Time is a flat circle, and apparently, so is the Austin dining scene. Just when you thought South First couldn't get any more... South First, De Nada Cantina, purveyor of tacos and margaritas, is colonizing the former El Mercado space, slated to open in early 2026 at 1302 South First Street, Austin, TX 78704. Yes, another restaurant. Yes, another taco joint. Yes, the relentless churn of Austin's culinary landscape continues unabated.
The Big Picture
De Nada, known for its energetic neighborhood vibe and reliably tasty Tex-Mex, is expanding its footprint with a second location. This isn't your quirky, hole-in-the-wall taqueria; this is a calculated move by the De Nada restaurant group, signaling a continued investment in the Austin dining scene. El Mercado, the prior tenant, was a South First staple, and its transition signals an evolving landscape on the street.
By the Numbers
What Changed
El Mercado is gone, replaced by the promise of more De Nada. The shift reflects the ongoing evolution of South First Street, balancing its old-Austin charm with the influx of new businesses and concepts. The demand for Tex-Mex remains insatiable, and De Nada is capitalizing on that hunger, or rather, the hunger is being capitalized on by De Nada. Gentrification marches on, one taco at a time.
Why It Matters
Because novelty is the only thing that slows down the perception of time passing. Also, change is inevitable. South First is changing. Austin is changing. The world is changing. You can either embrace the new taco overlords or rage against the dying of the light while shoveling down a breakfast burrito from a gas station. Your choice.