By: Madalyn Mendoza | From: Axios San Antonio

Mexico Ceaty, the long-planned overhaul of the Shops at Rivercenter's food court, is targeting an April opening, local chef Jason Dady said during a recent preview.

Why it matters: The 21,000-square-foot destination aims to draw locals back to Rivercenter while giving tourists and convention-goers a new, distinctly San Antonio experience on the River Walk.

What they're saying: "The one thing I've heard more than anything is, 'Oh my gosh, I haven't been to Rivercenter since I was a kid,'" Dady told Axios. "What we're excited about is that this gives everybody a great reason to come back."

The big picture: Mexico Ceaty is San Antonio's Mexican-forward answer to Eataly, blending sit-down dining, grab-and-go kiosks, bars and retail under one roof.

  • Dady owns popular restaurants across the city, including Tre Trattoria, Two Bros BBQ, and Roca & Martillo.

Flashback: Rivercenter's ownership approached Dady about reimagining the food court with a local chef at the helm nearly four years ago, kicking off a long development process.

State of play: Tres Arcos, a full-service Tex-Mex restaurant, anchors Mexico Ceaty, with the rest of the space designed for mix-and-match dining.

  • Dos Cantinas will be a 300-seat bar with loft views of the River Walk and live music, expected to stay open late on weekends.

  • Expect a speakeasy-style agave tasting room featuring artisanal mezcals and aged tequilas at El Último.

  • Dulce Aroma will be a panadería café with Mexican pastries, churros, breakfast tacos and carajillos on tap.

Zoom in: The central plaza will feature grab-and-go food stalls — including a tortillería, ceviche bar, frutería and Baja-style burrito stand — plus a mercado selling snacks, artisan goods and more.

The vibe: The design pulls from different regions of Mexico alongside Tex-Mex influences, with a mural by San Antonio artist Colton Valentine.

What we're watching: Fiesta, running April 16–26, will bring an influx of visitors to downtown — and give Mexico Ceaty its first big chance to capture locals' attention.

The bottom line: "At a minimum, it gives everyone the opportunity to come once," Dady said. "And if we do our job, they come back."