Whether you are looking for something sweet, spicy, or savory, all roads lead to a car park of the Capiz Government and Business Center in Roxas City. 

The weekly street food offering has become a weekend capper since it started last June 16 to promote local street food snacks and delicacies.

“Maragtas Street Food Market” is a late Friday afternoon come-on for adventure seekers looking for a blend of good food and great music as local talents provide entertainment at the venue.

“We earn extra income as we extend also our operation until the market closes before midnight,” said Jason, an existing tenant at the car park selling takoyaki.

Kids and young at heart also spice up their taste buds with cotton candies, ice cream, hotdogs, pies, and hotcakes.

Provincial Tourism Officer Alphonsus Tesoro said that all the vendors have undergone a seminar on proper food handling and preparation to ensure that the foods are clean and safe.

“More innovations and attractions will come soon at the street food market towards the end of this year,” he stressed.

The initiative is in line with the marching order of Gov. Fredenil H. Castro to promote the province’s street food and tourism potentials following a successful trade mission of a provincial government delegation to discover and learn ideas, processes, and strategies for a thriving street food industry in South Korea.

The learnings and observations from the mission were applied in the Maragtas Street Food Market to strengthen and provide opportunities for the street food vendors as the province crafts its name into the tourism national roadmap.

“Our street food is a representation of our culture - the way we live revealed through the way we eat,” according to a PTCAO teaser.

Street food is a part of everyday life and an opportunity to immerse in local culture.

As early as now, the street food market is a perfect destination for families, loved ones, and friends to gather and create new memories. (AAL/PIA Capiz/Photos from the Capiz Provincial Tourism Office and CPGCG)