Rating the 'Super-Mercados'

Expats say -- and IMO it's a valid statement -- that they can't find some of their favorite foods at Ecuador's supermarkets.

One way to improve things is to locate your city or town's store with absolutely the best assortment of your favorite foods.

Here in Quito, my vote goes to MegaMaxi 6 de Diciembre, at Ecovía bus-stop Benalcazar.  From my place in Centro Histórico, it's a two-bus trip, but always worth it.

These are the top 10 reasons that I think this MegaMaxi is the best super-mercado around:

#10. You can find every ingredient you need to fix great lox-and-bagel sandwiches:  smoked salmon, bagels "integrales" (whole grain), cream cheese, and fresh onions.

#9. Their fish counter is terrific.  My favorites are the "camarones grandes, ya cocinados" (large pre-cooked shrimp) and the fresh salmon. Take a number. 

#8. Super-wide aisles.  You'll think you're shopping in suburban Philadelphia

#7. It's in a building where you can do your other shopping and eating.  There's a food court, multiple bank ATM's where you feel secure, a Fybeca pharmacy, a vitamin store, an ice-cream booth and more.

#6. It's open late.  And in Ecuador 9 p.m. is very late to do your grocery shopping (Monday-Saturday).  They don't even push you out the door at 9.  You can probably stretch it to 9:30.

#5. Mott's Apple Sauce.  In those wonderful plastic cups, 6 to a set.  Original and/or cinnamon-flavor.  If this product is regularly available at a non-Maxi venue, I haven't found it.

#4. It's not just a food supermarket.  You can buy all kinds of stuff, from clothing to "electro domésticos" (major appliances) to automobile products to make-up and creams to furniture to sporting goods to kids' toys.

#3. Many fruits and vegetables are refrigerated.  I still buy most of these at Spanish-speaking mercados but those lack refrigeration, impacting freshness.

#2. The "mozos":  porters readily available to push all your stuff through the complex via shopping cart and load it into the trunk of a 6 de Diciembre taxi.  It's a free service, but feel free to tip.

And my number-one reason for calling this Mega-Maxi the best:

#1. Fresh sushi is prepared and available on weekdays.  If this is your thing, don't arrive too late in the day.

cccmedia in Quito

MegaMaxi has six locations in Quito, and the chain has an additional 14 SuperMaxi's in town, according to their website, supermaxi.com ... The Mega's are larger and their inventory wider.

If you have a favorite super-mercado in Ecuador, please use this thread to tell us about it.