Carniceria Jimenez

This place is about 2 blocks from my apartment. They are sometimes out of what I'm looking for so I have to come by early in the day instead of the evening to get what's left but everything I've had thus far has been great.  My youngest doesn't do most Mexican food so I usually order him a cheeseburger with fries.  I've never had it so I can only assume it's good too.  Very fresh. Very good. Very much like home cooking.

This is a bifurcated review.

The Market: four stars.  It is large, well-stocked, especially in the produce department.  The butchers will tenderize the arrachera while-you-wait,  using a fantastic looking device that must be a bitch to keep clean.  The house-made salsas, particularly a reddish-orange number kept in the cold-case up front are worth the stop, as is the guacamole, even if its not as good as the guacamole at Windy City on Pulaski.  The ceviches and nopalito ensalada are not exceptional, but fine if you suddenly decide you need them and don't have the time these dishes require to prepare.  My go-to latino market in the neighborhood.  Their bakery across the street has good bolillos.

The Taqueria: two stars.  They offer a greater variety of platos than most in-market taquerias, and have terrific specials priced for economy, but the food just isn't that good.  The ambience blows the competition away; I can't think of any other in-market taqueria that customers actually hang out in after dining.  Excellent if you want to do your weekly shopping not on an empty stomach.

Prepared food is very good.  Parking lot is a little crazy.