A popular Southern California grocery chain is bringing its signature Mexican food offerings to the Bay Area.
Vallarta Supermarkets is opening a 64,000-square-foot outlet at San Jose’s The Plant shopping center on Nov. 18, filling a space that has been vacant since 2018.
The opening marks a major expansion for the family-owned chain and a new grocery option for South San Jose. The store is also expected to bring 150 jobs to the area, with roles ranging from department staff to store leadership.
The outlet at 2179 Monterey Road will bring Vallarta’s fresh-made tortillas, a panadería, carnicería, seafood counters and La Cocina, its prepared-food operation.
The menu will feature dishes such as chilaquiles, breakfast burritos, chicharron in salsa verde and menudo on weekends.
Shoppers can also expect ceviches, aguachiles, aguas frescas and fresh juices.
The expansion comes as Vallarta looks to reach new communities beyond its Southern California base.
“It’s a really exciting new offering that will cater to … the growing Hispanic population in the Bay Area, but also much broader,” Christopher Nichelson, president of Milan Capital Management, which operates The Plant, told The San Francisco Chronicle.
Vallarta’s roots go back to 1985, when the Gonzalez family opened a Los Angeles meat market. The business has since grown to more than 60 stores, with an expanding footprint beyond California.
Earlier this year, the chain opened its first Arizona location in Glendale. According to ABC15 Arizona, the company plans to open 10 to 15 stores across the Phoenix area over the next five to 10 years.
The San Jose store’s grand opening is scheduled for Nov. 18. Festivities will include live mariachi, Ballet Folklorico, food samples and opening-day deals.
The first 300 guests will receive a free bag of groceries, limited to one per household while supplies last.
