The story
Mercado de San Juan de Dios is a sprawling Guadalajara flea market where food is the main draw. Mark Wiens calls it home to “some of the best street food in Mexico,” citing its “legendary status” and the original Tortas Locas that have been served here since 1970. The buzzing food section makes this an essential stop for authentic regional flavors.
At a family-run stall, Wiens highlights the birria de chivo and quesabirria, noting “every part of the goat is glorified” and the consommé is “liquid gold.” These dishes, along with the iconic torta loca, cement the market’s reputation as an ultimate Mexican food destination, capturing the spirited soul of Guadalajara in every bite.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review. First reviewed 2025.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 3 dish mentions say about the food
Reviewers rave about the Torta loca, a towering, messy masterpiece that captures the bustling, vibrant soul of this market. The overall vibe is pure, unfiltered local energy, where every bite feels like a celebration.
“Immediately you pick it up and you just feel the heat, the sauce, the mayonnaise. Oh, you need two hands for this. This is the most intimidating sandwich you'll ever see. I've never had so much melted mayonnaise in my life. It's almost like mayonnaise cheese sauce with that lettuce, with the pork leg, with all those sauces. Well, that's a totally unique and different sandwich eating experience. This one you just got to close your eyes. Take only take in all the emotions, all the flavors. I know the texture, but this is good. Oh, just to add to it, you need salsa. Oh, wow. Oh, with the salsa that makes it even better. Something totally unique, totally different, totally incredibly tasty, and one of the messiest sandwiches you will probably ever eat. It breaks all the rules anyone has ever taught you about a sandwich. And it works. It's like you're swimming in a sandwich. There is a reason they call it Tortas Locas, the crazy torta. It is beyond crazy.”
What creators say
2 creators have covered Mercado de San Juan de Dios. Most active: Mark Wiens
- Mark WiensLoved
Best STREET FOOD in Mexico!! 33 Meals - Ultimate Mexican Food Tour [Full Documentary] · @ 49:38
A massive flea market with an incredible food section, home to legendary quesabirria and the original Tortas Locas since 1970.
Dishes mentioned
Quesabirria
Oh. Oh. Oh. The cheese, the goat juice. Mexi babava. This is so iconic. Oh lord. Oh, you kidding me? Wow. It really has a nice little crunch to it. Oh, I mean the spice levels are incredible. Yeah. The chili oil kind of like you inhale the fumes of that chili oil as it goes down. The cheese melts in your mouth. You got all that crunch of the sranos, the onions, the cilantro. That is a new definition of a quesabirria. The goat, it's so tender and so flavorful. All those varieties of smoky chilis in that consume. The oil, the chili oil. Yeah, that is unbelievable.
Birria de Chivo
Oh man. You can see that swirl. Just all that spice, all that chili mixing in. Taste it again with all that seasoning, that broth. What I'm talking about. Oh, all that chili oil. All that goat oil. Oh, it's so good. Yeah. Unbelievable.
Torta Loca
Immediately you pick it up and you just feel the heat, the sauce, the mayonnaise. Oh, you need two hands for this. This is the most intimidating sandwich you'll ever see. I've never had so much melted mayonnaise in my life. It's almost like mayonnaise cheese sauce with that lettuce, with the pork leg, with all those sauces. Well, that's a totally unique and different sandwich eating experience. This one you just got to close your eyes. Take only take in all the emotions, all the flavors. I know the texture, but this is good. Oh, just to add to it, you need salsa. Oh, wow. Oh, with the salsa that makes it even better. Something totally unique, totally different, totally incredibly tasty, and one of the messiest sandwiches you will probably ever eat. It breaks all the rules anyone has ever taught you about a sandwich. And it works. It's like you're swimming in a sandwich. There is a reason they call it Tortas Locas, the crazy torta. It is beyond crazy.
- Mark WiensLoved
Mexico's Craziest Sandwich!! 🇲🇽 $5 Feeds a Family!! (Guadalajara, Mexico) · @ 19:38
A massive flea market with everything from horse saddles to food — the food section is a paradise of energy, aromas, and incredible birria and quesabirria.
