It’s a mistake not to stop at this Sacramento Mexican superstore (where I only spent $12)
About the Writer
Brianna Taylor covers affordability on The Bee’s service journalism team.
Past a used car dealership and a hardware store in South Sacramento, a longtime business has positioned itself as a one-stop shop for delicious authentic Mexican cuisine.
La Esperanza — located off of Highway 99 inside the Century Shopping Center — operates a supermarket, deli, bakery and restaurant. All of its businesses share the same name and parking lot on Franklin Boulevard except for its restaurant, Los Jarritos, which sits about two miles away on Broadway.
La Esperanza Bakery was founded in 1969 by Salvador Plasencia, who immigrated with his family from Mexico to Sacramento with the determination to open a bakery of his own.
The other businesses opened shortly after.
This month marks the beginning of a new year for “Sacramento on a Budget” — where I try an activity per a reader’s suggestion all while on a $25 budget — and what better way to kick it off than with affordable ways to fill your plate.
Both Sacramento Bee readers Andrea Mantecon and Michele Mannering asked me to put one of La Esperanza’s businesses on my list of places to visit.
“I love being introduced to a place we were clueless about,” Michele wrote me, adding that she and her husband, also a Sacramento native, have enjoyed discovering the area through “Sacramento on a Budget.”
“Keep up exploring our beautiful town,” she added.
My time at La Esperanza’s bakery in Sacramento
Location: 5044 Franklin Blvd., Sacramento
The fast-paced bakery was busy on a brisk February Wednesday morning.
As soon as I opened the bakery door, the smell of sweet bread wafted from the store.
Bakers dressed in white aprons and matching hats shuffled from the kitchen to the front of the store with sheet pans full of fresh bolillo, a French-style bread.
The pans that hold churros, fritters tossed in sugar and cinnamon, and conchas, sweet bread with crackled sugar toppings, were nearly empty.
At a nearby watch repair station, a customer and clerk bartered over prices. A few feet away was a station for cakes, bags of hot chips and packs of corn-based drink mix.
I turned to my right to join a line of people waiting for baked goods.
In the 15 minutes it took to get to the front of the line, I stared at the display case, which is vital because there isn’t a menu. Instead, customers point at what they want from the other side of the counter and the baked goods are placed in a white paper bag and taken to the register.
I settled on a churro, a concha, a polvorón, a bolillo and a guava-flavored soda for a total of $5.11.
I carried my bag of sweet-smelling desserts less than 200 feet to my next stop.
La Esperanza’s deli in Sacramento
Location: 5028 Franklin Blvd., Sacramento
I crossed the parking lot and joined another long line of customers waiting to order from La Esperanza’s deli.
A flat-screen television hung high on the wall, showcasing a menu packed with appetizers, tamales, tacos, enchiladas, burritos, tostadas and quesadillas.
Past the hot food operation were rows of canned items, loose tea and plastic crates filled to the brim with fresh produce. The deli counter was stocked with plastic containers of guacamole, salsa and ceviche.
Vibrant piñatas shaped like the number four and Sheriff Woody from the movie “Toy Story” hung over my head.
I ordered a pint of rice and a pint of beans for $3.29 each. My total came to $7.16.
I was in and out in 10 minutes.
Is La Esperanza in Sacramento affordable?
I was able to get a drink, an entree and a couple of desserts for $12.27.
Here’s how much each item cost:
1 churro - $1.40
1 concha - 80 cents
1 polvorón - $1
1 bolillo - 35 cents
1 soda - $1.39
Pint of rice - $3.29
Pint of beans - $3.29
If you’re on an even stricter budget or you’re trying to get as much bang for your buck, you can still do it a La Esperanza. Cheaper options include beef tacos ($1.99), pork tamales ($2.09) bean and cheese burritos ($2.99), and nachos ($4.99).
The most expensive items on the menu are beef, chicken, cheese and sweet tamales when sold by the dozen ($21.50).
Remember: You’ll be charged a 75-cent fee when you spend less than $5 and pay with a credit card.
I didn’t make it to Los Jarritos in Sacramento this time around, but Michele says it’s worth the trip — if not only for the crispy taco deal.
The restaurant serves three crispy chicken or beef tacos for $7.99 or one for $2.89. The $6.59 nachos and the $8.49 chile relleno, fried peppers stuffed with cheese and smothered in sauce, are also among her family’s favorites.
“It used to be less expensive, but like everything the prices have gone up,” Michele wrote me.
Thank you for the suggestions, Andrea and Michele! I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve already been back for the rice, beans and churros.
La Esperanza’s bakery is open from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday; and from 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
The deli is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday; from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday; and 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.
