El Gran Mercado

Last Saturday, I had quite possibly the greatest ever agua fresca here. You have to go on Saturday when the open air flea market is open and rockin. It’s like a party out there. Guys selling chopped up mangos with lime and chilis, jewelries, dvd’s (100% authentic guaranteed ;)), clothes, electronics, old nintendo systems.
Anyways, aguas frescas. There’s this kind lady that prepares them fresh. You’ll find her stall tucked away in the back corner, like a barely visible gem. She makes the aguas frescas the real way – with fresh fruits – no high fructose corn syrup sweetened sugar crap water. I got the mango agua fresca. Nice sized cup for 1 FREAKIN DOLLAR! It was really the BEST DOLLAR I EVER SPENT. The agua fresca tasted like someone took a mango and squeezed all the delicious juice out. I quickly got another one. Tamarindo. Knockout GOOD. I was ready to drink more but my stomach was too full. It had tapped out due to deliciousness.
I’ll be back! I love you kind woman who only speaks Spanish. This spot is a true hidden gem deep in East side.

TThe lady who does the eyebrow threading is amazing!

This place… you’ll find everything, from cheap fake jewelry to food, tacos and old electronics… reminiscent of any «3^rd world country» market… i love it!
Makes me feel like I’m at home every time I walk into this little diamond in a rough of a place in central Austin. I know organic is the thing to do now, but these people have been doing for centuries: go to any flea market overran with a hispanic population and you’ll find vegetables and fruits grown in their own backyard.
If I want boots for work (yes I am a laborer) I’ll go there and get them for 35 bucks… yes I know that’s nice. Wait, what? I want some tacos and paletas? it’s ok, it’s covered… and take some nice cooked pumpkin seeds to snack along while I’m driving home.
Along the sides of the streets you’ll see used cars for sale sold by the owners themselves… a car sales cooperative… or a… whatever…too tired…