El Mercado Latino
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Grocery store, Specialty food retail |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Seattle, Washington , United States |
Area served | Seattle, Washington |
| Products | Latin American food products, including chili peppers, corn flour, dulce de leche, hot sauces, guava and passion fruit concentrates, Kaffir lime leaves, Lizano sauce, Mexican sweets, Spanish saffron, spices, canned goods, habanero peppers, Inca Kola, masa, tortillas, empanadas |
| Owner | Woman-owned |
| Website | www |
El Mercado Latino is a woman-owned grocery store and specialty store situated within Seattle's Pike Place Market, specifically inside the Sanitary Market building on Post Alley. The establishment provides an extensive selection of Latin American food products, catering to culinary traditions from the Caribbean, South America, Spanish Creole, and Thai regions.
The inventory features items such as chili peppers, corn flour, dulce de leche, various hot sauces, concentrates of guava and passion fruit, Kaffir lime leaves, Lizano sauce, Mexican sweets, Spanish saffron, and a variety of spices. The store also carries canned goods, habanero peppers, Inca Kola, masa, tortillas, and numerous Mexican specialty products. On the premises, El Mercado Latino offers freshly prepared empanadas.
Positioned strategically within Pike Place Market, this business effectively serves both local residents and visitors searching for authentic Latin American ingredients and specialty culinary items.
History
Founded in 1988, El Mercado Latino is acknowledged as one of the longest-standing Mexican grocery stores in Seattle, operating from its location near Pike Place Market.
Reception
El Mercado Latino has earned significant acclaim for its offerings and presence in the market. Neal Schindler of Seattle Weekly referred to it as a "hot-climate haven" in 2006. Clive Irving included the store at the top of his preferred Seattle shops list for Condé Nast Traveler in 2011. In 2014, Thrillist recognized the establishment for serving some of the finest empanadas in the city. Furthermore, in 2017, Steven Hsieh featured El Mercado Latino in The Stranger as an essential spot for international students, highlighting its cultural importance and market role.