Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery

San Antonio, United States

4

22 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 210-225-1262
Website:
www.mitierracafe.com
Address:
218 Produce Row, San Antonio, TX, 78207
Downtown
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
3.2 miFredericksburg Road & Mary Louise
Categories:
QR code
Download QR Image Download vCard

Map

Streetview

Activate map

Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
No
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Accepts Apple Pay
No
Good For
Lunch
Parking
Private Lot
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Touristy
Noise Level
Loud
Music
Live
Good For Dancing
No
Alcohol
Full Bar
Happy Hour
Yes
Best Nights
Fri, Sat, Sun
Coat Check
No
Smoking
No
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Has TV
No
Waiter Service
Yes
Caters
Yes
Has Pool Table
No
Offers Military Discount
Yes

Today

Today –
Local time (San Antonio) 10:39 PM Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

In 1941, Pete and Cruz Cortez opened a little three-​table café for early-​rising farmers and workers at San Antonio’s Mercado. Sixty years later Mi Tierra Café is a world-​famous landmark — the place hometown regulars and hungry tourist go for authentic Mexican food and a warm Texas welcome. Mi Tierra now seats over 500 and is still located in Market Square, El Mercado

History

Established in 1941.

During the Depression of the 1930’s, Pete Cortez, a young man from Guadalajara, Mexico moved to San Antonio. There he met a local girl, Cruz Llanes. They married and together fulfilled their American dream_​with hard work and a collection of family recipes they established Mi Tierra_“My Country”. Pete was a visionary. He was dedicated to the revitalization of El Mercado (Market Square) and the preservation of Mexican culture in San Antonio. He believed in the color, passion and hospitality embodied in Hispanic art, music, folklore, history and cuisine. Above all, Pete Cortez was proud to be an American citizen, often commenting, «I am an American by choice, not by chance». Cruzita, a faithful business partner and dedicated, loving mother of five, provided the solid foundation for the Cortez legacy, which has continued into the fourth generation. Today, Pete and Cruz’s family uphold the legacy of big hearted hospitality and community patronage. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Mi Tierra Café & Bakery also recommends

La Margarita Restaurant & Oyster Bar

306

reviews

Seafood

,

Mexican

Mi Tierra Café & Bakery says,

«In San Antonio, the Cortez Family and the entire staff of La Margarita welcomes you to the „Home of the Sizzling Fajitas.“»

Pico de Gallo

132

reviews

Mexican

Mi Tierra Café & Bakery says,

«Restaurante Pico de Gallo, located two blocks west of Market Square, is a popular spot for the locals and is famous for its ‘Parrilladas’.»

Related places

Explore similar places:
140
ft
Viva Villa Taqueria
905 Dolorosa (Downtown)
310
ft
La Margarita
120 Produce Row (Downtown)
310
ft
Ranchero Grill & Tap
612 W Commerce St Ste F1 (Downtown)
520
ft
La Margarita Restaurant & Oyster Bar
120 Produce Row (Downtown)
820
ft
Taco Garage
100 N Santa Rosa Ave (Downtown)
970
ft
Cafe Alameda
342 W Houston St (Downtown)

Vicinity

Near this location:
20
ft
Mariachi Bar
218 Produce Row
120
ft
Mr Pinata SA
216 Produce Row
130
ft
Fiesta Winery San Antonio
102 S Concho St
160
ft
Fiesta de los Reyes
514 W Commerce St
180
ft
Pueblitos Los
202 Produce Row
200
ft
Plaza Taxco
111 Choncho St

22 reviews of Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Houston, TX
I love this place!!! Be prepared to wait at least 40 minutes. It’s well worth the wait. As busy and chaotic as it may seem, the staff always seems to be in control. My husband and I were suggested this place as we love San Antonio and New Braunfels and come here ever summer for tubing. I had a few margaritas waiting to be seated and they are amazing!!! We both had the deluxe Mexican plate, their enchiladas are heaven!!! Please make sure to order a cup/​bowl of tortilla soup! The best I’ve ever had!!! Everything was amazing! The decorations are beautiful! Please make sure you visit the backers as you wait to be seated! I wasn’t very impressed with their empanadas, they were dry and not at all what I expected. I did love their Pan de Polvo, pecan roll, cinnamon roll and walnut brittle. They were tasteful, and fresh!!!
Place rating: 5
Arlington, TX
We had the best experience, ate amazing food and loved meeting the owner. We will be back the next time we are in San Antonio!!!
Place rating: 4
San Antonio, TX
Ok, look, Mi Tierra is what it is. It’s a Tex-​Mex restaurant located in the downtown core so it’s going to be touristy, but that doesn’t mean the food is poor. In fact, I’d suggest that of all the Tex-​Mex restaurants in the area, it’s pretty good albeit overpriced. But, in my experience, touristy + restaurant = inflated price. Truth be told, you can just hop over I-​35 and have as good if not better food at a much cheaper price at any of the 100s of taquerias on the Westside.
I think it’s a good place to take folks who want to «experience» San Antonio without actually having to experience San Antonio if you know what I mean. Look, San Antonio makes its living based on commodifying and whitewashing Mexican culture and heritage. So at Mi Tierra you’ll get the servers dressed in some sort of Mexican dress. They always have mariachis who will serenade your date for tips (TIP THEM WELL). The panadaria (bakery) always has great Mexican pastries and the like. So if you’re looking to take out of towners to the riverwalk, the alamo, the tower of the americas, and want them to see San Antonio «culture» (i.e. Mexican Americans), Mi Tierra is a fine place to go.
If you want to break out of that touristy mold and do something different — actually see other areas of the city than downtown, sea world, and the shops at la cantera – then you’re prolly the type of person that’ll eschew Mi Tierra in the first place.
In terms of the food quality and all of that, it’s good. Their enchiladas are quite good. I always have a nice experience when I go to Mi Tierra, but I know what I am getting.
Place rating: 3
San Antonio, TX
Great place to take tourists since its massive art and décor are very unique. Sadly the food is 4 or 5 on a 10 scale and I’m being generous because I like this place. If they improve the quality of the food I would visit again. No reason why they can’t because they certainly have a massive volume business.
Place rating: 5
Peachtree City, GA
Best tortillas ever! Great service, quick food delivery. Great atmosphere! Tortilla soup was awesome!
Place rating: 5
Oroville, CA
A MUST go to if you want an authentic Mexican atmosphere. Family friendly and some of the best food! Large portions of everything for reasonable prices. We were very pleased with the service.
For an extra experience, go outside to the marketplace and walk around. Love it!
Place rating: 5
Plano, TX
We walked in around 8pm on a Saturday night. Told it would be 45 min wait. In just 15 min, we were seated! Excellent service, amazing fresh food. So authentic. So delicious! Flour tortillas for our beef fajitas were light and airy. The best Mexican we ever had!
Place rating: 1
Atlanta, GA
Sat at the bar. I heard some good things about this place the last time I was here on business. However, I never made it over. Now I wish I hadn’t.
Service was slow and inattentive. You basically had to yell at the bartenders to get their attention. It’s not really their fault, because patrons have to order their drinks there. So, they service the bar and the service individual customers ordering one or two drinks at a time. There is no control. Also, the bartenders seem to lean heavily on one side of the bar. No idea why.
I finally get a food menu, which, as the bartender provides the menu, I’m told is for appetizers only. No big deal. I ate a late lunch and I’m not starving. I ordered a chicken quesadilla off their extremely limited menu.
The quesadilla came and it was gross. Cold, soggy, and so over-​seasoned, I couldn’t finish it. I asked for my check and closed out. How do you jack up a quesadilla? The ones I made in my microwave as a drunk college kid were better than this and I’m not exaggerating.
It’s a sad state of affairs when I looked forward to eating at my hotel instead. In addition, I always tip because I worked at a restaurant. It’s hard. No doubt about it. This time, I had to really think it through. Good luck at this establishment. It looks like a crap shoot.
Place rating: 2
El Paso, TX
I can’t write an unbiased review about this place. Growing up in SA and having family that ate here religiously, I look at this place and its food through rose colored glasses. When we come, I order beef fajitas for two (glutinous I know). They used to be the best in SA and possibly the world (again I’m reminiscent of former tastes and smells). And the flour tortillas are homemade.
But here is the truth: according to my wife, who was once a fan of this place, the quality of the food has gone down. In fact, tonight was the last time she is ever going to eat here. And you guys know how tough on food my wife can be.
On a side note, my son made sure that I give the chicken strips 10 stars.
The wait was not very long and our waitress, who is from Chicago, was great. However, the ladies working the bakery were not very nice.
Sorry to say, even the fajitas were not very good tonight.
Won’t be coming back.
Place rating: 5
Honolulu, HI
So we decided to have our last breakfast in San Antonio here. We’ve been here plenty of times before, but this is my first review. We arrived around 930am & the restaurant was pretty empty & there was ample parking in the front (can you believe that!?!)?
We were immediately sat down & our waiter came & brought our menus & took our drink order. I ordered the huevos a la mexicana with coffee. The coffee here isn’t «amazing», but it was hot & tasty. They kept my cup full… a definite plus! Our food came out quickly (within 10 minutes of our order). My entrée cane out with eggs scrambled in peppers & jalapeños with a side of refried beans, two slices of thick cut crunchy bacon, & a mixture of corn/​flour tortillas! Wow… the food was delicious! I made approximately 4 tacos with the food I had & still had enough leftover for easily 2 more! I didn’t want to get crazy…
The restaurant has such a festive atmosphere from the entrance & throughout the rest of the property. I particularly enjoyed the «shrines» at both entrances of the restaurant. This place is a «must do» if you travel to San Antonio. Even better, they have an amazing bakery that serves fresh pastries! You won’t regret a visit to this place…
Place rating: 4
Houston, TX
I don’t care about all the average or negative reviews, I had a great experience there and the food really hit the spot. Yes it’s a tourist destination, but it’s also one of the largest mexican markets in the US, a city landmark and a pioneer in Tex-​Mex cuisine. Go there and try it yourself, at least once.
Place rating: 4
San Antonio, TX
Mi Tierra’s is a place where Celebrities, Tourists, and Locals meet up 24⁄7.
It’s a place I will take my friends visiting from out of town but not a place I would go just to go unless I was downtown already needing a late night meal. It’s overpriced Mexican food.
They have a Mexican bakery with a nice variety when you walk in…
Décor is over the top and overstimulating.
One of the few places that have seen Cabrito (baby goat) on the menu.
Place rating: 5
Frederick, MD
Wonderful steak fajitas! The steak melts in your mouth
The guacamole was fresh and chunky. The beans that come with the fajitas were good enough to order solo… filled with bacon and peppers.
The marjuiritas with Don Julio rocked! …would have had more than one but the are Expensive!!!
Best food so far in San Antonio.
Place rating: 4
Brownsville, TX
With San Antonio, ‘being a city that can lay claim to being the Tex-​Mex capital of the world’; Mi Tierra is ‘one of the oldest, biggest, and best Tex-​Mex restaurants in San Antonio.’ –Those are the kind of reviews you’ll find on Saveur Magazine, Texas Monthly (runner-​up for «Restaurant of the Century», 1999), and San Antonio Express to name a few.
Located in the heart of the Market Square and established in 1941, Historical Mi Tierra Café & Bakery has been serving REAL authentic Mexican dishes. Today, Mi Tierra is a world-​famous landmark for both locals and tourists alike. Don’t let the name fool you, it’s a Bakery, a Bar, and a restaurant that seats 500. Plus, you’ll find the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, or dinner 24 hours around the clock! It is an EXTREMELY festive restaurant that sits up to 500 and has musicians that stroll the entire restaurant singing with their guitars a variety of Mexican classics!
It simply serves some of the BEST Mexican and Tex-​Mex dishes in all San Antonio!!!
Place rating: 3
Houston, TX
Ok, pretty much just ok. I think my expectations were too high. Maybe just a bit. After all, i was on the center of a tourist area, and this was supposed to be a pretty good local mexican place. It wasn’t really good, just pretty ok.
Parking was terrible. The atmosphere was very tourist cool. The seating was fast and the huevos rancheros came out really quick. Then it went very average. The pork chop was breaded, tough and chewy. The eggs were perfect over medium. The frijoles kinda below average and the potatoes pretty blah. Now the sweet tea was awesome.
So will i be back, probably not.
Place rating: 4
Houston, TX
If you want to go to Mexico, you can just try it at Mi Tierra Café & Bakery. Everything is Mexican: food, waiters’ attire, customers, surrounding area etc… As you enter you get surprised by the decoration of the place. The whole ceiling is covered with very colorful balloons and «Xmas style lights», very characteristic.
The food is awesome and the Margaritas are very tasty. I took a taco salad and it was delicious. Unfortunately the day after I got a Norovirus infection, therefore I vomited everything I ate at Mi Tierra and even before that. At least I enjoyed the food while I ate it.
The place is very packed and I waited 30 minutes before getting seated. The line itself is also long but it was also San Patrick weekend. Maybe, during other weekends, the waiting is better.
The parking is also difficult. I got lucky because I found a spot on the street right in front of the restaurant (on Sunday it is free) but I spent 30 minutes going around before to find it. Other parking options were far and were requiring at least $ 10 (still, maybe it was just the San Patrick weekend).
For now I give a 4 because of the parking availability and the waiting line. But the food and drinks are amazing, therefore I need to get back here on normal hours, so I can switch to a 5.
Place rating: 3
Albuquerque, NM
Ok so everyone knows this is a tourist trap with mediocre food. I knew it going in as well. We made a reservation for our company team and Me Tierra was able to accommodate all of us.
The restaurant itself is cheerfully decorated and massively huge. Lots of murals and streamers and flash. The service was very slow and the food was way below average. The margaritas were good though and having a few of those in the cheerful atmosphere after a long week of work is welcome.
I wouldn’t ever choose to go to Me Tierra… If you end up there, it’s not the best, it’s not the worst… it’s just below par.
Place rating: 4
Vancouver, WA
Live free or diet young.
Liberate yourself from your oppressive diet restrictions at the historic Mi Tierra Bakery in San Antonio. It’s everything a food-​fearin’ Unilocaler needs for emancipation … a Bakery, a Bar, and a Bistro. I seriously think you could come for brunch, enjoy happy hour, and stay for dinner plus plenty of authentic Mexican pastries available for dessert all day.
Mi Tierra Restaurant & Bakery was the main lure for us to visit El Mercado. The Market Square was just so-​so, but the fun & festive (and very popular) Mi Tierra Café y Panderia didn’t disappoint.
We went through the bakery line picking out traditional Mexican pastries like Cuernos de Azucar («sugar horn» croissants), Galleta (cookies), Empanada (turnovers), Pan de Huevo (egg breads), and Mi Tierra’s famous «Ricardo» Crème-​filled Buns with Caramel Glaze and Pecans. Dulce (sweet) classics like Pecan Pralines, Cream Puffs, Palmier Cookies, Chocolate Cupcakes, and irresistible Pink Peanut Patties were sweet salvation, too.
Then we headed to the busy bar for Margaritas and Enchiladas while stealing nibbles from our horde of pastries. The bar service was totally fine, but felt like the bored servers were used to serving tourists. The food wasn’t the best Mexican we had in San Antonio nor were the margaritas.
Even so, the décor is over-​the-​top and adds to the vibe. A live band playing classic Mexican music ramped the celebration up another notch. Despite the basic service and food, we had a good time at Mi Tierra. It was fun. We felt free to enjoy a whole days worth of meals and drinks. Once you visit Mi Tierra Restaurant & Bakery, there may be no reason to ever leave.
Place rating: 3
Concord, CA
Mi Tierra is located in Market Square. If you are looking for good Tex-​Mex and are stopping by Market Square, make sure you check them out.
I have tried better Tex-​Mex in Texas so I could say that there are better ones to be had. However, Mi Tierra’s atmosphere is intentionally and unapologetically over-​the-​top festive and because of this, the place would keep your attention occupied. Fiesta decorations, mariachi, and servers in traditional Mexican garb are part of the experience.
The staff is friendly and efficient. We never had to try to flag our waitress down whenever we needed water or when we needed the check. Maybe because of the time of our visit, we did not have to wait at all to be seated. We went here for breakfast and ordered chorizo breakfast tacos and migas breakfast tacos to eat with our Mexican hot chocolate. The chorizo was a bit too greasy but the tacos were pretty good regardless. The Mexican hot chocolate was not as rich as I remember, but maybe San Antonio Mexican hot chocolate is just not as thick or rich as the ones in San Diego. It was still delicious, even though it was a bit different from what I remember.
The prices are not too high for what I imagine is a touristy place. They are open 24 hours so anyone wanting to visit them can do so whenever hunger strikes. Mi Tierra is definitely worth a visit when in San Antonio.
Place rating: 4
Jersey City, NJ
Boyfriend: Hey, do you remember that time in San Antonio when you got so upset at that Mariachi band?
Me: *silence*
So outside of the «little misunderstanding» between me and the Mariachi band that hustled me out of $ 6, Mi Tierra was great! We wanted to hit up the restaurant while were were in El Mercado. I had heard good things about this open 24 – 7 estaurant and wanted to try some Mexican food while in Texas.
There was a wait for a table when we arrived, but the hostess told us that we could have a drink at the bar (which we did — two very good Shiner Bocks on tap). We also checked out the bakery cases nearby while waiting and just took in the décor. With string lights all over and brightly colored, paper cutouts everywhere, it’s an experience.
When we were seated, our waitress was very friendly and took care of us. My boyfriend had the cheese enchilada, I had menudo and fresh tortillas, and we rounded off the meal with flan. The salsa that comes with the chips and fresh guacamole were really good, too. Overall, we were satisfied with the meal.
If you are going on your first trip to San Antonio, I would recommend checking out Mi Tierra at least once. Then hit up the spots in Southtown.
Place rating: 5
Houston, Estados Unidos
Delicioso la comida ! Nos encanto, no recomiendo el cóctel de camarón no es rico, pero la comida mexicana buenísima, la espera es bastante para pasar a la mesa siempre está bien lleno ! Pero en general lo recomendamos ah el pan no está fresco
Place rating: 5
Richardson, Estados Unidos
Las enquiladas de moles son muy buenas y el servicio fue amable, la decoracion y el ambiente es de un mexico antiguo, me recordo a la epoca de oro del cine mexicano.
El café es tambien muy bueno su aroma y sabor es único, la pasteleria tiene gran variedad y si compras un chamuco (es redondo) te recordaria esos panes que suelen vender en los pueblitos de mexico. Fue una gran experiencia