Mercado Latino — Attraction in Vancouver

Ok... The place really is a little bit like a tetris game. It's a small space and you have to do a little shifting around to fit down the aisles, but from my experiences abroad, that is just par for the course. It's a bit like the clown car at the circus, there is more inside than you can imagine. The chili section boggles the imagination. I suppose I had never thought of it before, The Eskimos are supposed to have 50 names for snow and the Mexicans obviously have many many kinds of chilis. OMG! A whole new rabbit hole to explore. The store is well stocked. It is packed with hard to find items, an amazing section of pastries, a large meat department, snacks, pinatas, dry goods, mixes, and a bunch of other stuff that looked interesting, but I don't have a clue. I was looking for something in-particular and the staff was helpful and friendly. Sometimes in ethnic stores, big ugly white people like me can feel out of place and even unwelcome. Occasionally a shopper will give you the stink eye or the cashier will look at you like you are a cultural tourist. One time at a different store one of the young male staff gave me the nastiest look and asked where I bought my real groceries. That has not happened to me at Mercado Latino although I will admit I rarely see Non latino people shopping there. I have always been greeted with kindness... maybe a little surprise, but always kind. Parking can be difficult, the ethnic based mall is packed with interesting places and bringing a truck into the lot can be a challenge, but it's a destination shop that you...

Worst customer service. They treat their customers poorly. I bet that's how they get treated by the owner because they are always complaining. But today I just had enough and I'm not going back I have the choice to shop elsewhere and I will. Today I stood in line for a piñata once I got to the register the cashier said "what do you need?"I asked her to ring me up a piñata and to bring it down for me. She said "ok" and started ringing up the rest of the line. So I waited and waited till she ring up the 6 person in line and she was about to ring up another and I told her "It is not fair that I've stood in line for service and I've still not been helped." She didn't say a word and kept ringing up other clients. I walked out. I will not tolerate being mistreated and still pay for that type of service. Don't get me wrong it's not all bad. The store has great inventory that other Hispanic stores don't. I've been a frequent client for 5 years but I will not go again because of their...

Worst store in Vancouver! I ordered CAKE for my BirthDay .Explained how I wanted cake to be .Girl showed me catalog with picture and we talked about every detail !.She write down paper in all I ordered in Spanish !.I couldn't understand.But I thinks its fine- it was for decorator .When I came for my CAKE.I was waiting for it about 20 min.Then she came with my cake.First I notice was color and Size.I ORDERED Neapolitan cake witch has 3 layers :CHOCOLATE ,STRAWBERRY AND VANILA .She gave me simple 2layer Tras leeches ,NOT FRESH MADE AT ALL!.When my guests was expected to have a special cake .They sow just simple cheap one!!!!! I was SO DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY RUINED MY SPECIAL DAY.!Or its just a joke from Mercado Latino??? Today I will try to bring that cake back and see.......Maybe they will give refund ????Maybe Not .I will make one more...