Thursday, July 17, 2008

A Neighborhood Grocery Store

This quaint little market/store was just around the corner from where we stayed in Playa del Carmen. I think the name is Def or Dep, never did get it straight. It specializes in specialty items, which are kind of unique. A very interesting place to take a look around.







The aisles consist of metal industrial shelving. Very clean looking. They have sauces, oils and vinegars galore.






These little babies were jars of sauces. Fish, oyster, curry, etc. Chances are if you need it, they will have it.






They have two "bulk" item areas. This is one. Jars with removable wicker heads. Powders and things like olives.






Now this is a real cowboy, with jeans over his boots. Don't forget to notice the melons too!






Peppers of every style known to Mexico.








Tomatoes too!




I really liked this original way of displaying zucchini and carrots. People drop the ones they don't want in the middle.







Yellow mangoes.






Red mangoes.





Muskmelon and sour oranges too.







Representing the colors of the Mexican flag, we have onions, tomatoes and avocado.






The second "bulk" area was a little odd. Like giant fish tanks with hinged, wooden tops. Displaying such things as dried shrimp,






dried poblano chilies,






anise seed,




and bulk marijuana. Already cleaned! Just kidding but it sure looked like it.







Need a little bulk cinnamon?






When you're done shopping inside, you can stop and get some fresh flowers to take home.




This was/is a great little tienda that deserves a look see when you are in the Playa area. I'll leave it to Heather to tell you the exact address in the Comments section.

Update: Heather has informed me that this store is called DAC and is Avenida 30 and Calle 20 (just North of Constituyentes)

15 comments:

Calypso said...

Great photos amigo! They make me homesick.

Theresa in Mèrida said...

Wow, everything that I want in a store! And the veggies, the veggies, displayed so nicely. I am having shopping envy.
regards,
Theresa

Anonymous said...

I sure wish there was a marijuana store here LOL! Seriously what a great market!! I'd shop there for sure, err, if it were here, uhh, you know what I mean!!
Awesome pics as always!!

Isla Deb said...

What a great place! I wish I had one of those in my neighborhood!

CancunCanuck said...

Looks like a great shop! Fabulous photos Mr. Wayne!

Jonna said...

I've been shopping there for years. It's on 30th just north of Constituyentes. It used to be just a produce stand with much better produce than you could get at the crappy San Francisco - which was the only big grocery store in Playa.

Then they had a couple shelves of imported stuff, then they added a small juice bar, then they re-did the whole place and took over the store to the right and moved the juice bar and added a lot more stuff. It's very spiffy now but the produce is still good and the smoothies are good and I think they serve lunch too.

Plus, you used to be able to pull up in front of it and just park. It was so far out of the commercial area that there was no real traffic. Now, I don't go there as often because it is tough to park. I can park at the Mega nearby but the produce at Mega is so good that I'm not as motivated to cross the street.

Guess I just did one of those 'back in the old days' things, huh?

Anonymous said...

Wayne, your photographic graphics are terrific ... and your verbal graphics are something I look forward to daily ...

Keep 'em coming...

Tom said...

Don't you just love the markets in Mexico; so colorful, and always full of surprises.

Great photos Wayne!

Debi

Islaholic Trixie said...

What great photos Wayne. I'll have to remember to check that place out when I get to Playa to help wash puppies!!

Anonymous said...

Wow! If there was a store like that on Isla I might actually cook a few meals while on vacation. That is my kind of store.

Anonymous said...

WOW... the produce looks amazing!!!! ... as i sit in the vegas airport on a layover and just finished a hotdog! LOL your pics made me miss mexico so much. sigh just for the salsa alone. they just don't do it right over here. you know? take care -trina

Anonymous said...

It is our fave place in Playa, but the last time we were there the avocados were hard as baseballs, and they were at Mega also. Finally found nice ripe ones at Wal-Mart of all places, go figure :).

Cant' have good guac without ripe avocados

Anonymous said...

I most certainly did not inform you it was called DAP. It is called DAC. You're silly!

JoAnne in CT said...

Being the condiment junkie that I am, I'd have a FIELD DAY in that store!!

Kathy said...

It is also one of the very few places in town with a LARGE organic selection. Weirdly (for those of us used to NOB), WalMart is 2nd in organic selection. It is also the only place in town we find sage. It is never out though; the produce guys will bring it to me in the amount I ask for. With all the produce they have out, I always wonder why the sage is under wraps...

Great photos, Wayne!