124596 Wed Oct 19 21:01:27 -0700 2005 5 8 Midwest 0 676643 I feel betrayed by someone: Why was I not informed of the glory of Mercado Central? Today after reading about sandwiches I decided I needed a Manny's torta, but we ventured farther to the Mercado Central location. Not only are there lots of cool shops, with Mexican crafts, packaged foods and candies, but there is an entire food court, including a pupusa stand, and several awesome looking taquerias etc. I felt like I was in heaven. I couldn't decide where to go first! We got the tortas, and a cheese pupusa from right next to Manny's, which was excellent. We will be back. . . oh yes, we will be back. By the way, I'm sure Mercado Central has been mentioned before, I am just looking for someone to blame for my missing it. Wed Oct 19 21:01:27 -0700 2005 0 Alice 1 676645 Love that place! It's such an adventure to explore all the little shops --food and otherwise--they have crammed into that one building. Did you stand in the long line at the window to buy the freshly-made tortillas to take home? Also, the bakery there is fun to explore. Mercado Central at 15th Av. and E. Lake St. in Minneapolis ~TDQ Wed Oct 19 23:54:27 -0700 2005 676643 0 The Dairy Queen 1 676649 On your next visit to Mercado Central, don't miss the tamales from La Loma - the stand at the outside corner (on Lake and Bloomington). The vegetable and cheese version is great, and better still is the Oaxacan (sp?) tamale in a banana leaf - yummy and very, very spicy. But I know what you mean about suddenly discovering an established great place. I've been to Mercado Central, but I just know there's an equally glorious place that I haven't registered yet (or visited). But what and where? Maybe it's the grocery store across the street, which I hear (from Dara Moskowitz) has a great deli with agua fresca and spicy fruit salad. (See link below.) Or maybe it's Fishman's Kosher Deli in St. Louis Park, which I just heard about, but apparently has been there for aeons... Anne Link: http://citypages.com/databank/25/1247/article12599.asp Thu Oct 20 01:36:52 -0700 2005 676643 0 AnneInMpls 1 676705 i feel that i've read a lot about Mercado Central in here - so much that i was actually a little disapointed the first time i went there (of course i imagined a "glorious" messy crowded smelly mexican place, and it was more Minnesota like, with not much mercado "ambiance") blame it on my exagerated Latina expecations. But YES, the food is indeed pretty good - and it's so cool to sample a little from each vendor! Fri Oct 21 13:13:59 -0700 2005 676643 0 MariQ 2 676735 MariQ, More Minnesota like with not much mercado ambiance? I don't know how you get much more mercado ambiance than Mercado Central. I have been there on Saturdays at lunch where there have been over 100 people packed into the food hall area, and I have been the only non-Hispanic person in there. There are often Mexican musicians playing the guitar and families eating lingua tacos and menudo. That does not seem very Minnesota like to me. Here are my favorite things to eat there: Manny's Tortas - the vegetable torta with grilled msuhrooms and avacado La Loma - tamales, especially Oaxacena (sp?) and the spicy pork or salsa verde chicken Taqueria La Hacienda - tacos with either al pastor or carnita served with chopped onions, cilantro, and a wedge of lime. Alice, I feel we have let you down if you did not know about Mercado Central sooner. Next time on Lake Street also check out Pineda Tacos and Taqueria La Hacienda -- both close to I-35. Sat Oct 22 17:05:32 -0700 2005 676705 0 Josh Resnik 3 676741 OK, i meant that the place was actually clean and organized, without crazy smells, and there weren't any stray dogs eating the food that people drop in the floor, or little kids with not clothes on running after the dogs. If you've been to a mercado central anywhere in South American you get the picture (and the smell, too). but the place is definitely a hang out for the local Mexican community! Sat Oct 22 21:15:10 -0700 2005 676735 0 MariQ