete the task of bagging your own groceries. So plan accordingly if you have to buy a load of stuff. Or if you do invest in a foldable cart and not that upright kind. Get a small wagon kind. It is great and will be quicker than bagging. Yes I read reviews about bagging your own food but this stuff is cheap and just get a small wagon. Your shopping experience is all about how you handle it here. And this place is a good place to get cheap stuff. I realize too not all good places can deliver to your home. This one is a place you have to just go to see. I like what I see here at Tacoma Winco(not the Tacoma 72nd). I just wanted to add that clarity because there are two in Tacoma.

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    WinCo Foods - Wide open self checkout that you are stopped from using if too many items.

    Wide open self checkout that you are stopped from using if too many items.

    WinCo Foods
    WinCo Foods

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    El Jalapeno - mexican - Updated May 2026

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