Best Latin Market: Northgate Gonzalez

With locations all across the Southland, Northgate Gonzalez Latin markets are an eye-popping candy store of authentic ingredients at mind blowing prices. Piles of pasillas and nopales, towers of tomatillos and tamale husks greet customers in a  produce section offering fresh ingredients delivered daily thanks to a  brisk turnover every day.

Masa and a variety of tortillas are made on site at the tortilleria located next to the massive bakery where the aroma of freshly baked bolillos (four for $1) drifts over to the kitchen counter offering ready-made meals, salsas, ceviches, agua frescas and a variety of chicharrons (some the size of a small pig.).

At Christmas time, there are dozens of fresh tamale choices available as well as mountains of ingredients for the home cook. The carniceria is a mesmerizing counter with choices of everything from four different types of crema to seafood and house made chorizos as well as special cuts you won’t find elsewhere. Cochinillo asado is available during the holidays for home roasters.

The most exciting thing about the market (aside from the massive whole jackfruit display) is that you can easily walk out the door with two shopping sacks for under $20. —Michele Stueven

For the closest location near you, go to: northgatemarket.com.

A: Best Asian Bistro (Nomad); Best New Restaurant (Auburn)

B: Best Brewery (Imperial Western Beer Company); 

Best Brunch Bowl (Mar Vista Cranked Bowl)

C: Best Bakery Cafe (El Carrusel Bakery)

D: Best Donuts (Trejo’s Coffee and Donuts)

E: Best Eggs (Egg Tuck) 

F: Best Fried Chicken Sandwich (Preux & Proper)

G: Best Gelato (Gelateria Uli)

H: Best Hotel Bar (Poolside at the Hotel Figueroa’s Veranda)

I: Best Indian (India’s Tandoori)

J: Best Place to Get Japanese Whisky (Mrs. Fish)

K: Best Korean BBQ (Chosun Galbi)

L: Best Lasagna (Viale dei Romani)

M: Best Middle Eastern (Bavel);

Best Mexican Sushi (El Sushi Loco)

N: Best Latin Market (Northgate Gonzalez)

O: Best Oysters (Water Grill)

P: Best Pork Chop (Yours Truly); Best Plant-Based Cuisine (The Butcher’s Daughter)

Q: Best Quesadilla (Tacos 1986)

R: Best Rooftop (Margot)

S: Best Sunday Supper (Lucques); Best Seafood (Michael Cimarusti)

T: Best Tortilla (Sonoratown)

U: Best Udon (Marugame Monzo)

V: Best Vietnamese Experience (Crustacean); Best Breakfast Burrito in the Valley (Sloane’s Valley Village)

W: Best Chicken Wings (Ord & Broadway)

Y: Best Yakitori Bar (Hatch Yakitori + Bar)

Z: Best Peruvian Chef (Ricardo Zarate)

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