El Capral Mexican Grocery

As a transplant from San Diego, I will say that I’ve been spoiled when it comes to Mexican food in my life time. That being said every week or two I start to fiend for it, which obviously means I need to head down to Cherokee St. During my life I’ve learned that Mexican food can be very easy to make well and very easy to completely ruin. Don’t get me wrong, when I say «easy» I really mean «authentic» and El Capral is very, very authentic. If you sit at the counter facing inside towards the grocery and kitchen, it almost feels and sounds like you’re in Baja or somewhere equivocal (yes, I do miss the friendliness and down to earth spirit of the Mexican people). The multiple salsa, cilantro and limes spread also helps. The food is very good. I recommend their tacos, which are street vendor style and come out as fast as you like. All the meats involved are prepared traditionally, just the way it should be. The truth is that sometimes people in one restaurant know how to prepare, for example, Milanesa better than people in the next restaurant and El Capral prepares everything well, maybe not the best, but very close to it. The only issue for me is that Mexican food is expensive in St Louis (seriously, $ 7 burritos), but El Capral’s prices are comparable to all the other places I’ve been here.

I probably shouldn’t even tell you this, but I don’t know what’s good for me. Ok, here it is: if you want tamales, you have to get here before 11 a.m. on Sunday morning. Now many people are still recovering from Saturday night at that point, so a lot of your competition drops out right there. But then think of the family picnics! The guys on their way to watch a baseball game, or to see their kids play soccer in the park! Anyway, sharpen your elbows and hustle right up to the meat counter (not the restaurant counter!) and ask for tamales. Get extras — you won’t be sorry.
Oh, and pick up a few pastries from the case by the registers. For dessert.

This place totally rocks. Get your Jarritos soda, gigante marshmallows, cowboy hats, comforters, and religious memorabilia all in one awesome one stop shopping experience!

Nestled in the Mexican chunk of Cherokee street, this Grocery oozes awesomeness for this American chick. Obviously they have a vast selection of authentic Mexican foodstuffs, but they also sell cowboy boots, soaps, candles, and a huge assortment of Mexican candy! There is a cafeteria attached to the grocery store but I’ve never eaten there.
Sometimes I feel out of place here because I’m the only non-​Mexican I’ve seen in there when I go, but then I look at my fresh cilantro, tortillas, and mexican imported soda and get over it.