City: San Antonio, TX

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (210) 207-8600

Description: Bounded by I-35 and Santa Rosa, Dolorosa, and Commerce Streets, this 2-block area embraces 3 special shopping centers: Farmer’s Market Plaza, a renovated former produce market now ripe with crafts and imports after a $2.1 million renovation; an open-­air consortium of specialty boutiques; and El Mercado, the largest Mexican market in the US.The history of Market Square dates back to the early 1800s, to a time when Mexico ruled the settlement of San Antonio de Bejar. The market’s biggest claim to fame lies in the fact that it was the birthplace of chili con carne, the spicy meat and bean mixture now considered the state dish of Texas. In the early 1800s young girls known as “chili queens” sold the concoction from small stands in the market.El Mercado offers the kinds of items that shoppers typically find in a Mexican border town. Styled after a traditional Mexican mercado (market), albeit one that is enclosed and air-­conditioned, El Mercado has merchandise piled to the ceiling. Look for onyx chess sets, ashtrays, painted pottery, silver jewelry, sombreros, and charro hats. The prices here are slightly higher than those found in Mexican border towns, and unlike the fare offered in traditional mercados, the merchandise carries set prices. Prices vary from store to store within the market, and most shops accept major credit cards. (For more on Market Square, see the Shopping chapter.)The stores of Market Square are open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the summer months, closing at 6 p.m. during the winter. Restaurants keep longer hours. Expect most stores to be closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Easter.