Santa Maria

This grocery store is packed with all kinds of produce, meats, spices, dry goods, and beverages for those that love Latino cuisine. When I say it's packed, it really is! This is the kind of store that mom goes to, then cooks an incredible family meal. A wide variety of produce and cuts of meat that most folks forsake. You'll feel like you're transported to another country.

I haven't done a complete perusal of this store -- still need to try out the meats from the meat counter which based on some other reviews I need to do that soon. But the produce is outstanding. I buy about half of my produce here. They have red jalapenos. O...M...G... they have the red jalapenos. They also have an immense selection of tortillas -- including the super jumbo 14" burrito-sized tortillas that are difficult to find.

Best carnitas and barbacoa in Madison! Get here on the weekends for an easy taco spread. Three salsas and each with a variety of spice levels. Grab some cilantro, an onion, a head of lettuce, a roma tomato and you have a perfect meal! Or go nutz and grab a few beers, some flan, a piñata, some cactus salad, Mexican candy and impress friends. Do eeet!

Santa Maria serves its purpose as a Mexican grocery but doesn't stand out from the crowd.Packaged goods, produce, and meats are available; a few Mexican bakery items are for sale but not made in house. On weekends, you can get tamales (chicken, pork, jalapeño and cheese) for $14/dozen, barbacoa, carnitas, and fresh salsa. Be sure to arrive prior to mid afternoon for the best selection of tamales.This store is perfectly decent but there's simply not much to say about it. If you need a Mexican grocery store, it'll get the job done.

This store is next door to the ever-overrated Le Tigre Lounge. Santa Maria is mighty festive and colorful inside! Pinatas and Mexican music were going on in here! I got two packages of Mexican queso for 5 bucks and, had I more time, I would have browsed for more items. Everything seemed very affordable; I will definitely stop back in when I am in the neighborhood.