Mekong Market’s daily “specials”

Mekong Market’s a stellar addition to the East Valley’s options in ethnic marketing.

Located at the heart of Mekong Plaza, the market can be a tad more intimidating than mega-store LeeLee’s, just a few miles directly south on Dobson Road.

There must be virtually no warehouse area for this supermarket: Aisles are narrow, and feel cavernous since they’re stocked nearly ten feet high.

But you can be sure you’ll find some real treasures, especially if you take a few minutes and review the produce offerings displayed just in front of the market’s entrance.

These mammoth displays sit just in front of the Plaza’s central entrance, and are clearly intended to lure shoppers with both common and uncommon fruits and vegetables.

Last summer, for instance, among the half-dozen or so usually in place, one immense carton held yams and sweet potatoes, while another had both dark red and Queen Anne cherries at insanely low prices.

More recently, persimmons and dragon fruit have been featured.

And dammit – I wish I’d purchased that dragon fruit. Never had it. Need to sample it – and it’s still available over in the produce section inside the store.

But I waited – so instead of being able to purchase two for a dollar or so, they’re now available for $2.49 a pound.

Well, heck. Now I need to decide if my curiosity outweighs my frugality.

Check back next week.