Hispanic Heritage Month takes place from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 in celebration of the contributions, history and culture of the Hispanic diaspora across the U.S. San Antonio hosts many events throughout the month in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Cuisine in San Antonio has an array of food offerings and has been designated a United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization Creative City of Gastronomy.
Plantaquería is a plant-based Mexican restaurant located downtown offering tacos, tortas and aguas frescas, clearly exemplifying the creativity of restaurant owners and cooks in San Antonio.
Located in the Pullman Market, Mezquite shows off the flavors of Sonora, Mexico. The restaurant offers ceviche, seafood, tacos and grilled meats. Currently, “Guac & Mezcal Nights” are held every Sunday and Wednesday evening. At the event, patrons are taught how to perfect their guacamole while drinking some Mexican Mezcal. There is also “Thursday Night Tequila Tastings + Mariachi” with a mariachi band performing while tasting curated tequilas.
San Antonio honors its history year round, but this month may be the perfect time to go out and see some cultural sites, such as the Casa Navarro Historic Site.
The Casa Navarro Historic Site is the previous home to José Antonio Navarro, one of two native Texans who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence. This home was named a National Historic Landmark in 2017 after having only been a Texas State Historic Landmark since 1962. Reservations must be made in order to visit this historic site.
Historic Market Square, also known as El Mercado in Spanish, is filled to the brim with Mexican culture as the largest Mexican market in the U.S. This three-block plaza is home to over 100 shops and restaurants in downtown San Antonio. Mexican cuisine, such as Mi Tierra and La Margarita, is also located in El Mercado, making for a great shopping trip with outstanding food.
Hispanic-owned businesses are also thriving in San Antonio, with stores like Janie’s Record Shop established by Juanita G. Esparza in 1985. The store was created with the aim of sharing music with others who love it. This record shop is home to many new releases and tracks that may be difficult to find. Aside from just physical media, the shop sells a vinyl cleaning kit with instructions and gift certificate for a music-obsessed loved one looking for their choice of record.
San Antonio knows how to keep festivities going for Hispanic Heritage Month, and these recommendations are just the tip of the iceberg.
