Latino SuperMarket + Deeelovely Eats in Catalina

Hapeville treats abound… here’s where my dad says his Delta buddies go when they want some super authentic Mexican. In this little old town Hapeville, Georgia south of Atlanta by about 20 minutes near Hartsfield International Airport there is a grocery store -slash- eatery. It’s able to boast food just as good as we Atlantans would find on Buford Hwy. So lets say you get tired of the crowds and feel like going somewhere just as authentic but more homey… try Catalina! Here’s what we got:

Bean and Cheese Burrito Plate (mom and dad)

2 Beef Tacos (individual)

Beef Rib Plate (Sister, doesn’t eat pork, so no beans for her either)

Beef Huarache (Me!, sold individual)

I know you’re saying to yourself how did a family of four order all this food and manage to get full … well we did, but that’s because this place means no BS! Chips n’ Salsa are free! And it came with two different sauces. One tasted like some sort of mildly ripe avocado dip that was then pureed and made soupy… I know that sounds kinda crazy but it was GOOOOD. And super spicy! The other was what tasted like dark roasted chili peppers made into a sauce, slightly milder and a little bitter, also kinda crazy sounding but pretty dang good too, and different! The chips were freshly fried so they were hot! Super corny and wonderful. 

They also instantly plopped down four little bowls of soup also complementary! It was really good. It actually reminded me of Creole butter beans but much soupier in a light broth. We asked her what kind of bean it was and she said “white bean”. So that non specific description left things to the imagination but we thought maybe it was white kidney since that’s what they looked like. They were so soft but still whole. And it was delicious (which I attribute to the bits of soft pork sausage floating around in it). Between the chips, dips, and soup I had to stop so I wouldn’t get full before my meal.   

All “plates” came with side items like beans and rice, lettuce, salsa fresca, dollops of quacamole, sour cream, and or crèma ..And these beans were also white beans, refried! Not the normal pintos everyone’s used to, different but delicious.  The tacos were sold individually but for $1.50 you’d be happy to purchase them by themselves too! Soft corn tortillas piled high with crispy fried, marinated steak; they are certainly fantastic. 

My sister’s rib plate was interesting, reminded me of Korean ribs; the ribs were cut across the bone in thin strips like bacon! More marinade, more browning I’ll take it. Her plate also had cactus, which I’d have to say may take a little getting used to. Not the taste, but the texture: soft but crunchy to the bite, kind of like a tangy squash, and a little slimy on the way down. Doesn’t sound too appetizing to some (the slimy part) but its still pretty tasty and worth trying for sure if you haven’t ever. Her plate also came with pan fried peppers and onions, mmm.

Mom and dad keeping it simple got the bean burrito, which was served as a plate with beans and rice and side fixins. How could something so simple still taste so dang good! Garlicky, pork stocky beans, with gooey melty cheese, in large soft flour tortilla! All surrounded in a fortifying “side fixin” fortress of goodness.. and so cheap. (they shared the 2 beef steak tacos).

Finally, I had a Huarache. Man oh man do I love me some Huaraches! They are like a taco but instead of a thin flour or corn tortilla it’s like a thick corn cake laid out like a tortilla. Crispy on the outside; soft and chewy on the inside. (like sopes but different shape) Everything is piled high on top including most of your “side fixins”; the lettuce, crema, salsa fresca.

Aaand par for the course… I forgot to take a picture of it. I was so excited about eating that I forgot. So you can put that under your “Again?! She sure is a bad blogger” tab, OR! You can be positive and take that as a sign. “The food is soooo good you forget all your responsibilities, entranced in a tizzy of food ecstasy!” So in the meantime, enjoy this loving happiness...

Even better they have a traveling Mariachi Band! Pay for a song and you’re on your way to another recession vacation. The best part, all that food was $24 bucks… Buford Hwy, I think you may have a little competition!

Catalina Super Market

4110 Old Dixie Hwy

Hapeville, GA 30354

Phone: (404) 608-1653