These highly rated Mexican markets in North Carolina carry heaps of tasty Latin treats and groceries.
With the partial government shutdown causing longer-than-usual TSA lines, that trip to Cabo you were planning may need to take a back seat. If you can’t imagine missing out on authentic Mexican food, though, the good news is that there are plenty of Mexican markets in North Carolina. We scoured through Google reviews of Mexican markets throughout the state, all rated 4.2 or higher.
While you may not be able to enjoy the views from Playa del Amor (Lovers’ Beach), you can still celebrate Taco Tuesday from the comfort of your couch, with authentic ingredients from local Mexican markets.
The Triangle area is filled with a multitude of Mexican markets
Of all the N.C. regions, the RDU area has the most options when it comes to Mexican markets, with several in Raleigh, Durham, and Cary.
Mexican markets in Raleigh
Raleigh has two top-rated Mexican markets in Northeast Raleigh—La Tapatía Supermarket and El Mandado Supermarket.
La Tapatía Supermarket not only offers Mexican and Latin groceries, but it is also a one-stop shop for American, Asian, and African groceries. The supermarket also has a pharmacy, meat section, panaderia (bakery), and a kitchen that makes traditional Mexican entrees. The kitchen also makes viral-inspired dishes, such as a cheesy elote Maruchan bowl with Takis.
El Mandado Supermarket has Mexican, Latin American, Caribbean, and African products. The store first opened out of a Cary trailer park in 1989 and sold authentic corn tortillas, corn flour, and queso. Now, the supermarket offers money transfer services, legal assistance, and online ordering. The store also has a panaderia, deli, and taqueria.
Mexican markets in Durham
Around the Northgate Park area, La Superior has Mexican groceries, a panaderia, meat shop, taqueria, and tortilleria—yes, they make fresh corn tortillas on-site! Numerous reviews from people who have lived or visited Mexico especially rave about the fresh traditional food.
Las Carolinas Fresh Market, conveniently located near RTP, is another top-rated option for international groceries, with a 4.7-star rating on Google. The store has a panaderia, carniceria (butcher shop), and several homemade delicacies, such as tamales, salsa, and pan dulce (sweet bread).
Mexican markets in Cary
If you live in Cary, then you know traffic congestion has been increasing rapidly post-pandemic. The good news is you can still access fresh Mexican groceries without having to get on the beltline or I-40.
Tienda el Primo in East Cary has a 4.5-star rating on Google, with customers praising the quality of the in-house tacos, the wide variety of Latin groceries, and the availability of domestic and international money transfer services.
Near downtown Cary, La Bonita is not just a grocery store, but it’s also an entire cultural experience. The store has a panaderia, carncieria, and Latin groceries.
One reviewer on Google said it was the only store in the Cary-Apex area that carries “hot, fresh, fried chicaronnes (pork rinds).” According to the store’s Instagram page, there are several other mouthwatering treats, such as agua frescas, tres leches, gelatina (Mexican puddings), and a wide range of salsas. The store also sells traditional jewelry and hats.
Triad-area residents can support these two local Mexican markets
For those who live in the Triad, there are two highly-rated Mexican markets in the area—La Plazita Mexican Grocery in High Point and Carniceria El Mercadito in Greensboro. La Plazita (literally translated to “little plaza”) carries affordable Mexican products and a kitchen that makes delicious Mexican snacks and treats.
The store has a 4.7-star rating on Google, with reviewers recommending La Plazita’s esquites (grilled Mexican corn) and fresas con crema (Mexican strawberries and cream dessert). The Mexican Maruchan with corn, peanuts, cotija cheese, and mayonnaise also looks like a delicious snack.
Carniceria El Mercadito (translated to “little meat market”) has a panaderia, carniceria, taqueria, and groceries. Numerous reviewers on Google especially recommend the tres leches and doughnuts. The store even made it to the Facebook page called Greensboro Dine-In and Takeout for their burritos, tacos, and carne asada.
Charlotte-based Tienda La Mexicanita is praised for its customer service
Located in the Queen City, Tienda La Mexicanita is known by locals for its excellent customer service. Tienda La Mexicanita offers Mexican groceries, money order services, and medicine. The store also takes SNAP/EBT and received a 4.6-star rating on Google.
The Coastal Plains region has several Mexican markets
Next to the Piedmont, the Coastal Plains area also has some of the best Mexican markets in North Carolina. Tienda mis Amigos, located in Wilmington, has Mexican groceries, a panaderia, a meat shop, and fresh tortillas. The store also has a kitchen that makes traditional Mexican dishes and cold drinks such as the Tres Leches Cold Brew.
Tienda mis Amigos also sells 14K gold and custom clothing. The owners also opened up a second shop, aptly named Tienda mis Amigos 2, in nearby Hampstead, N.C. This store has a 5-star rating on Google and offers a similar variety of groceries and authentic food, with multiple reviewers raving about the tamales.
Carniceria El Dorado, in Jacksonville, N.C., has Mexican groceries, baked goods, fresh meats, and a taqueria. Topsail Talk, an Instagram account that features local finds in the Topsail area and Coastal N.C., called the market a “hidden gem” for the “best el pastor tacos” the content creator has ever had. Originally from San Antonio, she was also impressed by the wide variety of Latin groceries that were available.
In Rocky Point, N.C., Tienda La Azucena has Mexican groceries, medicine, fresh tortillas, a food truck, gold jewelry, women’s clothing, and perfumes. The shop has a 5-star rating on Google, with multiple reviewers especially praising the burritos and tacos from the food truck, along with the excellent service.
These smaller-town Mexican markets also sell tacos and burritos that transport you to Mexico
When it comes to the top-notch Mexican markets in North Carolina, Robbins may not be the first town to come to mind. La Comercial Supermarket LLC will quickly change your mind. The supermarket has a 4.9-star rating on Google with 110 reviews.
While La Comercial offers Mexican groceries, the store is most known for its kitchen, which offers freshly cooked Mexican dishes. Reviewers especially love the kitchen’s burritos, tortas, tacos, and quesadillas. Laura Gamarro, who moved from California and thus had high standards for Mexican food, praised La Comercial’s kitchen as the “best food” she found in N.C.
As the name suggests, Carniceria Tortilleria La Mejor in Rockingham, N.C., is known for its fresh meats and tortillas. The store also offers international groceries, but what sets this Mexican market apart is its hot bar in the back. The store has a 4.8-star rating on Google and is available via Uber Eats.
Asheville-based Tienda Los Nenes offers Latin American groceries for WNC residents
If you live in Western N.C., it may seem harder to find Mexican markets. Luckily, Tienda Los Nenes in West Asheville is a one-stop shop for Mexican food—including a carniceria and panaderia. Owned by Maria and Luis Soto, the Mexican market has been in business for more than 15 years and was featured in the Citizen Times as a local favorite.
The store’s chocolate doughnuts, sweet bread, and fresh tortillas are particularly beloved. In the past, the store has sold seasonal traditional bread for Dia de la Muertos (Day of the Dead), containing orange and cinnamon. Yum!
