Blessed by a priest and serenaded by live mariachi and Folklorico dancers, Northgate Market kicked off the grand opening of their new venture, Mercado González in Costa Mesa last week.
The 70,000-square-foot store, similar in look to its sister storefronts, is much bigger and even more packed with authentic Mexican flavors at every turn. Walking in to the aroma of warm tortillas and churros, you immediately notice the openness. It’s spacious and easy to get lost in all of its glory.
Mercado González opened last Friday and is designed to reflect Mexican mercados like Oaxaca's Mercado de Artesenías, where vendors of ingredients and goods mix with stalls selling their cooking. It looks like an indoor swap meet inside, filled with traditional spices and warm foods to artisanal items and Mexican goods for home.
According to the González family, the intention behind the Mercado was to take people on a journey “through the heart and soul of Mexican cuisine.” To do this, they've imported several iconic Mexican restaurants and their specialties to Costa Mesa, too, like the warm churros and seven types of hot chocolate offered at El Moro, one of the vendors at the new complex.
Behind El Moro’s white walls and glass, you will see familiar faces fitted with blue aprons stirring hot chocolate and frying some of the best churros you will have in the U.S. One bite into the perfect crispy and cinnamon-coated treat and you are sure to be transported to your last trip to Mexico City.