Mercado Sifón, Atlazolpa

The Mercado Sifón is the public market in Magdalena Atlazolpa. Atlazolpa is one of the 15 original villages in Iztapalapa. The market also serves the neighboring communities of Purisima Atlazolpa and Apatlaco, all of them nearly in the shadow of the giant Abastos market to the immediate east. A small neighborhood market like this plays an important role. It’s name derives from the larger neighborhood to the south of the Pueblo Atlazolpa.

Opened in 1970, the market like many in Mexico City was, early on, intended to provide fixed locations for some of the neighborhood’s street vendors. They’ll still swell onto the sidewalks on the Calle Sta María to the market’s west. Like a trip into the past, the market has a nice mix of indoor-outdoor facilities so it retains a lot of the flavor of the historical tianguis.

Just a few minutes walk from the Apatlaco Metro station, the Mercado Sifón is also the perfect place for lunch. Lots of independent vendors sell food that’s seemingly impossibly fresh. You’re supporting those small businesses and even the farmers from the surrounding countryside.

If you’ve never eaten in the public market, we wrote up some tips for lost international visitors. It’s not difficult and otherwise purely local eateries will be glad to have you.