travel
Visiting Grocery Outlet
Grocery Outlet in the Mission. Good pozole selection, limited salsa variety compared to Mexico.
Just back from Mexico, I went straight to Grocery Outlet on Van Ness to restock the pantry. It is the closest thing in the Mission to a proper discount grocery run, with the same rotating, closeout-driven inventory the chain is known for.
The pozole selection surprised me: more cans and pouches than I expected outside a dedicated Mexican grocery. The salsa aisle was thinner than the markets in Mexico, with a handful of mostly mild-to-medium options.
That’s the tradeoff with a store like this — good for stocking up on basics at a discount, but it’s not going to replicate shopping in Oaxaca. For everyday cooking it works fine. For real variety, you’re better off at one of the dedicated Mexican markets nearby.
If you’re making a full Mission food day, the Mission District guide has the taquerias and markets nearby.