How is MexicanTown?

[iheartthed]

When you go to Mexicantown, keep in mind that the official "Mexicantown" isn't really where Mexicans live nor where they keep their business.

Really, think of SW Detroit as a "Greater Mexicantown", interspersed with blacks, Puerto Ricans and some Appalachian whites, and you'll get a better picture.

There are really three, maybe four, Mexicantowns within SW.

So official "Mexicantown" is the area around Bagley just west of the train station. Outside of Honeybee Market [[a very good market, possibly the best in Detroit proper), there's little authentic about the area. Almost no one lives there, and the few restaurants serve tourists.

The second Mexicantown is Vernor/Junction, which is the next generation area, and is much more authentic. This area has good restaurants and ok markets. Highly recommended, though area is very tough and gritty. Mexicans are starting to leave this area.
The third Mexicantown is Vernor/Springwells, which is the real Mexican heartland. Biggest and most authentic neighborhood. Best variety of restaurants and markets. Really best of everything authentically Mexican. This is where immigrant extended families buy half a block and settle in.

The fourth Mexicantown is Michigan/Martin. This is really a “Mexicantown Lite”, because the area has tons of blacks and whites, and a pretty big Puerto Rican community. But it’s a definite growth area for Mexicans. Michigan Ave [[really mostly south of Michigan) is fast becoming more Mexican.

I always thought of Vernor/Junction as the "heart of Mexicantown"... Am I alone in that? Maybe it's generational...

However, the last time I went to the Cinco de Mayo activities in that area [[2009) there were a lot of non-Mexican Latinos in the area, including Afro-Latinos which you don't usually see too much outside of NYC.