The Food Counters Hiding Inside San Mateo's Markets
Some of the best, cheapest food in San Mateo is tucked inside grocery stores: a taqueria behind the meat counter, a taco truck in the parking lot, Turkish borek and Guatemalan plates by the register. Nine markets where the food counter is the real reason to go.
Some of the best eating in San Mateo happens where you least expect it, inside a grocery store. Walk past the produce and you find a taqueria, a hot counter, or a taco truck parked out front. Prices are low, the food is honest, and most people drive right by. Here are nine markets where the counter alone is worth the stop, whether you are shopping or not.
Nine San Mateo markets with a food counter worth a trip, checked for what each one actually serves. Nobody pays to be on this list.
Taco counters and taquerias
Mi Rancho Supermarket
A full Latin supermarket downtown with its own tortilleria, so the tortillas at the taco counter are made a few feet away. There is also a carniceria, a Mexican bakery, and aguas frescas.
Chavez Supermarket & Taqueria
The taqueria sits right inside, past the carniceria and panaderia. Tacos and burritos, the kind of place where you grab groceries and lunch in one stop.
La Morenita Market
A neighborhood Mexican grocery with an attached taqueria. Tacos, plus tamales and pupusas if you time it right.
La Huerta Market #7
An in-store taqueria known for carnitas and burritos, tucked behind the produce and the meat department.
Mi Tienda Supermarket
Locals come for the in-store taqueria and its dollar tacos, plus pupusas. Bakery and meat counter in the same trip.
La Hacienda Market
The twist here is that the taco action is a truck parked on-site, next to a Latin market with a fresh meat counter, house-made salsas, and pan dulce.
Beyond the taqueria
Aladdin Gourmet
A Middle Eastern and Mediterranean market and deli since 1992. The counter turns out house-made hummus and falafel, with halal meat and imported groceries to take home.
Anatolian Market
A Turkish market and cafe with made-to-order borek and gozleme, plus fresh baklava and pickles. Halal, and worth the trip for the borek alone.
The Neighborhood Market and Cafe
Part market, part cafe, serving Guatemalan food right alongside the groceries. They will even ship a package to Guatemala while you eat.
Frequently asked
What is the best market food counter in San Mateo?
Local favorites include Mi Rancho Supermarket, Chavez Supermarket & Taqueria, La Morenita Market. Browse the full guide above. Nobody pays to be on it.
How many market food counters does San Mateo Local recommend?
9, all added by hand and refreshed regularly.
Is San Mateo Local a paid directory?
No. Nobody pays to be listed here, and nothing was scraped or bought. A business can sponsor a guide, and if one does, it is clearly marked as a sponsor.
The trick with all of these is to look past the aisles. The counter, or the truck out front, is usually where the locals are. Bring cash, keep your expectations on the food and not the decor, and you will eat well for very little.