The Other Restaurant Row
South shore eateries, markets help make a neighborhood
By Virginia B. Wood, Fri., Dec. 14, 2001
La Hacienda Market
2410 E. Riverside, 441-2984Daily, 7am-9:30pm
This friendly tienda is the newest grocery outlet on the south shore. When La Hacienda opened earlier this year, it became the fourth grocery store in the burgeoning neighborhood, joining HEB, Albertson's, and the K & S Oriental Market. Other neighborhoods east of I-35 should be so lucky. A sign in the window announces "Comida de mi Pueblo, Pa' mi Pueblo," which suggests "food from my hometown (in Mexico) for my home (here)," and there's plenty to make shoppers feel right at home. Shelves are loaded floor to ceiling with Mexican brand-name grocery items such as Goya canned goods, Jarritos sodas, rice, beans, lard, and masa harina. The produce aisle is stocked with chiles, spices, tropical fruits, and vegetables. They offer everything from pinatas to Tecate, cajeta to prepaid phone cards for calling home to Mexico. The busy store also boasts a loncheria, or deli, where it's possible to purchase hot food to take home or eat in at one of a few tables. Choices on a recent visit were tacos and tortas (Mexican sandwiches) with several different fillings, hot plates with sopes (dry soups or rice dishes), chicharron (fried pork rinds), and cabrito (kid goat). It's definitely worth a visit.
