1st Choice Foods in Oklahoma City: Bulk Discount Grocery with Strong Latin American Selection

1st Choice Foods is a discount grocer on the city's south side specializing in bulk-purchase pricing and a deep inventory of Latin American staples, particularly items tied to Mexican and Central American cuisine. It operates as a single-location, family-run store rather than a chain, and its model centers on lower per-unit costs for shoppers willing to buy larger quantities or less-common brands.

What 1st Choice Foods actually is

The store functions as a hybrid between a traditional discount grocer and a Latin American specialty market. The produce section emphasizes fresh chiles, plantains, and herbs like cilantro and epazote at prices typically 20 to 40 percent lower than standard supermarket chains. The dry goods section stocks bulk quantities of rice, beans, and flour under both mainstream and regional brands. A meat counter offers cuts and preparations common in Latin American cooking, including fresh chorizo, carnitas, and beef tongue, often at lower per-pound rates than conventional grocers in Oklahoma City. The dairy section includes queso fresco, Mexican crema, and shelf-stable milk varieties imported from Mexico and Central America.

The store does not operate as a membership club; any shopper can walk in and purchase items at the posted prices. It is not a warehouse format and operates out of a standard retail footprint on South Western Avenue.

Services, pricing, and what to expect at checkout

1st Choice Foods sells groceries at per-item and per-pound rates. Produce prices fluctuate seasonally; fresh serrano peppers typically run $0.99 to $1.49 per pound depending on season. Bulk dried beans cost $0.50 to $1.00 per pound when purchased in quantities of five pounds or more. Fresh chorizo runs $4.00 to $5.50 per pound. Imported canned goods and packaged items priced at $1.00 to $3.00 per unit are common across Latin American brands not widely stocked at Walmart or Crest Foods.

The store accepts cash and card payments. There is no online ordering or delivery service; shopping happens in-store only. Returns follow a basic grocer policy; produce and perishables are expected to be consumed fresh rather than returned.

How 1st Choice Foods compares to other Oklahoma City grocers

Standard Oklahoma City supermarkets like Crest Foods and Whole Foods on Nichols Hills Parkway charge higher per-pound rates on fresh produce and specialty items. A pound of fresh cilantro at a Crest location will cost $1.99 to $2.49; at 1st Choice Foods, it typically runs $0.99. Mexican imports and regional brands are stocked sparingly at mainstream chains or sourced through international sections at premium markups.

Walmart Neighborhood Markets and Save-A-Lot offer low overall prices but carry a narrower selection of Latin American staples and fresh specialty produce. 1st Choice Foods prioritizes depth in its Latin American offerings over variety in other categories; shoppers seeking mainstream US brand diversity will find less selection here than at larger chains.

For shoppers cooking Latin American cuisine regularly or buying for a household of multiple people, the per-unit savings at 1st Choice Foods justify a dedicated trip. For occasional specialty purchases or conventional American groceries, a mainstream supermarket in northwest Oklahoma City remains more convenient and broader in range.

Who this store suits and who it does not

The store is built for households regularly purchasing fresh chiles, cilantro, beans, rice, and meat cuts like chorizo and carnitas. Home cooks preparing Mexican, Salvadoran, Guatemalan, or other Central American dishes will find ingredients here at lower costs than specialty sections at larger chains. Bulk buyers preparing for large meals or stocking staples benefit from per-pound discounts on dried goods.

It does not suit shoppers seeking a one-stop destination for all grocery needs or anyone looking for prepared foods, deli hot cases, or bakery service. Those with strong brand loyalty to national products will find limited selection. Shoppers without access to a vehicle face a less convenient location than supermarkets in more central Oklahoma City neighborhoods.

What the first visit involves

Parking is available in a small lot adjacent to the storefront. The interior is organized by category: produce near the entrance, dry goods and canned items mid-store, refrigerated sections along the back wall, and a meat counter on the south side. Staff speak English and Spanish. First-time shoppers should bring a list tied to specific recipes or bulk items they intend to purchase; browsing without a plan leads to uncertainty about shelf-stable versus perishable items and appropriate quantities for household use.

No self-checkout is available; transactions happen at a single register or two, depending on traffic. The checkout line moves steadily during off-peak hours but can develop a short queue during evening and weekend times.

Hours, parking, and logistics

1st Choice Foods operates Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (verify current hours before an evening or Sunday visit, as holiday adjustments occur). The storefront sits on South Western Avenue, roughly three miles south of downtown Oklahoma City, accessible by car. Parking is free and on-site. Public transit access is limited; this location is best reached by personal vehicle.

1st Choice Foods fills a specific gap in Oklahoma City's grocery landscape: deep discounts on Latin American staples and produce that mainstream chains treat as niche additions rather than primary stock. For cooks committed to those cuisines and price-conscious shoppers, it eliminates the need to pay specialty markups elsewhere in the city.