Since 1956, Honey Bee Market La Colmena has been a hub of activity in Detroit’s Mexicantown area. Once a small corner market, the grocer expanded to 15,000 square feet 10 years ago.
Today, Honey Bee boasts a large produce section, meat counter, delicatessen, bakery and more. When asked what makes the store so popular, Yesenia Venegas, interim general manager, answers quickly, “Definitely our fresh ingredients. And our atmosphere – the store is very clean and organized. In this area it can be hard to find good quality foods, and we have them here.”
Their top seller is fresh-made chorizo, a Mexican sausage with a characteristic bright-red color and spicy chili flavor. They churn out 30,000 pounds per year. “I like to fry it and put it in tacos or scramble it with potatoes,” says Venegas. “We also use it in our refried beans we have here at the store.”
If you haven’t visited Mexicantown with your family, May is the perfect time. On Cinco de Mayo, the May 5 celebration of the Mexican army’s victory over a much larger French army in 1862, expect to find celebrations all around the area.
Swing by Honey Bee to pick up ingredients to create your own Mexican meal at home. Venegas suggests the guacamole and chips, made fresh daily. “People sometimes miss that we have different marinated meats available,” she adds. “You can take them home, cook them and use them for tacos. It’s so fast and easy.”
For starters, try this simple pico de gallo appetizer recipe you can tweak to taste.
Ingredients
- 2 medium ripe but firm tomatoes
- 1/8 onion, minced
- 1 fresh jalapeño
- 6 sprigs cilantro (adjust to taste)
- 1 lime
- 1/8 tsp. of salt
Directions
- Dice tomatoes, onions, jalapenos and cilantro and mix in a bowl.
- Squeeze lime juice and add salt to taste.
Note: This recipe can be altered to taste. Try additions like ground cumin, black pepper or garlic powder. To add more heat, substitute jalapeño pepper for a hotter fresh dry pepper such as serrano, habanero or pepper flakes.
More about Honey Bee Market La Colmena
Load up on ingredients for a Mexican feast at this popular grocer.
- Address: 2443 Bagley Ave., Detroit
- Hours: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturdays, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday
- Contact: 313-237-0295
