International grocery stores are an interesting breed, unlike their garish and phony brethren the standard issue grocery store, the international grocery store is humble and minds to itself. It has its own customers who know about it and it’s usually happy with just that, it doesn’t make cheap fake efforts to earn your love. No. The international grocery store has the essential ingredients you need to make certain dishes taste exactly how your mom made it, rather than some hipster bro version. Nestled next to the MVA express in Dobbin in Howard County is one such gem, it’s called the Mercadito and you really need to pay it a visit if you have any predilection for Central/South American cuisine. It’s basically heaven on earth.
I came here on a whim to just see what it’s like. Let me set the stage, I had to renew my license and this place is right next to the MVA express. I walked in and it was like being a kid on Christmas day, they have so many amazing options at your fingertips that you cannot find at a regular grocery store. I was basically like a hummingbird buzzing around the store gathering little bits of delicious ingredient nectar in every aisle.
Like most niche international grocery stores it is pretty cramped in here but that’s because they are trying to cram as much stuff as possible in there. They have a frozen section with all sorts of goodies like plantains and real pupusas not the fake crap that the hipster grocers sell. They have all sorts of sausages, curtido, quesos, and fresh meats. They have a butcher in there so you can some of your favorite cuts of meat there as well.
Beyond that they have a little counter where you can get pupusas, tacos, and other tasty treats. They also have amazing spices and other delicious concoctions to make your favorite Peruvian and Jamaican dishes. This place is a hidden gem and I will be returning.
