Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado serving up homemade family tradition

Many locals will tell you, if you are looking for the most authentic Old Spanish Days food head to Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado.

It’s the sense of family and tradition that fills the heart and stomach.

“How can you not not be here, this is the place to be to get your best food ever,” said Anthony Rodriguez, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish.

For many, Fiesta doesn’t officially start until the gates at Our Lady of Guadalupe Mercado open for the weekend.

“I come back for the tortas and the food here at Guadalupe,” said Lisa Corral.

Corral makes the trek from Texas every year.

“We have 111 weather right now so we come back for the cool days for Fiesta,” said Corral.

So what brings folks like Corral back year after year? “Homemade 100%,” said said.

It’s the love you can taste in every bite that makes Santa Barbara’s best kept secret feel like home.

“It’s literally authentic and then these families have been doing it for so many years, I mean we watched these kids grow up. They’re all volunteers and it’s all family oriented and that’s why it’s one of the best,” said Rodriguez.

The homemade tradition will be serving everything from tamales to cotton candy at 227 North Nopal Street until Sunday evening.