Mary's Mexican Shop

08/03/2026

Happy BC Day, Nanaimo!

We’re open today from 11 AM to 5 PM, just like every Stat holiday. To celebrate this beautiful province we call home, all items on our “Still Good” shelves are FREE with any regular purchase from August 3–9, 2026.

Stock is limited — come by early and join the celebration!

07/27/2026

Can you pronounce Chichén Itzá?
Not to be confused with “chicken pizza” — this world wonder comes with world‑class bragging rights… and today (July 27) it also comes with 5% off if you can say it!

Give it your best shot — perfect, almost perfect, or hilariously not even close — it all counts.
Swing by the store today and show us what you’ve got. See you soon!

07/14/2026

Every Tuesday this summer, treat yourself to 5% off all St Bueno ready‑to‑eat dishes — cochinita pibil, tinga de pollo, chicken with mole, chicken al pastor, pork al pastor, carnitas, barbacoa, and birria! 🌮🍋‍🟩

Perfect for busy nights, hungry families, and anyone who thinks “Taco Tuesday” should last all summer long 😄🔥

Come grab your favourites and make Tuesday delicious!

07/13/2026

WORD OF THE DAY!
5% OFF on July 13!
Come in on July 13, mention this post, and try to pronounce Vallodalid — because despite Mary’s very best efforts… she still can’t 😅

Vallodalid is a colorful, historic city in Mexico’s Yucatán state, about two hours inland from Cancún. It’s a Pueblo Mágico known for its colonial architecture, Mayan roots, and incredible local food — including the famous sopa de lima, a bright, citrusy chicken soup that tastes like sunshine in a bowl.

It’s just 45 minutes from Chichén Itzá, close to Ek’ Balam, and was one of our favorite stops on the Tren Maya during our 2024 trip.

Give the word a try, have a laugh with us, and enjoy 5% off your entire order (clearance excluded).
Let’s see who pronounces it better — you or Mary... our money is on you!

07/07/2026

Tuesday just got tastier!
All summer long, enjoy 5% off St Bueno ready‑to‑eat dishes — from rich cochinita pibil to cozy birria. These dishes are made with real Mexican flavours and ready in minutes, making weeknights a whole lot easier (and yummier).

Swing by on Tuesdays and let us feed you something wonderful.

07/06/2026

5% OFF on July 6!
Swing by Mary’s Mexican Shop on July 6, 2026, tell us you saw this post, and show off your skills by pronouncing Tlaquepaque — yes, we’re serious 😄

Why Tlaquepaque?
Salvador is from Guadalajara, Mexico, and Tlaquepaque is a vibrant artisan town just 25 minutes away. It’s a Pueblo Mágico, famous for its colorful streets, blown glass, ceramics, and incredible handcrafted art.

Come for the discount… stay for the bragging rights.
Can you pronounce Tlaquepaque?

07/01/2026

Bravo to Janhavi, a gifted Vancouver Island University student, for directing and producing this short film highlighting Nanaimo's thriving Latino community! https://youtu.be/yXr4N-UBusc?si=sYDsV8NxTOTe9TPQ.

What makes a place feel like home?This is a documentary that expl...

06/28/2026

June 28, 2026 - well that was quick... just in time for the soccer game we are open!!

06/28/2026

June 28, 2028 - unable to open at 11am due to power outage - opening as soon as the power is restored - thank you for your patience!

06/12/2026

Decided to give apple empanadas a shot, because who doesn't love a good pastry pocket? I snagged some Saltena empanada dough from the store and went rogue with my own filling.

Here's the deal: toss eight diced granny Smith apples (peeled), 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, half a cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of Mexican vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons of butter (because everything's better with butter), 1 teaspoon of Mexican ground cinnamon, half a teaspoon of salt, and 1.5 tablespoons of cornstarch into a pot. Add the cornstarch towards the end, unless you enjoy scraping burnt bits off your pan.

Simmer until those apples are tender. Spoon the mix onto the dough, fold it over, and crimp those edges with a fork - easy peasy. For that pro look, shape into circles by bringing the ends together and pinching the dough (it's like a pastry party!).

Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment, brush with milk, sprinkle with Mexican cinnamon and sugar, and bake at 375 degrees F for 20-25 minutes.