Last weekend, the hubs and I headed out to Chicago Supermarket to try the little eatery in the back. This was our third attempt to get there during their hours of operation, and we finally made it.
The eatery corner of Chicago Supermarket.
We made our way back to what we thought was the ordering counter and slung some broken spanish at the patient woman by the register. There was definitely some confusion, but it was through no fault of hers.
Jarritos.
Adam and I grabbed some Jarritos, three tacos (carne asada, carnitas, and chile relleno), a steak sope, and a quesadilla relleno.
Tacos… carne asada, carnitas and chile relleno.
Everything was fine enough, but not amazing. Perhaps we came too late in the day, since some of the items seemed like they might have settled a bit over time. The quesadilla in particular had a huge trough of congealed cheese at the bottom. Though I do love me some cheese, even congealed.
Sope.
Quesadilla relleno.
Ashley and Stephen grabbed a taco, a couple quesadillas, and a gordita. The gordita wound up being a soggy chicharron affair, which was neither what Ashley intended to order, nor something any of us gringos felt like consuming.
Ashley: “This is basically the fast food equivalent of mexican food in that it’s alright, it fills you, and it’s cheap. But for a nominal increase of expenditures, you could get much better quality at a stand-alone restaurant not even a mile down the road. I give it 2 stars.”
Chicharron gordita.
This experience was kind of sad given some of the glowing reviews I’ve read from years past. Even the photos seem to be glimpses into a brighter, quirkier, and tastier alternate-universe Chicago Supermarket. Perhaps we are just totally clueless gringos. Perhaps we should have come earlier in the day. Perhaps Chicago Supermarket is past it’s peak. Who can say? Not I, with only one visit under my belt. But for now, it’s gotta be 2.5 stars – simply below average.
However, I’d like to not end on such a bad note. Here is some nice background info – those glimpses into Supermercado Chicago’s illustrious past:
Blissful Glutton’s Chicago Supermarket: Doraville/Buford Highway
Scoutmob’s CHICAGO SUPERMARKET: COME FOR THE PIÑATAS, STAY FOR THE TACOS
Foodie Buddha’s Supermercado Chicago Taqueria Review – Doraville, GA [First Impressions]
Chicago Supermarket
5263 Buford Highway NE
Doraville, GA 30340
emily
Nerd. Foodie. Gamer. Homecook. Perpetual planner. Gardener. Aspiring homesteader. Direct response graphic designer. I use too many damn commas.
Hi!i love your restaurant reviews-especially Buford Highway. Trying new produce, grocery items and different cuisine on Budord Highway is our Saturday adventure!
I have been going to Chicago Supermarket every few days for the last few months! I have discovered the absolutely best avocados there! I get their DELISH avocados and home made pico de gallo (in the refrig case across from the meat counter) and the homemade avocado sauce! I put them all on EVERYTHING!
Today was the first day I tried the little restaurant in the back- I was so very disappointed!! You had the right word for it- underwhelmed!
Thanks so much for your reviews!! You are the best! 🙂
(I am in Las Palminas as I write this!)
Aw, thanks for your lovely comment Bronwyn! It’s a lovely ray of sunshine after being down and out with a could all weekend.
Also, thanks for sharing your experience at Chicago’s Supermarket. I’ll have to try their pico de gallo and avocado sauce – they sound amazing! Thanks for the tip!!