Mercados gear up for big Fiesta food fans

Old Spanish Days kicks off Wednesday and along with the festive costumes and music, there’s the food.

For Francisco and Sylvia Fragoso, setting up their booth in De La Guerra Plaza is a labor of love.

This is their 13th year in the same spot, selling the same food for Fiesta at the Mercado.

“Burritos, tacos and chicken quesadillas,” said Francisco.

But one thing has changed over the years — people’s taste for salsa.

“In the beginning, my wife used to make a lot of chili sauce, and we ended up with extra, nobody wanted to have chili sauce. And now she has to make chili sauce every 20 minutes,” he said with a laugh.

Until Old Spanish Days officially kicks off, the food will have to wait. For now, it’s all about the finishing touches on the booths. Come Wednesday at 11 a.m., the booths will be ready for the thousands of customers hungry for everything from funnel cakes to tacos.

All the booths raise money for local non-profit groups. So the more people who come with a big appetite, the better.

“Last year it was busy, we do hope this year will be busier of course. Gratefully we have 98 volunteers from the parish that have signed up so we do have the assistance. I think we’re going to do very well this year,” said Alma Ruth Baja with Holy Cross Church.

Besides the food, visitors can enjoy crafts, souvenirs and live music every day during Fiesta.

2013 Slideshow: Mercados preparations