Market Square

514 W. Commerce, downtown, (210) 207-8600. Free.

Take in the town’s lively culture in this three-block outdoor plaza near city center. The largest Mexican market in the U.S., the streets of Market Square are lined with restaurants, shops, and produce stands. Mariachi bands and dancers sometimes entertain, and many Hispanic festivals are held here.

Market Square in San Antonio, Texas

El Mercado

A large indoor market contains shops and stalls that sell a plethora of items from Mexico. You’ll find everything from hand-embroidered dresses to leather belts. We bought a souvenir mini-pinata plus three identical children’s brooms for my three little granddaughters.

El Mercado at Market Square in San Antonio, Texas

merchandise at El Mercado at Market Square in San Antonio, Texas

Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia

218 Produce Row, (210) 225-1262. Open 24 hours. No reservations.

Christmas decor at Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia at Market Square
in San Antonio, Texas

Begun in the 1940s as a small breakfast cafe for farmers, cheery Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia is still run by the same family but has grown into a sprawling restaurant with many dining rooms and a separate bakery. Diners can choose seating at tables, in booths, or at a counter, and elaborate Christmas decor adds to the festive atmosphere. Breakfast here is a must. That’s when you can order chilaquiles, the Machacado Mexican omelette with shredded beef jerky, and menudo to help ease away the excesses of drinking too much the night before.

Christmas decor at Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia at Market Square
in San Antonio, Texas

And at lunch and dinner you can choose from a vast array of Tex-Mex specialties--think flautas, enchiladas verdes (my favorite), and housemade tamales. These rinse down well with Tequila, beer, or a fruit-flavored margarita. Mariachis will play a song for $5. A separate panaderia sells an assortment of mouth-watering pan dulces (sweet breads) and cookies, which you can eat in house or take home. Get a handful of guava campechanas or a bag full of the famous pecan pralines to nibble on.

bakery at Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia at Market Square
in San Antonio, Texas

pan dulces at Mi Tierra Cafe y Panaderia at Market Square
in San Antonio, Texas

Be sure to take a look at the detailed “American Dream” wall mural painted by resident artist Robert Ytuarte. Look closely to pick out celebrities Carlos Santana, Cheech Marin, and Eva Longoria. The Cortez family also operates several other restaurant in town.