The Answer is Always "La Comer"

"La Comercial Mexicana", commonly referred to as "La Comer" is one of the major supermarket chains in Mexico.  In their TV ads, such as this one or this one, one person asks another "¿Vas al súper o a La Comer?" (Are you going to the supermarket or to "La Comer"?)... followed by "La respuesta siempre es La Comer." (The answer always is "La Comer".)

I had never been to "La Comer", although I have been to City Market, a very upscale chain which is owned by "Comercial Mexicana".  I noticed from the window of the Metrobus that there is a humungous "La Comer" on Insurgentes Avenue, about two miles from the apartment.  Last Sunday I suggested to Alejandro that we check it out.

I was very impressed.  It is much larger than the City Market closest to us, and with its large array of gourmet and imported products there really is not a lot that City Market has that is not at "La Comer".

The aisles are wide, unlike the narrow ones at the Walmart near me.  (Plus, at Walmart they are always blocked by employees stocking the shelves.)  The entire store is spotlessly clean.

The produce section

An enormous selection of wines and liquors

The bakery

The tortilla section, and beyond that fish

People from the U.S. are always amazed that the milk in Mexican supermarkets is not refrigerated.  Because the milk is pasteurized at a higher temperature in Mexico, it can sit on the shelf, and does not need to be refrigerated until it is opened.

Lo and behold, they have imported Emmenthal and Gruyere cheese as well as cheese for raclette.  Now I can make Swiss recipes with authentic cheese!  City Market probably has these also, but the supermarkets close to me do not.

Besides groceries, "La Comer" also has housewares, electronics, toys, and clothing.

"La Comer" does not have the tapas bar or the gelato shop that City Market has.  However, they have a cafeteria-style bistro that features a menu of the day.  We decided to eat there.  The special menu includes salad, soup, a main course with rice and beans, tortillas or bread, a small dessert, and refillable "agua fresca" (fruit flavored water).

It was not gourmet dining, but the food was very tasty and very filling.  And the price was incredible.  All of this food for the two of us cost 298 pesos... that's 15.22 U.S. dollars or 7.61 per person.  A great value!

I will definitely be returning to "La Comer"!