A review of the newly reopened El Pueblo Supermarket in Eureka
After eight years the new El Pueblo Supermarket has reopened in Eureka and let me tell you it’s got all the goodies.
In 2017 during the early morning hours the previous El Pueblo Market completely burned down according to reports from KRCR and other local Humboldt news outlets. The cause of the fire has not been reported by news outlets but there are different speculations.
Walking into the supermarket I could smell the fresh bread being baked and loved seeing the colorful piñatas hanging around the store. El Pueblo Supermarket has the sleek quality of an authentic Mexican market. Although the supermarket is not fully stocked because it’s only been open for about a week, there is fresh produce such as chiles serranos, japapeños, tomatillos, coconuts and other produce.
As I walked around the store looking at all the products, I found a whole aisle of candy, chips, medicines and even those iconic thick Mexican blankets. The most interesting to me was the variety of salsas they had, both bottled and fresh. Another customer standing next to me in the aisle turned to their partner and said, “Omg I’ve never seen those colors before” when looking at the salas. Right across from the salsas was the meat counter, where employees were kind and attentive waiting for customers to place their orders.
I also have to note that the amount of different drinks that the supermarket has is amazing. They have the typical sodas and juices you see at other markets but they also carry drinks I’ve never seen before. Drinks like Malta Hatguey, a sweet non alcoholic Cuban malt. I ended up buying it just to try it.
More and more people started to come into the store the longer I was in there, the more I noticed others talking amongst themselves about all the variety of food.
Someone even asked, “Do they sell tamales?” and guess what, they do! On a table in front of the bakery area there is a silver food warmer full of fresh tamales that customers can buy.
A local and student at College of the Redwoods, Zeb King came in for the first time on Feb. 18.
“I’ve been excited about it since the old one burnt down,” King said.
King shared that he was most excited for the bakery because he hopes they will offer fresh tortillas in the near future, and honestly I do too. There’s nothing like that fresh taste of corn tortillas to make your meal perfect.
It also looks like there will be an area where jewelry or accessories will be sold as well as a space for a taqueria.
Curious about what happened to the previous location on W. Washington Street, an employee informed me that it has now been closed and only the taco truck will be open there.
In the end I bought a cup of fresh sliced coconut, Malta Hatuey, D’Gari gelatin, some apple cider vinegar and two pieces of fresh bread called puerquitos. I am excited to go back and see what other products will be added to the new supermarket.
There is still no comment from the owners of the new El Pueblo supermarket on what they are planning on adding to the store.
The new El Pueblo Supermarket is located off the 101 freeway, 3600 Broadway St, Eureka, CA 95503. It’s open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m – 8:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
