Shop Like an Expert: Exploring the West Side's La Plaza Tapatia
Plus, a longtime brunch favorite closes its doors and more Columbus food news.
Exploring La Plaza Tapatia with Karma Masri
By Bethia Woolf
This is the third installment in our Shop Like an Expert series, where we aim to demystify Columbus’ international markets and give you more confidence to shop like a pro. International markets can be overwhelming, packed with unfamiliar ingredients, labels in different languages, brands you have never heard of and produce you may not recognize. That is why we are partnering with experts to bring you their advice and tips for navigating their favorite markets.
Last week, I accompanied Karma Masri, the owner of Casa Karmelitas, to La Plaza Tapatia on the West Side, reputed to be the largest Mexican grocery store in Ohio. In addition to grocery aisles, it includes a bakery, tortilleria, butcher shop, ice cream counter, bar and a whole room dedicated to Mexican candy. It is a lot to take in.
Masri told me that although she buys some staple ingredients at Kroger, including basic items such as Maseca corn masa flour because they are sometimes cheaper there, La Plaza Tapatia is a great place for one-stop shopping for Mexican ingredients. She believes it is particularly strong in produce, meat and specialty ingredients. It is also a good place for prepared foods such as ceviche, tamales and daily hot specials.