Feria Latina

Growing up in a predominantly Mexican neighborhood, the grocery store was an important part of the community. That’s where you ran into the neighbors and heard the latest news. Upon entering, you were immediately inundated with bright colors, festive music or the sound of joy and laughter, and savory smells. As a small child, so much mesmerizing activity was unfolding at eye level.

My best memories are of picking up prepared food from the little stall inside our grocery store. In most cases, the meal would be a charcoaled chicken, chopped up and wrapped in butcher paper and accompanied by a piping hot stack of corn tortillas, cilantro, onion, and salsa. If my mom was in a good mood, we'd leave with a few ice-cold Coca-Cola’s to share and then we’d hurry to the nearest park to devour our bounty. As an adult, I still love these types of meals. I actively seek them out and, now that I have children, I find immense joy in sharing these experiences with them.

Among their several locations, Feria Latina on 23rd and Ann Arbor is like the grocery store of my memories. I stumbled upon this gem fifteen years ago while trying to find something different to bring to a cookout. I remember leaving with delicious Guatemalan sausages, heavy on the cilantro, to throw on the grill. They were an absolute hit. It would be several more years before I discovered the little lunch counter at the west side of the store, and I'm so happy I did. Every order has been delicious, but the most special dish is the pupusa.

Pupusas are the national dish of El Salvador and are found all over Central America. A pupusa is a very thick griddled masa cake (gluten-free) filled with anything from shredded meat to cheese or beans and is usually topped with curtido (think of a quick pickled slaw) and salsa. Feria Latina has a variety and you should most definitely try them all. However, their cheese pupusa, with its crispy, cheesy bits spilling out of the masa cake, is my favorite. If you are really hungry, go to the counter and ask for two pupusas, but avoid the urge to get a soda or one of the other drinks in the cooler. Instead, place an order for an agua fresca (fresh juice) along with your pupusa. Pick up your pupusas at the counter and your drink at the juice bar to the right. My personal favorite is sandia (watermelon) or piña (pineapple). While your pupusas are being prepared, it’s the perfect time to walk over to the beautiful produce section, check out the variety, and be surrounded by happy people preparing to share a delicious meal with their families.

If, after pupusas, you are still wanting more, walk back to the bakery located at the opposite corner of the store. Trust your nose to lead you. They have some of the best conchas (the quintessential Mexican pan dulce) in Oklahoma City and carry both the Mexican and Guatemalan varieties. Grab one of each, just in case.

>Feria Latina Supermarket, 4909 NW 23rd St, Oklahoma City; (405) 606-4004; laferialatina.com/