"Algo Especial is excellent for picking up otherwise hard-to-find traditional Mexican ingredients — like dried pipian seeds, epazote leaves, and cactus paddles — perfect for those moments when you’re looking to broaden your repertoire in the kitchen or recreate Abuela’s home cooking. The shop is also known for its selection of distinctly fluffy tamales: pork with mole rojo, chicken in salsa verde, rajas and cheese, and sweet, bright-red strawberry or pineapple." - Serena Maria Daniels