Vallarta Supermarkets opens second Modesto location. How are they different?
After 13 years, the former Raley’s grocery store site in Modesto’s Century Center has been filled.
Vallarta Supermarkets opened its second Modesto location Wednesday. The other store opened in the long-empty Save Mart anchor unit on Pelandale Avenue in February.
The grand opening at 2401 E Orangeburg Ave., Suite 250, debuted a “brand new style of store with a modern design rooted in Mexican and Latin food culture,” the company said in a statement. It blends the “vibrant, culinary spirit of Mexico City with the relaxed, coastal charm of Puerto Vallarta.”
Open views “invite guests to watch everything from masa made in traditional nixtamal tanks to custom cake decorating and fresh ceviche preparation,” the statement said.
There are more than 10 specialty departments, according to the company, including:
Guacamole station — customizable, freshly made guacamole and pico de gallo
Sushi — sushi rolls made daily, with multiple options to choose from
La Isla — freshly pressed fruit and vegetable juices, as well as Vallarta’s signature aguas frescas in a variety of flavors
La Fruteria — fruit bowls topped with Tajin, chamoy, lime juice and salt
Cremería — Vallarta’s version of a traditional deli, offering a selection of house-made cremas and Latin American cheeses
Panaderia — a variety of Latin American baked goods, as well as hand-decorated cakes and sweets made fresh daily
Carniceria — a variety of American meat cuts and premium cuts not commonly carried at other supermarkets
Tortilleria — corn and flour tortillas made fresh in-house with high-quality corn, soaked and boiled for 24 hours, ground with volcanic rock and then cooked
La Cocina — ready-made Mexican and Central American meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Dulcería — candy section with an array of authentic dulces from Mexico and Central America, as well as piñatas, goody bags, games and traditional decor
Florería — flower arrangements from local growers, as well as potted plants
The Century Center store also offers smoothies at its juice bar, which the Pelandale store does not.
The company launched the smoothie line in early July, with only seven of its more than 55 stores participating. The drinks cost less than $9 each, according to a July news release.
Smoothie flavors, according to the release, include:
Mango De Fuego — mango, Goya coconut milk, black pepper, raw honey, lime, Tajin, Amor chamoy
Caribe — pineapple, mango, dragon fruit, Micro Ingredients organic blue spirulina, Vallarta Hass avocado
Tropikale — pineapple, kale, fresh ginger, pineapple juice, lime, black pepper
Encanto de fresa — strawberry, Justin’s almond butter, flax seed, Greek yogurt, almond milk, organic blue agave
Cafe del sol — Vallarta’s Signature Cafe de Olla, Sunbutter sunflower butter, oat milk, cajeta, sea salt, flax seed, Guittard cocoa nibs, Micro Ingredients collagen
Fruta de fuerza — banana, Micro Ingredients protein, Justin’s almond butter, Greek yogurt, chia seed, raw honey, almond milk
Vallarta is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
This story was originally published August 27, 2025 at 4:10 PM.
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