El Progreso Market

Great little market run by very nice people. They have both fresh and frozen malanga root — also known as pomtayer, pomtajer, or yautia — for making Surinamese (Surinaamse) pom!

this place has everything for making my bi-​annual tamales. very helpful staff helping me find some of the particular ingredients.

A few months ago, I moved from Mt. Pleasant to Northeast. One of things I miss most (of many wonderful things about Mt. Pleasant) is El Progreso market. The prices here on fresh food are amazing. I was recently back in the neighborhood and stopped in just because I could. I bought two chicken quarters for $ 1.79 (total). Much of the produce here is also phenomenally well-​priced, especially items that are staples in Latin American cooking (e.g., limes are particularly cheap here). Just check the price sticker because prices fluctuate and at times, some things can actually be more expensive than a larger store. Large avocados — kept behind the counter — are $ 1.50 and they select them for you depending on when you want them to be ripe, which is something I always struggle to get right on my own. As another reviewer recommended, they sometimes also have fresh prepared items; although I have never seen fresh tortillas, they often have fresh tamales on Saturdays. Also, fresh hard/​salty Mexican cheese. The more I think about it, the more I miss this place!

I first discovered El Progresso when I was searching for poblanos at the usual supermarket chains. I sometimes have luck at Harris Teeter, but more often than not they either have none or just a couple sad looking peppers. When I first came here, I didn’t see any poblanos in their fresh produce corner. I asked at the register, and they brought out several bags of big, beautiful chiles for me.
I’ve now been back many times, and they never disappoint. This is my go-​to place for Mexican ingredients — and if you don’t see something, just ask. Great selection of chiles secos, dried herbs, and more. They also have the largest bean selection I’ve ever seen, with more varieties than Whole Foods!

I walked in here to see if they got that Mexican Coca-​cola. You know, without the high fructose corn syrup. Hipster-​approved, they got that azucar. They also have an alright selection of meats in the back I guess, but whatever.

International Progreso is a small, convenient neighborhood grocer that packs lots in its small square footage. You can expect to find all the normal Mexican and Latin American foods here: a variety of interesting tropical drinks, Mexican cheeses, tortillas, maize flour. They even have a small seafood section. And the produce seems fresher than most stores of its kind.
Though I wasn’t hungry, I immediately searched for some favorites that are hard to find elsewhere: 2 cans of coconut juice, Mexican cheese, and a pack of pupusas in the frozen aisle.
When I reached the counter, they had packs of fresh tortillas for less than $ 2.00. I immediately added that to my purchase. My Guatemalan friend taught me that sometimes some of the simplest foods bring the greatest satisfaction. The quintessential staple in Guatemalan cuisine is tortillas with a sprinkle of salt. Like a well-​made baguette in French cuisine. Or a fresh bowl of perfectly-​cooked rice with soy sauce and sesame oil in Chinese cuisine.
When I tasted the fresh tortilla, my friend’s sentiments could not ring more true. There was something delightful and simple about savoring a well-​made tortilla with no need for anything else. The fresh tortillas at International Progreso are a true find!

I love Mt. Pleasant, especially the main drag. Love it. El Progresso is one of many ethnic grocery stores that line the strip. They have a wide variety of international foods (including asian stuff), have a butcher in the back, and some fresh baked goods. Fruit looked so-​so. Service was nice and prices were reasonable.

I’ve been exploring the exotic selection of products available in Mt Pleasant grocery stores, and I can tell you that these guys have one of the knarliest butcher shops in on the block. If you need a gigantic, freshly killed Pig’s Foot to season that stew of yours, come take your pick — there are plenty to choose from here.
The thin slices of unlabeled meat steeping in a tray full of blood will surely catch your eye — why not buy some for your next batch of Chili, for variety? Just be sure to cook these morsels on extra high heat — there doesn’t seem to be refrigeration at this butcher, and they have been sitting at room temperature for awhile now.