Vallarta Supermarket opened 1st Arizona store. Peek inside

On the morning of Jan. 14, the line to get into Vallarta Supermarket’s first Arizona location stretched around the building and down the block; food and drink brands offered free samples; a mariachi band greeted customers as they walked inside.

Glendale resident Reni Raymond Celaya was the first customer through the doors of the new store. He’d been waiting in the parking lot since 8 the night prior, sleeping for a few hours in his truck.

“I’ve seen them in California,” Celaya said. “I was waiting for them to come to Arizona.”

Vallarta Supermarkets announced that it would be expanding to Arizona in October 2025, with plans to open 10 to 15 more stores in metro Phoenix. Based in Santa Clarita, California, the chain began in 1985 as a family-run carnicería and has since expanded to more than 60 stores in the state.

The new store, located at the Grandview Plaza on the northeast corner of 59th Avenue and Camelback Road, is the first outside of California. At the grand opening celebration, Enrigo Diaz had been waiting in line since 4 a.m., saving a spot for his wife, Sarah, who grew up in California and missed the variety of products Vallarta offers.

“I was like, ‘Oh my god, we’re finally going to have it here,'” she said. “It’s very nostalgic.”

What to expect at Vallarta Supermarkets

The store has a large produce section with basics like avocados, mangoes and papaya, as well as harder to find options, such as fresh garbanzo beans and three different varieties of chayote.

There is a meat and seafood counter with a wide variety of fresh and marinated meats. Vallarta sells four types of chorizo: green, Salvadorean, Sinaloan and Vallarta. There are also several types of beef tripe for menudo. Next to the meat counter is the ceviche bar, which includes eight types of ceviche.

There is also a cremeria with different cheeses and a fruteria where customers can order freshly cut fruit and top it with Tajin, chamoy or lime.

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What’s on the menu at Vallarta Supermarkets?

In one corner of the store, a food court serves ready-made food. The menu includes tacos ($2.49), tortas ($10.99), pupusas ($3.49) and more. You can also buy a whole or part of grilled and fried chicken.

Albondigas and pozole are some of the soups available. A breakfast menu offers chilaquiles ($10.99) or a breakfast burrito ($9.99). Vallarta also sells individually wrapped tamales, including a strawberry flavor.

Reach the reporter at reia.li@gannett.com. Follow @reia_reports on Instagram.