Mercado Tacubaya Becerra

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The Mercado Tacubaya Becerra is the other – big – Tacubaya market. In fact, it’s a few markets. This market area stretches over a good city block. It’s also been operating for the last 70 years. The market area, something like a downtown, extends to the concrete walls of the Viaducto highway. This is the corner with the San Juan Bautista church. Painted in market colors, the walls make it seem even that much bigger.

For lots of residents, it’s the preferred Tacubaya market because it’s less frenetic than the Cartagena Market. Close as that one is to the Metro station, it’s quite a bit more hectic. Here, south of the Viaducto highway that cuts Tacubaya in two, you get the old Tlacateco neighborhood, sometimes called Becerra (for the street). The result is a glimpse into how Tacubaya really perceives of itself without quite the same traffic.

It’s still busy here. But the south Tacubaya neighborhood gives you insight into the hills for which the ancient (and colonial) town was well known. From some street intersections, you even get something of a view. It can even feel like a small town.

For the Food

But hit the Mercado Tacubaya Becerra for eating. International visitors are not likely to load up on produce (though some will be nice). Rather, head for the comida corrida. The result for you is better, fresher food. Supporting local merchants is nice too. But as you may realize, the fondas and eateries in the market get their food from the market.

This market is also a major community center. Their Facebook page is loaded with history, insights, and things going on in and around the neighborhood. And as mentioned with other public markets, in Mexico City, those with the most social media presence are also likely to be the markets most welcoming to outsiders.