SHOPPING

HELLO ALL I WILL BE THERE STARTING 10/14 FOR THREE WEEKS AND I AM WONDERING WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO DO GROCERY SHOPPING? COSCO.SAMS OR GROCERY STORE.

ALSO ANY NEW OR ESTABLISHED RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS?

THANKS

HELLO ALL I WILL BE THERE STARTING 10/14 FOR THREE WEEKS AND I AM WONDERING WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO DO GROCERY SHOPPING? COSCO.SAMS OR GROCERY STORE.

Will you be close to Centro de Zihuatanejo? I really enjoy grocery shopping in the Mercado Municipal. Very authentic Mexican tradition.

ALSO ANY NEW OR ESTABLISHED RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS?

Oh, boy! There are just too many to begin to list. What are your favorite foods? What is your price range?

P.S. Using all uppercase letters is considered rude on Internet forums. But don't let that stop you. It is the content that is more important when determining attitude.

While I like to support local businesses, I find it more convenient to shop for groceries at Mega Soriana. A couple of our favorite restaurants: El Manglar at the far end of La Ropa. We go there for lunch, often enjoyed with nearby crocodiles. Closed Wednesdays. For dinner with the best view, if you don't mind the price: Amuleto. Closed Tuesdays. Reservation required: 544-6222. For transportation we use Pedro Moreno 672-119-2398 or pedro.91477@gmail.com He speaks perfect English.

So sorry for the caps I didn't mean any harm.

As for the type of restaurants we like we really like it all. Price when on vacation is not to worry about (according to my wife LOL). Thanks again

My favorite restaurant is Mito / Entre Zankas. It is actually two restaurants. Mito is fine dining and Entre Zankas is a fine dining vegan restaurant. Mito is at the higher end of restaurant pricing in Xihua but well worth it. Entre Zankas is very reasonable. Both menus are available at all times.

For some reason, there are numerous pasta and pizza joints in Zihua. I can't understand why someone would travel all the way to Southern Mexico for Italian food but some are very well reviewed. Of course, there are seafood restaurants aplenty with all price ranges.

Here is at list of just some of my personal favorites:
Carmelita's
Adelita's
El Arrayán
Casa Vieja
La Terracita
Margarita's
El Gula (closed until end of October)

Don't miss the Saturday morning Farmer's Market next to the elementary school downtown. There are a few stalls with dynamite vegan offerings.

Right next to this spot is the open air Mercado Zankas at night with many food kiosks.

On the weekends, there are kiosks with popular Mexican and U.S. offerings right by the Cancha Municipal in El Centro. Very popular. (Very greasy.)

This is just scratching the surface. We are not even mentioning all the many places on the water and in Ixtapa. Personally, I find the offerings at the water locations to be just okay and a bit overpriced.

Explore and enjoy! Don't forget to report back.

In no particular order, here are some restaurants we have frequented every year for an evening meal. They consistently seem to have good food.
Chuleto’s - along the waterfront. The fish fillet in dill sauce is delicious!
Agave - located in Centro.
El Vigia - located in Real de La Palma hotel near the end of La Ropa road.
Il Mare - top of La Ropa road with a great night view of the Bay.
El Chef Pallin - in centro.
As Mentioned by another board member, El Manglar is a good place right on La Ropa beach.

Enjoy your holiday!

Basic groceries, Mega Soriana, currently being remodeled and a total nightmare, Bodega Aurerra, and Sam's Club. You have to be a member, and things are sold in large quanities.

Meat, produce, goodies, around the mercado in town. Loads of great things.

I love Cafe Chuleto’s. I have been going to Zihuatanejo for over 30 years. It used to be called Paul’s but he passed away and a local business man helped the chef, Maria, open Chuleto’s. Amazing and very affordable food. She is a sweetheart!!

Chuletos is my absolute all-time favorite in Zih. Paul was quite the character. Artichoke yum.

I’ll be arriving in November and my mouth is watering now!!

9/27/2023

@Billg

Excerpt from the post-->

HELLO ALL I WILL BE THERE STARTING 10/14 FOR THREE WEEKS AND I AM WONDERING WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO DO GROCERY SHOPPING? COSCO.SAMS OR GROCERY STORE.
THANKS "

To answer your question directly, as user T. Ho suggested:

Mega Soriana, Bodega Aurrera, and Sam's Club.
All 3 "big box" stores are in close proximity to one another, so it is very convenient.

Though to the contrary to what was mentioned about Sam's Club:
Although YES, in general, many items at Sam's Club are "sold in large quantities",
and YES, sizes are larger than for the same item found in the supermarket, (you won't find a litro of milk or juice),
there are many that are in more manageable useful quantities that aren't excessive. So, I wouldn't let that detract you.

One excellent local store that was NOT mentioned,
that I find often has great pricing, as well as sales that beat the competition,
is MERZA PAK.
There are 2 in town:
one on la calle Cocos, and the other on la calle Ejido, across the street from INBURSA bank.

Of course for fresh fruits and vegetable, the streets being the "Mercado Central", are loaded with shops that sell those at good prices, usually lower than the big box stores.

9/27/2023

@Billg

Excerpt from the post-->

HELLO ALL I WILL BE THERE STARTING 10/14 FOR THREE WEEKS AND I AM WONDERING WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO DO GROCERY SHOPPING? COSCO.SAMS OR GROCERY STORE.
THANKS "

To answer your question directly, as user T. Ho suggested:

Mega Soriana, Bodega Aurrera, and Sam's Club.
All 3 "big box" stores are in close proximity to one another, so it is very convenient.

Though to the contrary to what was mentioned about Sam's Club:
Although YES, in general, many items at Sam's Club are "sold in large quantities",
and YES, sizes are larger than for the same item found in the supermarket, (you won't find a litro of milk or juice),
there are many that are in more manageable useful quantities that aren't excessive. So, I wouldn't let that detract you.

One excellent local store that was NOT mentioned,
that I find often has great pricing, as well as sales that beat the competition,
is MERZA PAK.
There are 2 in town:
one on la calle Cocos, and the other on la calle Ejido, across the street from INBURSA bank.

Of course for fresh fruits and vegetable, the streets being the "Mercado Central", are loaded with shops that sell those at good prices, usually lower than the big box stores.

Yepper, we almost never go to Soriana, Bodega Aurrerá or Sam's. We get most everything we need from Merza and the local mercados. Support your local businesses!

9/28/2023

Yepper, we almost never go to Soriana, Bodega Aurrerá or Sam's. We get most everything we need from Merza and the local mercados. Support your local businesses!"

Do as you prefer.

One thing that you, or other shoppers, might consider is that there are unique food products & other items, that especially Sam's Club & Mega Soriana carry, that you will NOT find neither at Merza Pak, nor in the local shops in the fruit & vegetable locals in the area behind el Mercado Central.

One thing that you, or other shoppers, might consider is that there are loads of unique food and other products that especially Sam's Club & Mega Soriana carry, that you will NOT find neither at Merza Pak, nor in the local shops in the fruit & vegetable locals in the area behind el Mercado Central.

Can you give us a few examples? I am unfamiliar with Sam's Club but it is very similar to Costco, yes? What I have noticed in Costco is that they carry tons of "convenience" products. These are often frozen and fully prepared, usually ready for the microwave. Judging by the difference in how many fruits and vegetables they carry versus how many choices of convenience products, I am guessing that the convenience products are far more popular with the clientele.

Sweet corn on the cob (right now!) Anchovies, reduced fat salad dressing, high quality dog food that is relatively affordable, pepperoni, dill pickles, ricotta cheese, and we are still thinking. These are really just things that full timers here would be looking for as treats.

In our opinion, Sam's doesn't have a huge selection of ready made, microwaveable meals, but ingredients. That could just be the way we shop.

We only have a membership for the dog food, but take advantage of other items periodically.