In case you can't tell, I'm a white girl. I speak very little Spanish - mostly just dirty words and how to ask for the bathroom and more beer. La Michoacana can be intimidating for a gringo. The staff is all Hispanic and usually speak as much English as I speak Spanish. The grocery items are mostly from Mexico and are usually labeled in Spanish. But good food is good food, no matter what language it comes in.
If you haven't visited a La Michoacana, you're missing out. Not only is this a grocery store, full of all the ingredients you need to cook an authentic Mexican dinner (for cheap), La Michoacana is a meat market and taqueria as well. And we've spent enough time here that the locals have begun translating for us.
The beef fajita meat that we get from La Michoacana beats every other store's pre-marinated meat hands down. And it's cheap as hell. $4.99/lb. for the primo cut and $1.99 for the lesser cut (honestly, I have no idea what the difference is). The chicken is also $4.99/lb. and is the biggest sheet of chicken breasts I've ever seen.
If you're looking for authentic street tacos, you've found the place. Don't worry about the lack of English, just point to what you want and hold up how many fingers you want of it. You're actually supposed to pay at the cash register and then get your tacos, but we play the gringo card and pick out our tacos first. Mostly because the selection changes from day to day and we never really know what's on the menu. Don't forget a side of refried beans (made with real lard) and a grilled jalapeno or two.
If you're lucky enough to live in a neighborhood with a La Michoacana, count yourself lucky. If you don't, I'm more than happy to share mine. read more