Huipulco Lunch Market

The Huipulco Lunch Market is one of those places that puts the test to those who say all Mexico City markets are the same. It’s what you get when you get an odd triangular lot near a major bus-light rail transfer point and a lot of hungry stadium-goers, between work and match. And you bet they stay open late.

Officially it’s the Mercado de Comidas Huipulco. Huipulco is a recent addition to Tlalpan’s list of original settlements. But it’s also long-been just across the street from the Azteca Stadium. For that, it’s well-known to lots of people in town for a football game or a concert. But what truly puts Huipulco on the map is one of the liveliest, even happiest, nearly all-eatery markets in the city. That’s to say, it’s market without all the flowers and produce dealers and butchers. Here you get one great place to eat after another, and almost nothing else.

It’s not a big market, but it makes up for its small size with a level of energy that matches many annual celebrations. And this happens every day. And while it may strike a first-time visitor as being mostly fast food, it’s not the national-level chain franchise kind of fast-food. There are some very good things in there.

If you’re in town for a football match, or U2 (etc.) is playing again, don’t miss out on the real star of the show. The people at the Huipulco Lunch Market make it that much more worth a visit. And the food is out of this world.

Hours: Open daily, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Sundays from 9 a.m.)