For more than two decades, chef Jason Dady has been a fixture on San Antonio’s dining scene, and he currently operates popular restaurants including Tre Trattoria, Range, and Jardin. His latest project is his most ambitious yet: Bringing an Eataly-like concept to San Antonio. To make it happen, Jason Dady Restaurant Group has teamed up with Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation, a private real estate investment firm owned by Ben Ashkenazy.
Called Mexico Ceaty, the multi-concept project is billed as an immersive dining, entertainment and shopping experience that pays homage to the culinary history and culture of Mexico and San Antonio. It’s slated to open inside the Shops at Rivercenter on San Antonio’s famous River Walk in early 2025.
Mexico Ceaty covers 21,000 square feet inside the Shops at Rivercenter on San Antonio’s River Walk.
Mexico Ceaty has taken over the property’s existing food court and is completely overhauling the 21,000-square-foot space to accommodate the mix of concepts. It’s being designed by architect Frank Valadez of S.A. Partnership in collaboration with Jason Dady Restaurant Group. Once open, visitors can expect restaurants, bars, a coffee shop, a marketplace, and a stage for live music and art activations.
“This isn’t just a food court — it’s an experience,” Jason Dady said in a statement. “Our goal with Mexico Ceaty is to create a space where locals and visitors can enjoy the flavors and traditions of Mexico while celebrating the unique spirit of our city. We’re excited to bring a variety of concepts to this space, with each element designed to offer an immersive experience.”
Each forthcoming bar and restaurant concept is new, created specifically for Mexico Ceaty by Dady and his team. They include Tres Arcos, a full-service Tex-Mex restaurant, and Dos Cantinas, a 300-seat bar with two sunken sitting areas and elevated lofts serving Margaritas and other tequila cocktails. El Ultimo is a speakeasy-style agave tasting room focused on artisanal mezcals and tequilas. And Dulce Aroma is a casual panaderia café specializing in Mexican pastries, fresh churros, and breakfast tacos.
Concepts include a Tex-Mex restaurant, an agave bar, and a panaderia serving fresh pastries, churros, and breakfast tacos.
Mexico Ceaty will also feature food stands across its main plaza, with a tortilleria, taqueria, ceviche bar, fruteria and a Baja burrito stand. The marketplace, simply called Mercado, will stock retail products like salsas, handmade kitchen utensils, and artisan crafts from Mexico.
The Shops at Rivercenter already features more than 100 retailers, including more than a dozen restaurants, a movie theater, Dave & Buster’s, Legoland Discovery Center and a 1,000-room Marriott hotel. It’s busy, averaging 12 million visitors each year. Mexico Ceaty can benefit from the area’s massive built-in traffic, capturing guests who want a sit-down meal, drink, quick coffee or a snack between other stops.
“We have everything from paletas [ice pops] and churros to street tacos and wagyu fajitas across an abundance of both quick- and full-service outlets,” Dady said. “We want to create a space for everyone who visits. I am thrilled to bring this concept from a dream to reality and to be at the heart of the River Walk.”
It’s a good time for markets in San Antonio. Mexico Ceaty will join Pullman Market, an unaffiliated concept that opened earlier this year in the city’s vibrant Pearl District. It has a selection of restaurants, quick-service eateries and a specialty grocery featuring a butcher, fishmonger, bakery, and fresh produce.
