The family behind Northgate Markets, one of the largest Latino grocery stores in the United States, will open Mercado González, a new food hall in the heart of Costa Mesa. The approximately 70,000 square-foot space draws influence from markets in Mexico, such as Mercado de Coyoacán, one of Mexico City’s most iconic markets, and Mercado de Artesanías de Oaxaca.
The food hall, named after Don Miguel González and Doña Teresa Reynoso de González, the husband-and-wife duo who founded Northgate Markets in 1980, will feature over 20 food stalls, live music, numerous shops, and a high-end restaurant. Unlike traditional supermarkets, where one must navigate zigzagging aisles while searching for food on shelves, this new food hall will allow a more free-form shopping experience where customers can wander through the open and airy bazaar, grab a quick bite, and visit local vendors, butcher shops, cheese shops, tortilla makers, and other specialized stores for everyday shopping needs.
Some highlights will include Aguas Frescas, a full-service liquor store offering imported beers, wines, tequilas, and mezcal; La González Tortillería serving birria, menudo, and freshly made tortillas; and sweets by Pastelería La González and Dulces Artesanos. The food stalls will also house El Moro churrería from Mexico City, serving churros and seven types of hot chocolate, Chiva Torta sandwiches, tacos from Los Guichos, and carnitas from Don Miguel.
In addition to everyday shopping, Mercado González will also feature a couple of seating areas: Maizano, by Jorge Salim and Javier Hernández Pons, the duo behind LA Cha Cha Chá and Loreto in Los Angeles, will have a menu centered around traditional Mexican corn. Diners can enjoy dishes such as mole, sopa de Lima, and various memelas and tetelas. Salim and Pons will also open Entre Nos, a 6,000-square-foot outdoor bar adorned with tropical flora, offering a variety of libations including micheladas, mezcal, tequila, and Mexican beers.
Mercado González will also operate a kitchen that will work with street vendors and budding culinary entrepreneurs, providing them with a space to prepare food and guiding them on topics such as food safety certificates. The food hall, adorned with murals by Claudio Limón, is part of the Northgate Markets family empire, which has more than 40 locations throughout Southern California.
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