Aliana

PRO's Ranch Market is on Central & Atrisco, NW. Although a large Mexican supermarket, there is a large eating area with communal picnic tables & the feel of being in a Mexican town's plaza. There are many choices from many eateries surrounding the tables: soft corn tortilla tacos, sopes, tamales, carne adovada, mole, whole rotisserie chickens,etc. There's a condiment bar with typical Mexican toppings: pico de gallo, 3-4 salsas, cilantro, lime wedges, etc. Diners & shoppers can order extra-large Aguas Frescas for $2.69, made fresh daily from real tropical fruits. There are many 100% refreshing Aguas Fresca to choose from (with samplings possible): Watermelon, Pineapple, Guava, Papaya, Melon, Banana & more, including the rice drink Horchata. Next to that stand is the fresh vegetable & fruit juice stand. Choose your various vegetables &/or fruits, & it's made for you. Alternatively, grab a tall glass bottle of Mexican Coca Cola - made with real cane sugar (& not high fructose corn syrup like in the USA). Be sure !

to pick up a stack of steaming warm fresh corn & flour tortillas, or some freshly ground (on the premises) masa to make your own tamales & sopes. (They have blue, yellow & white corn tortillas & masas. The masa is available both prepared - with shortening & broth - or unprepared, so you can add your own quality & flavors to it. I've added organic shortening, coconut oil, vegetable broth, etc. for healthier tamales.) In the deli section, there are red & green Mexican mole paste cubes - with which you can make absolutely delicious & authentic moles at home! The deli also has a large selection of Mexican cheeses & sour creams. Be sure to check out the store's wide variety of produce. Many fruits & vegetables are unique: nopales (cactus), fresh coconuts, & some produce you've never seen before. I have found (& bought!) 12+ foot long sugar canes, which the helpful employees cut with a machete into 3 pieces to fit in my car, & which they say is available in July. ~~ Sunday afternoons at the eatery have a festive atmosphere & are crowded with families. There are also 2 HDTV screens which seem to always be tuned to soccer games on GolTV. It'll probably be a great place to see the World Cup games this summer (2010), while eating great & authentic Mexican foods, all made fresh daily.

Superb food & superb service! Love the lunch buffet, so that many of their dishes can be tasted. Especially love their "saag paneer". This place is equally as excellent as the Taj on Carlisle, NE.

Ordered "Fresh Shrimp Spring Rolls" to-go. It & another dish was very tasty, & reasonably priced (2 rolls for $3.25). Two of us ate lightly for around $10 (with no drinks)! The cashier was friendly & informative. Will return for more foods!