I like Green Mountain Gringo; I normally buy the mild, because I’m a spice wimp for various reasons. I also like the medium.
I don’t like chunky salsa, either, so I just put it in the blender for a bit.
ETA: Robot_Arm beat me to the brand suggestion!
Mrs. Renfro’s.
I’m not sure I’ve ever had store-bought “normal” salsa I’ve actually liked. If they have a deli counter with fresh pico de gallo, that’s my go to.
Otherwise, I find Newman’s Own Peach Salsa to be weird enough to not just register as “bad salsa” to me. Or any brand of “Salsa con Queso” in a jar, which is far enough removed from both salsa AND cheese.
This stuff is good. You have to buy a case, but is that really a problem? Besides, you can mix and match.
The Aztec Soltelo is my fave.
Herdez Salsa Casera. Failing that, Embasa Salsa Mexicana. An added plus is they are available in small cans (8 oz., I think) just the right size for a serving, so you never have an open jar sitting around staling.
I like the refrigerated Sabra stuff for the cooked kind of salsa. The deli at my local Jewel also makes a pineapple salsa I like a lot, plus hot or mild pico de gallo that’s good mixed with the pineapple. I also enjoy a cheat with those fresh salsas and add diced avocado to them, to make a not-guacamole.
Oh, and my new favorite chips are by a Texas company, Xochitl chips in blue corn.
Beyond Cita’s Salsa (mentioned by me upthread), I’m kind of partial to El Fenix’s salsa, peculiar as it is. I can buy it in jars though.
Out of curiosity, what mom and pop joint do you go to?
Great fresh salsa and a good cause. They make the best tasting tortilla chips, too.
Pace medium.
Third!
My favorite is a local brand called Senor Stan’s. However, the owner died a few years ago and for a while they quit making it. Then I heard that a relative (his brother maybe?) had taken over and was making it again, but I wasn’t seeing it in the stores. I finally stumbled across it on an endcap near the dairy case where they keep the parmesan and Velveeta. Why they decided to stock it there instead of the salsa aisle I have no idea, but at least now I know where to find it.
I’ll have to fifth Mrs. Renfro’s, I pretty much don’t buy any other brand at this point. I prefer the jalapeno hot, but any of them are damn good.
I like Pace’s salsa ('cos it’s chunkier,) but the taste is pretty much the same as their picante sauce. only difference is in consistency.
I like salsa, and I don’t really find most store bought salsas all that objectionable. That being said, there is a mom and pop grocery store in the mostly Hispanic section of my home town that has wonderful salsa. It is on my way home from work, and I stop there often.
Another vote for Pace- I like it chunky. Was always the family standby in the olden days and there is something vinegary about the taste that is addicting. It will work with any salsa but Pace makes the best chip dip if you soften cream cheese and pile sliced avocados and salsa on top.
Likewise. I take the medium in this: I can’t do spicy the way I used to be able to, but this has enough to keep my taste buds happy while not making my gut miserable.
I normally prefer the refrigerated salsa over the jarred, but lots seem to like Mrs. Renfro so I’ll have to give it a try.
Newman’s Own Tequila Lime.
This sounds absolutely ridiculously good for some reason and it’s making my mouth water. If it weren’t raining and I hadn’t done my errands for the day already, I would go to the store just to get these ingredients so I could eat it while watching NASCAR tonight.
Sigh.
Mrs. Renfro’s and some of the Rick Bayless salsas are quite good.
My personal favorites all come from Trader Joes - Their pico de gallo is very fresh tasting. They now have a verde called Hatch Valley Salsa which is the best green salsa I’ve found in jars. And I love their Habenero-Lime salsa. None of them pack heat, but all are very flavorful.