El Merkury at The Market

El Merkury was founded by Sofia Deleon. Deleon is a native Guatemalan who moved to the US in 2012 for college, first obtaining a degree in Food Industry Management from Michigan State and later an MBA in Food Marketing from St. Joseph’s University. Deleon worked on the corporate side for companies representing Kerrygold, Hormel and McCormick among others. It was in 2017 when the political landscape was changing and there was a lot of negativity towards Immigrants and Central America that Deleon decided to quit her job and follow her dream to open a restaurant. The goal was to create a place that offered food representing the best of the small countries that were often negatively portrayed in media but that had so much to offer.

El Merkury was born initially as a series of pop ups and a virtual kitchen serving fast casual Guatemalan and Salvadorian street food. In May 5th, 2018 it found its permanent home in 2104 Chestnut st. It is the first and only quick service restaurant focusing on Central American Street Food and Churros. The name El Merkury came about as broken Spanish for The Market.

Fast forward to 2021 we are excited to open El Merkury at the Market at Reading Terminal Market. The vision is to create a modern Guatemalan deli with fresh tortillas, pupusas and churros made to order for home consumption as well as salsas, pickles and breakfast. It will be the first of its kind slated to open at the beginning of April.

Eateries