El Chico Produce Number 5

I don’t know about chos numeros 1 through 4 but this oversized produce store kicks serious tamales in the deep mission. Precios ¹⁄₃ to ½ of Safeway, with better quality. I mean, sixty-​nine cents versus two ninety for tomatoes on the vine? Almost makes me want to go chemical. Sadly, they haven’t got organics yet.
Large selection of dangerous meats, fresh cheeses in the three or four dollar a pound range, local made tortillas, tamales, canned goods, friendly staff.
The agitators say the poor pay more for their groceries? Nuts.

This is a great neighborhood market. They consistently carry good quality fruit and veg at really low prices. It’s not organic, but some of us can’t afford to buy organic everything all the darn time. The guys at the butcher counter will get you anything you like, bone it, cut it how you need it, with a little banter thrown in. Two points extra credit if you speak some Spanish, but they won’t give you the fisheye if you’re monolingual. There are always stacks of fresh handmade tortillas – still hot – in the mornings (look by the register). It’s one of the few Latino markets I’ve seen that carries collard greens and chard regularly – now if we can just get them to carry tofu, I’m all set. The senoras always smile at my little boy, and one lady planted a big kiss on his chubby cheek as he zoomed past. She even snuck a treat into my bag for him, no charge. I love this place.