Market Square
When we are visiting San Antonio’s Market Square, we normally have one destination in mind. So, clutching my umbrella, we rush across the street toward Mi Tierra, passing the back side of La Margarita on our way. Skirting super-sized pickup trucks, damp with dew from the morning mist, we pull open the door of Mi Tierra and walk in. A seemingly mile-long line of humanity hits us in the face. A late breakfast here does not look like a promising happening. I follow Michael, weaving through a forest of bodies to the hostess desk. He opens the adjacent door and walks out into the late morning. I follow.
“Let’s find someplace else,” he says.
Within spying distance are the bright colors of papel picado, gaily dancing in the breeze. Papel (paper)
The gaily colored tissues draw my eye to a sign—La Margarita. The name invites us to explore and we are hungry. Our late brunch is turning into an early lunch.
La Margarita
Our host gives us a welcoming smile and immediately shows us to an inside table, after we say, “No thank you,” to dining outside on this drizzly cold day. Even though the normally inviting tables outdoors are protected by thick plastic sheeting, I just don’t think I will be warm enough. But apparently, some do. They must be from up north. The majority of the diners sitting at tables are happy, hungry Hispanic families and couples. This is a very good sign.
Looking at the menu, brunch easily turns into lunch as I make my choice. It isn’t hard. Born and raised in San Antonio (even if I am a defector), if it is Mexican food, it is enchiladas and tamales that win my heart every time. I want to sample everything—I choose the Mexican Plate and it doesn’t disappoint.
The Mexican Plate at La Margarita
The food is delicious, every bit of it. The beef tacos are a delightful surprise. The ground beef filling is extremely flavorful and moist. With the first bite of the taco at La Margarita’s, I am more than impressed. In many other Mexican restaurants, I am normally biting into plain unseasoned ground beef.
The Borracho beans are soupy and good. For the uninitiated, the word borracho means drunk in Spanish–the beans are cooked in beer along with many other savory, salty things. Michael tells me that the refried beans are also very good. The tamale I love, just because I can’t help myself. The cheesy enchilada taste like San Antonio.
La Margarita in San Antonio
By the time we are ready to depart, I can’t help but notice that La Margarita restaurant is filling with hungry diners. Walking out the door, I am really ready to turn around and walk back in—not because the weather is cold, but because the food was so good. I’ll be back–someday soon. Maybe the next time we are in San Antonio.
San Antonio’s Market Square
For a taste of both old San Antonio and Mexico, Market Square in downtown San Antonio is the place to be. Filled with hundreds of shops, street vendors, and restaurants, it is located at:
514 W. Commerce Street
Shops and street vendors are open daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Restaurants keep their own hours.
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