Pinquito Beans

[Porthos]

Pinquito beans are a part of the traditional Santa Maria BBQ which my 29 y-o daughter said she wouldn't mind having sometime soon. I went on-line to Rancho Gordo's web site and found them. The $8.00 shipping charge is more than 1 1/2 times the cost of the 1 pound bag of beans. That is more than I am comfortable paying since it would make 1 pound of beans cost $12.95. They're good and they're authentic but...

Can anyone tell me of a less expensive internet source or if they can be found in western San Bernardino County, the east end of Los Angeles County, or the north end of Orange County?

[heidih]

Albertsons stocks them in Morro Bay. Maybe ask the manager of your local one if he can get them?

[Pierogi]

I've seen them at one of the local SoCal chains for sure, routinely. It may have been Albertson's, but I'm thinking maybe it was Vons/Pavilions. Or possibly Stater Bros. They're not that rare, at least in my neck of SoCal. Couldn't hurt to check all the ones local to you.

[Priscilla]

It's been a while, but I've seen bags of pinquitos in supermarket produce departments in Orange County...

I think Stater Brothers, but possibly Albertsons as well.

[IrishCream]

I had the same dilemma last week. I had planned to make Santa Maria-style BBQ for house guests. I've found them in Mexican markets in the SF Bay area but there are none to be had in my new location. I used Pinto Beans. They turned out delicious. I wouldn't sweat it. Pinto Beans are a bit bigger but by the time I added all the additional ingredients, the taste difference was not noticeable.

[Porthos]

I will check Albertsons and Stater Bros. I've checked at Ralphs and Vons. I have to be in Orange County tomorrow so if I can make time I will check there.

[Pierogi]

As I was reorganizing, for the 57th time this month, my pasta/bean cupboard this afternoon, a couple of other possible outlets popped into my mind. Fresh 'N' Easy seems to have a very good selection of dried beans. I can't say I've specifically found, nor looked for, pinquitos there, but I did just score a bag of dried cranberry beans I have not seen anywhere else locally. And although you've said you checked at Ralphs, and Food 4 Less is a Kroger operation, Food 4 Less seems to cater to a more Hispanic audience than some of the other chains. They might have them as well, and possibly in the bulk produce section too.

Good luck on the hunt !