On a busy stretch of Michigan Avenue just east of Livernois, Prince Valley Market has been feeding Detroit for more than half a century. The grocery and culinary destination, long a cornerstone of the city’s West Side, has grown into something far bigger than a place to pick up tortillas.
Chef Tim Castañeda has been at the heart of that growth. This summer, he’s pushing Mexican street food to the front of the menu - starting with elote, the grilled corn dish that has become a cookout staple from Monterrey to the Motor City.
“These are the non-negotiables: mayo, mayo, mayo, lime. Cotija cheese - it’s the Mexican Parmesan, the drier cheese,” Castañeda said.
Castañeda recommends skipping the blended American chili powder and going straight for guajillo or ancho - both stocked at Prince Valley. The method is simple: a ripping-hot pan, a splash of oil, a char on the corn. From there, the toppings do the talking.
“The street food is always crazy creative,” he said.
The market’s kitchen doesn’t stop at corn. On any given day, the grab-and-go case is stocked with fresh juices in flavors like mango, papaya, horchata and Jamaica. And then there are the tamales.
“1,000 tamales the ladies make a day, 7 different flavors,” Castañeda said, including a sweet version filled with pineapple and strawberry.
The bakery draws its own crowds. Castañeda said he has never once walked in to find it quiet.
“I’ve never seen less than 15 people there. It’s unbelievable.”
Custom cakes are available for graduation parties, quinceañeras and baby showers, but planning ahead is a must. “To get a work of art like this, you have to order ahead,” he said.
Beyond food, the market also houses a post office, Western Union, Metro PCS and bill payment services - making it a one-stop resource for the surrounding neighborhood.
“50 years we’ve been there on Michigan Avenue, east of Livernois,” Castaneda said.
Prince Valley Market is located on Michigan Avenue, just east of Livernois in Detroit. More information is available at PrinceValleyMarket.com.