Missing authentic tacos, proper salsa verde, and real Mexican hot sauce? Discover where to buy authentic tortillas, those hard-to-find chiles you can’t get at Carrefour, and sauces even your abuela would approve of…
Whether you’re an American living in France for work, on a student exchange, or just craving the authentic flavors of Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, this complete guide will help you track down the best places—online and in-store—to stock up on genuine Mexican products.
Let’s be real: French supermarkets just don’t cut it when you’re craving real Mexican food. Those « Old El Paso » kits? Not even close. But here’s the good news: France’s Mexican food scene has exploded in recent years, and you can now find everything from proper masa harina to chipotles en adobo without flying back to the States or crossing the border.
Why Shop at Specialized Mexican Stores?
It’s All About Authenticity
Big-box stores in France offer a watered-down version of Mexican cuisine—processed products adapted for European palates that taste nothing like what you’re used to back home. Specialized Mexican grocers import directly from Mexico or work with producers who respect traditional recipes.
An artisanal tortilla has nothing in common with those industrial wraps, and a sun-dried ancho chile delivers incomparable aromas you simply can’t get from supermarket spice racks.
Way More Variety
At dedicated Mexican stores, you’ll find dozens of chile varieties (guajillo, pasilla, morita, poblano), multiple types of corn flour, rare fresh herbs (epazote, Mexican oregano), and region-specific products. It’s the entire culinary diversity of Mexico at your fingertips—just like browsing the aisles of a Mexican grocery store in LA, Houston, or San Antonio.
Expert Advice
The owners of these shops are often passionate foodies, sometimes from Latin America themselves. They’ll guide you through your choices, explain how to use specific ingredients, and even share cooking tips. Think of them as your culinary lifeline when you’re homesick for proper Mexican food.
The Best Online Mexican Grocery Stores in France
Aztek Comptoir: 100% Mexican Excellence from Toulouse
THE Reference for Exclusively Mexican Products
If you’re looking for an online store entirely dedicated to Mexican products, Aztek Comptoir is THE must-know reference in France. Based in Toulouse but delivering throughout France, this specialty grocer stands out with its « boutique » approach and absolute commitment to Mexican authenticity.
What makes them different:
- Exclusively Mexican: Unlike Latin American stores that mix products from different countries, Aztek Comptoir focuses solely on Mexico, guaranteeing expert, curated selection
- Gourmet at affordable prices: High-end products (artisanal sauces, authentic chiles, Oaxacan chocolate) without breaking the bank
- Regular promotions: Year-round deals and attractive loyalty program
- A real community: Blog filled with authentic recipes, culinary workshops and Mexican decorative arts classes in Toulouse
- Passionate customer service: A team that advises with genuine expertise
Must-try products at Aztek:
- Whole dried chiles (ancho, guajillo, pasilla, chipotle) with detailed fact sheets
- Masa harina from trusted brands (Maseca)
- Plain tortilla chips perfect for guacamole
- Artisanal hot sauces from small Mexican producers
- Mole paste or powder for complex dishes made simple
- Oaxacan chocolate for authentic hot chocolate
- Fresh, authentic nixtamalized corn tortillas
- Rare regional products you won’t find anywhere else
Pro tip: If you live in or near Toulouse, Aztek regularly hosts cooking workshops where you can learn to make tortillas, tamales, or salsas in a friendly atmosphere. It’s a great way to dive into Mexican culture while stocking up!
Other Specialized Online Stores
Aztek Comptoir Toulouse (Physical Location)
📍 36 allée de Barcelone, Toulouse center
- Physical store and workshop space
- Perfect for discovering products and joining culinary/cultural workshops
- Warm atmosphere and expert knowledge
- Check website for opening hours and workshop dates
Mexitheque
Parisian online grocer with a beautiful selection of authentic Mexican and Central American products. Their tagline « The Best of Mexico at the Best Price » sums up their approach: quality and affordability.
- 100% nixtamalized corn tortillas
- Wide range of dried and pickled chiles
- Artisanal products and recognized brands
- Fast delivery in the Paris region
- Well-organized website by categories
La Esquinita
Created in 2017 by two Mexican friends (Nicolas and Fernando) living in Paris, La Esquinita (« little corner » in Spanish) has become a reference for authentic Mexican products.
- Direct imports from Latin America
- Excellent reputation for hot sauces (from classic habanero to creative mango-blueberry versions)
- Expert owners who know their products inside out
- Deliveries throughout France
- Physical shop in Paris’s 2nd arrondissement
Alma de Chiapas Market
Founded in 2019, this online grocer specializes in authentic Mexican products hard to find in Europe.
- Focus on Mexican chiles (wide variety)
- Carefully selected food products
- Also available via Tienda Latina Grenoble for other Latin American products
- Delivery across Europe
- Authentic recipes shared on their site
Mi Tiendita
Online Mexican grocer renowned for quality and expertise.
- Products for preparing authentic recipes
- Tortillas and corn flours (gluten-free and non-GMO)
- Sauces, nopal cactus, dried and canned chiles
- Tomatillos, corn for pozole
- Knowledgeable customer service and culinary advice
Physical Stores by Region
Paris & Île-de-France
Casamex 📍 Online only
- Fresh section with fresh tortillas, tamales and Mexican crema
La Esquinita 📍 36 Rue de la Lune, 75002 Paris (near Grand Rex)
- Small neighborhood store run by two passionate Latinos
- Carefully selected products imported directly
- Excellent reputation for hot sauces
- Authentic vibe and expert advice
Mexitheque 📍 116 Rue Duc Rene de Castries, 34160 Castries
- Friendly spot with quality products
- Good value for money
Bocamexa 📍 Restaurant with grocery section (multiple Paris locations)
- Buy the products used in their kitchen
- Mexican craft beers made in France
- « Paris-Mexico » cookbook available
Latino Market 📍 Paris 12th and 15th arrondissements ☎️ 01 44 19 88 29
- Latin American grocer with good Mexican section
Other Regions
Tienda Alma Latina 📍 Grenoble
- Latin grocery with strong focus on Mexican products
- Meeting point for Grenoble’s Hispanic community
- Authentic and rare products
Essential Mexican Products You Need
The Holy Trinity
1. Masa Harina (Nixtamalized Corn Flour)
This is THE foundation of Mexican cuisine. This flour lets you make homemade tortillas in minutes. Don’t confuse it with regular cornmeal or polenta! The nixtamalization process (cooking in lime water) changes everything nutritionally and flavor-wise. Think of it as the difference between Wonder Bread and authentic sourdough. Recommended brands: Maseca, Minsa.
2. Assorted Dried Chiles
For building your salsas and moles:
- Ancho (mild, fruity, perfect for beginners)
- Guajillo (slightly spicy, deep flavor)
- Chipotle (smoked jalapeño, for intense heat)
- Pasilla (for moles and complex sauces)
These keep for months in a dry place.
3. Black or Pinto Beans
Frijoles are present at almost every Mexican meal. Go for quality canned beans (Herdez, La Costeña) or dried beans if you like taking your time. Way better than what you’ll find at Monoprix.
Essential Sauces and Condiments
- Hot sauces: Valentina (most popular), Cholula (milder), Búfalo (classic)
- Chipotles en adobo: Smoked jalapeño peppers in spicy tomato sauce
- Mexican crema: More liquid and slightly tangy than French crème fraîche
- Canned jalapeños: Sliced or whole
Basic Spices
- Cumin: The signature spice of many Mexican dishes
- Mexican oregano: Different from Mediterranean oregano, more citrusy
- Cilantro: Fresh preferred (though we know the French call it coriandre)
- Epazote: Traditional herb for flavoring beans
Tasty Extras
- Mexican chocolate: With cinnamon and cane sugar
- Cajeta: Goat’s milk caramel
- Tamarindo: In pulp or candy form
- Dulce de leche: For your sweet tooth cravings
How to Choose Quality Products
Read the Labels
- Origin: Look for « Hecho en México »
- Ingredients: Short ingredient list is usually best
- Dates: Check expiration, especially for fresh products
Trusted Brands
Canned goods and sauces:
- Herdez (the reference since 1914)
- La Costeña (excellent chipotles)
- Doña Maria (ready-to-use mole)
Flours and tortillas:
- Maseca (world leader)
- Mission, La Banderita
Hot sauces:
- Valentina (best-selling in Mexico)
- Cholula (balanced)
- Búfalo (classic)
Money-Saving Tips
Buy Essentials in Bulk
Long-lasting products (masa harina, dried chiles, beans) can be bought in larger quantities.
Aztek Comptoir tip: Take advantage of their loyalty program and regular promotions.
Combine Orders
Reach free shipping thresholds by coordinating with friends or roommates. Split that shipping cost!
DIY Some Items
Some preparations are simple and economical:
- Guacamole
- Pico de gallo
- Refried beans
- Tortillas (with masa harina)
Immerse Yourself in Mexican Culture
Cooking Workshops
Aztek Comptoir in Toulouse regularly hosts sessions on:
- Tortilla preparation
- Authentic salsas
- Tamales
- Mexican crafts (alebrijes, papel picado)
These workshops are perfect for asking questions, discovering products, and meeting other Mexican food enthusiasts—great for expats missing home!
Conclusion: Start Your Mexican Food Adventure!
Finding authentic Mexican products in France has never been easier. Whether you go with:
- Aztek Comptoir: THE 100% Mexican reference with expert knowledge and cultural workshops in Toulouse
- Casamex: 100% online option
- Latino Market: Excellent alternatives online and in stores
- Carrefour: Some locations in major cities like Paris have « World Cuisine » aisles with Mexican products
The important thing is to start somewhere. Take it step by step:
- Start with the holy trinity: masa harina, dried chiles, beans
- Add some sauces for character
- Gradually experiment with new ingredients
- Share your discoveries with friends
Mexican cuisine is generous, colorful, rich in flavors and stories. Each ingredient tells the story of a region, a tradition, millennia-old know-how. By choosing authentic products from specialized stores like Aztek Comptoir (exclusively Mexican) or Casamex (Latin American), you’re supporting passionate people working to share and respect this exceptional culinary culture.
So, ready to transform your kitchen into a Mexican cantina? ¡Buen provecho!
Missing anything from back home? Found a great Mexican spot in France? Drop a comment below—the expat Mexican food-loving community is always ready to share tips and discoveries!
