I heard about El Grande supermarket on Rumba 95.7 a couple of months ago. The commercial was advertising Canilla rice 20lb for $8.99! Yo, that's a great price! Unfortunately, we didn't make it out that week so missed the special, but when we did stop by a couple of weeks later.... WOW! We fell in love with the old school bodega feel. The smells of the fresh produce, the fresh meets, the music, the pleasant demeanor and greeting from the cashiers, workers on the floor, and the butcher team took me back to my days back in New York and when visiting family in Puerto Rico. Other reviews complain about the tight aisles and busy butcher counter.... REALLY??? Pretentious much??? If anyone can complain about the fully stocked store and navigation challenges, it would be me as I am a blind Puerto Rican relying on a white cane and on my Nubian Queen to navigate. However, I am not complaining, will not complain, and would not have it any other way! We've since visited multiple times, most recently. This past Friday. I've been holding off on a review, because I wanted to be sure the experience wasn't a one-off. Well, I can tell you today, it wasn't. From the moment you walk in you are greeted by the cashiers. As you make your way through the store, the workers on the floor greet you and offer help. And, the butcher team, apparently, recognized my wife and I and made an extra effort to get my attention to greet me and welcome me back with a warm shout of "PRIMO!!" So, that's the vibe. Now to the prices. While the standard grocery prices are comparable to the big chains, we have found that the meat prices more than make up for it. While the prices are great, the meat quality is not compromised. I just downed a plate of cubed steak and onions and you'd think they'd used a prime cut as it was tender and not full of tendons. You want ox tails, go here. You want chicken wings, go here. You want flank steak for an awesome Ropa Vieja, go here. You want those verduras - malanga lila, llatia, green and ripe plantains, go here. And don't forget dessert - pick up a cheese flan at checkout. Unfortunately, I never got to bring my Mom here as I lost her earlier this year , but, I would have gone broke and gained a lot of weight, because she would start picking everything up and start cooking all the Puerto Rican staples as soon as we got home - R.I.P. Mama! BTW, their website is up to date and keeps you posted of their weekly specials. We keep an eye on that and their IG and plan our trip from Clearwater when our supplies get low. Thank you El Grande Supermarket! read more

Oh how I miss having markets like this nearby. Got there about 10:30 on Saturday, and meat counter was busy. I waited 20 minutes with my number. Everything is in Spanish for pricing, so it was hard to tell how much stuff cost. Guys behind the counter do not speak much English, but that is expected. Aisles are slim, and you have to maneuver to get through. Tons of international ingredients. If I did not have hubby with me, I would have browsed longer. Sour orange marinade, spices galore, hoja santa, canela, and banana leaves. So hard to find, but now I know where to go. I wish they had molcajetes, as I had to sell mine when I moved. Cashiers did not speak any English, and they kind of ignored me. No biggie. I definitely will go back right when they open for less congestion. And I will brush up on my Spanish meats. LOL read more

As far as Latin supermarkets go, this is on top of the heap. All manner of goodies from the old country (or countries), such as Coco Rico, Conchita guava paste, and tons of Goya products. One of my all time favorites, "empanadillas de pizza" (or deep fried pizza turnovers) are available uncooked and frozen so you can enjoy this Puerto Rican delicacy in the comfort of your own home. They also have a very large and well stocked meat department with the best churrasco in town. This is not Publix, so don't go expecting a smooth shopping experience. The place is always packed, parking is a bear, and navigating the narrow aisles can be challenging. They have too much stuff in too small a space despite this being a former Discount Auto Parts building. But it does have a old country Latin charm, the employees are very helpful and friendly (especially if you speak the language) and this can be your one stop shop for all your Latin cooking needs. From fresh meats and veggies to all sorts of canned Latin goods, if you crave things Latin then give this place a visit. It's as good as it gets! And Weight Watchers! They have diet Coco Rico soda. You haven't lived until you've tried coconut soda for zero points! read more

I mainly come here when I'm about to make a ton of Sofrito/Recaito. I don't know too many places close by that I can get Recao/Culatro/Coriander leaves...whatever you decide to call it...I can find it here. In order to make a really good sofrito you need this herb. You can also find guava, calabaza, yucca, plantains and many other island fruits and veggies here. It's not as clean and organized as I would like a market to be, but this is typical of small bodegas because they have so much inventory and a butcher, which I haven't used. The employees don't seem to be too friendly if you don't speak Spanish. My husband who does, loves to leave me hanging when communicating at the check out when he's with me. The employees always assume I speak Spanish too...once they realize that I don't, I get the cold shoulder! I somehow feel a certain anxiety when I go to a bodega because of this assumption. Maybe because I took 3 years of Spanish in high school and have been married into a Hispanic family for 10 years and I'm still not fluent?? I dunno. Doesn't matter, I can cook Spanish food! Anyway, I also got my huge caldero here as well for a decent price. The really big ones are up high. I even use it in place of my wok at times (my wok has been in my family since I was a kid in Hawaii). The flat bottom is a bit more convenient since I can stir with one hand, and a caldero can produce similar results of a wok. I also cook a lot of Caribbean dishes in this pot, but I originally bought it to cook Sancocho. Be sure to only get the items here that you can't get at Publix. This market isn't expensive, but you get a better deal on more popular items at Publix or even Walmart. read more

I come to this place for the butcher service. It's very far in between where you can find butchers that still provide the true butcher service. Every time I come here, there's is always 6+ guys in the meat department ready at your service. I really don't care too much for their general grocery items. As I can find them at other bigger supermarkets for much cheaper. read more

Best market in Tampa with best prices on fresh produce and meats. I go here everyday to get fresh produce, and they have a huge selection, fresh, and large quantities of produce. I highly recommend! read more

I have noticed that every time I pass by El Grande One Stop Supermarket it is packed. Being curious, I decided to check it out. The store has a fairly large produce selection. Great place to look if you are looking for items sold in Hispanic countries. They also carry a large variety of Goya products. However, I think the stores main draw is the meat counter. This is where the majority of the people in the store were gathered while I was looking around. The meat prices are reasonable but the stores meat counter didn't look very sanitary. read more

I love this place for all of my Carribean veggies. The prices are spectacular. I'm not a huge carnivore so I don't buy meats here but the rest of my family does. This is definitely the best Latin market in Tampa. I so wish they would open a place closer to Land O Lakes - even Carrollwood would be nice... read more

Best supermarket in Tampa for Latin foods! Great prices! Definitely recommend for everyday groceries, meats, and fruits! Many products that I could not find else where! read more

Best prices in Tampa, very friendly environment and very affordable prices. The meat compare to other supermarkets is way cheaper. Thank you El Grande supermarket read more

On 12-30-2014 I purchased $96.00 of Churrasco and $100.00 of general groceries for a family gathering. All the meat except for about 3lbs was grilled every one complained that the meat was tough and tasteless. The next day I returned with the left over meat and spoke to the head man in the meat department he looked at it and told me that they had not cut the meat properly and that it didn't look just right but he would not refund my money or issue a store credit because we had eaten most of it. I did a seak look at behind the counter it was just plain nasty. Do not buy meat there but if you do don't forget to keep the vomit and return it. read more