Annapolis Latino Market — Local services in Annapolis

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do," and this store is for Latinos, so you need to do as the Latinos do here.  They will be very friendly about you're not being able to speak Spanish, but don't start asking fussy questions in dumbed-down English as though talking slower will make a non-speaker understand your fussiness any better.

One of the reasons I love this Latino market is that it reminds me of the Italian artisans I grew up with in Brooklyn, whose children spoke English for them to the customers who couldn't speak Italian.  They, too, used to pile up their artisanal wares, and weigh, pack, and price them for you with their own hands, while you waited, as human beings have been wont to do for centuries.  It's real life, and a real relief from the corporatized alternative of our gringo super-sized markets.

I go to the Latino market reguarly because I'm smitten with their queso cremoso, which I pronounce with an Italian accent that makes them smile. They think I'm cute. (I kind of am.) My spanish is minimal enough, fortunately, that I can' tell them that I think queso cremoso might as well be called Latino ricotta, because it tastes just like fresh Italian ricotta (though firm rather than loose).  I just eat it on it's own with a fork, as I do fresh ricotta, but warmed slightly in the mircowave for 8 seconds. Ummm (Weird, I know, but try it.)  One day I accidently poured olives in olive oil on a warm slice of it, and that olive oil makes it oh so good.  I'll even serve it that way to gringo's: a spoon full of olives in olive oil over the queso warmed up 9 seconds in the nuker. Miscegneous, I know, but oh so good.

While I'm waiting for my queso cremoso to be weighed and wrapped, my eyes go crazy, and I start picking out all kinds of things.  For one thing, the Latino Market has a real-life butcher's case piled with beckoning beef ribs (of several sorts), perfect for my risotto broth or Sunday sauce. (They even have chicken and pig's feet, if you're into feet. Like I said, real life.)  And their plump Mexican and Salvadoran sausage links are a very interesting alternative taste to real Italian sausage, which I can't find in Annapolis.  There was also a little fish case, with big bins of shrimp and tilapia fillets.

Meanwhile, piled on top of the meat cases are sundry freshly roasted spiced nuts.  The peanuts roasted with hot peppers are a revelation. On the rack behind me there are big bags of dried anchovies, and of peppers I don't recognize under that, and of legumes I don't recognize under that. I buy everything I don't understand.

Wandering into the main grocery section, in the little vegetable section, there are vegetables I don't recognize, and around the next corner, a case of homely baked goods.  There's a wall of spices to boggle the eyes, and a rack of Catholic votive candles tucked in, and rows of packaged goods from another America and another American way of life.

Go to the Latino Market to visit the other America.  Just remember when you're there to do as the other...

Stopped in to check it out. A great spot for the hispanic community and beyond! There was a need and this store filled it! No greeting upon entering or from any team member during my visit - a pet peeve of mine… But they have all things hispanic plus regular grocery items, produce and toiletries. Very few prices on things, didn’t like that. Small meat counter and fresh made authentic food. Smelled delicious! They even have some type of money service, maybe check cashing? I didn’t buy anything but glad I...

Awesome Taco Truck in the back of the parking lot of the Annapolis International Market. The green taco truck has the name Sin Frontera Express on it and is partnered with the grocery store. The tacos with Carne Asad were amazing. Good authentic food The! The grocery store inside has a great selection of Latin foods and the prices are good with specials. The gallon of milk was less than safeway...