From lavandería to hamburguesas, Mi Tiendita San Juan de Los Lagos is at your service

Mike Smith, Carlsbad Current-Argus
·2 min read

Food Jet convenience store, near the South Y in Carlsbad, has gone through some changes in the last five years. Now Mi Tiendita San Juan de Los Lagos, it's a one-stop-shop where customers can dine on favorite Mexican dishes while their laundry is washed and folded.

Here is a closer look Mi Tiendita San Juan de Los Lagos.

Signs say it all

A store front sign highlights the dine in or takeout food offered, while another reminds patrons to stop in for ice cream.

Valentina Arias, a supervisor at Mi Tiendita, said customers can always find the basic staples of any convenience store. Mi Tiendita, however, also offers fresh, handmade Mexican pastries and bread.

At its ice cream counter, multiple flavors of ice cream are available. Arias said the most popular ice cream dish is rolled ice cream, which is rolled up in a cup and then dressed with fruit, candy and other toppings.

A sign on National Parks Highway south of Carlsbad indicates the kind of food offered at Mi Tiendita San Juan de Los Lagos.
A sign on National Parks Highway south of Carlsbad indicates the kind of food offered at Mi Tiendita San Juan de Los Lagos.

Days at Mi Tiendita start early

Arias said food preparation times vary as workers arrive at 2 a.m. seven days a week ahead of the store's 3 a.m. opening.

“Mornings get intense,” she said, as customers stop for a quick breakfast. “Weekends get pretty busy with the oilfield rush.”

Arias said grab and go burritos are popular with workers seeking a quick breakfast for Eddy County workers.

Homemade pastries await customers at Mi Tiendita San Juan de Los Lagos at 3102 National Parks Highway on March 19, 2024.
Homemade pastries await customers at Mi Tiendita San Juan de Los Lagos at 3102 National Parks Highway on March 19, 2024.

Mi Tiendita offers sit down meals

Arias said the restaurant is akin to Carniceria San Juan de Los Lagos at 1200 Pate Street and serves Mexican food and has a butcher shop.

She said her family felt south Carlsbad was ready for some additional Mexican food offerings.

More: You can now get Allsup's Burritos online. Here's how and where to order.

Mi Tiendita serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, though Mexican hamburgers are the most popular item on the menu, Arias said.

Arias said burgers are sencilla, loaded with the same ingredients as an American hamburger, and come with a side of french fries or chili toreado. Customers who order a "Mexicana" burger will see ham and avocado added.

Arias said the hamburger patties served at Mi Tiendita are processed at Carniceria San Juan de Los Lagos.

Want a side of laundry with your food?

Valentina Arias is a supervisor at Mi Tiendita San Juan de Los Lagos at 3102 National Parks Highway. She says the store is a one stop location for groceries, ice cream, Mexican pastries and laundry.
Valentina Arias is a supervisor at Mi Tiendita San Juan de Los Lagos at 3102 National Parks Highway. She says the store is a one stop location for groceries, ice cream, Mexican pastries and laundry.

Established in 2018, The Laundry Company allows Mi Tiendita patrons to drop off their laundry next door to the store and restaurant.

Arias said the Laundry Company offers washing, drying and folding along with ironing.

The Laundry Company charges $3 per pound and ironing is a $4.99 a piece, read the company website.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-628-5546 or by email at MSmith@currentargus.com or @ArgusMichae on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Carlsbad Current-Argus: Mi Tiendita San Juan de Los Lagos offers shopping, dining in Carlsbad