The next stop in the Pioneer Eats Here series kept us in Allen County, more specifically, Downtown Fort Wayne. With Allen County having so many restaurants, we decided to split up the county. The winner for the best restaurant in Downtown Fort Wayne is Mercado!
If you like Mexican food or different takes on Mexican food, Mercado is a spot you should definitely check out. What started out as a food truck (which they continue to operate) and is now located on The Landing, Mercado offers a wide variety of Cali-Mexican food options.
Our group of seven walked in, ordered, and in under 10 minutes, our food was on the table, with steam floating off the hot dishes. Here are our thoughts on the meal and overall experience at Mercado!
Callie – Hongo Al Pastor and Carne Asada Tacos
“To me, you just can’t go wrong with a taco…So I had two of them! The Carne Asada was excellent. The beef was well-seasoned and not dry at all. The guac sauce was really fresh and pulled it all together.
The Hongo Al Pastor Taco. Now this was something I hadn’t seen before, but after trying it, I will certainly never forget it! This is a great vegetarian option with mushrooms as the protein replacement. Although this taco was just filled with veggies, it was also filled with flavor! I also loved the sweetness of the pineapple chutney.
Beans & rice are essential for me, and these did not disappoint.
Mercado’s space is just gorgeous, especially if it’s nice enough to eat outside or inside with the big garage door open. A perfect lunch spot downtown.”
Ashton – Carne Asada and Chori-Queso Tacos
“I got the two-taco combo with rice and beans at Mercado, going with the Carne Asada and the Chori-Queso tacos. The Carne Asada is a classic street taco, but Mercado adds a house-made guacamole sauce that really enhances the flavor of the tacos. The Chori-Queso taco stood out with its fried cheese base on a corn tortilla, layered with chorizo, onion, cilantro, and their house queso. It’s indulgent, cheesy, and full of flavor.
The rice and beans were solid sides, but the real surprise was dessert. Mercado’s Niña Fresa features house-made vanilla bean ice cream with strawberries prepared three ways over a golden Oreo crust. It’s like a strawberry shortcake with a creative twist, and it was excellent.”
Allie – Cali AF and Hongo Al Pastor Tacos
“Mercado knows how to make tacos an experience. Ordering was quick and easy, and within minutes, I had a plate that looked as vibrant as it smelled. I ordered the Taco Combo, featuring my personal favorite Cali AF, with fried cheese, chicken tinga, elote, cilantro, and cotija, and the adventurous Hongo Al Pastor, a smoky, charred Shiitake mushroom taco topped with sweet and tangy Tepache pineapple chutney, onion,s and cilantro that honestly deserves its own fan club.
The Cali AF delivered its signature crunch around the edges from the fried cheese with juicy chicken and fresh sweet corn that made every bite worth the mess. I rounded out the meal with both rice and Mercado’s standout whole-bean refried beans, which were so flavorful and easily the best in town. Bright, bold, and packed with flavor, my plate was a 10 out of 10.”
Davis – Wet Burrito with Carne Asada
“The chips, salsa, and queso we had for appetizers were good, but I had the absolute pleasure of trying the Wet Burrito. I chose carne asada as my protein, and it did not disappoint. The meat was juicy and flavorful. The rice was seasoned well. The burrito itself was covered in queso and red enchilada sauce. All these elements composed a wonderful symphony of flavors. I highly recommend the Wet Burrito, just be prepared to leave with a full stomach or leftovers because it is huge!”
Dan – Hongo al Pastor and Broken Spanish Tacos
” I ordered the Hongo al Pastor and Broken Spanish taco combo. I might have found my new favorite in the Hongo al Pastor. Both were great, but the mushrooms and pineapple chutney was amazing. I can’t wait to go back and keep exploring their great menu!”
Brice – Enchiladas
“This wasn’t my first time going to Mercado, but it was my first time ordering the enchiladas. It was a great choice. They were packed with flavor. From the sauce to the chicken, it was a marriage of spices that had me wanting to go back for more. The rice and beans on the side were a notch above what you would typically get from a Mexican restaurant.
The star of the meal was the complimentary dessert, Niña Fresa. The ice cream was damn good, and the freeze-dried strawberries added a nice texture and burst of flavor. It was a great way to cap off a meal!”
Jonathan – Wet Burrito with Ground Beef
“One of the best burritos not just in Fort Wayne but – period. Ground beef and everything else that belongs in a burrito, and a great house-made red sauce. Not too spicy and delicious. The manager also came and introduced himself with a complimentary dessert for the team! It was a Golden Oreo ice cream strawberry shortcake. They also do it in chocolate!”
This blog series was created to highlight the best restaurants in Northeast Indiana. If you missed out on voting the first time, make sure to follow our social media to vote for your favorite restaurant in one of our 11 counties.
Our previous stops in this series: Caruso’s in Steuben County, Albion Ale House in Noble County, Fulton & Main in Adams County, Botanas Locas in Kosciusko County, Shorty’s Steakhouse in DeKalb County, Destination 814 in LaGrange County, and Harry’s in Wabash County.
Brice Vance is the copywriter and brand strategist for NEI and believes he could eat Mexican food for every meal. He had it three times last week.
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