Nearly every weekend, San Antonio’s Historic Market Square comes to life with authentic Mexican heritage, shopping, and delicious tex-mex food, so I decided to check it out.
As I drove into town, I wasn’t exactly sure where the market was, but it quickly became clear … follow the mariachi band … and the people.
I parked a few blocks away and simply followed the sounds and crowds. It led me right to the square. There, about four city blocks are taken over by a traditional Mexican market.
Cultural Historic Market Square
The San Antonio Market Square has been part of the community since the 1820s. With over 100 vendors, they say Historic Market Square is the largest “El Mercado” remaining in the United States. I’m told it really gets going during holidays like Día de Los Muertos and Cinco de Mayo. They often host live entertainment and dancing.
I’ve been to Mexico a few times and Historic Market Square is as authentic as it comes to a real Mexican market. If what makes it “real” are the people, the ambiance, the food, music, culture and crafts, then it is, in fact, a real Mexican market.
The Market in Historic Market Square
As they have for hundreds of years, people milled about listening to music and drinking the many different versions of Margaritas with tamarindo straws from the street vendors.
Fun fact: A tamarind straw is a regular straw wrapped in tamarind fruit and coconut sugar rolled in chili powder. (Delicious)
I didn’t go for the alcohol, but I didn’t pass by the fresh churro stand without stopping. As I watched, the women at the stall mixed the dough and dropped them fresh into boiling oil. They charged me $5 for four churros and some chocolate dipping sauce. I’d happily pay double they were so good.
The cobbled streets are lined with shops and restaurants – everything Mexican. From the food to the traditional Mexican clothing and leather goods. It was a hand-crafted and diverse collection of culturally-themed merchandise.
Shopping
Aside from the stores and restaurants lining the street, dozens of vendors make their crafts from carts and stalls while you watch in the Historic Market Square. Another prominent building is set up like a flea market with even more Mexican imports and handiwork, clothing, jewelry and art.
Outside, people, shopped, ate, drank and danced in the street. Multi-color flags hung across the buildings giving the entire square an even more lively atmosphere.
Historic Market Square is open on weekends, 10 am – 4 pm. Find it at 514 W Commerce, San Antonio, TX 78207.
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