Gonzales Food Market named Main Street Business of the Month for June

Opened in 1959 by Lopez family patriarch “Chano Lopez”, his son Pablo, and daughters Elisa and Emilia Lopez, the Gonzales Food Market continues to make some of the best BBQ in town. And now, the Gonzales Food Market is the Main Street Business of the Month.

Located at 311 St. Lawrence Street and originally opened as a town grocery store, the Gonzales Food Market has continually served Gonzales in the same location for over 64 years. Richard Lopez and his brother Ray now operate the Gonzales Food Market as third-generation proprietors of the family business.

The brothers both grew up and graduated from Gonzales High School. They both remember working with their grandfather and dad at a very young age. Richard retired from his corporate job in San Antonio and came back to Gonzales to help with the business. As the larger grocery store chains came to town, the Gonzales Food Market turned their focus strictly to barbecue.

One of the unique things about the business is the large number of out-of-town customers that frequent the business. Because of the family’s dedication to the business, Gonzales Food Market is famous for its sausage. It’s made following the same recipe that was used since the start of the business.

Sausage is the number one seller and is made in the market on a daily basis. Richard’s favorite item on the menu by far is the brisket.

“It is so versatile” says Richard Lopez. “I can eat it on a tortilla, chopped on a bun, by itself with salt and pepper, or just smothered with our barbecue sauce.”

The Gonzales Food Market currently has 10 employees and often brings in the local youth to help out on busy weekends or holidays. While the business has been in the family for decades, the brothers are not against exploring opportunities to sell their share and let the next young entrepreneur take the reins.