16 Mexican Street Food Dishes You Need to Try
Mexico is a country with some of the most varied street food in the world. And even better is that with a very small budget, you can eat delicious foods all day every day. In almost every corner of the country, there is a street food stand with a variety of amazing dishes.
In this article, I’ll list some of the most popular Mexican street foods, including some personal favorites like cochinita, burritos… ok, never mind, I might have too many. Let’s begin!
1. Montados, State of Chihuahua
Northerns prefer the large flour tortilla to the corn tortilla. The montado is a flour quesadilla stuffed with minced meat, refried beans, and Mennonite cheese.
One bite and you will want it to never end. So, ask for more?
2. Memelas, State of Oaxaca
This is a handmade corn dough “plate” cooked on a griddle until crispy. Once cooked, it is smeared with lard, called asiento, refried beans, and is then topped with fresh cheese. This is definitely an experience you need to try.
3. Tlayuda, State of Oaxaca
Tlayuda is a Mexican pizza. It’s made with a giant and crispy tortilla, smeared with asiento, refried beans, and a local cheese called quesillo, better known as Oaxaca cheese. It is decorated with avocado, fresh tomato, and marinated pork meat called cecina.
A dish with a particular smoky, spicy touch.
4. Elote Chorreado, Northern States
An irresistible dish that you must try! It is from northern Mexico and fuses esquites, nachos, and chilaquiles. You will find these stands outside churches or at the parks, for sure. You can choose between a whole corn or a cup. This is definitely a gastronomic wonder that you cannot miss.
5. Esquites
This is a very popular Mexican snack made with tender corn kernels and the broth from cooking them. Its incomparable flavor comes from a a local herb called epazote.
You have to put chili, lemon, butter, mayonnaise, and fresh cheese on top to fully enjoy the experience. Soooo creamy!
6. Tacos
Yum! The best-known Mexican dish in the whole world. In Mexico, a real taco is the one sold on the street. And of course, the greasier, the tastier.
There are more than 60 different tacos throughout the country. You will find both common and exotic ingredients. Check out the following list of the most common ones:
- Barbacoa (a traditional method of cooking sheep, beef, and goat in their juices).
- Suadero (brisket)
- Carnitas (pork meat confit)
- Chorizo
- Asada (grilled steak)
- Tripa (pork innards – intestines)
- Sesos (beef brain)
- Lengua (beef tongue)
- Cachete (beef cheek)
- Pastor (marinated pork meat)
- Cabeza (beef head)
- Chicharrón prensado (pork rinds with meat)
- Pescado (deep-fried battered fish)
- Tuétano (bone marrow)
- Lechón (grilled piglet)
- Cochinita pibil (shredded pork meat marinated in achiote and orange sauce)
- Rib-eye
- Etc.
7. Tostilocos
This is a bag of crispy tortilla chips, topped with various ingredients that give it an acidic and spicy touch. Of these ingredients, Valentina sauce stands out, giving it a touch of chili, lemon, and vinegar.
Perfect for chilling with Netflix!
8. Torta Guajolota, State of México
this is like a baguette with a soft tamal, which is steamed corn dough with meat in between. You can also find it stuffed with chilaquiles. This combination is unique, crazy, and delicious!
9. Torta Ahogada, State of Jalisco
Made with a bread called birote, filled with carnitas, and dipped in a tomato sauce and a tablespoon of chili sauce for extra flavor. So if you are in a hurry and craving a spicy meal, this is an on-the-go delicacy!
10. Torta de Cochinita, State of Yucatán
This acidic queen is filled with Cochinita pibil, which is shredded pork marinated in achiote and orange sauce. It’s definitely my favorite dish. You’ll find sour and spicy flavors in your first bite.
11. Burro Percherón, State of Sonora
A yummy giant burrito! Traditional cooks make the giant flour tortillas by hand. For the filling, we use grilled rib-eye mainly, but other establishments use griddled beef steak. But either option is delicious. You can either share it or eat it all yourself!
12. Huarache, State of México
This typical Mexican dish is shaped like the traditional Mexican sandals your mother would hit you if you behaved as a child – or perhaps still does! The huarache is handmade with griddled corn dough and topped with refried beans, shredded chicken or beef, fresh cheese, nopales (Mexican cactus), and whole cream.
It’s so delicious that it melts in your mouth!
13. Marquesita, State of Yucatán
This is a bittersweet dessert. It is basically a very thin and crispy crepe stuffed with jam, cajeta (caramel made with goat’s milk), or Nutella, and, of courseo shredded Edam cheese. Some put more cheese on the tip, and it’s simply a treat for the palate!
14. Duritos
Duritos are a popular snack made with puffed wheat. They are deep-fried and have a light, airy consistency similar to chicharrones. They are flavored with hot sauce and lemon. You won’t be able to eat just one!
15. Chapulines, State of Oaxaca
Grasshoppers! They are a pre-Hispanic delight. They are sold in markets and street stalls and you can find them fresh or dried. They are eaten as a snack, with a taco, or are used to flavor a sauce or dish.
Delicious! The flavor is earthy, salty, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside. You can’t leave Mexico without trying them.
16. Tacos de Borrego, State of Chihuahua
Roasted sheep tacos are very popular in the north of the country. They are decorated with pico de gallo, grated cabbage, and hot sauce. The way the meat is cooked plus the hot sauce they are topped with, makes it melt in your mouth!
To Sum Up
This is a small sample of the great diversity of food that you can find on the streets and at local markets in Mexico. Remember that the main thing that highlights the flavor of a taco or any street food… yes, the sauce. Yes, the spicier the better.
Related: 25 Most Popular Mexican Desserts
Related: Most Popular 30 Mexican Foods
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