Hey, readers, get ready. We're putting new meaning into the term "street food." For Chow Bella's latest mission -- "Eating 16th Street" -- we've employed a young woman who's literally eaten her way around the world. Alex Rodriguez has eaten borscht in Moscow, steak in Buenos Aires and a "life-changing panna cotta" in Bra, a small town in the Piemonte region of Italy. Now we've set her palate loose on Central Phoenix's 16th Street. Rodriguez will try it all, from Jefferson Street north to Thomas Road -- and report back, place by place.
The Place: Dulceria Mayra's Y Mas
The Food: Mexican candies and party goods
The Backstory: Open for 14 years, including eight on 16th Street.
The Price: Up to $7 for large bags of candies
Let's face it. Parties are a pain in the ass to plan. They're time-consuming, and they require attention to detail, and careful organization, am I right? Unless you're the type of party planner who just puts a bowl of Tostitos and salsa in the middle of the room and calls it a day. If so, more power to you.
But for the rest of us who care about functions (and our party-planning reputations), this life is hard work.
That's why we're thankful Dulceria Mayra's has our back. Mayra Ramirez herself will help you navigate her store. Whether you need piñatas, or balloons, or candies, or even lime juice (hello, how else do you make margaritas if fresh limes aren't on hand?), Mayra's has all of the necessary tools to make your pachanga worthwhile.
The neat thing about Mayra's is that she offers party packages to make it more convenient for your fiesta planning. That means you can buy a package including balloons, piñatas, tables, chairs, a bounce house, etc. cheaper than buying all those things separately from different stores.
Ramirez told us she had two other locations (one on 21st and McDowell and one on 13th and McDowell) before she made 16th Street her store's home. She runs the place herself.
Behind the store, there is an entire room dedicated to piñatas - it's really a child's dream. It's impossible to stand up and not have the paper mache frills graze your forehead. They vary in size and price but you won't have a problem getting a nice one for around 15 bucks.
You'll also find un monton (a ton) of Mexican confections not limited to the most commonly known sweets like spicy-sweet tamarind jarros.
The store itself is tiny, most especially if you're just in the front. But inside, Ramirez has cake toppers for weddings and quinces, and custom photo albums, and packets of Klass (the Mexican equivalent to Kool-Aid). You'll find what you need to get your party going.
Eating 16th Street So Far: Eating 16th Street: Let's Begin at Pollo Sabroso La Frontera Taco Truck: A Hit and a Run Asadero Norte de Sonora: Family Friendly and Fit for a King Mariscos Playa Hermosa: From the Shores of Mexico to a Colorful Central Phoenix Restaurant Salsitas: Blame it on the Alcohol Pro's Ranch Market: Contents of a Fiesta Under One Roof Filiberto's: My Burrito of Sorrow La Cocina Economica: Bringing Familia from the Kitchen to the Table Hacienda El Bar-Ril: Central Phoenix Home to Diamond Tacos de Cabeza
