Fiesta Mart

Seriously?! Everything in this place gave me a wtf moment.
First, the second we walked in, the smell of rotten seafood permeated the entire store. AVOID buying seafood there, that is a HUGE warning sign.
Secondly, the prices. I thought Fiesta was supposed to be a bargain?! Guess what?! I can buy those groceries at Whole Foods and Randall’s for cheaper. I am not exaggerating. I went to the store specifically because I had a friend who was down on his luck, and he had hoped he could afford groceries there. Nope! He’d have done better at Whole Foods by comparison. I sent him to Trader Joe’s after.
Third, the produce… I think it was collected from trucks it had fallen off of.
Do I even need a number 4? I’ll stick with HEB, Whole Foods, and all of the other really good stores in the area that, actually cost less than Fiesta.

This is my ‘go to store’ when I need something quick for our ‘store’ — the shelves are always stocked, the prices are more than fair and the staff has always been friendly. I will say that the store could use some updating, but then again it is Fiesta — not Central Market.

This grocery store can be a life saver thanks to its great location. If you’re into specialty Mexican foods, you can definitely find it there. Their «pan dulce» is not only delicious but costs only .50 cents a piece! However, their produce could be a bit fresher.

I went to Fiesta for the first time tonight. I normally do my grocery shopping at HEB, Trader Joe’s and/​or Whole Foods but decided to change it up tonight. Overall, it was a good experience. I was surprised at the amount of gluten free and organic products in the store. Also, all of the produce appeared to be very fresh. Prices are on par with other grocery stores in the area and it’s very clean. Also, they had several checkout lines open which made things go fast. The only thing that really bothered me was being approached by two sketchy looking guys in the store. There were also some folks loitering in the parking lot. I think the store could use a little extra security at night. Other than that, it was fine.

I was pleasantly surprised visiting this Fiesta. I read the reviews and went ahead and tried it out. They have a great food selection and I couldn’t believe they had an all natural/​organic isle! I was so happy with what I found. I wish there was one closer to my house (this was right near work)!

Good prices on the essentials however employees much ruder than anywhere else. I check out today and the teller Renecia rings me up and I hand her my money. She makes the change and hands me the receipt and my change at which time I say «Thank you». She responds «Whatever». So just expect «whatever» customer service but at least the prices are good.

I cruised in here today while I was on lunch break as I was craving some tamarind. Hey what can I say I love those sour things! Anyways, I walked in, and I was so pleasantly surprised! It was really clean, organized, etc. I don’t love smelling churches chicken while I’m shopping for produce, but hey I can get over it. The prices are really low, and the produce seemed of good quality. They even have an organic section! I ended up needing help finding my goodies, and I went to the bakery and asked the lady. She didn’t know exactly, but called someone to help me. Needless to say I had what I was looking for in less than 2 minutes! Bravo.
I was super impressed with their international food section, they have a huge selection of all sorts of different items, way more than any Kroger or HEB.
Our cashier was nice and we were on our way. I would shop here!

Wow his place is awesome. Besides the fact that it’s not exactly in the shine/​snazzy part of town… It’s great!
The place is PACKed with good stuff. I went there to find some Mexican fresh cheese and then decided that I wanted to make a French tart cake and bought all my ingredients there. The only thing I couldn’t find was the vanilla bean extract but that’s fine!
Prices were lows so I was pleased that raspberries were not 4.99 because they were organic choice only. They also have real lard if your recipe requires this. It’s quite impossible to find lard anywhere in the midtown area. Great shopping area.

Ok, so It is Fiesta; it’s not as bad as some I have been to before. There is a strange odor from time to time in here, and items don’t seem to be where they would normally be found. There are a lot of people that shop here, and they are not rather nice either; they run into or over you and just don’t give a damn, like they’re entitled or something. The produce is okay, but not great; however, it is cheap. The seafood dept here doesn’t reek as heavily as other Fiestas either.
The one great thing is the Medio Litro Mexican Cokes are only $ 0.99 here, and Chris absolutely loves them. It beats paying $ 1.69 and up at other places like Inversion or certain trucks or other little stores. I mainly do come here just to stock up on these and sometimes to pick up a pan dulce or sweet bread.

…I hate this place…

Listen. If you are not a city person (as in, you’re from the suburbs or a small town) or you’re used to Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods and even the nicer HEB’s… you’ll probably be appalled at this Fiesta. It’s far from classy, but if you can drop your food snob pride because you need to eat on a budget now, here’s a great place to go.
I’m from Chicago. I grew up with this kind of grocery store minus a Church’s Chicken inside. The things people complain about below (homeless, ghettoness, etc.) does not phase me at all.
So let’s paint the picture here. It’s 8pm, you really need a couple pieces of produce to make something to eat. You live in the museum district and you do not want to drive all way the to TJs or Whole Foods or even HEB for this stuff. So you change your slippers into normal shoes and you head to Fiesta. You’re in homey comfy clothes, no makeup, hair looking like a mess. But guess what? Creepy hood dudes still want to say hi, attempt to flirt, and then stare at you. Someone still wants to ask you for change even though you look homeless yourself. It’s just how it is there.
Don’t worry– there’s usually a cop that hangs out right in front of the door. I’ve seen them arrest people before for who knows what, but it’s nice to see they do their job and keep it real there.
I go there for all my mexi-​food staples. Cheap cans of beans, tortillas, produce, etc. They have one «natural foods» aisle which is decent. So if you’re vegan, they do have veganaise for about 20 cents more than whole foods. If you’re feeling adventurous there’s often a cart of discount wine just hanging out.
The cashiers there are usually pretty friendly. I had one that was not, but most are cool. They’re chatty. But beware going first weekend of the month because thats when EBT cards are refilled and families go nuts then.
All in all, I go there weekly. It’s so close to me that I would be stupid not to. It’s not as bad as people say. Really, it isn’t. Just stop being a snob and go for it. It would also help, if you’re female and going in alone, to just embody Grumpy Cat for the time you’re there and no one will bother you. Just a little city girl tip for ya.

So we love literally 2 blocks from this place and have never gone in because of the riff raff around it aka massive amount of homeless. So, we decide nothing to lose we will go. Well…
1. Produce section is amazing. Literally amazing. Better selection than Randall’s Midtown or Kroger on Montrose.
2. Seafood section, just as great!!!
3. Wonderful variety of cultured food
4. Prices were good, great deal on powerade when we went. 59 cents!
Now the downfall, if it were not for the fact of the guy asking us for money for the bus while shopping it would be five stars. There were a few homeless in the beer and can food aisle, I mean everyone’s gotta eat right, lol but I wouldn’t go here without the boyfriend. I wouldn’t feel 100% safe and don’t like being asked for money.
All in all when the boyfriend and I go to the grocer we will definitely be going back to Fiesta.

I HATE going to this Fiesta. I feel like things should be grouped differently, maybe Im just used to the Montrose Kroger, but I can never find anything. Even if Ive asked for help it seems that the employees dont know whats going on either. sigh.
Only upside is in the coke machines outside, they have apple soda, a particular favorite of mine. Buyer beware though, the button you push may not be the soda you get! lol.

Forget Whole Foods. A lot of the unique products I get there I can get here. For much cheaper too. Great organic and international food sections. If you like tuna, you can find imported tuna from Italy and Greece. Great coffee selections. Olives stuffed with salmon. $ 2 monster jars of pickles. Unique meats like pork hooves, cow stomach and beef hearts. In case you wanted some. Imported chips, coffee and juices. And a Church’s chicken in the store. Cashiers are very friendly.
Yep parking lot and crowd are a little sketchy, but very clean store. And awesome 70s and 80s music plays overhead.

The selection of food, both produce and packaged, is excellent here. The fruit and vegetable quality is hit-​and-​miss, though; sometimes the tomatoes will be way overripe, or the store is just out of basil, or something. In theory, there’s a terrific selection of inexpensive fresh herbs. You can even get lemongrass stalks.
As far as «premium» products mentioned in some other reviews, this Fiesta does stock them: Maille dijon mustard, Terra chips, organic maple syrup, smoked salmon, free-​range eggs and chicken, and lots more. There’s also an aisle dedicated to «natural» and organic foods, where you can find agave syrup, Bob’s Red Mill flours, and steel-​cut oatmeal, among other things.
For those of us who can’t quite afford to make our lasagna with handmade imported noodles and local mozzarella from a goat named Thelma whose life story is printed on the wrapper, Fiesta’s store brand is inexpensive and generally high-​quality.
As other reviewers have noted, there’s a large international section with goodies like tamarind paste, nori, and much more affordable dried herbs and spices than you’ll find in the baking aisle.
The cashiers and baggers are also very friendly. Some have said that it’s hard to find staff throughout the store, but I’ve asked staff for help finding things several times.
Yes, the store looks unappealing from outside, but I’ve had no problems with other customers. With respect to some other reviewers, the interior is not «sketchy» or dirty at all.

It must be the «Midtown» thing, but this Fiesta can be fairly crackheady. It’s just near Wheeler Station and it’s pretty easy for me to get to, so despite the atmosphere, I go in every couple of weeks.
Large Fiesta stores like this one have a fairly good selection of basics and good prices, but if you’re looking for more «premium» items, you’re usually gonna get stuck out. But oddly, this particular store has quite a large international section; Asian, Caribbean, African, European, and Indian. It’s not exactly Spec’s, but neither are the prices. This section is why I come here.
Otherwise, it’s the usual Fiesta. The produce looks at least a week old. The Midtown clientele are the usual smelly, drooling «has serious issues» crowd. One look at the restrooms will send you screaming into the night. But hey, low prices on imported food. I’ll continue to brave going into Midtown for that.

I love Fiesta, and it’s great this one is so close to Midtown. The produce selection alone is worth the drive to the ‘transitional’ side of town. I wouldn’t come here by myself at night, but a day trip is not bad at all. I cook a lot of ethnic food, and the local HEB and Randall’s do not have nearly the variety of products as Fiesta. The produce is always cheap too!
Hahah funny there is a Church’s Chicken inside!

I combed through at least 50 cucumbers at this Fiesta and could only find 2 that weren’t already mushy or moldy. How disgusting is that? Desperate and only an hour to go until my potluck, I bought them anyway. I shouldn’t have to work that hard for a cucumber. And don’t get me started on the kale, which was wilted and dry. Basically, the entire produce section sucks and it amazes me how they are able to legally operate while selling such old fruits and vegetables.
The rest of the store is fine, although as a few other reviewers pointed out it is extremely sketch. I only come here when it’s still light out.

Where would a girl from the Bronx fear for her life?! No, not the Bronx. But Fiesta Mart #17!
To make a long story short I wanted to make a recipe I found today. Driving down 59 I saw this Fiesta and decided to stop in. Big mistake. First thing I see when I am walking in is the police taking a lady (hand-​cuffed) who seemed to have been shop lifting or something. Not the best thing to see when you stop for groceries. OK, I continue my way into the Supermarket. As I am looking at my list a young girl, maybe 16 – 17 keeps calling me. I know what she wants so I just ignore her. As she continues to call me: «ma’am, ma’am!» I ask her: «What do you need?» And ofcourse she asks me for a dollar for something! Seriously, who wants to be bothered at the Supermarket?! I told her I didn’t have change and walked away. I saw so many questionable people in there, a lot of teenagers who were so obviously not shopping for groceries. made me wonder what they were there for. I really feared that someone would try to take my purse or something!
This is the ghettoest Fiesta Mart I have ever been to. I found the groceries I needed and not once did I see a person who worked there (other than the cashiers) I was there probably 20 minutes. When I paid and made my way out, I see a car parking in the handi-​capped parking… and they did not have disabled plates. To tell you the truth they looked like undercover cops. I was so glad to get the hell out of there… and hear you me. I WILL NEVER VISIT THAT FIESTA AGAIN! EVER.

Good prices, fresh produce with an emphasis on Mexican and ethnic cuisine, and good music to boot. Love this place. Particular attraction is the meat counter. Seems like most of the grocers in Houston have reduced their meat inventory to the main stream top selling cuts (steaks, pork chops, ground beef, precooked ham, etc.). Not Fiesta, here you can still get neck bones, shank steaks, pork bellies and all those other cuts required to really cook. And these are unpretentious cuts at unpretentious prices. Seriously, how can you make a roast pork shoulder if you can’t get a pork shoulder?
On the negative side, the parking lot, exterior and the carts could use a good going over. Inside is nice and clean and bright, but outside has that «decaying urban» look that frightens people away. Also the produce can be on the over ripe side, definitely a place where you want to spend time choosing what you buy. But the price is right.
Note — Like Jackson, I originally posted this review for the Dunlavy Fiesta by mistake.