Mexican grocery in Manchester area? (stores, Vietnamese, demographics)

[maestramommy]

I'm looking for good tortillas, salsa, and seasonings. The stuff I'm finding in the mainstream grocery stores are just so-so. Is there a market where I could find the items I'm looking for? Thanks!

[GregW]

Others want to know as well.

[RockinghamNative]

You may have noticed that most Latin American immigrants in New England are from the Carribbean (the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico) or Brazil rather than from Mexico. (This reflects the fact that New England is so far east on the North American continent). That said, Lawrence, Massachusetts, a short drive from Manchester along I-93, has a number of Dominican bodegas that would offer many of the Latin ingredients (rice, certain spices, etc.) that you are looking for. For a truly Mexican grocery, you would likely have to drive all the way to East Boston, next to Logan Airport, which hosts the largest Mexican and Central American immigrant community in New England.

[maestramommy]

Originally Posted by RockinghamNative

You may have noticed that most Latin American immigrants in New England are from the Carribbean (the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico) or Brazil rather than from Mexico. (This reflects the fact that New England is so far east on the North American continent). That said, Lawrence, Massachusetts, a short drive from Manchester along I-93, has a number of Dominican bodegas that would offer many of the Latin ingredients (rice, certain spices, etc.) that you are looking for. For a truly Mexican grocery, you would likely have to drive all the way to East Boston, next to Logan Airport, which hosts the largest Mexican and Central American immigrant community in New England.

Thanks for this info! I'm still learning about the demographics here, so I wasn't sure what the majority makeup of Latin Americans was. If I were to drive into Lawrence, where would I find these bodegas? Can I look them online in the yellow pages first?

[RockinghamNative]

As a matter of fact, it is hard to miss a bodega in Lawrence-- they are everywhere (Lawrence is about 1/2 Latin American, about evenly divided in turn between residents of Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage). A place to start would be to take I-93 south to I-495 north, then Route 28 north (Broadway), the main drag of the city.

Lowell, Mass. also has a large Dominican community, together with Cambodians and Vietnamese among recent immigrants, but to be honest, driving in Lowell is very tricky, with a lot of confusing one-way streets, bridges, rotaries, etc. that can confuse anyone. Driving in Lawrence is easier.

[maestramommy]

Originally Posted by RockinghamNative

As a matter of fact, it is hard to miss a bodega in Lawrence-- they are everywhere (Lawrence is about 1/2 Latin American, about evenly divided in turn between residents of Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage). A place to start would be to take I-93 south to I-495 north, then Route 28 north (Broadway), the main drag of the city.

Lowell, Mass. also has a large Dominican community, together with Cambodians and Vietnamese among recent immigrants, but to be honest, driving in Lowell is very tricky, with a lot of confusing one-way streets, bridges, rotaries, etc. that can confuse anyone. Driving in Lawrence is easier.

Thank you!

[Merjolie8]

You can try La Fruteria 75 Manchester St, Lawrence MA. I don't know if they have much mexican stuff, but they are a latino grocery store. Only been there once. It is off Rt. 28.