TL;DR Travels

The Story Behind Northgate Gonzalez

Don Miguel Gonzalez was born in the Jalisca region of Mexico. Eventually, he and his family made the trek to the United States to begin a new chapter in their lives. Like many other immigrant families, the Gonzalez’s were driven in pursuit of the “American Dream.”

In 1980, Anaheim’s Gonzalez Reynoso family opened the first Northgate Gonzalez Market. Eventually, this would become one of the most successful Mexican supermarkets in the United States.

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Parking for Northgate

The parking lot is always busy. However, it’s also large, so you will find something. People are constantly leaving the market, so chances are you’ll find something closer to the front if you exercise just a little bit of patience.

Personally, though, I prefer to save myself the headache and park further away – plus I get some extra steps in. There are also a few reserved spots up front for accessibility accommodations and those doing a quick pick-up.

When is the Best Time to Visit Costa Mesa’s Northgate

This Northgate is fairly new and still actively promoted by the company, so in my experience there is usually a decently-sized crowd. However, lines are short (if not non-existent) in the morning – both weekends and during the week. More and more people begin arriving closer to lunch, with the largest group there in the evenings.

What is the Culture and Ambiance Like at Northgate

When you first step foot into Northgate, you’ll be greeted by mariachi music, bright and vibrant colors, and the aroma of fresh food wafting through the air. There is a general celebratory and festive atmosphere – which I’ve found to be the case in a lot of Mexican markets.

Aside from the ambiance, there is also a very strong sense of community. Whether it’s the staff dancing around each other during busy times or crowds asking around for recommendations, you are more a part of the buzzing energy than separate from it. In fact, because the place can get so crowded, it’s not uncommon for groups to share tables or ask to sit with you – usually during dinner times.

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What to Eat

After entering the store, you’ll notice that there are various food stands to the right and back of the market, with some (like the agua fresca stall) located a bit more centrally.

I suggest taking an exploratory stroll around to see the various spots – from tacos to sopas to churros.

Breakfast

All right breakfast warriors and early-risers – let’s start with some options for you! Mornings are some of the best times to visit this place (especially for the crowd-averse). I like to stop by El Moro Churreria (I’ll talk more about this place in the desert section!) and grab a Cafe de Olla and pick-up a postre from La Pateleria.

Cafe de Olla, if you haven’t had it before, is a special traditional mexican-style coffee – and one of my favorite forms of caffeine. Cafe de Olla has a beautiful, rich, spiced flavor that I adore. And here, it is made correctly (this is a Mexico-based business, after all).

Lunch & Dinner

There are a ton of options for lunch & dinner. If you’re eating on a budget, check out the taco stands (there are a few) – they do not disappoint. I would, however, skip the mulitas – they are okay, but there are certainly MUCH tastier options on the menu.

You can also stop by the Tamaleria for delicious tamales and champurrado – my favorite are the jalapeño and cheese tamales. The Birrieria Y Menudo stall has a variety of comfort-food options and usually has the shortest or quickest line.

There is a asian-mexican fusion stall if you are looking for something fun and different. And, of course, you can also find some soups, traditional cazuelas, meats, tortillas, and more for a more robust meal.

You place your order at the respective eatery register/window. After you get your food, there are a few indoor and outdoor seating options for you to choose from. However, if you are in the mood for a full-service sit-down, have no fear! Northgate has you covered with Maizano.

Juices & Fruit

Next door, you can grab some freshly cut fruit for a little pick-me up!

Desserts

El Morro deserves it’s own seperate TL;DR Guide (let me know if this is something you would like!). This popular mexican churro spot has a variety of amazing things on the menu. In fact, this may be the most popular part of the entire market. If it’s your first time, then you have to grab some churros to try – they are delicious. However, be aware that the line does get long.

If you’re looking for something larger, there is a pasteleria close by were you can grab any cakes, cookies, or other sweets – the options are seemingly endless!

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Shopping

For the purposes of today’s post, I won’t go in detail on the grocery part of the market – just know there are plenty of fresh produce, canned goods, etc (all your usual market items and then some).

You’ll also see plenty of candy options, which will surely delight everyone in your group. I absolutely love to look around and see what I can find. In fact, it comes with its own bit of nostalgia. When I was in elementary school, these candies were practically gold on the playground – and a few kids developed a budding recess-business selling them to the rest of us. But now, I suppose I just have to buy them from the market!

In addition, there are a few sections that spotlight handmade items – from soaps, to baskets, to trinkets, and more. While these treasures only take a small bit of retail space, there are a ton of goodies and unique items to check out.

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Special Events

The Northgate team has really put in a concentrated effort to build and maintain community. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays you might catch some live music in the dining hall area of the shop – giving you a special dinnertime concert.

Lastly, this doesn’t really classify as a “special event” per se, but I’m counting it as one anyways! The outdoor seating area makes for a great place to catch certain soccer games. It’s a casual space where you can grab your food and chill in the lovely Southern California outdoors.

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