If you're looking to heed your inner Rick Bayless, this is the place. The produce section overflows with bulbous spring onions and shiny poblano peppers (great for stuffing). Ripe plantains await the deep fryer, spicy chorizo sausage lines the meat aisle, dried chilies await a quick reconstitution in water and mountains of limes threaten to cascade out of their baskets and bury you. Grab some fresh masa, a tortilla press and some queso fresco, and you can grill up Maxwell Market-like quesadillas at home. The greatest secret of the Latino groceries is the Mexican coke, served in glass bottles and made with real cane sugar rather than high fructose corn syrup.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Michael Nagrant