★★★★★
Hands down the best fish tacos in St. Pete for the price. The patio is dog-friendly and the margaritas are huge. We come back every time we're downtown.
Mexican Restaurants · The Edge District · St. Petersburg
Red Mesa Mercado - The
Edge District
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The place
Red Mesa Mercado is a casual Mexican walk-up restaurant in The Edge District of St. Petersburg, located at 1100 1st Ave N. The kitchen is the counter-service offshoot of the long-running Red Mesa family of restaurants, serving burritos, tacos, bowls and quesadillas built California-style with fresh ingredients. Guests order at a walk-up window and seat themselves at covered outdoor tables with flat-screen TVs, ceiling fans and string lights. The menu emphasizes fish tacos, carne asada, and house-made guacamole alongside frozen margaritas and Mexican beers. Dogs are welcome on the patio, parking is available on-street and in a shared lot, and takeout is offered through the website. The restaurant holds a 4.4-star Google rating with over 2,760 reviews.
Red Mesa Mercado sits on the corner of 1st Avenue North and 11th Street in St. Petersburg's Edge District, the walk-up sibling to the city's long-standing Red Mesa restaurants. The vibe is intentionally low-key — a covered outdoor patio, picnic-style tables, flat-screen TVs tuned to whatever game is on, and a counter window where you place your order. It is a favorite stop for downtown locals, pre-Tropicana Field crowds, and anyone hunting cheap Mexican that punches above its price tag.
The shortlist of what to order: carne asada burritos, mahi mahi fish tacos with cabbage slaw, crispy shrimp tacos, and the loaded nachos. Add a side of house guacamole and chips and a frozen margarita or a Modelo on draft. The bowls — rice, beans, protein, salsa, queso — are the move if you want lighter or low-carb. Most plates land under $15.
Reservations are not accepted; it is first-come, first-served at the order window with seating on the open-air patio. The patio is dog-friendly, takeout is available through the Red Mesa Mercado website, and a shared lot plus on-street parking serve the block. Expect a line at peak weekend hours, but the kitchen moves fast.
The Edge District, Explained
The Edge District is St. Petersburg's in-between neighborhood made good — the stretch between downtown and Grand Central that filled with breweries, murals, and food concepts over the past decade. It's where the city's younger energy concentrated. Red Mesa Mercado - The Edge District is a product of exactly that environment — mexican, wallet-friendly prices, and a clientele that comes back weekly rather than once.
The Word Around Town
“Hands down the best fish tacos in St. Pete for the price. The patio is dog-friendly and the margaritas are huge. We come back every time we're downtown.” — as one Google reviewer puts it. At ★4.4 across 2,760 reviews, that voice speaks for a crowd.
Good to know: Open weekends. Hours and details are kept current on this page — check the sidebar before making the drive.
Walk-up counter service
Covered outdoor patio with TVs
Dog-friendly patio
House-made guacamole and chips
What to expect
Walk-up counter service with a covered, dog-friendly outdoor patio. Order at the window, grab a table, and your food is delivered. Cash and cards accepted, full bar with frozen margaritas and Mexican beer, kid-friendly, and casual dress. No reservations — arrive early on weekends and during Rays home games.
Then come for the photos
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The shop, in frames
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What people are saying
★★★★★
Walk-up window, fast service, and the carne asada burrito is loaded. Casual vibe with TVs on the patio — perfect spot before a Rays game.
★★★★★
Great cheap eats. The crispy shrimp tacos and queso are must-orders. Outdoor seating only so weather matters, but worth it.
Review excerpts via Google.
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Frequently asked
Does Red Mesa Mercado take reservations?
No — Red Mesa Mercado is a walk-up counter-service restaurant with first-come, first-served seating on the outdoor patio. Arrive early on weekends and during Tampa Bay Rays home games.
Is Red Mesa Mercado dog friendly?
Yes — the entire seating area is an open-air patio, and well-behaved dogs are welcome on leash.
Where do I park near Red Mesa Mercado?
On-street metered parking is available along 1st Avenue North and the surrounding Edge District blocks, plus a shared lot adjacent to the property.
What are the most popular dishes at Red Mesa Mercado?
Mahi mahi fish tacos, crispy shrimp tacos, carne asada burritos, loaded nachos, and the house-made guacamole are the most-ordered items.
What are Red Mesa Mercado's hours?
Open daily from 9am, closing at 9pm Sunday through Thursday and 10pm Friday and Saturday. Hours can vary on holidays — call (727) 954-7430 to confirm.
Does Red Mesa Mercado offer takeout or delivery?
Yes — takeout can be ordered through the Red Mesa Mercado website at redmesamercado.com, and the location is also available on major third-party delivery apps.
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Closest spots by distance
Other places to fold into the same trip — measured straight-line from Red Mesa Mercado - The Edge District.
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From Instagram
@redmesamercado