El Burrito Mercado is a family-owned Mexican marketplace, deli, restaurant, and cantina at 175 Cesar Chavez St, St Paul, Minnesota 55107, United States of America, in the West Side’s District del Sol. Tomas and Maria Silva, immigrants from Aguascalientes, established the business in 1979 in an 800-square-foot shop selling groceries and tortillas. Travelers come for tamales, guisados, Mexican pantry ingredients, and artisan-made gifts—and for a meal inside a longstanding neighborhood institution.
What to Expect at El Burrito Mercado
This is more than a cafeteria-style lunch stop. The business moved to its present address in 1995 and expanded into a roughly 13,000-square-foot former furniture store. Grocery aisles, a meat department, deli, bakery, restaurant, and cantina share the complex. Browse cooking spices, peppers, produce, and imported home décor before eating; the arts and crafts are selected directly from Mexican artisans. The shopping component makes this especially rewarding for travelers interested in ingredients and everyday food culture.
For lunch, start with a guisado platter: a choice of prepared meat or vegetable dishes accompanied by sides and tortillas. Other options include enchiladas del día, a sauce-covered burrito ahogado, and tacos with rice and beans. Breakfast brings huevos con nopalitos—eggs scrambled with cactus—and a chilaquiles-birria bowl. The online ordering menu also lists chicken and pork tamales and refrigerated guisados for taking home. Choose between a quick food purchase and a longer restaurant meal rather than expecting one uniform service format.
- Guisado platters: Sample prepared dishes with tortillas and two sides.
- Tamales to take away: Chicken and pork varieties appear on the grab-and-go menu.
- Mexican pantry shopping: Browse peppers, spices, specialty groceries, and fresh produce.
- Artisan gifts: Find imported crafts and home décor selected in Mexico.
- Seasonal corn stand: Outdoor elote adds another reason to visit when weather permits.
El Burrito Mercado at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 175 Cesar Chavez St, St Paul, MN 55107 |
| Neighborhood / Area | West Side; District del Sol |
| Operating Hours | Mercado: Monday–Thursday 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; Friday–Saturday 8:30 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 a.m.–7 p.m. Restaurant: Tuesday–Thursday and Sunday 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; Friday–Saturday 8:30 a.m.–8:30 p.m. Call about Monday restaurant service. Deli and cantina keep separate hours. |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | Free public entry; food, drinks, and merchandise purchased separately. No sightseeing ticket. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | Allow 45–90 minutes for shopping and a meal. |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Free parking lot at the rear entrance; street parking also listed. Check current Metro Transit connections before traveling. |
| Official Website / Phone | El Burrito Mercado; +1 651-227-2192 |
Use the department-specific official hours when planning: the deli closes earlier than the market, and the cantina is closed Mondays. The restaurant’s location page does not list Monday hours.
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
For an unhurried first visit, aim for late morning before lunch, leaving time to compare deli options and browse the shelves. Reserve restaurant seating through the official website; reservations are accepted online only. Pickup and delivery orders also go online rather than by telephone. Drivers should look for the free lot behind the building. Transit riders should check current routing to the Cesar Chavez Street and State Street area; restaurant transit information lists routes 68 and 71, but consult the live journey planner before departure.
The restaurant is listed as wheelchair accessible. Call ahead to identify the best entrance, discuss restroom access, and request suitable table space for a wheelchair or stroller; do not assume every market aisle offers the same maneuvering room. For a neighborhood extension, consider nearby Parque Castillo or continue along Cesar Chavez Street toward Boca Chica Restaurante. Allow roughly 5–15 minutes for these short neighborhood connections, adjusting for crossings and winter conditions. Treat the mercado as your meal-and-shopping anchor rather than rushing through it between stops.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I visit?
Late morning is a practical choice for shopping followed by lunch. Market opening times vary by day, and the deli closes at 6 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and 7 p.m. Friday–Saturday.
Is admission free, and do I need reservations?
There is no admission ticket for ordinary shopping or dining. Pay for purchases individually; use the official website for restaurant reservations, which are accepted online only.
How much time should I budget?
Allow 45–90 minutes for browsing and eating. Set aside longer if you want restaurant service, drinks, and a careful look through the imported gifts and grocery departments.
Is it suitable for families and wheelchair users?
The casual restaurant-and-market format works for a family meal, and wheelchair access is listed. Discuss seating and entrance needs ahead of arrival. For dietary planning, the shared kitchen and bakery cannot guarantee gluten-free food.
When planning your Saint Paul travel guide or comparing verified nightlife and mexican restaurant in Saint Paul, pair this stop with standout local spots including Red Cow St. Paul, Science Museum of Minnesota, Big River Pizza, and The Covington Inn (1.8 km away).
