1. Tacos
I had to start with the obvious one. Al pastor is probably the most popular one, which is slices of pork grilled on a spit. This method of grilling was brought over by Lebanese immigrants, based on the way they cook lamb shawarma. Really, anything goes on a taco. My other favorites included fish, and campechano. Campechano means ‘mix-up’, and contains a different combination of meats but the most popular combo is probably beef, chorizo, and chicharónes (fried pork rinds). Another popular option you’ll see is suaderos, which is the cut between the belly and the leg of beef or pork. Tacos here are mainly served up on corn tortillas
2. Tacos Volcánes
All the fixings of a taco, served on a tostada (toasted tortilla), resembling a volcano
3. Quesabirria
Another popular taco that has exploded all over Instagram, though the hype has died down a bit now. This is birria-style beed in a tortilla with melted cheese, and served with a dipping broth. The original quesabirria came from Tijuana, Mexico and was made with goat meat
4. Ceviche
Raw shrimp, fish, and/or squid marinated in citrus juices. The acid from the juices ‘cook’ the fish. Typically served with tostadas
5. Tostadas
Fried corn tortillas. They can be cut into triangles, and this is how you get tortilla chips. Similar to how stale bread is made into croutons, you can take a stale tortilla, fry it up and turn it into tostadas
6. Elotes
Grilled corn slathered with mayo, cheese, lime, chile, and cilantro. Usually sold in the street from a food cart. The corn they eat is not the same as the small kernel-ed corn in the US, but have larger kernels and taste almost mealy. I prefer the corn in the US
7. Esquites
Same concept as elote, except the corn is off the cob and served in a cup, making it much easier and less messy to eat. It’s also known as, ‘elote en vaso’, or ‘corn in a cup’
8. Tamales
Masa (dough made of ground corn) filled with anything from meats and cheeses, to fruits and vegetables, steamed in a corn husk or banana leaves
9. Tortas
Sandwich made with a crusty bread (inspired by the French baguette) and can really be stuffed with anything, but the main ingredients usually consist of meats and cheeses
10. Churros
Although churros originated in Spain, they became popular in Mexico after Spanish and Portuguese conquerors brought them over. Spanish churros are thinner and are coated in sugar, and are usually served with a chocolate dipping sauce. Mexican churros are thicker and are usually coated in sugar and cinnamon, and can be dipped in a chocolate or caramel sauce
11. Mole
This means sauce and there are so many different types of moles. The most common base of a mole is made of chili peppers, spices, and chocolate, and is usually served over meat, and served with rice
12. Cochinita Pibil
Slow-roasted pork dish from the Yucatán Peninsula. Cochinita means baby pig, but sometimes pork shoulder is used. The meat is marinated in citrus juice, which tenderizes the meat, and annatto seed, which gives it an orange color.
13. Huaraches
This means ‘sandal’ because of the shape that the masa dough is formed into. It’s cooked on a skillet is usually topped with smashed pinto beans, along with meat, cheese, veggies, and/or salsa
14. Tlayuda
Similar to huaraches but the base is a fried tortilla instead
15. Quesadilla
Tortilla filled with cheese and meats and then cooked on a griddle. Usually made with corn tortilla. The flour versions you are used to seeing are more popular in the US
16. Flautas
Tortilla rolled with beef, shredded chicken, or cheese, and then fried. This means ‘flute’ because of its long, rolled shape. It is similar to a ‘taquito’, or ‘little taco’ but flautas are bigger and meant to be eaten as a main dish, whereas taquitos are more of a snack
17. Gorditas
Masa stuffed with cheese or meat, and then griddled, similar to an arepa
18. Chicharrónes
Fried pork rinds. The ones they make here are massive
19. Nopales
Grilled cacti that are usually sautéed or grilled
20. Caldo de Pollo
Chicken soup with veggies like potatoes, carrots, corn and seasoned with lime. Perfect for the day after you’ve had one too many micheladas
21. Michelada
Beer cocktail, usually mixed with clamato, which is a tomato juice, lime juice, and spices. Essentially a bloody mary but with beer instead of vodka
22. Agua de Jamaica
Hibiscus tea, usually served iced
23. Horchata
Sweet rice milk drink with cinnamon and sugar
24. McDonald’s
There weren’t too many different menu items in Mexico and the special burgers they had seemed pretty basic, so I opted out this time
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