Fiesta Is A Foodie Feast That Feeds All The Senses

Visitors to San Antonio still have time to feast on a huge variety of Texas comfort foods at Fiesta, one of the most gastronomically rich festivals in the state. San Antonio is the epicenter for the annual, fun-filled 11-day event. Fiesta, which means party in Spanish, is steeped in tradition and pageantry. The festival is synonymous with spring and attracts more than 3 million to a host of citywide events. Sure, upscale restaurants show off their haute cuisine. But for most visitors, the fun is in a smorgasbord of come-as-you are events on the famous River Walk. Tourists and locals alike indulge on everything from corny dogs to street tacos, beef-on-a stick and a number of other delicious choices. Some foods, like hand-patted corn tortillas, can only be had once a year at "Night in Old San Antonio," one of the city's most colorful and spectacular events. A local foodie recommends Maria's Tortillas, which is installed in La Villita (the city's iconic "little village" neighborhood) during the four-day "Night in Old San Antonio" (NIOSA) event. Looking for the Spanish classic called churros? Or corn on the cob (elote) on a stick? You'll find them at this mindboggling party. For Tex-Mex food lovers, the Alamo City is the place to indulge. But Mexican food purists can also satisfy their craving for authentic Mexican food without crossing the border. Some tourists are happy to dine on anything that comes close. That's why a must-visit Tex-Mex landmark is Mi Tierra Restaurant and Bakery. Situated along the River Walk's Mexican Mercado, Mi Tierra attracts a throng of visitors daily. Best of all, it hasn't closed since the Cortez family opened it in 1941. Breakfast tacos are a mainstay of Mi Tierra. But so are enchiladas, crispy tacos, burritos, frijoles and cumin-infused Mexican rice. Top off your visit with Mexican pastries such as tasty sweet potato or pumpkin-filled empanadas. Margaritas and ice cold Mexican beer are available at the mammoth bar. Fiesta, which began in 1891 with a parade to honor the heroes of the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto, has been ongoing-albeit suspended during World War II- for nearly 125 years. The parade, known as the "Battle of the Flowers," was first organized by a group of local women. The patriotic gesture captured the imagination of city officials and residents alike. So the parade began evolving into a citywide Fiesta. Nonprofit organizations participate in a slew of parades, where thousands of spectators line the River Walk and shout "Viva Fiesta" to cheer them along. Today, the "Battle of the Flowers" parade is only second in importance to the Tournament of Roses Parade in California. More than 75,000 volunteers put in hundreds of hours to help ensure that visitors have a great time. What's quirky about Fiesta is that there are royal families involved. Well, not really "Royals" but made up ones. There "King Selamat," which is tamales spelled backwards and "King Omala," which is Alamo spelled backwards. There's even a "King Feo," which mean ugly in Spanish. To the uninitiated, the tongue-in-cheek pageantry seems odd and crazy. But to locals and regular visitors, holding a pageant and coronation ceremony is mandatory. Otherwise, it really wouldn't be Fiesta! In fact, elementary and middle schools hold their own pretend king and queen coronations. Virtually every business in the city supports Fiesta each year. Banks and giant grocery chains allow employees to don colorful Mexican sombreros and red, orange, green and other colorful garb to promote the spirit of this festival. Hundreds of Fiesta-goers love to collect medals handcrafted by nonprofit organizations that use the funds to support local charities. Some medals depict different San Antonio landmarks or city scenes. Some of the medals become souvenirs. Others are used as fashion statements and worn each year. Meanwhile, restaurants, bars and all manner of food purveyors offer special menus, treats and discounts during Fiesta. Local universities, such as St. Mary's University, Incarnate Word University and Trinity University host events. Tourists and locals alike may obtain a schedule of events from local magazines and newspapers. Free city maps and all the information necessary can be requested from the San Antonio Convention & Visitor's Bureau. Also, once in downtown San Antonio, visitors should visit the Visitor's Center directly across from The Alamo. The center provides brochures and magazines containing discount coupons to citywide events. Since nothing across the country may come close to Fiesta, those who travel for food and fun need to check it out pronto! Before you go, check out: www.fiesta-sa.org or www.visitsanantonio.com