Market Square is a three-block outdoor plaza lined with shops, and restaurants in downtown San Antonio, Texas. Market Square is the largest Mexican market in the United States. The “El Mercado” section has 32 specialty shops and the “Farmer’s Market Plaza” section has 80. “Mi Tierra Cafe Y Panaderia” and “La Margarita Mexican Restaurant & Oyster Bar” are the major eateries, but snack and specialty foods are available at other shops. Market Square is the site of Cinco de Mayo in central San Antonio and many other fiestas throughout the year.
Historic Market Square thrives today on a plaza that was gifted to the original settlers “for their use and entertainment” by the King of Spain in 1730. Throughout the early years the plazas of San Antonio were lively marketplaces, where vendors sold fresh produce, beef, venison, wild turkeys, honey and pecans.
At nightfall, the famous “Chili Queens” took over from the vendors and presided over stalls lit by distinctive glass lanterns, selling steaming bowlfuls of the spicy beef stew that they cooked at home and hauled into the market in huge earthenware ollas. The women and their trade were memorialized by O. Henry and other writers who were enchanted with the festive atmosphere and exotic fare they dished out.
According to en.wikipedia.org. Source of photos: internet
