El Mercado, a fresh Mexican food concept intended to have a good mix of Tex-Mex infused, is set to bring its authenticity and cantaritos to San Antonio next year. A permit for the Mexico City-inspired concept details that the eatery will open its doors at 7807 W Loop 1604 N. in the El Portico at Shaenfield.
In a conversation with one of the three men behind the culinary venture, What Now San Antonio learned and confirmed that construction on El Mercado is expected to begin by the end of October, and it will be quick. Co-Owner Rodrigo Orraca shared that he intends to wrap up construction in four months and plans to open by March 2026 at the latest.
Rodrigo is working with his father, Manuel, who created and grew the brand in Mexico many years ago, in hopes of bringing the business to the States.
“The situation in Mexico is not the best, so we’re working to move all of the operations to San Antonio,” Orraca said.
The father-son duo decided to collaborate on a project outside of Mexico four years ago, opening its first restaurant, Salsita, almost three years ago.
Even though Rodrigo is attempting to take this new concept out of Mexico, he won’t take Mexico out of El Mercado. The vision for the new Mexican Tex-Mex-infused spot is inspired by the Mexican markets strung along the streets of Mexico City, as the name suggests.
El Mercado will offer a behind-the-counter service, a place where you can pick up quick but memorable dishes with bold, explosive flavors.
“It’s definitely going to be very colorful, fresh, and very authentic,” Orraca said.
“We’ve been working really hard to be able to have that good mix where we can offer authentic flavors, but also for locals, we are going to have some of the most popular Tex-Mex dishes.”
Executive chef and part-owner, Gabriel Jimenez, will lead the charge in the kitchen. Orraca shared that he intends to have a variety of authentic Mexican dishes and customizable bowls.
With a liquor license on hand, Orraca shared that El Mercado will be ready to serve up Margaritas and the traditional Mexican cocktail that is from Jalisco, made with tequila, fresh citrus juices, and grapefruit soda, known as cantarito.
This project is the catalyst for moving Rodrigo’s father’s creation out of Mexico and onto the streets of Texas.
“It’s very important for us because it’s the first step for that growth project that we have,” he said.
Based on how El Mercado at 7807 W Loop 1604 N. pans out, you may soon see more versions of the new Mexican-market inspired restaurant open all over the city, starting with another opening sometime next year.
For now, the Orraca father-son duo and executive chef Jimenez are forging forward toward bringing El Mercado to life in the El Portico at Shaenfield by March of 2026.
