One major reason why people do not find traveling to other countries appealing is the fear of trying out new foods and their taste buds not being able to adapt to a new recipe. In fact, there is always a quick research on the Internet to know if there are people who make their country’s food in whichever country they want to travel to.
You are probably among this group of people. That’s why you are here. Let’s guide you to finding a Spanish grocery store near you that is open.
- Search for “Spanish grocery store near me that is open right now” on your preferred browser.
- Tap on Map (You may have to put on your device location to have a precise direction)
- Scroll down and tap on the stores that indicates, “Opened now” or “Closes soon”
- After choosing your preferred store, tap on directions or whichever method is given to contact the store.
You can also check photos and reviews to see what other visitors have to say about the store. Look for the stores that indicate “Closes soon” before you head out. Make sure you confirm the time they will be closing to avoid getting stranded.
Are Spanish markets cheaper than grocery stores?
Spanish markets are generally preferred over supermarkets or grocery stores to an extent. This is because you will have more opportunities to select locally bred and harvested products.
Most of the products sold in grocery stores are not really organic. Although, in grocery stores, you might get more discounts than in markets. The market prices are usually not as convenient as the prices at the grocery stores. You may want to go to a grocery store if you want to save some cash.
What is a bodega?
The word “bodega” was derived from a Spanish word which means “wine cellar”, “storeroom”, or “grocery store”. After World War II, Latinx immigrants in New York introduced the popular NYC bodegas.
A bodega is a go-to convenience store (usually small) that sells over-the-counter remedies, staples like coffee, candy, soda, chips, lottery tickets, and some other household items like trash bags and detergents. Some bodegas sell beer; some have deli counters; while others do not have any of the both. What defines a bodega is way more than the products they offer.
There are over 8,000 bodegas across New York, although the number is just an estimate. The health department recognizes approximately 7,100 bodegas. Even though it goes above that
Thankfully, picking up something at night from your neighborhood bodegas, even as late as 3 a.m., is so much quicker.
What to buy in a Spanish grocery store?
When you consider going to a Spanish grocery store, what comes to your mind? Is it just seafood?
Well, there are different options to choose from when purchasing from a Spanish grocery store, let’s list some of them
- Spanish Seasonings
- Spanish Condiments
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Quince Paste
- Manchego cheese
- Spanish cured meats
- Spanish seafood
- Paella Rice
- Torts de Aceite en Picos
- Potato Chips
- Spanish sweets
- Turron ( Spanish Nougat )
- Marcona Almonds
Just like at any other grocery store, the prices for each item will be different. This depends on the brand and the particular grocery store you choose to purchase from.
Which products are more expensive in Spanish grocery stores?
The prices of some products sold in Spain have been examined by the Spanish consumer organization (OCU). 95% of them have been proven to increase tremendously over the years.
About 240 food, drugstore, and hygiene products were analyzed by the OCU from 80 chain stores. It was concluded that sunflower oil is the most expensive, while other products increased by over 118%.
Sunflower oil should not be the only expensive product listed here since other products like margarine and muffins have increased by over 70%. Macaroni increased by 56%, olive oil by 53%, banana by 64%, flour and eggs by 50% and 45% respectively.
Meanwhile, 13 products out of 239 that were analyzed were reduced in price from 2021. even though the difference is not much. Avocados, kiwis, and shampoo were reduced by 10%, 6%, and 5%, respectively.
What are the top 5 Spanish supermarkets
We no longer visit the supermarket for pictures or just for fun. When you remove supermarkets from the world, you get questions like ‘where do I purchase that?’ They are now a very important place to go to.
Just like India, Spain also has a good number of supermarkets. Below are the best Spanish supermarkets where you can purchase from them.
- Mercadona Supermarket
- Lidl Supermarket
- Eroski Supermarket
- DIA
- Alcampo
- Supercor Supermarket
- Aldi Supermarket
- Carrefour Supermarket
Most of the supermarkets listed are not owned by Spain. They basically sell most Spanish products that you will not find in other grocery stores or supermarkets.
What are Spanish specialties and organic supermarkets?
It is not an easy task to decide where to look for a particular organic product. Oil, cosmetics, pastries, breads, vegetables, and other household goods can always be bought at a Spanish store. You just have to find the best store and price for each of them.
Large or chain stores like Eroski, Carrefour, and Aldi offer organic products. They could be privately branded or just particularly selected from a big brand. However, they do not usually sell fresh organic products, but be assured that you will get them at a good price.
There are also various online Spanish stores like Veritas and El Manà that sell organic products. They basically act as an intermediary platform for the main producers. Others includes
- Tawari The Ecological super,
- Fenoll
- Peppermint
- Compra Ecològic
- EnterBio
- Mediterranean Garden
- Natural as life itself
- Mercat Local
For first-timers, it is always advisable to shop in-store for groceries rather than online. This would allow you the opportunity to pick fresh organic products yourself.
How do you know a bodega?
You could walk into corner stores, downstairs or Delis, and call it a bodegas. It does not mean corner stores are at the corners or Delis serve just sandwiches. Different stores go by several names. Read on to know how to recognize a bodega, which should be rightfully pronounced as “bo-de-gas”
- Cat
You may just be at the wrong place if you do not find a feline in the small aisle. This is because NYC has a lot of rats and the doors are always open.
You should know that Bodega do not really care about the fact that pets are not suppose to be found in a place where food is being served
- Same menu as other bodega
Apart from the usual fries, burgers, and hot wings, if you find yourself in a place where you are being offered an additional meal like Jamaican beef patties and chicken or lamb with chopped cheese, you are definitely at the right bodega.
- No Organic food sold
If you see any form of fresh organic food sold in the store, you are definitely not at a bodega. They do not take into consideration if you are gluten free or not.
- Misspelled/incoherent instructions
You can notice this in so many ways. The major areas of concern are regarding debit card minimums and EBT. You could see “Stamp free No” or “Only Debit Only.”
You don’t just rely positively on any misspelled word you read in a bodega. This is because English is a distinct language for many of the workers there. Make sure you ask if there are any additional fees attached.
What are the important things I need to know before shopping at a Spanish supermarket?
If you are visiting any Spanish supermarket for the first time, here are some things you should have in mind
- Confirm the open hours and days:
Many Spanish supermarkets do not open on Sundays. You have to ask around or go during the working days at an early time to confirm the time and days they resume work.
If you need to purchase something urgently from a Spanish supermarket, you might find some other smaller stores, but you will be charged more for the service.
- Carry your own bag:
Despite the fact that most Spanish supermarkets provide heavy-duty, reusable shopping bags. You should go along with your own bag, or else you will have to pay for the ones in the supermarket.
- Purchase own brands:
Even though things sold in Spanish supermarkets are not really expensive, you should consider buying items branded by the store to save you some cash.
In summary, finding a Spanish supermarket is not as difficult as you thought. Depending on the chain you shop at, their prices are quite affordable. You won’t run out of what to buy in a Spanish supermarket as they are always well-stocked.